Oilers target 2 players ahead of NHL trade deadline.

The Edmonton Oilers have a lot of potential moves they could make ahead of the National Hockey League's trade deadline with different factions of fans arguing that the team should focus on acquiring a goaltender, a defenseman, or even a third line center.

On Monday morning, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman shed some light on which way the Oilers are likely headed when he revealed the names of two players that the Oilers have recently looked into. The first player he mentioned was St. Louis Blues defenseman Justin Faulk.

"There was a report this week about Faulk, I think that's true," said Friedman on the 32 Thoughts podcast. "I think they looked into it, I just heard it's really hard unless St. Louis retains."

Faulk is a very well respected defenseman around the National Hockey League and is having a very strong season with 11 goals and 21 assists for 32 points in just 60 games. As Friedman mentioned the big hurdle here will be the contract with Faulk coming it an an average annual value of $6.5 million per season and with 1 more year remaining on that contract beyond this current season.

The second player mentioned by Friedman was Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson.

"I talked about Ekman-Larsson, I think that's true," said Friedman. "I think Ekman-Larsson has say."

Ekman Larsson has 8 goals and 27 assists for 35 points in 60 games this season and has recently had his name mentioned in trade rumors with his team completely imploding coming out of the Olympic break.

Ekman-Larsson comes with a much more manageable price tag at an average annual value of just $3.5 million per season but he has an additional 2 years remaining on his deal beyond this current season.