Rumor: Oilers blockbuster could finally solidify roster

In his latest article for The Athletic, Edmonton Oilers blogger Allan Mitchell breaks down the team’s two biggest needs: a defenseman and a center. Entering the season it looked as if Oilers GM Peter Chiarelli was content to have his two biggest lineup holes addressed internally. 

Up front, the hope was that a young player like Jesse Puljujarvi, Drake Caggiula, Anton Slepyshev or Kailer Yamamoto would step up their play and enable the team’s coaching staff to move center/winger Leon Draisaitl up and down the lineup as needed. So far though, the results have been mixed and head coach Todd McLellan can hardly afford mixed results right now, he needs certainty. 

On defense, Yohann Auvitu and Ryan Stanton were the only two offseason additions made and neither of them look ready to push the Oilers’ bottom pairing of Eric Gryba and Matthew Benning. Until veteran Andrej Sekera returns from injury, the team’s defence corps is clearly it’s softest point.

So, who does Mitchell suggest dangling as trade bait? Well… Chiarelli hasn’t shied away from moving draft picks during his aggressive tenure as Oilers GM. He’s already moved six picks since being named GM in the spring of 2015. Could he package up some 2018 picks along with intriguing talent Jesse Puljujarvi?  

According to Mitchell:

There is a growing sense among mainstream media that Peter Chiarelli is casting about in search of help. If he does make a deal, draft picks and young players with high value appear to be currency he's willing to airlift to other NHL cities. With that knowledge, it's probably fair to suggest men like Jesse Puljujarvi and picks like the 2018 first-round selection could be in play.

Wow… that would be a big move. While Puljujarvi has yet to produce at the NHL level, the big Finn is still an intriguing talent who could come back to bite the Oilers should they decide to cut bait so early. But, with the losses piling up and Puljujarvi unable to crack the Oilers’ lineup, don’t be shocked if Chiarelli decides to ante up.