Oilers considering "bombshell" trade before Evander Kane returns?

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Finnegan Frost
November 3, 2024 (5:40)

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During the latest segment of Oilers Now with host Bob Stauffer, the hockey insider suggested that a big trade could be taking place to make room for Evander Kane.

Edmonton Oilers GM Stan Bowman faces a difficult situation heading into the new year. The team has laid out some clear objectives, the biggest one being landing a top-four (right hand shot) defenceman before the trade deadline. Although that game plan is relatively no big secret, a big curve ball has been thrown Bowman's way regarding Evander Kane's imminent return from injury. If the Oilers are interested in a acquiring a defensive asset while simultaneously having Kane back in the lineup, Bomwan's hand will be forced into an inevitable trade to make room in the Oilers cap.

Evander Kane is expected to return to the lineup "early 2025" as per hockey insider Kevin Weekes. As it stands, the Oilers can't afford to have Kane back in the lineup.

Oilers insider Bob Stauffer suggested this week that a "wildcard" trade may be looming for the team. He noted, «I think it's inevitable the Oilers trade for a right-hand shooting defenseman. I think that's coming, I think we all know that's coming. I think it will be picks, for the most part, that gets used.» He Stauffer said:

«One wild card is when Evander Kane returns. Does he push a guy on the left side out of the mix? Jeff Skinner�s signed to a one year deal for three million bucks, Janmark three years. We'll see whether or not Skinner starts to evolve a bit more here in Edmonton.»

Jim Parsonsfrom NHL Trade Talk reports that suggesting that the Oilers might think about trading Jeff Skinner is a bit of a bombshell. It's not clear if Stauffer has inside information that this is something the Oilers have actually discussed, but if they have, it seems extremely premature. At the very least, it begs the question, �Are the Oilers regretting that signing?'

Bob Stauffer mentioning Jeff Skinner for a trade a little bit of a head scratcher. Jeff Skinner signed a one year contract with the Oilers worth $3 MM AAV per season. Included in the deal is a full NMC (no movement clause), as Jeff Skinner made it clear he was fully intended on sticking with a team destined for the playoffs - a goal that has alluded him for the past 14 years.

Although freeing up over $3 MM dollars in cap space would solve all of Bowman's issues, Jeff Skinner would be fully in control of his own destiny. As of now, trading a forward like Mattias Janmark would be the most likely scenario.

At $1.45 million per season, moving his cap hit might be marginal, but it would move multiple years and he's got a modified 10-team no-trade list. Moving either feels like an unexpected twist, but if the Oilers are prioritizing defense, not everything fits.