What might the Edmonton Oilers do ahead of this season’s trade deadline?
The team has more wiggle room when it comes to the salary cap than usual this season thanks largely to Evander Kane being on the Long-Term Injured Reserve but Stan Bowman doesn’t have many movable assets to work with. Ken Holland traded a lot of draft picks in his final couple of years in Edmonton and some poor drafting has left the prospect pipeline fairly dry.
There’s been talk about the Oilers adding a centre to increase their depth down the middle and the team is rumoured to still be interested in adding another defenceman even after the signing of John Klingberg to a one-year contract last week.
Speaking of defencemen, over at Daily Faceoff, the Oilers were listed as one of eight possible trade destinations for Rasmus Ristolainen of the Philadelphia Flyers. Now 30 years old, the 6-foot-4, right-shot defender has been logging an average of 20:35 per night for the Flyers and has 13 points in 48 games.
Why he makes sense: Wait, what? The Oilers just shored up their right side with John Klingberg, right? Okay, his skill set makes him a decent direct backup to Evan Bouchard, but Klingberg does not make Edmonton harder to play against. You could make the case the Oilers haven’t actually filled their defensive hole on the right side. If they truly want to finish last spring’s job and win the Stanley Cup this season, they could instal Ristolainen as a middle-pair minute muncher whose game should translate well to playoff warfare (Yes, should: he has never played a postseason game, 11.5 seasons into his career).Fly in the ointment: The Oilers aren’t rich with assets. The Flyers actually acquired Edmonton’s 2025 first-round pick already at the Draft last season. Their farm system ranks among the league’s weakest, an understandable symptom of playing in the peak win-now years of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Also: it’s risky for Edmonton to make any impulsive deals that put future money on the books. They need to be wise with their payroll for 2025-26 and 2026-27, as Draisaitl’s $14 million AAV kicks in the next season, and McDavid’s skull-and-crossbones AAV arrives for 2026-27 if and when he re-signs. As much as the Oilers yearn for a Stanley Cup now, they may kick themselves if they have $5.1 million invested on a middle-pair blueliner for the next two seasons.
Chicago Blackhawks captail Jonathan Toews hoists the after winning his third Stanley Cup Championship with the team in 2015.
Jets in mix for Jonathan Toews’ potential comeback
If Jonathan Toews decides that an NHL return is in his future, count the Winnipeg Jets among his interested suitors.
“Certainly if he’s progressing to that point in time, it would be a real welcome conversation to see if there’s a fit both ways,” Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff told Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press. “I think it would be a great story for his career, too. Not that he needs another story to his career. But I think he’s proud of his roots and would be an interesting fit.”
Hailing from the Manitoba capital, signing with Winnipeg would be an opportunity for Toews to play in his hometown following a 15-year run with the Chicago Blackhawks that was underscored by three Stanley Cup championships.
Oct 24, 2023; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Wild left wing Kirill Kaprizov (97) passes against the Edmonton Oilers in the second period at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Wild’s Kirill Kaprizov expected to return Thursday versus Utah
As per Michael Russo, the Minnesota Wild are set to activate Kirill Kaprizov and Jared Spurgeon from the injured reserve and long-term injured reserve. Both players are expected to make a return to the lineup on Thursday versus the Utah Hockey Club.
Kaprizov has been out since Dec. 23 due to a lower-body injury and had been placed on long-term injured reserve, retroactive to then. Kaprizov has been among the most productive players in the NHL through the first three months of the year. Through 34 games, he has scored 23 goals and 27 assists for 50 points.
