Following their historic 16-game winning streak, the Edmonton Oilers will be looking to be active players at the trade deadline. NHL insider Elliotte Friedman revealed some of the moves the team is considering.
Friedman Confirms Oilers Are Looking To Trade For A Defenseman
While the Oilers have built their team around a high-octane offense, the team's defense and goaltending have both been suspect in recent years. Stuart Skinner has been playing much better lately, reaffirming the team's faith in him as a number one goalie. As a result, the team will likely be shopping for a blueliner at the trade deadline.
Elliotte Friedman on The Jeff Marek Show:
"I still think [the Oilers are] looking out there on defense. That's the one thing I think they're really looking at."
Jeff Marek follows up and says he wonders about Sean Walker as a fit for the Oilers.
Sean Walker would be an interesting fit for the team. He is affordable as he comes with just a 2.65 million dollar cap hit and he does provide some steady defense while also contributing the occasional point here and there. He currently has 5 goals and 17 points in 50 games with the Flyers this year.
Kulak To Be Moved By Oilers In Effort To Create Cap Space
Another NHL insider believes that the Oilers could be looking to move a defenseman in order to gain some cap relief. Frank Serravalli believes that Brett Kulak could be moved in a deal that sees another blueliner come back to Edmonton.
Brett Kulak is #11 on Frank Seravalli's Trade Target Board.
"It's just that if the Oilers are going to manufacture salary cap space to make a big trade deadline acquisition, Kulak might have to be the casualty."
Kulak has just 2 goals and 5 points in 45 games this season with the Oilers. However, he has a 2.75 million dollar cap hit which is not ideal for the team as he has been used in a 3rd pairing role. The team could get a very similar player for less and use that cap space to upgrade elsewhere on the blueline. Stay tuned to see what the Oilers decide to do with Kulak, and what players could be joining the team for the stretch run.