The Edmonton Oilers are reportedly exploring the trade market for nearly every available defenceman, but NHL insider David Pagnotta believes the Oilers options will be very limited due to lack of assets.
Pagnotta believes that the Oilers most realistic trade target will be Montreal Canadiens defender David Savard, because he will come at the cheapest price - in both assets and salary cap space.
"Edmonton's gonna go out and get a defenceman. I put out at the beginning of the week that David Savard is gonna be a target What do you think you're getting? With limited draft pick assets, no first round pick, your cupboard in the prospect pool's not very deep. Like, who do you think you're getting?"
- David Pagnotta
Pagnotta did link the Edmonton Oilers to acquiring Habs defender David Savard earlier this week. The 34 year old veteran defender is mostly a one dimensional physical player, and is owed $3.5M for the rest of this season.
Unfortunately for Pagnotta, he's pretty wrong about the Oilers ability to acquire an impact player at this deadline if they choose.
While the Oilers don't have their first round draft pick this season, they do have theirs to deal in the next two seasons. The Oilers do have some quality young prospects in Matthew Savoie they could deal, but it may be best to hold on to them.
From other sources, two of the Oilers top trade targets this season have been Penguins defenceman Marcus Pettersson, and Blue Jackets Defenceman Ivan Provorov - and the Oilers can afford both.
The current reported price to acquire Ivan Provorov is a first round draft pick, which the Oilers have in future years. They'll also have to add a draft pick for salary retention.
The price to trade for Marcus Pettersson is reported to be a second round draft pick and a young player ready for the NHL. Again the Oilers can match that price, and pay extra for salary retention.
Both Provorov and Pettersson come at manageable contracts too, especially with retention considered. Provorov makes $4.725M, and Pettersson makes $4.025M.
As for salary cap space, it's on the General Manager to create space to strengthen the roster. Right now, PuckPedia projects the Oilers can only fit $1.2M in salary at the deadline.
Hopefully the Oilers can prove Pagnotta's pessimism wrong between now and the trade deadline, and swing a deal to give this team some much needed reinforcements.
