Oilers Rumors: 2 Forwards & 2 Defensemen Listed As Trade Candidates

The Edmonton Oilers are about to get a lot healthier, but with that will have to come some roster moves. In order to potentially get any assets back for their players rather than seeing them be picked up on waivers, a trade or two may happen very shortly.

Edmonton is right at the salary cap and just had Alec Regula return. This takes Troy Stecher and Ty Emberson out of the lineup if Regula enters. As for the forwards, Zach Hyman, Kasperi Kapanen, and Mattias Janmark are all returning shortly as well. This will create plenty of decisions.

David Pagnotta said, "Emberson and Stecher. Janmark's name is out there as well as (David) Tomasek. They've got some guys that they can potentially move around and juggle to free up additional space."

The two most obvious players that should be on the move are Stecher and Janmark. While Stecher did a well enough job filling in on defense for the Oilers for the majority of last season, there isn't space for him anymore and too many options. He is still a capable NHL defenseman as a 6th or 7th in the lineup, but won't see enough time moving forward in Edmonton.

Janmark wasn't really of use last season for the Oilers and hasn't been needed thus far this season, having yet to play. Janmark's $1.45 million AAV cap hit for this season and next would be integral to clear up to make a little bit more space.

At least three moves are going to have to be made when the injured players return, but maybe even more if the cap works out that way. Curtis Lazar will be sent back down to the AHL most likely, while some suggest that Isaac Howard could use some big minutes in the AHL before jumping back into the NHL like Matthew Savoie did last season.

Emberson's usefulness may have run its course as it seems Regula has a step up on him. As for Tomasek, it was working out early, but he has fallen down the lineup, out of the top power play mix, and was a healthy scratch. The Oilers have options, but a trade is imminent and one could be made to move a forward and defense.