Matching The Oilers and Blues

There might not be a bigger disappointment in the NHL this season than the St. Louis Blues. Thought by many, myself included, as a Stanley Cup contender, the Blues have completely flopped and are one of the worst teams in the NHL as we approach Christmas.

The Blues have already made a coaching change, firing Mike Yeo and promoting Craig Berube to the lead job. The results haven’t changed, however, and the club is still struggling to get wins on a consistent basis. The next change for GM Doug Armstrong? It’s going to be on the roster.

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Is There A Fit Here?:

You better believe that, if the Blues are tearing this down and willing to make moves, Edmonton is going to be interested in some of their players. Ken Hitchcock was fired a little over halfway through the 2016-17 season, so he’s coached a number of players on this St. Louis team and has a good feel for a lot of the players.

The Blues have ample forwards and defenders that would represent an upgrade for the Oilers, while Edmonton might be able to help St. Louis with its problem in the crease.

Edmonton’s core three up front includes Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. After that? It is a revolving door of maybes and wild cards led by the likes of Jujhar Khaira, Drake Caggiula and Jesse Puljujarvi. Adding another consistent forward would only make a budding Edmonton attack more dangerous.

Oscar Klefbom has broken fingers, and will likely be out for at least the rest of the month. In fact, Jason Gregor of TSN1260 and OilersNation reports that it could be upwards of six weeks for Klefbom depending on what the doctors find. Edmonton is going to have a need on the blueline.

The Candidates:

Patrick Maroon: This is the obvious one because of Maroon’s history with the Oilers and his natural chemistry with both McDavid and Draisaitl. He’s on a one-year contract, won’t break the bank and likely would not cost much in terms of trade assets. He’s had a slow start with the Blues, but one would think he’d fit right in on an Edmonton team desperate for another winger that can score.

Brayden Schenn: Hitch never did get to coach Schenn in St. Louis, but one has to think he’d love a chance to run this pivot in his lineup on a nightly basis. Schenn has posted 7-11-18 in 25 games this season and brings both speed and two-way skill to the lineup. He’d give the Oil a lot of options up front, and could become a part of the core moving forward. He’d cost a lot more than Maroon, but would instantly be that fourth forward that this club is lacking. Schenn has this year and next to run on a contract that costs $5,125,000 on the cap.

Jaden Schwartz: An impact performer under Hitch’s watch in St. Louis, Schwartz is an established top-six forward that would come to Edmonton and immediately be the club’s top left winger. He’s played in just 16 games this season, but has eleven points and brings more speed and skill to a team desperately looking for some. At just 26 years old, Schwartz has a lot left in the tank and, like Schenn, could be a core piece moving forward. Schwartz’s contract has two more seasons after this remaining with a cap hit of $5,350,000.

Robby Fabbri: An injury riddled career has made many forget about Fabbri, but that doesn’t mean the kid can’t play. The 22 year old LW has just four points in 15 games this season, and might be in need of a second opinion. He’s got great passing skills and vision to go along with a lethal shot. He could be a dominant force if he ever stays healthy and gets a consistent look.

Colton Parayko: This is the man it seems like every Oiler fan wants. A proven top-four, right-shot defender that has a big shot, size, mobility and logs a ton of minutes. He’d instantly be Edmonton’s number one defender, and would give the club a top-four capable of doing damage in this league. Hitchcock loved Parayko in St. Louis, and I get the feeling he’d love him in Edmonton too. The price would be dear, but it might just be worth it for a guy that could run the defense for the next decade.

Final Thoughts:

There are two players that I did not include that could be options as well. They are Alex Pietrangelo and Vlad Tarasenko. Would I like one or both in Edmonton? Absolutely, but those are the obvious, sexy, names and everyone is talking about them. On top of that, I don’t see a way Edmonton is able to pull off a trade for those players unless the Blues are sold on acquiring futures.

The Oilers are 8-2-1 under Hitchcock and are firmly in the playoff race now. The club might be able to get in as constructed, but making an addition or two could propel the Oilers to a dark-horse as we approach the stretch drive. Edmonton may not have the pieces to get a deal done, but Peter Chiarelli would be foolish to not make a phone call. Heck, maybe Hitch can even pick up the phone.