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5 NHL teams who should trade for Ilya Kovalchuk

By Brad Berreman

MONTREAL, QC - FEBRUARY 2: Ilya Kovalchuk #17 of the Montreal Canadiens skates for position against the Columbus Blue Jackets in the NHL game at the Bell Centre on February 2, 2020 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Francois Lacasse/NHLI via Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - FEBRUARY 2: Ilya Kovalchuk #17 of the Montreal Canadiens skates for position against the Columbus Blue Jackets in the NHL game at the Bell Centre on February 2, 2020 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Francois Lacasse/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Mandatory Credit: Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images /

1. Edmonton Oilers

Edmonton’s need for scoring punch beyond Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl is nothing new, and right now they are in a playoff spot with the Pacific Division title sure to be in play right to the end of the season. The condition of McDavid’s left knee — with a torn PCL last spring he chose to rehab rather have surgery on and a bone bruise most recently this past weekend — stands to make the Oilers and fans hold their breath until further notice while enhancing the need for more viable secondary scoring up front.

The Oilers are a little bit cap strapped, but they have plenty of draft picks and a couple expiring contracts to make a suitable offer to any team looking to unload a top-six or top-nine forward before the deadline. Among all their potential trade targets, Kovalchuk’s cheap contract fits perfectly for Edmonton.

The history of duos like McDavid and Draisaitl who finish No. 1 and No. 2 in the league in scoring (assuming they do) is actually pretty good in terms of Stanley Cup wins (six out of 11). But these Oilers have a slim margin for error in a tight division race, and general manager Ken Holland can’t fail in an effort to add extra scoring as the trade deadline nears.

Next. 5 players the Kings could trade before the deadline. dark

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