Fansided

5 NHL teams that should trade for Chris Kreider

By Griffin Youngs

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 29: Chris Kreider #20 of the New York Rangers argues a second period call during the game against the Philadelphia Flyers at Madison Square Garden on January 29, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 29: Chris Kreider #20 of the New York Rangers argues a second period call during the game against the Philadelphia Flyers at Madison Square Garden on January 29, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images
Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images /

Edmonton Oilers

It’s the worst kept secret in the league that the Edmonton Oilers need wingers to play alongside their elite center core of Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. I’m hard pressed to think of a better fit for the Oilers’ needs than Kreider, who checks just about every single box on the Oilers’ wish list.

The number one criteria for a winger to play with McDavid is the ability to keep up with him. Kreider doesn’t just check that box, he might be the best winger in the league at doing so. In the faster skater competition from the All-Star weekend, Kreider finished third in the competition and just barely behind McDavid himself. Adding on everything else Kreider does on top of that just makes this a match made in heaven.

Imagine having McDavid and Kreider as the Oilers’ top line and being able to drop Draisaitl to drive his own line with Nugent-Hopkins. Maybe Kreider doesn’t even have to play with McDavid, but it’s just the ability to spread talent throughout their lineup and give teams more to worry about that just McDavid and Draisaitl. It’s a luxury that the Oilers have never once had in the McDavid era, and one they would benefit from.

The draw back is that Kreider is obviously a rental, and will cost the Oilers a hefty sum only to likely lose him in a few months. The Oilers are still planning for the future, and Ken Holland has made it very clear that he is not yet willing to deviate from that plan. While Kreider is the absolute perfect fit for Edmonton, pursuing him hard in free agency may be the smarter option.

However, by trading for Kreider at the deadline, the Oilers have first dibs to lock him up long term. I would imagine that this trade would have to depend on the Oilers being able to negotiate an extension before the deal can be finalized, which will raise the asking price.

The Oilers are fighting tooth and nail for both their playoff lives and the division lead in the Pacific. They currently sit in a four-way tie for second place in the division with 57 points, with huge games against the Calgary Flames coming soon. One hot streak can see them leading the division, while one losing streak can have them drop out of the playoffs entirely.

At a certain point, the Oilers have to do something. They cannot waste another year of McDavid and Draisaitl by either missing the playoffs or bowing out early. Kreider doesn’t solve every issue for Edmonton, but his addition makes them a threat to be reckoned with in a wide open Pacific Division.

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