Desperation Deadline Trade Pitch Between Flyers and Oilers Not Likely

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With the speculation surrounding the Philadelphia Flyers, there will be plenty of trade chatter and scenarios tossed around. The Flyers are struggling. Their superstar, Matvei Michkov, is reportedly unhappy. They have veterans being blamed for the problems and insider Elliotte Friedman believes GM Daniel Briere faces a significant challenge managing the situation. 

Tyler Yaremchuk of Daily Faceoff Edmonton suggested that this could be an opportunity for the Oilers. Hinting that a “one-swing” trade could add a nice depth piece to the Oilers’ blue line and a forward for the top six. Specifically, he notes that Rasmus Ristolainen has been linked to the Oilers since he started covering the team.

“Is there a world where you can go do a little one-stop shopping?” asked Yaremchuk. Don’t hold your breath.

First, the Oilers don’t have the assets to trade to land those pieces. Put another way, the Oilers might have the assets, but they likely aren’t willing to give them up, and the Flyers likely wouldn’t want to take back what Edmonton is willing to part with.

GM Stan Bowman can’t simply add any combination of Ristolainen and Owen Tippett or Travis Konecny without financial consequences. The salary cap still exists and adding somewhere in the ballpark of $12 -$14 million is a wild concept. The only way to even begin those conversations would be to offer up Jake Walman in return, but he’s got a full no-move and who’s to say the Flyers would be interested?

Oilers and Michkov? Ya… Probably Not

And, if the pitch was to try and land a player like Michkov, it’s going to take a lot for the Oilers. If that were to happen, Edmonton would open itself up to the complications that come with trying to sign a restricted free agent who has clearly had communication and coaching issues since entering the NHL. He’s going to think he’s worth one thing. The Oilers will think he’s worth another. Signing up to invest long-term in a player who clearly has talent, but also has motivation issues, is problematic on multiple levels.

You could argue that the Oilers leadership group could work with a guy like Michkov and get him going. You could also argue that he’s not worth disrupting what Edmonton has going, despite his immense talent.

There is an opportunity for a team to contact the Flyers and try to profit from an ugly situation there. “Catch them at a point of desperation and see if maybe you can win a trade here,” said Yaremchuk. It’s a nice idea, but to suggest the Oilers are that team might be a reach.

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