The Edmonton Oilers are finally in a position to add to their roster at the trade deadline instead of selling off their players for draft picks and magic beans.
With that being said, leading up until the trade deadline on February 28, I will be looking at possible trade deadline targets for the Edmonton Oilers.
RADIM VRBATA
Last night the Oilers faced off against the Arizona Coyotes where many potential trade targets were on the opposition, including Radim Vrbata.
Vrbata is a perfect fit for the Oilers because the orange and blue have a lack of depth on the right wing. Jordan Eberle has not been performing well, Jesse Puljujarvi was not ready for the NHL and finds himself in the minors. Zack Kassian and Anton Slepyshev are good hockey players but they aren’t going to light up the scoreboard this season.
Radim Vrbata is just two years removed from a 30-goal season, and he has put up respectable numbers this season on a bad team full of youngsters.
While he has been well traveled throughout his NHL career, he always seems to have his best seasons with the Coyotes franchise. He is in his third tenure with the dessert dogs.
Vrbata has scoring ability, veteran leadership and an expiring contract that makes him a very intriguing option for the Edmonton Oilers. The only issue might be the cost.
Word around the league is that 27-year-old GM John Chayka overvalues his players.
The Coyotes will be moving a few players including Michael Stone, Martin Hanzal and maybe even Shane Doan, but the players won’t come cheap.
I’m willing to bet he’s had some very decent offers for Martin Hanzal at the very least, but Chayka wants a young NHL roster player in return. That’s a pretty steep price for a struggling centre about to become a free agent.
If that’s the ask for Martin Hanzal, then Radim Vrbata’s price may be a 2nd round draft pick.
John Chayka may soon realize that he’s in over his head with his market value. I’d say that Vrbata will lkely fetch a similar deal to that of the Oilers trade of Ales Hemsky to the Ottawa Senators in Craig MacTavish’s first year as GM of the Edmonton Oilers.
Hemsky was scoring around the same pace as Radim Vrbata is now, and the Oilers were only able to get a 3rd and 5th round pick. If the Coyotes find that’s the best they can get, the Oilers should jump all over it. Magic beans for a player who can add to your attack on the right wing.
PROBABILITY: 60%
DEAL PREDICTION:
EDM: RW Radim Vrbata
ARZ: 2017 3rd round pick, 2018 4th round pick
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