from Mark Spector of Sportsnet,
The Edmonton Oilers will be sellers at the trade deadline, with neither the cap space or playoff hopes to make them a buyer. But the question is, sellers of what?
They’ve got plenty of players that interim general manager Keith Gretzky is willing to move, but due to contracts and skill level, very few who are portable. Milan Lucic is an Oiler for life — or until he is bought out — but he does not fit the description of an asset that Gretzky can turn over at the 2019 deadline.
Gretzky has stated that his greatest priority is to move some money out, so he can have some wiggle room to add a winger or two on July 1. That process begins now, and almost any Oiler with term beyond this summer will be in the conversation. Almost any Oiler, we repeat.
Needs:
The needs run deep in Edmonton. On the macro level, they need to get this franchise together after another epic failure in 2018-19, missing the playoffs for the 12th time in 13 seasons.
On a micro level, this team needs work at every position except centre. Priority No. 1 are top-six wingers, where the Oilers’ next one will be their first. After that, defencemen with skill are needed here. Ideally, a true No. 1, but realistically, anyone who can pass and shoot at a B-plus level would be welcome.
Oh, and a goaltender would be nice, with Mikko Koskinen signed and only the unproven Anthony Stolarz as his relief.
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