The Oilers Might Have to Make a Trade Sooner Than Expected

The Edmonton Oilers weren’t supposed to have a forward depth problem this early in the season. But after a string of injuries, the team is suddenly looking a lot thinner up front than it did just a few weeks ago.

Zach Hyman, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Jason Dickinson, Matt Savoie and Mattias Janmark are all dealing with injuries, leaving Edmonton without several important pieces of its forward group. While some of the injuries aren’t expected to be long-term, the Oilers still have to find a way to get through the next stretch of games.

Hyman’s absence is especially noticeable. He has become one of Edmonton’s most important secondary scorers and a key part of the team’s top-six. Losing that kind of player puts even more pressure on Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl to produce.

The Oilers have already started looking around the NHL trade market for help. According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, Edmonton could potentially explore a lateral move involving a defenseman being traded for a forward.

That might actually be the smartest route for the Oilers. Edmonton doesn’t necessarily need to give up a valuable draft pick or make a blockbuster trade. If the organization has a defenseman it believes it can afford to move, flipping that player for an NHL-ready forward could solve an immediate problem.

The Oilers have plenty of offensive firepower, but their opening games have also shown just how unpredictable things can get. Edmonton has already been involved in a 6-5 overtime game and a wild 9-7 contest. That’s entertaining hockey, but it isn’t exactly the formula you want to rely on for an entire season.

The good news is that several of these injured players should eventually return. The bad news is that Edmonton is trying to win the Stanley Cup, and waiting around for everyone to get healthy could cost the team valuable points in the standings.

The Oilers don’t need to panic, but they should be prepared to act. If the right forward becomes available, don’t be surprised if Edmonton makes a trade sooner than expected.

For a team with championship aspirations, having too much depth is a problem most general managers would happily take. Right now, Edmonton could use a little more of it.