What assets could the Edmonton Oilers leverage in a trade?
What assets could the Edmonton Oilers leverage in a trade?
EDMONTON -- It's the worst kept secret in hockey right now that the Edmonton Oilers are after a scoring winger who can slide into the top of their lineup.
Jake Guentzel has been at the top of the list for the Oilers. There are other options who the Oilers could consider - including a winger from tonight's visiting team, the St. Louis Blues.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SmYDH3mFxg[/embed]
Pavel Buchnevich is potentially on the move before the trade deadline. The Blues aren't actively shopping him - but they are listening to calls. The asking price is reportedly high.
Just how high is the price for Buchnevich? Jim Matheson reports that the price might be a first round pick, another high draft pick and a prospect.
What could that look like for the Oilers?
First Round Pick: 2024 1st Round Pick
The Oilers possess their first round pick for the next three seasons. The 2024 NHL Entry Draft will be this summer - and with Macklin Celebrini being the latest belle of the ball with the latest crop of NHL hopefuls.
The pick is projected to be in the 20-30th overall range, dependent on how the rest of the Oilers season plays out.
High Draft Pick: 2024 2nd Round Pick, 2025 1st Round Pick, 2026 1st Round Pick, 2026 2nd Round Pick
Adding another draft pick to any potential package shouldn't be a problem for the Oilers. As far as top draft picks go for the next two drafts, they would still have their 2024 2nd round pick and their 1st and 3rd round picks for the 2025 draft. They have all of their picks in the 2026 draft, should that be necessary.
Prospect: Xavier Bourgault or Philip Broberg
The potential package the Oilers could put together to acquire Buchnevich was relatively straight forward with the draft picks. As far as a prospect is concerned, that's where things get murky.
What kind of prospect would present enough value to the Blues? There are two prospects who could fit the bill.
Xavier Bourgault is in the second year of his entry level contract (ELC). He is having a bit of a down year with only 16 points in 47 games with the Bakersfield Condors of the AHL. Last season he managed 34 points in 62 games. Although he is on pace to fall short of his rookie AHL year, he still has value with the offensive tools he possess.
The more likely choice for the Blues is Philip Broberg. The 22-year-old blueliner is in the final year of his ELC. He hasn't managed to become a mainstay on the NHL lineup yet - he's primed to do so very soon.
After dressing for 10 games with the Oilers earlier this season he was sent down to the AHL to play heavy minutes. The results have been a net positive - with praised defensive play to go along with 19 points in 29 games.
Put it All Together
Buchnevich is on the hook for $5.8-million for this year and next. Using the new Puck Pedia Pick Value Calculator (that has a Salary Cap relief feature) we can have a ballpark idea of what it would cost the Oilers to convince the Blues - or a third party team - to retain salary on Buchnevich.
According to the tool, the Oilers can expect to attach a 2nd round pick around 57th overall to accomadate for the retained salary (based on 28% of the season remaining). If we add that to what we already know, a potential package could look like this:
Pavel Buchnevich (50% Salary retained)
For
2024 1st Round Pick, 2026 1st Round Pick, 2026 2nd Round Pick and Philip Broberg.
With Buchnevich only being 28-years-old and these picks being many years away from contributing to a Stanley Cup - it seems like a worthwhile gamble for the Oilers.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdWW7ylSn_4[/embed]
Subscribe to Inside the Locker Room for exclusive interviews, as well as sights and sounds from Oilers practices.
Bookmark The Hockey News Edmonton Oilers team site to never miss news, interviews or any other updates on the Oilers.
Related: 'He Can Have It': Leon Draisaitl Passes Along His Nickname to Connor McDavid
Related: Oilers, Lightning and Islanders Shouldn't Try This Again
Related: Oilers in the Mix For Blue Jackets Defender
Around the NHL
Blues Winger Pavel Buchnevich Drawing Interest In the Trade Market
Lucky 29: Nathan MacKinnon extends home point scoring streak
Gary Bettman Calls Winnipeg Strong NHL Market, 'Mystified' by Relocation Fears