Oilers Acquire Patrick Maroon From Ducks

The #Oilers have acquired Patrick Maroon from the @AnaheimDucks in exchange for Martin Gernat plus a 2016 fourth-round draft pick.

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) February 29, 2016

UPDATE: 6:01 P.M. EST: The Anaheim Ducks will retain 25% of the money on Maroon’s deal the rest of the way, meaning he will only cost the Oilers $1.5 M per year.

The Edmonton Oilers made one trade on Monday, acquiring Patrick Maroon from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Martin Gernat and 4th round pick in 2016.

When Peter Chiarelli said he wanted to add size to his lineup and be a tougher team, this is what he meant. Adding Patrick Maroon is exactly the kind of move that Chiarelli made when he was the GM of the Boston Bruins. This isn’t the most skilled hockey player, but he works hard and plays a very physical style of hockey.

At 6’2” and 231 pounds, Maroon provides Edmonton with some real size in it’s bottom six and gives the Oilers some toughness. He’s willing to drop the mitts and like I said before, he plays a physical style. His size also makes him a prime candidate to be a net front presence on the power play unit for an Edmonton team that is lacking one.

On top of that, it sets a bit of a standard for the Oilers. This is a hockey team that struggles with the cycle and the forecheck, but Maroon is strong in that regard. He’s a big body that will help in an area of weakness for the Oilers.

Also of note, last season he played in stretches with both Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry. He succeeded in that spot as well, scoring 7-4-11 in 16 playoff games a year ago.

Here is Maroon’s scouting report via The Hockey News:

Assets:	Has tremendous size (6-2, 231 pounds). Is willing to use his big frame to make plays. Passes the puck well and doesn’t mind mixing it up with opponents. Produces big numbers at lower levels.
Flaws:	His defensive-zone coverage and decision-making skills with the puck can be issues for him. Also, his skating is only average for the big league. Lacks consistency in a big way. Takes games off.
Career Potential:	Big, inconsistent depth winger.

The Oilers, via this trade, got bigger and got tougher in their forward group. This is a chance for Edmonton to get better on the forecheck and to play a more physical style. Maroon isn’t a sexy player, but he was a solid part of the Anaheim Ducks for a few seasons, including last year.

The 27 year old has certainly struggled through this season, but the Ducks as a team started very slow. Maroon looks like a buy-low candidate for the Oilers who could settle in as a banger in the bottom six.

Maroon will make $2.000 M per season for the next two years, so this isn’t a case of the Oilers test driving a forward, this is a case of Edmonton acquiring someone that they feel is part of the future with this team

Overall, I’m on the fence with this deal. It’s not a sexy trade, but it does fill a hole. Maroon is a big forward and plays exactly the kind of style that the Oilers lack in a big way right now. He changes the mix with the forward group and has played with skill before. I like that aspect of the trade and I completely understand why Peter Chiarelli made this move.

The only issue is his contract, but at $2 million per year it’s not a back breaking deal for Edmonton. The two year term isn’t ideal, but it’s a contract that can still be moved should the Oilers find a need to do so.

Not a bad deal for Edmonton though, the Oilers get a good buy-low candidate and change the mix of their forward group a little bit. Should be interesting to see where Maroon slides in tomorrow night in Buffalo.