The Edmonton Oilers may need to change trade deadline strategy.
The Edmonton Oilers may need to change trade deadline strategy.
EDMONTON -- The Edmonton Oilers are back in action tonight against the St. Louis Blues. It is the first game of a three game road trip that also sees them play against the Dallas Stars and then the Arizona Coyotes on Family Day.
While they embark on this trip, management continues to work the phones to find the best upgrades they can. They want to give this team the best opportunity to succeed, and several top insiders have confirmed this mindset.
Elliotte Friedman recently spoke to Brenden Escott on Oilers Now Radio about this. "I think you guys are trying to hit at least one home run and the question is, what do you decide that home run is going to be?"
Speculation that the Oilers will acquire a goaltender via trade has subsided - so it's probably safe to rule that out. Their last 8-4 win against the Detroit Red Wings aside, the team has struggled to score at times.
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One of the top trade targets reportedly on their list is Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jake Guentzel. He is having a great year for the Penguins, despite his team's struggles. In 50 games he has 22 goals and 30 assists. He's on the third best point pace of his career - projecting to finish the season with 85 points.
The Penguins lost to the Florida Panthers last night 5-2. Guentzel notched his 30th assist last night on the first Penguins goal scored (by Bryan Rust). Unfortunately, some bad news came out of the game.
If he's indeed a top target for the Oilers, this could greatly impact their trade deadline. Of course that depends on how serious the injury is. Friedman tweeted out last night that Guentzel didn't skate for the final 11:58 of the game.
The hockey world may find out the nature of the injury - or hopefully at least a time line for his return. Either way, the Oilers might have to pivot from their original trade deadline plan.
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