When Jeff Marek returned to the hockey airwaves, everyone knew he would have juicy stories to tell. Well, today, he revealed the news that many wouldn’t have expected. He told a story about the Edmonton Oilers and Tampa Bay Lightning talking trade during the summer of 2019. It would have included two of the biggest names in hockey and it would have completely changed the way these two teams look today.
The trade Marek shared details on would have been a mega deal, that featured Nikita Kucherov going to the Edmonton Oilers for Leon Draisaitl.
He explained:
“That year, there were conversations — and I’ve had this confirmed — there were conversations between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Edmonton Oilers and the two primaries changing were Nikita Kucherov for Leon Draisatil. That was the conversation… I’m not sure how close they got. I think Edmonton may have also wanted Anthony Cirelli and that’s when things kinda ‘Mehhh well that’s not going to happen.’ It’s not as if they didn’t consider massive change, because that was the conversation between those two teams.”
He then added, “As a hockey fan, forget being an Oilers fan… Just imagine Kucherov playing with McDavid for a second.” He also said Tampa had a vision. “Draisaitl is an incredible player. I think Tampa was thinking, ‘We go up the gut with Stamkos and Draisaitl, yeah, that looks pretty nice, thank you very much.’ But the thought of about Kucherov playing beside Connor McDavid, that’s juicy.”
So now the question is, how different would both teams have been if this mega trade went down?
Kucherov & McDavid: Hockey’s Ultimate Duo?
For the last 32 seasons, only two players have collected 100 assists in a single season: Connor McDavid and Nikita Kucherov. Now, imagine them playing on the same team. The idea of pairing two of the league’s most prolific playmakers on one roster is enough to make any hockey fan’s jaw drop.
Had this trade gone through, the Oilers could have become an even bigger powerhouse in the Western Conference than they were with Draisaitl. However, Kucherov’s $9.5 million contract, which kicked in for the 2019-20 season, would have been $1 million more than Draisaitl’s. That difference might have created greater salary cap challenges for Edmonton.
Would Zach Hyman have been a free agent signing in Edmonton? If he had come aboard, the first line would have been McDavid, Kucherov, and Hyman. Yikes. It’s fair to argue the Oilers don’t need Evander Kane as a left-winger. And, would Ryan Nugent-Hopkins have been good enough to play second-line center, and would McDavid and Nugent-Hopkins have been a good enough one-two?
Kucherov signed in 2019. His $9.5 million per season would have been a solid deal for the Oilers. But is he interested in playing out an eight-year deal in Edmonton? It’s not sunny like it is in a tax-free state like Florida.
Of course, hindsight is tricky. If this trade had happened, there’s no telling how the subsequent seasons, trades, and signings would have played out. Interestingly, Marek’s report also mentioned Anthony Cirelli as part of the deal. If true, Edmonton could have iced a very good second line with Cirelli, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and another talented winger.
Draisaitl Lighting It Up Alongside Stamkos
Would Leon Draisaitl be the same player without Connor McDavid by his side? It’s hard to say, but if Draisaitl had been playing alongside Steven Stamkos, there’s a strong chance he would have developed into a similar player. With the supporting cast in Tampa Bay—Viktor Hedman, Andrei Vasilevskiy, Brayden Point, and coach Jon Cooper—Draisaitl might have even taken his game to new heights.
It’s hard to know what would have happened with Stamkos in Tampa too. That relationship turned sour last season. Would things have been different? Would Draisaitl have been a No. 1 center or a No. 2?
The Lightning’s back-to-back Cup victories in 2020 and 2021, as well as their 2022 finals appearance, might not have happened the way we remember them. While Draisaitl would have bolstered Tampa’s lineup and made them legitimate contenders, the absence of Nikita Kucherov could have altered the team’s dynamic.
With Draisaitl’s elite two-way play, offensive creativity, and ability to elevate teammates, the Lightning would have still been a powerhouse. However, it’s tough to predict if they had won multiple Cups or if they had looked as dominant as they did with Kucherov. Ultimately, while the Lightning might have been Cup contenders with Draisaitl, it’s uncertain if they had had the same level of success.
Will Remain One of The NHL’s Big “What Ifs”
This trade remains one of hockey’s biggest “what ifs.” For the Lightning, there’s little doubt they’re relieved it never happened, as it paved the way for back-to-back Stanley Cups and three straight Finals appearances. If the Oilers can eventually overcome their playoff hurdles, they’ll likely share a similar sense of relief—if they don’t already.
Still, this will forever be one of those near-trades that sparks endless debate—a move that could have reshaped NHL history.
