Fansided

3 trade targets for the Edmonton Oilers this offseason

By Logan Lockhart

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 27: Tomas Hertl #48 of the San Jose Sharks during the NHL game against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on March 27, 2021 in Glendale, Arizona. The Coyotes defeated the Sharks 4-0. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 27: Tomas Hertl #48 of the San Jose Sharks during the NHL game against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on March 27, 2021 in Glendale, Arizona. The Coyotes defeated the Sharks 4-0. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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May 3, 2021; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Dallas Stars center Joe Pavelski (16) shoots the puck to score a goal against the Florida Panthers during the first period at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
May 3, 2021; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Dallas Stars center Joe Pavelski (16) shoots the puck to score a goal against the Florida Panthers during the first period at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

Change appears to be on the horizon for Ken Holland’s team, as evident with the number of pending UFAs that currently occupy spots on Edmonton’s roster.

Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl combined for a total of 189 points during the condensed 2020-21 NHL regular season, but only four games after the conclusion of the campaign, the Edmonton Oilers’ forward duo has found themselves out of playoff contention all together.

The Winnipeg Jets’ sweep of the Oilers in the first round of the playoffs has prematurely forced the hockey world to open the book of ideas for Edmonton and its upcoming offseason. For all the teams in the league, it starts with the three main common phases of improvement — draft, free agency, trades.

In the case of the Oilers however, the salary cap can be considered their foe, not their friend. Despite that, change appears to be on the horizon for Ken Holland’s team regardless, as evident with the number of pending UFAs that currently occupy spots on Edmonton’s roster, combined with a disappointing playoff-exit to the rival Jets.

Two of three players listed as potential trade targets for the Oilers are set to be UFAs after the conclusion of the 2021-22 season, which doesn’t make their mention completely “out of left field.” With that said, it’s time to play armchair GM.

3 players the Edmonton Oilers should trade for this offseason

3. Joe Pavelski, Dallas Stars

The three highest-paid forwards on the Dallas Stars will all be over the age of 30 once the 2021-2022 season reaches its halfway point, and a youth movement in the top-six appears to be on the horizon for Texas’ team.

Pavelski, who’s second on the all-time American-born playoff goals list, proved during last year’s playoffs and into this season that he’s still an offensive weapon — one with situational and positional versatility that would fit with Oilers head coach Dave Tippet’s collection of forwards.

Pavelski, 36, would be the Oilers’ oldest forward, with the ability to be an effective piece on every line. Despite Edmonton’s attempt over the last few offseasons to add veteran forward depth in its bottom-six, the rewards have proved to be limited. Pavelski would be Holland’s greatest acquisition thus far when it pertains to adding a player who can play up and down the lineup.

Even if the offensive side of Pavelski’s game takes a sharp decline, there would be no long-term commitment to the forward, as evident with his UFA status after next season. After all, a team that consists of both McDavid and Draisaitl has to take a year-to-year approach when it comes to filling out the rest of the lineup — case in point, the Chicago Blackhawks of the 2010s.

Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin remain present in Dallas, but expect the emphasis to further be put on emerging forwards like Roope Hintz, Jason Robertson and Denis Gurianov — a trade involving Pavelski would be the first step in doing that.

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