4 Notable Trade Targets Proposed for Edmonton Oilers

Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid

The Edmonton Oilers have some work to do this summer. They officially have two years on the clock to convince Connor McDavid to stay. But by all accounts, it's effectively one year: If they're still struggling at this time next year, with no discernible path to the Stanley Cup, there will probably be an agreement by the two sides to move McDavid elsewhere so the Oilers can get a big haul in return.

Two of the biggest areas to improve on this offseason would be in goal, and bringing in another top-six scoring threat.

To that end, Allan Mitchell in The Athletic has suggested four notable trade targets the Oilers should focus on this summer:

Jordan Kyrou, St. Louis Blues

Kyrou's name has been prominently on the rumor mill for the better part of a year now, as the Blues have been trying to remake their mix and retool for the future. The speedy winger still has five years to run on what is quickly becoming a bargain AAV of $8.125M.

He certainly had an off-year this season, amidst all the turmoil in St. Louis, having his name out there in glaring fashion. He dropped to an 18-goal campaign with 46 points. But the previous four seasons, he established himself as a legitimate 30-goal, 70-point top-six forward. Uniting on a line with an Oilers superstar, be it McDavid or Leon Draisaitl, would assuredly bring Kyrou back to his elite scoring and playmaking level, while making Edmonton's attack even more explosive.

Owen Tippett, Philadelphia Flyers

Another top-six forward who can put the biscuit in the basket, Tippett, like Kyrou, is in his later-20s prime years. Mitchell writes, "If Bowman wants to find a veteran sniper to cash Leon Draisaitl’s passes, Owen Tippett might be the perfect fit. The Flyers forward is 27 and has yet to score 30 goals. With Draisaitl as his centre, he could score many more than 30."

Turning our attention to goaltending, two strong choices are named:

Filip Gustavsson, Minnesota Wild

Gustavsson has been overtaken by rookie phenom Jesper Wallstedt as the No. 1 choice between the pipes for the Wild in these playoffs. But he still had a terrific season at the age of 27 this year, with a .903 save percentage and 2.69 goals against average, and would be a huge improvement on anything the Oilers threw out there in the crease this past season.

Mackenzie Blackwood, Colorado Avalanche

Despite a brand new, five-year, $26.25M deal that kicked in this season ($5.25M AAV), Blackwood was... wedged out by Scott Wedgewood as the No. 1 man in goal for the Avs for this playoff run. And rightfully so, with the way Wedgewood has played this season.

But Blackwood, with his career .905 save percentage, would be a fine choice for the Oilers to pair with Connor Ingram, as Mitchell suggests.

Overall, he makes Kyrou and Blackwood his top targets among the group that Oilers GM Stan Bowman "would be wise to heavily consider" acquiring, if possible, this summer.