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Insider Links Oilers to Flyers & Senators for Top-6 Forward

The Edmonton Oilers simply rattled off their second eight-game win streak since Kris Knoblauch took over as head coach and are 16-3-0 of their final 19 video games. The crew has stormed their manner right into a playoff spot for the primary time this season after a horrid begin, they usually aren’t wanting again.

The Oilers are actually able the place common supervisor Ken Holland can confidently purchase assist that won’t go to waste. While creating chemistry could possibly be a problem, there isn’t any denying that the Oilers want some upgrades because the video games get tougher down the stretch. On Jan. 10, throughout an intermission of their sport in opposition to the Chicago Blackhawks, Oilers insider Bob Stauffer spoke concerning the group’s want for one other top-six ahead.

Stauffer famous that the Ottawa Senators and Philadelphia Flyers could possibly be viable commerce companions, particularly Travis Konecny if the Flyers aren’t intent on holding him. He could be an extremely good addition to the crew. Combined along with his ability with the puck and the flexibility to produce offensively, he’s additionally gritty and has a playoff model of sport. He is a real top-six winger that the Oilers didn’t get with Connor Brown.

Travis Konecny Philadelphia Flyers Celebration
Travis Konecny of the Philadelphia Flyers celebrates a objective (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)

Evander Kane can also be a top-six ahead, regardless of enjoying on the third line in the meanwhile. The assumption is that he’ll finally transfer again up and Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl could be the primary and second-line centres with 4 reliable top-six wingers. This would transfer Ryan Mcleod and Warren Foegele out of the top-six, however their confidence is larger than ever and each would have the opportunity to deliver the identical vitality and scoring skill to the third line, making the Oilers a lot deeper.

Konecny’s cap hit is $5.5 million AAV (common annual worth). For a crew that’s pushing the bounds of the wage cap, the Oilers aren’t going to discover a participant with a a lot better cap hit who can impression the sport, like Konecny. With wage retention and a participant from the roster going the opposite manner (doubtless a ahead), this might be a large win for the Oilers.

It would certainly price them a first-round choose, however that’s what first-rounders are for on a contending crew that’s loading up for a run or two. Edmonton would get him for an additional yr, so no matter they pay might be value it. The Flyers are falling and don’t appear to need to change their plan of being a rebuilding crew right now. They can have a slim likelihood at a really excessive choose because of their strong start, however they’ve multiple first-rounder in 2024, and if in addition they lose their greatest participant, it ought to assist pace issues alongside, particularly if Konecny doesn’t intend on re-signing.

Who Is Of Interest On The Senators?

Unlike the Flyers, there isn’t any doubt that the Senators are going to be sellers on the deadline (from “GARRIOCH: The Ottawa Senators need to quickly carve a path back to respectability,” Ottawa Sun, Jan. 4, 2024). The crew has once more dug themselves a much bigger gap than they’ll climb out of and are final within the Eastern Conference and thirtieth within the league in factors.


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The Senators have obtained some calls, and whereas they’re wanting to add a veteran piece long-term, they may additionally make a few different shakeups to the roster. The crew’s UFAs (unrestricted free brokers) that come out are Vladimir Tarasenko and Dominik Kubalik. As far as efficiency goes, Mathieu Joseph’s identify also needs to be within the dialog if the Oilers are all choices on the roster. He has an additional two years on his deal, is lining up on the highest line and has six objectives and 19 factors in 26 video games at nearly half the value of Tarasenko. The time period scares me a bit, which is why he’s the least doubtless to be introduced in to the Oilers of the three.

Vladimir Tarasenko Ottawa Senators
Vladimir Tarasenko, Ottawa Senators (Photo by André Ringuette/NHLI by way of Getty Images)

Tarasenko has been the most efficient this season of the three commerce candidates on the Senators. Although he desires to receives a commission subsequent season, which the Oilers can’t and gained’t be keen to do, transferring to a Cup contender for just a few months and an opportunity at a championship would sound good to any participant. Tarasenko has a full no-trade clause, but when he was keen to come to Canada and signal with the Senators, I’m betting he’d be keen to go to an offensive juggernaut just like the Oilers to enhance his numbers and earn a greater contract for subsequent season. With eight objectives and 25 factors in 34 video games, he could be a strong match to stabilize the wing on the primary or second line.

I’ve Kubalik’s identify in right here as a result of there’s a good likelihood he might be moved as a pending UFA, and he hasn’t been nice for the Senators this season. The price to purchase him and his cap hit could be much less, and fewer is what the Oilers can afford. Even although he has 9 objectives, he has simply 12 factors in 36 video games. The Oilers want a top-six ahead, and Kubalik appears like a third-liner.

Related: 3 Burning Questions Facing the Oilers in 2024

I believe the Oilers will have a look at all of their choices, particularly on the Senators, however the true prizes are Konecny after which Tarasenko as a backup plan. However, first, the Oilers arguably want to deal with their goaltending, even when Stuart Skinner is enjoying nice. He will want some relaxation down the stretch and somebody to lean on in the course of the heavy schedule. Still, if a top-six ahead is Holland’s first acquisition, and it’s the best transfer, I gained’t be in opposition to it. At least administration would have performed one thing to make the crew higher.




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