I know, it’s kind of shocking to only see one member of the Edmonton Oilers on TSN’s Trade Bait Board. Well, it’s not RNH, it’s not Oscar Klefbom, nor is it Jesse Puljujarvi. This season, the first Oiler up on Frank Seravalli’s Trade Bait Board is…

Zack Kassian!

He along with 14 other players highlight the board and will be amongst the rumors all season long until of course they are dealt.

Let’s take some time and comment on each of the players briefly in relation to the possibility of the Oilers picking them up.

1. William Nylander (TOR) – Can’t see it. No way no how. Forget what his old man did when Kevin Lowe was GM. Nylander is looking to get PAID and the Oilers are going to have enough trouble paying their own players after this season unless they make some moves.
2. Kevin Hayes (NYR) – The Rangers pivot would tempt Peter Chiarelli I’m sure due to his size but in my opinion, he doesn’t produce enough for how much he’s being paid. I wasn’t impressed with his performance earlier in the year when the Oilers beat his Rangers either.
3. Mats Zuccarello (NYR) – I like Zuccarello as a complimentary piece for the Oilers but only as a rental. I think the cost to acquire him would be dear and not worth it in the long run. He’s very much what I hope Kailer Yamamoto turns into because I feel they play a similar style.
4. Alec Martinez (LAK) – This is definitely a player I could see the Oilers getting in on. He’s a RHD who has championship experience and has played in a defensive system his entire career. I think he’d compliment Darnell Nurse on the 2nd pair fairly well and he’s only making $4M a year for this season and next.
5. Gustav Nyquist (DET) – He’ll be cashing in this summer but if there was any way he could be had on the long-term for $4M, he’d definitely be worth it. Not flashy by any means but he’s consistent and when paired with a good centre, effective.
6. Tanner Pearson (LAK) – I’m not a huge fan of Pearson and I can’t really put my thumb on it as to why. He seems to be a pretty consistent 35-45pt guy and the Oilers could definitely use that. Maybe he’s not flashy or physical enough to my taste.
7. Sergei Bobrovsky (CBJ) – Nope. No goalies be coming Edmonton’s way. Especially when this one is looking for Carey Price money.
8. Brett Pesce (CAR) – I really can’t see Carolina messing with their team chemistry with how they’re playing to start the year. That said, would you trade Jesse Puljujarvi for Pesce? The defense would be set for the next 5 years in that scenario.
9. Tyler Myers (WPG) – I think Chiarelli would love to get his hands on another big man but Myers is going to be getting Chara-like money this summer and why would the Jets even look at moving him in-season? They’re more of a Cup contender with him than without him.
10. Artemi Panarin (CLB) – If Panarin didn’t have his heart set on playing for a coast team then I’d say Edmonton should go for him. Every time he plays the Oilers he sets them ablaze. He’s so good but alas, it’s not to be in this fairy tale.
11. Vlad Namestnikov (NYR) – This $4M Russian was 2 points away from 50 last season spent mostly with the Lightning of Tampa Bay but after being dealt in the Ryan McDonagh trade, he only managed 4 pts in 19 games… Enigmatic I think is the word that describes him best. The Rangers have put him on the block so he’ll more than likely join his third team in less than a calendar year and not often is that a sign of good things to come for a player in that scenario.
12. Charles Hudon (MTL) – I like this guy. A lot. He also fits the description of the Peter Chiarelli Special. A player who isn’t gaining traction with his current club, is cheap and is an RFA at season’s end. Hudon, to me, is a player who I’d describe as skilled sandpaper. He can play it any way you want to and that’s the kind of Swiss Army Knife Todd McLellan loves to deploy IF he has it.
13. Zack Kassian (EDM) – I don’t think the case needs to be made for keeping or trading him. It’s been done to death in the last week. I like him but if the Oilers could get from out of his contract and maybe use that space to upgrade the roster, I’m all for it.
14. Kyle Clifford (LA) – I’ve always had time for a guy like Kyle Clifford. He’s very much in the Matt Hendricks mold and I really value those kinds of players. I think he plays an honest brand of hockey but he’s not dirty. He knows where to draw the line. He’s a tad cheaper than Kassian but definitely slower than him too.
15. Wayne Simmonds (PHI) – Remember when there was a deal on the table that had Jordan Eberle being traded for Simmonds? Ah… Those were the days. The Flyers’ winger is on the back 9 of his career and I’m for certain that Edmonton wouldn’t be getting the Wayne Simmonds we remember if they traded for him. He’s also a UFA this summer and I could see him getting a healthy raise.

What are your thoughts? Do any of those players interest you and what would you be willing to pay to get them?

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