The Edmonton Oilers are considering bringing in a forward who has won the Stanley Cup to strengthen Leon Draisaitl’s line.
The upcoming NHL trade deadline has sparked intriguing speculation, with The Athletic presenting a potential addition for the Edmonton Oilers. Writers Harman Dayal and Max Bultman have suggested the idea of bringing in Vladimir Tarasenko, a top-six forward, to join the Oilers. They believe Tarasenko’s skill set could complement the current roster of the Oilers, as outlined in their analysis.
At 32 years old, the Russian forward has been displaying enduring strength, making significant contributions to the Ottawa Senators this season. He has amassed an impressive 15 goals and 37 points in 50 games, along with a commendable plus-minus rating of +14. With an average ice time of around 16 minutes per game, Tarasenko appears to be a strategic fit for the Oilers.
Dayal and Bultman suggest that Tarasenko could be a valuable addition to the Oilers’ second line alongside stars Leon Draisaitl and Evander Kane. The potential synergy among this trio could greatly enhance the team’s offensive prowess, making them a formidable force on the ice.
Furthermore, there’s a positive sign regarding the feasibility of this trade, as fellow Athletic hockey insider Pierre LeBrun has indicated that Tarasenko would be open to waiving his no-trade clause to join the Edmonton roster.
The proposed trade deal involves sending Tarasenko to the Edmonton Oilers with a 75% retention on his $5 million cap hit. To facilitate this retention, a 2025 fourth-round pick would be sent to a third-party team, while a 2024 second-round pick and sixth-round pick would be part of the package going to Ottawa.
Currently, the Edmonton Oilers have just under $1.7 million in available cap space, but with potential adjustments, this figure could rise to $2.3 million by the impending deadline, as suggested by Cap Friendly.
Tarasenko’s previous tenure with the New York Rangers last season, where he tallied 21 points in 31 games, underscores his potential impact.
In other news, the Edmonton Oilers secured a 6-3 victory over Arizona, overcoming early missed opportunities and trailing into the third period before rallying with four goals. Evander Kane, who scored twice in the third, highlighted their composure, stating it was a good example of it. Coach Kris Knoblauch emphasized the importance of avoiding losing streaks, expressing satisfaction with back-to-back wins. Coyotes coach Andre Tourigny lamented breakdowns despite their efforts, noting that Edmonton capitalized on their limited scoring chances. Nick Bjugstad, who scored twice for Arizona, expressed frustration, emphasizing their desire for a win.
