What could the Edmonton Oilers trade for a top-pair defenceman?
What all does MacTavish have to work with? If we eliminate players either unlikely to be dealt or with very little trade value from the equation, what’s left?
The Options
Draft picks. Obviously the 2014 first rounder is the top item here; if the draft were held today Edmonton would be picking second overall and that’s a huge bargaining chip. The team’s second round pick this year was sent away in the trade that brought David Perron to town, but otherwise they have a full slate of picks for the next few years at their disposal (Edmonton’s fourth round pick in 2014 was dealt away for Mike Brown, but the team got one back from San Jose when Brown was shipped out).
Oscar Klefbom. Klefbom is a top prospect with a lot of physical ability, and it seems like he’s a big part of the Oilers’ long-term plans. Given the team’s depth in defensive prospects – and especially with Darnell Nurse showing so well in junior – it seems plausible that he’d be available though, particularly since he lacks top-end offensive upside.
Ales Hemsky. The pending unrestricted free agent comes with a $5.0 million cap hit and has been a fixture in rumours for years.
Mark Arcobello. Although head coach Dallas Eakins has struggled to find a spot for Arcobello, the rookie forward has made a splash with 12 points in 20 games this season.
Other prospects. There is a long list of decent defence prospects in the Oilers’ system that might plausibly be included in a trade package. The list might include Martin Marincin, Dillon Simpson, Martin Gernat, David Musil and/or Brandon Davidson.
Nick Schultz. Another pending UFA, Schultz has a $3.5 million cap hit and likely has little value in trade save as an insurance option at the deadline for a contending team.
Philip Larsen/Corey Potter. Like Nick Schultz, but cheaper.
http://blogs.edmontonjournal.com/2013/11/24/what-could-the-edmonton-oilers-trade-for-a-top-pair-defenceman/