Boldest Idea Yet?: A Blockbuster Trade Pitch Involves the Oilers and Ducks

Allan Mitchell’s latest piece for The Athletic pitches a wild and unlikely idea that may be one of the boldest trade moves of the NHL offseason. Pointing to Kirill Marchenko out of Columbus, Mitchell takes things one step further, wondering what the odds might be of Edmonton making a run at Cutter Gauthier.

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On the surface, Gauthier seems like the exact type of winger the Oilers could use. 41 goals last season, a shooter who likes to put the puck on net from anywhere and everywhere, and someone who can keep up with Edmonton’s elite stars. He would answer several of the questions the Oilers have been asking for years.

However, it sounds like a stretch.

Gauthier is Anaheim’s problem, tangled up in a contract standoff with the Ducks as camp approaches, and things are so tight in Anaheim that if the Ducks want to get Gauthier signed, a combination of Frank Vatrano, Chris Kreider, and Alex Killorn are likely going out the door as trade candidates. Gauthier wants his money, especially after his teammate Leo Carlsson signed a five-year offer sheet deal at $18 million per season. Gauthier isn’t worth $18 million, but he’s a 21-year-old who just scored 41 goals and is supposed to be part of Anaheim’s core for a decade.

Will the Ducks Be Forced to Trade Gauthier?

Mitchell’s idea is based on the notion that the Ducks and Gauthier might not work out their differences. If not, a trade could happen this summer. Meanwhile, the Oilers have spent the last several offseasons renting a veteran winger or two, hoping chemistry and a hot streak carry them through another Cup run. Mitchell argues that it might be better to invest heavily in a long-term fix.

Gauthier represents something the Oilers haven’t had a real shot at in years: a young, cost-controlled, high-end goal scorer who could still be playing beside Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl for years, not just for one more playoff push. If there is an opportunity to trade for him, the Oilers should be in the mix, he contends.

The catch is that Edmonton’s cupboard isn’t exactly stacked and the price to acquire Gauthier would be extreme. Stan Bowman doesn’t have the kind of draft capital or organizational depth he might need, and Anaheim holds some leverage here. They don’t have to move Gauthier at all, let alone move him to a team in their own division.

What a Realistic Offer Might Look Like

If Edmonton starts a trade conversation, Mitchell’s read is that Matthew Savoie, Ike Howard, and a high draft pick is the outer-marker offer for the Oilers. Even that might not be enough as other teams with deeper prospect pools and more first-round picks in the bank could put together a package that tops it without much trouble.

The bigger complication isn’t even the return; it’s the money. Whatever contract eventually gets Gauthier signed in Anaheim will be significant, and fitting that number into Edmonton’s books almost certainly means moving out an established roster player just to create space. That’s a lot of roster turnover for one player who has a bit of a reputation for working himself out of NHL organizations. The Oilers are built to win now, and it’s fair to question whether bringing in his personality is the right move.

Calling Gauthier to the Oilers a “long shot” would be kind. Still, if he becomes available, Mitchell is right in that the Oilers should at least make a call.

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