Veteran players could be convinced to accept a trade

When it comes to this, you know the Edmonton Oilers are trying to find every way possible to get a strong future, alongside captain Connor McDavid and star forward Leon Draisaitl, for years to come. 

According to Allan Mitchell of the Athletic, the Oilers could possibly convince veteran players, carrying big contracts and no-trade/no-movement clauses, to accept a trade by the Feb. 26 deadline. Hence, Edmonton would be able to shed some salary and make significant moves during the offseason. 

Mitchell mentions the following names, who could be asked to make this ultimate sacrifice : forward Milan Lucic, defensemen Kris Russell and Andrej Sekera and even start goalie Cam Talbot. 

"If Peter Chiarelli is looking for some room under the cap, getting one of these veterans to waive at the deadline could be key," Mitchell writes. 

"The advantages of moving Lucic during a good statistical season might be plentiful. Edmonton could keep Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and sign Patrick Maroon while staying comfortably under the cap."

However, Mitchell feels the Oilers are likely to retain most or all of them. But if one moves and leaves sufficient cap room for RNH and Maroon, it could make all the difference in Edmonton next season. 

"The Oilers are in a unique position. If they miss the playoffs, and that looks like a reasonable conclusion from here, there's a good chance to improve the view entering summer. Cap room and roster balance should be the goals."