Oilers’ Holland looks to make a deal with the Wings

Oilers general manager Ken Holland has opened up this week on what he wants to get done prior to the trade deadline, and it seems like team insider Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal believes he misses one player from Detroit. 

Matheson tweeted out on Wednesday what could take place in Edmonton in the coming weeks, and points out that Holland might be looking to make a deal with his former team, the Red Wings, to land a third-line centre to bolster his roster. 

Holland is believed to be looking to get Andreas Athanasiou back on his team and could be an interesting option for the Oilers. The young forward has struggled this year with the Red Wings, who are dead last in the league, but managed to put up 19 points in 36 games. 

Athanasiou is also coming off a 30-goal, 54 point season with the Red Wings and a change of scenery could benefit his career. 

Matheson noting the Oilers second-round pick, and a defensive prospect could be available is interesting. He also suggests veteran forward Nick Bonibo of the Nashville Predators, who has 24 points in 42 games this season playing 16:52 minutes per game.

The backstory between Holland and the Red Wings make a deal more likely, but it remains to be seen what GM Steve Yzerman will ask in return for AA.