Edmonton Oilers' 2023 Trade Deadline Needs

Before the Edmonton Oilers are to add anyone at the trade deadline this season, they must move some money out. The two most likely candidates are Jesse Puljujarvi and Warren Foegele. The Oilers are rumoured to have a trade in place for Puljujarvi, but are waiting on a report on Kailer Yamamoto's health before they execute it.

When Yamamoto returns from the long-term injured reserve, the Oilers will be over the cap ceiling, meaning they would be forced to likely send some players down through waivers. A trade is the much better outcome since they would be able to get some sort of an asset back. So assuming Puljujarvi's $3 million cap hit is going to be moved and the Oilers have a little more room to work with, what do they need?

Some think they need a top-four left shot-defenceman to play behind Darnell Nurse, but that would force at least one of the Oilers' current defencemen out of the lineup and they've won seven of eight games and got 15 of 16 points since Vincent Desharnais joined the team. The Oilers have done quite well running 11 forwards and seven defence and I don't think it should be touched for the time being.

What the Oilers will be looking for is some value in a depth forward. The forward would need to be cheap and either be very strong defensively or be able to produce from the bottom of the lineup. They don't need to trade Puljujarvi and his lack of offence and acquire someone who produces the same but with little two-way effect. Many of the Oilers are able to play center and on the wing, making a decision easier in terms of what position the Oilers would like to add up front. A two-way/scoring depth forward will do just fine for their hopeful playoff run.

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