Two Nuclear Winger Options Available for Oilers This Summer?

The Edmonton Oilers will be looking for a way to drastically improve the team after a disappointing exit from the first round of the playoffs. Both Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid noted that the team needed to get better in a hurry after taking a signficant step backward. That leaves a big responsibility on the plate of GM Stan Bowman and CEO Jeff Jackson to make a quick improvement to the roster.

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There might be two nuclear names available this offseason.

After four consecutive first-round exits, the Tampa Bay Lightning may be contemplating an almost unthinkable idea. Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic asked the question in a recent column, “Would BriseBois consider moving Kucherov?”

Pointing out Kucherov’s recent playoff struggles, he wrote:

“He has one year on his contract next season before becoming a UFA in July 2027. Kucherov does not have a full no-move clause, just a modified no-trade clause with a 10-team list. Odds are the Lightning’s top priority is, in fact, to extend Kucherov, who turns 33 in June. But I will just point out, BriseBois has never been afraid to swing big. That would be one heck of a chip to push into the market.”

The Oilers adding a player like Kucherov would instantly be giving McDavid the best sniper/scorer in the NHL on his line. It would require moving Zach Hyman, but that’s an acceptable outcome given that it would make Edmonton’s second line among the most dangerous in the NHL.

Meanwhile, Jason Robertson is nearing what could be some tough negotiations with the Dallas Stars. He said in a recent media scrum, “It’s a business on both sides. I’m optimistic, I hope. It’s not like what it was when I was 10 years old, getting to the NHL, anymore. It’s a business. I learned that four years ago. It’s not my first time.” 

In other words, Robertson would like to get a deal done with Dallas, but he gets that it’s as likely he’s forced to move on as it is he stays. Robertson on McDavid’s left wing gives the Oilers something they’ve not had in years — a legitimate elite left-winger.

For Dallas, letting Robertson go is about cap space. The Oilers would need to be willing to open up their wallet to trade for and sign Robertson, who would be leaving tax-free money on the table.

In both cases, the Oilers would need to shed salary. Robertson could cost more than $10 million per season. Kucherov currently costs $9.5. Some salary would be moved in the deals, but neither team is taking on Edmonton’s bloated deals, so any suggestion that a move centered around someone like Darnell Nurse isn’t realistic.

These are players in which multiple picks, prospects, and contracts would need to move. Then, the Oilers would need to find a way to dump salaries in other, unrelated deals.

Next: NHL Trade Talk Recap: Canadiens, Maple Leafs & Oilers’ Holland