Ken Holland, the general manager of the Edmonton Oilers, is getting ready for his sixth NHL Trade Deadline with the group. The Oilers might see a lot of activity leading up to March 8 in the 2024 deadline, as they are thought to be one of the more aggressive GMs in the trade market. With a strong Pacific Division standing and competition from the Los Angeles Kings, Vegas Golden Knights, and Vancouver Canucks, there is conjecture regarding the Oilers’ potential and intensity. The opportunity to win is now, this is probably Holland’s final season, and he’s working with new CEO Jeff Jackson.
The Oilers, a club with a tight budget, will probably need to transfer a contract in order to get a valuable player. Alternatively, if money is not a barrier, closing a deal will be determined by the prospect’s worth moving the other way. Before we reach this season’s deadline, let’s examine the most likely possibilities for trade.
One urgent matter that sparks heated debate among supporters is whether Cody Ceci’s salary should be traded in exchange for an improvement at the second right defense position. Some claim he’s alright. Some claim he isn’t in the top 4. The issue then becomes: Should the Oilers pursue any upgrades available? If so, are they able to pay for it? They may not be looking, but it sounds like they are.
To illustrate how fast the Oilers fan base is to assign blame, after Edmonton suffered its first loss in 16 games, many pointed the finger of blame at Ceci’s poor performance and lack of output. Despite the fact that the Oilers may have outperformed Vegas, many were quick to say he’s simply not talented enough. There’s a belief in Edmonton that Darnell Nurse needs a more reliable and experienced partner.
On the other hand, many who believe that Ceci is not the issue speculate as to whether the Oilers would need to trade for him in order to get a top-six winger. It’s easy to blame Ceci for the Oilers’ inability to acquire a player at a greater price, therefore they will have to transfer out payroll.
The Oilers have spent a lot of time developing Philip Broberg and while arguments can be made about how effective they’ve been in doing so, he’s a piece that other teams will look at when trying to pluck value out of the Oilers at the deadline. Broberg is playing solid minutes in the AHL and he’s ready (if not almost ready) for a bigger role in the NHL. Retooling and rebuilding teams will be attracted to his high potential.
The motivation behind a Broberg trade is mostly about timing. He’s not necessarily ready to play a huge role in this season’s playoff run, so it might be better for the Oilers to push for someone who can step in when the situation calls for it. When a team like Edmonton is feeling the pinch to make a push right now, some sacrifices need to be made when it comes to players who could make a difference two or three seasons from now.
Finally, Vincent Desharnais has earned his spot on the Oilers’ roster. He’s the defenseman the Oilers will invest in moving forward. The path to the NHL in Edmonton is rocky and Broberg’s agent has been vocal about finding an opportunity elsewhere.
The way Warren Foegele has performed this season is excellent. He has performed better than was probably anticipated. Even yet, there are concerns about where he fits into the top six and if he can regularly perform at that level if the Oilers need him to in the postseason. That might be a cause for alarm.
He’s a fantastic third-line player for a club with depth, but he’s also a pending UFA who appears to be overpaying for the opportunity to play for the Oilers next season. Edmonton may try to acquire a true top-six winger if they see that there is a better option available. This would allay any off-season worries that they would lose Foegele in free agency. His current cap hit of $2.75 million, if moved, gives the Oilers options.
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