Oilers Have Trade Candidate In Bottom-6

The Edmonton Oilers' depth has really shined through this season. There have been a lot of injuries, but there continues to be players called up and injected into the lineup showing that they should stick around. While there hasn't been enough space for everyone this season, it is great showings and trial runs for next season and beyond.

The Oilers could use a little more cap space in-season, and wouldn't be hurt by moving off of a bottom-6 veteran because of the talent that is ready to step in. While Adam Henrique is someone the Oilers could do with moving off of this season, his no-trade clause prevents that and Edmonton instead has to look at clearing out Mattias Janmark.

Janmark has a cap hit of $1.45 million AAV for one more year, so it makes sense to open up a spot for this season and next. He is standing in the way of players like Isaac Howard, Cal Clattenburg, Quinn Hutson, and even players like Josh Samanski, Roby Jarventie, Viljami Marjala, and Samuel Poulin.

When the Oilers get healthier, there will be even more of a logjam and moves will have to be made. With 14 forwards and players like Howard and Hutson in the AHL at the moment, Noah Philp, Kasperi Kapanen, and Clattenburg are on the IR and have all played in the NHL this season too.

The Oilers have noticeably gotten younger this season compared to how old on average they have been the past number of seasons, but while competing, that mentality has to continue as for the first time in a long time, the AHL system holds and is producing a lot of talent that can break into the NHL.

Injuries have shown the Oilers and management that the young players in the system are capable of being NHL players, but have gotten the chance to shine in the AHL in scoring roles for most of the season. The Oilers can save money and will get hungrier players with more skill to come in over someone like Janmark, providing Edmonton with prospects with higher ceilings as well. Not all of them will work out with Edmonton or in the NHL in general, but some will.

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