Good morning Oilers fans! Happy trade deadline day! The Edmonton Oilers are officially buyers at this year’s annual event, with the club already making one addition. Just moments before the game went final last night in Los Angeles, the Oilers announced the acquisition of defenseman Mike Green from the Detroit Red Wings for Kyle Brodziak and a conditional draft choice.
GM Ken Holland has added veteran depth on defense in the form of a strong puck mover who can also help on the powerplay. With Detroit retaining 50% and the pick being a 4th, the Oilers did quite well here. It’s a low risk trade with the potential for a high reward.
It will not be the last move that Holland makes prior to today’s deadline. The club has turned its attention to help up front, specifically on the wings.
The Oilers maintain their interest in Ottawa forward Tyler Ennis, which we have been reporting here with frequency over the last few weeks. Edmonton is hardly alone in the pursuit of Ennis, however.
Holland had expressed interest in Montreal’s Ilya Kovalchuk, but he was dealt to Washington on Sunday night. It’s unknown if the Canadiens will move him, but Holland has expressed interest in Tomas Tatar recently. Nick Cousins could be a target out of Montreal as well.
The Oilers have snooped around Anaheim’s Derek Grant, and the club has looked at Andreas Athanasiou from the Red Wings.
JG Pageau was long rumored to be a target for the Oilers, but the smoke has faded there. Perhaps with Pageau’s market softening and a trade looking more likely, Holland will jump back in.
Money could be headed out today as well. The Oilers are not opposed to dealing Jujhar Khaira, and I believe he has been shopped around the league. Some have connected him to the Boston Bruins, but Bruins sources deny any potential interest at this point in time. Melker Karlsson of the San Jose Sharks could be a target to replace the disappointing Khaira.
Alex Chiasson and Sam Gagner could also be on the move today. Both could be used to offset money in a deal for a forward. Gagner, whose contract expires after the season, is the more likely option. Ditto for AHL defenseman Brandon Manning.
This blog will be updated throughout the day with the latest news regarding the Oilers and their pursuit of roster help.
9:58 AM EST: The Ottawa Senators have dealt F JG Pageau to the New York Islanders in exchange for a 1st round pick, 2nd round pick and a 3rd round pick. The first rounder is for 2020 unless the Islanders pick is in the top three. The second round pick is a 2020 pick with no conditions, while the 3rd goes to Ottawa if the Islanders win the 2020 Stanley Cup.
The Oilers had interest in Pageau dating back to December. The price, understandably, was too rich. Tyler Ennis is likely to be the next player to move today. The Oilers remain in the running.
10:35 AM EST: After dealing Vincent Trocheck to Carolina, the Florida Panthers are on the hunt for defense, per TSN’s Pierre LeBrun. The Panthers showed immense interest in Adam Larsson in the summer and could revisit that today. Larsson has also garnered interest from the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Oilers have also explored the market on defenseman Kris Russell. He is still out with a concussion, however. There is no timeline for his return.
10:57 AM EST: As per Cap Friendly, the Oilers have placed defenseman Kris Russell on LTIR. Russell is currently suffering from a concussion he suffered in January. Russell’s status for the remainder of the regular season is in serious doubt.
As a result, the Oilers will have a little more room to wheel today. Per Cap Friendly, the club now has $2,972,500 in LTIR cap relief. That gives the Oilers more possibilities to make a move for a forward.
11:38 AM EST: Two more targets are off the board for the Oilers. Center Derek Grant has been traded to the Philadelphia Flyers from the Anaheim Ducks. Meanwhile, Andreas Athanasiou is off to Columbus, as per Sportsnet. Athanasiou was one of Edmonton’s top winger targets.
Per sources, the Oilers remain in on Tyler Ennis of the Ottawa Senators. There is also some smoke regarding Mike Hoffman of the Florida Panthers. Mike Commodore Tweeted the rumor earlier this morning. Sources have confirmed that Edmonton has interest in the sniper.
1:15 PM EST: The Edmonton Oilers have added a speedy forward to their lineup. The Oilers have acquired forward Andreas Athanasiou from the Detroit Red Wings, as per Gord Miller.. Athanasiou had been connected to the Columbus Blue Jackets this morning by Sportsnet’s Eric Francis. Speculation has veteran forward Sam Gagner heading to Detroit as part of the deal.
More to come as it happens. Sources indicate the Oilers remain in on Senators forward Tyler Ennis.
2:02 PM EST: As we have reported here for weeks, the Edmonton Oilers have gotten their man. The Oilers have acquired F Tyler Ennis from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for a 2021 5th round pick.
Ennis has 14 goals and 19 assists in 61 games for the Senators this season. The Edmonton native also is averaging 14:42 time-on-ice per game, per hockey-reference.
The Oilers may not be done yet. The club is now at 50 contracts and will look to deal one. Jujhar Khaira is currently being shopped.
3:05 PM EST: The Oilers are done for the day. The club completed three trades, acquiring Mike Green, Tyler Ennis, Andreas Anthanasiou and Ryan Kuffner. The only roster player leaving Edmonton is Sam Gagner, who went to Detroit as part of the Anthanasiou trade.
Tyler Benson is expected to be assigned to AHL Bakersfield later this afternoon to make room for Ennis and Anthanasiou on the roster. Kuffner will report to the Condors.
The Ennis trade is not yet official, but will be announced soon per sources.
GM Ken Holland will speak to the media at 5:00 pm EST / 3:00 pm MT.
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