The intrigue for the 2016 NHL Draft in all likelihood will begin when the Edmonton Oilers select at number four overall. Some things never change and one of those items that fall into that category is the Oilers are looking for a top-four defensemen. So what are the Edmonton Oilers NHL draft trade options?
Finding a Top D-Man
One option for Oilers General Manager Peter Chiarelli is to move the 4th overall pick in this year’s draft as part of a deal that lands Edmonton a top defensemen now. This blueliner would have to be in his prime. Though this is a good idea on paper, there are not a lot of options in this regard.
Would the New York Rangers listen on a potential deal where the Blue Shirts land the 4th overall pick and the Oilers wind up with Ryan McDonagh? First off, it would take a lot more than the 4th overall selection to land the Rangers captain. Secondly, New York believes they still have the squad to be a contender in the Eastern Conference. If they trade McDonagh it’s hard to see the Rangers having any chance in terms of being a contender. If New York was retooling this would be a possibility. But since they aren’t, this is a big long shot.
The other possible team where landing a proven top defensemen for the 4th overall pick is the Anaheim Ducks. Could the Oilers land Hampus Lindholm by dangling the 4th overall pick plus additional assets? On Saturday the Ducks signed Sami Vatanen to a four-year deal for $19.5 million. Lindholm is a restricted free agent this summer. The Ducks are a now team who want to challenge for the Stanley Cup. However, with Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf and Ryan Kesler signed to expensive long term deals, would Ducks GM Bob Murray listen to offers regarding Lindholm? The Ducks could use another top offensive player and landing the 4th overall pick could give them that in the near future.
#Oilers should look to draft, not trade market, for top defenceman https://t.co/jG9Iw3dZj4 via @npsport pic.twitter.com/VI5scO4cS8
— National Post (@nationalpost) June 15, 2016
The Arizona Factor
It’s no secret that the Arizona Coyotes are trying to move up in this year’s draft. The Coyotes currently have two 1st round picks in this year’s draft with the 7th and 20th overall selections. Arizona has reached out to the Toronto Maple Leafs to try and land the 1st overall pick and have Auston Matthews play for his hometown team. But even Arizona GM John Chayka knows this is a pipe dream.
What is more realistic is Arizona trades with Edmonton and takes Matthew Tkachuk with the 4th overall selection. Arizona would add a potential top player and the son of one of the best players the Coyotes ever had in Keith Tkachuk.
The Oilers could slide down to the seventh overall pick and then draft one of the top defenseman in this year’s draft and add additional assets. Sound good? Not so fast, it’s been reported the Coyotes have offered the 7th and 20th overall picks for the 4th overall selection. While Chiarelli has reportedly turned down the offer this is still a very real possibility.
Matthew Tkachuk is more practical target for Coyotes in NHL draft than acquiring No. 1 pick: https://t.co/sMy7mmlCsx pic.twitter.com/g8NoxKXvW1
— Kevin Allen (@ByKevinAllen) March 26, 2016
How About the Wild
The Minnesota Wild desperately need offense moving forward. They also could trade a defensemen. There could be a potential match between Minnesota and Edmonton. The Wild currently sit with the 15th overall pick in this year’s draft. Could a deal where the principles are the Wild’s 1st round pick along with either defenseman Mathew Dumba or Jonas Brodin go to Edmonton for the 4th overall pick work for both parties?
The Wild would add potentially a future top scorer and the Oilers would add a young top-four defensemen and still would be able to draft a top prospect in the middle of the first round. Both teams want to change things in their organization, so this has a chance of happening.
Once again the Edmonton Oilers will provide high drama.
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