The NHL trade deadline is set for February 27, 2012. As the Oilers slide deeper into the draft lottery, it's clear that they'll be selling at the trade deadline. At the very least the team has one coveted asset that should fetch an excellent return. A list of the fifth-best defensive prospects from each team should give everyone plenty of time to study up on that excellent return.
| NHL Team | 5th-best Def. prospect |
| Anaheim Ducks | Andy Welinski |
| Boston Bruins | David Warsofsky |
| Buffalo Sabres | T.J. Brennan |
| Calgary Flames | John Negrin |
| Carolina Hurricanes | Danny Biega |
| Chicago Blackhawks | Justin Holl |
| Colorado Avalanche | Joel Chouinard |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | Thomas Larkin |
| Dallas Stars | Brenden Dillon |
| Detroit Red Wings | Ryan Sproul |
| Florida Panthers | John Lee |
| Los Angeles Kings | Kevin Gravel |
| Minnesota Wild | Nate Prosser |
| Montreal Canadiens | Mac Bennett |
| Nashville Predators | Mattias Ekholm |
| New Jersey Devils | Reece Scarlett |
| New York Islanders | Anton Klementyev |
| New York Rangers | Peter Ceresnak |
| Ottawa Senators | Ben Blood |
| Philadelphia Flyers | Blake Kessel |
| Phoenix Coyotes | Michael Stone |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | Philip Samuelsson |
| San Jose Sharks | Sena Acolatse |
| St. Louis Blues | Joel Edmundson |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | Adam Janosik |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Simon Gysbers |
| Vancouver Canucks | Adam Polasek |
| Washington Capitals | Patrick McNeill |
| Winnipeg Jets | Brennan Serville |