:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67566637/1257841515.jpg.0.jpg)
There’s been plenty of hubbub over the last 48 hours about whether or not Oliver Ekman-Larsson would be a good fit for the Oilers, and whether the OIlers ought to send a big package to Arizona.
It looks like the Oilers might not have the opportunity.
Things are believed to be intensifying in Arizona on the OEL front, however, unless something changes, the Oilers have been told they’re not on the short list of teams OEL will waive his trade protection to go to.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) October 1, 2020
Ekman-Larsson's list (for now) is believed to include BOS & VAN. Things can always change.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) October 1, 2020
Looks like the Oilers aren’t on OEL’s short list of destinations, and that might be best for the Oilers. Recent suggestions had the Oilers putting together a whopper of a package to send to Arizona that included a first round selection and a developing defenceman which may have been Philip Broberg or Evan Bouchard. All of this was hinged on whether or not Oscar Klefbom would be getting surgery, which would leave a big hole on the Edmonton top pairing.
While the Oilers would have gotten a big piece to help in Klefbom’s absence, Ekman-Larsson’s price tag is north of 8MM a year. The Oilers would need to free up some cap space upon Klefbom’s return, and this alone could have pushed either Klefbom or Darnell Nurse off the roster. By Ekman-Larsson leaving Edmonton off of his possible destination list, he may have helped Edmonnton avoid some roster chaos later in the 2020-21 season.
The NHL Draft begins on Tuesday, October 6th, where there is expected to be a significant amount of player movement. Keep an eye out on Oscar Klefbom’s next move, as it could push Edmonton towards making a trade or a free agent signing to help shore up the blue line.