Canucks' Trade Candidate Would Be Great Fit For Oilers

The Edmonton Oilers are looking for some bottom-6 help, but more specifically, a player who knows his role and is comfortable in his role. A third line center that fits these would be a very good add for the Oilers, and at the same time, be able to move Andrew Mangiapane to free up a roster spot and cap space for the rest of this season and next.

The Vancouver Canucks appear to have a great trade target that the Oilers should be interested in, and that's Teddy Blueger. He is in the last year of his deal at $1.8 million AAV, the Canucks are in last place in the NHL, and if Mangiapane were to agree to head the other way, it would benefit both. That isn't a guarantee, but there is some interest in Mangiapane around the league. It would give Vancouver another piece that could help turn things around next season as the Oilers' forward is signed for one more year.

The Oilers have tried out some different players at the third line center role, but Ryan Nugent-Hopkins fits so well on the top line with Connor McDavid and Jack Roslovic has played well on the wing, taking on a bit less responsibility than center. Blueger is playing third line center for the Canucks, and although he isn't a scorer, he is strong defensively, kills penalties, which the Oilers need a better penalty killer, and wins faceoffs.

Blueger has averaged 14:46 of ice time per game in his career, so he is very used to the time in the bottom-6 and would be able to provide 8-10 goals and 25-30 points over a full season. in a more defensive role without complaint or a decline in play because he isn't getting enough ice time. Surprisingly, Blueger has five goals and eight points in 10 games this season once getting healthy, so he is helping his case and the case for the Canucks to get what they're asking for.

In terms of the third-round pick the Canucks hope to get for Blueger, I think that is worth it for the Oilers for what he brings to the table. It's a better chance that he will contribute more to the team, especially in their Stanley Cup window, than a third-round pick will turn into something usable in the NHL if they hold onto it and drafted.