Have the Oilers Looked Into an NHL Hit Leader in Trade Talks?

The Edmonton Oilers might be downplaying the physical side of the game in an effort to reserve their energy for the playoffs, but they are, far and away, the least physical team in the NHL. Some of that has to do with Evander Kane‘s absence, but much of that is because this is not a team built to impose their will through hits and physical play. Might the Oilers want to add that element before the NHL Trade Deadline?

According to Chris Johnston of The Athletic, one of the NHL’s hit leaders is drawing some trade attention. It’s not clear if the Oilers are among the teams who have inquired, but Edmonton has already been linked to the Columbus Blue Jackets when it comes to a blue line upgrade, so asking about Mathieu Olivier — who has 147 hits on the season and ranks fifth in the NHL – seems like a logical thing to do.

Johnston writes:

A rough-and-tumble winger who boasts an impressive fight card, Olivier has caught the attention of at least a couple of teams currently eyeing potential depth forward options. The 27-year-old pending UFA has even managed to chip in more than his share of expected goals early this season. But what makes him most attractive is his size, strength and willingness to embrace an energy role. Olivier is built for playoff hockey.

The Oilers are looking for depth forwards with size and grit. Adding a player who can produce — Olivier has 10 goals this season — would be icing on the cake.

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Is Olivier the Kind of Forward the Oilers Need?

The upside of a trade like this is that the Oilers would be adding one of the toughest guys in the NHL. And he’s not a tough guy who can’t play. He’s a willing agitator and statement-maker with some skill.

The downside is that someone would have to go for Olivier to fit. Potentially, this means sitting a veteran like Corey Perry (who has been great for the Oilers), or Connor Brown and Kasperi Kapanen get fewer looks.

Olivier is a pending UFA on a $1.1 million cap hit. This is workable for the Oilers, but the acquisition cost isn’t clear. Might the Oilers target a package that includes Olivier and Ivan Provorov? It would solve a couple of key needs. Olivier helps the Oilers ramp up their physicality and perhaps moves them out of the basement in the NHL when it comes to hits. Provorov eats a ton of minutes on the blue line. The Blue Jackets have the wherewithal to retain salary, which makes them a good target for Edmonton.

Next: NHL Trade Talk Morning Roundup: Hellebuyck 300 Wins, Leafs & Flames