When the Edmonton Oilers need to make a deadline deal to compete for the Stanley Cup, who are they potentially trading for an upgrade?
The Edmonton Oilers are entering this season with a "cup or bust" mentality. From Jeff Jackson up top to Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg trying to solidify themselves as NHL regulars. Everyone is pulling for the common goal of making the playoffs, then winning the Stanley Cup.
Related: Babcock Resignation Proves Oilers' Made the Right Call
The unfortunate reality is that someone will need to be traded for an upgrade at the deadline. There is one forward and two defenders who I believe are the most likely candidates, depending on how the season shakes out.
Warren Foegele
Warren Foegele has been a great secondary scoring option for the Oilers. He has solidified his placement in the bottom-6 of the team, and really came into his own during the 2023 post season.
Warren Foegele.Foegele is in the last year of a three year contract that carries a $2.75-million cap-hit. If the Oilers are able to receive a similar level of work ethic and production from players like Dylan Holloway or Raphael Lavoie, then Foegele might be the odd man out in that scenario.
Cody Ceci
Cody Ceci second year with the team wasn't as great as his first year. To this point of training camp he has mostly been paired with Brett Kulak - which could be a positive change for both defenders.
Related: Former Oiler Forward Released From PTO
Ceci is only in the third year of his four year deal worth $3.25-million. That's a fair salary for a second pairing defender - but too much for a third pairing. That extra year on his contract should bolster his value in the trade market, should things come to that.
Philip Broberg
Philip Broberg has himself in an unfortunate situation. He's only played 69 NHL regular season games. Despite this, there are some who believe he is in the hot seat and is in a make or break year. While he is in the final year of his entry level contract, he has only averaged approximately 13 minutes a night thus far in his career. He needs to play more before the Oilers can truly assess what they have in Broberg. That is a two-way street between the player and the coaching staff.
Philip Broberg.Tyson Barrie was a well-liked player in the Oilers locker room - yet he was traded for Mattias Ekholm. Like it or not, one of these three players is likely to be traded. Their individual performances leading up to the trade deadline will dictate who stays and who goes.
Related: Oilers Missed Opportunity to Bolster Defence
Related: Former Canuck Released From PTO Contract
Related: 2 Best Oilers GM Candidates With Staios Gone
Related: Oilers Planned a Different Barrie Blockbuster Trade