The Edmonton Oilers try to remain affected person amid a rocky begin to the season, however NHL insider Frank Seravalli suggests their hand might be compelled in the event that they don’t set up themselves as contenders within the Pacific Division.
A dialog began on the OilersNation On a regular basis present when host Tyler Yaremchuk requested Seravalli in regards to the hints Oilers Now host Bob Stauffer retains dropping on his present about Edmonton making an “surprising” commerce for a defenseman. Yaremchuk puzzled if that was actually simply code for the Oilers’ wanting to attend to see what the market may produce as extra groups understand they’re out of competition.
With playoff aspirations and the clock ticking, the Oilers face mounting stress to keep away from a situation the place postseason qualification hangs within the steadiness late within the season. Nonetheless, they don’t wish to purchase early if a participant in the identical vein as Mattias Ekholm turns into out there nearer to the deadline.
Seravalli believes Edmonton’s present choice is to let the market develop organically and keep away from a rushed resolution. Nevertheless, if the workforce fails to create separation from divisional rivals, the Oilers might need no selection however to behave sooner fairly than later.
What Would Push the Oilers Into An Early Commerce?
“It’s not a suitable actuality for the Oilers to be flirting with the query of whether or not they’ll make or miss the playoffs this 12 months,” Seravalli stated. “In some unspecified time in the future, they could need to put a stake within the floor and make a transfer sooner than deliberate.”
Edmonton’s roster points—notably on the blue line—have fueled hypothesis about potential commerce targets. Nonetheless, Seravalli cautioned towards anticipating any groundbreaking offers to materialize shortly, because the NHL commerce market stays notoriously sluggish to develop. Groups, even anticipated sellers, are reluctant to half with property prematurely, fearing they could later remorse shedding a participant who might nonetheless flourish of their lineup.
Seravalli famous that this dynamic extends throughout the league, with a number of groups in comparable positions choosing endurance. Nevertheless, for the Oilers, the stakes are greater. They’re much less anxious about giving up future stars and extra anxious about successful with their present ones. With Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl of their prime, the workforce can in poor health afford to waste one other season hovering close to the playoff bubble.
The Oilers’ present method suggests endurance, however time might quickly change into a luxurious they will’t afford in the event that they don’t determine a method to give themselves some extent cushion that lets them be affected person.
Subsequent: Mattias Janmark’s Surprising Offense a Present for the Oilers
