Eklund: Should Oilers Shop while McDavid is on IR?

Eklund: Should Oilers Shop while McDavid is on IR?
- Eklund

Yes Morgan Frost for the 2026 first. Flyers will include the rights to Kirill Ustimenko.

EVERYONE wants a C or D

That would be smart. Use this new cap space and trade some picks or prospects to add a centre like Zegras. He could move down the lineup when McDavid comes back. But wait, how does the cap space work when McDavid is ready to be activated in 2-3 weeks? Kind of reminds me of the time when Vasilevsky got hurt for 6 weeks and you suggested they trade for Hellebuyck.

No…

bruh, you haven't even updated AZ to UTAH yet

That sounds like a panic move. Just get Richard Panik back from Slovakia and convert him to center. Low cost move.

Doesn't this say something about Oilers' management and Oilers' fans over-rating their players?

It would stand to reason that if you have the highest paid player in the NHL and a "Norris trophy candidate", while also having Hyman, RNH, Arvidsson, Skinner, Ekholm, etc. etc. that losing McDavid would not cause a panic.

The truth is, the Oilers have tied up so much faith (possibly more important than the money) in three players that just do not compete (Draisailt, Bouchard, Nurse). Any other team with a similar 3-man "core" to compliment their superstar would not be panicking.

Doesn't this say something about Oilers' management and Oilers' fans over-rating their players?

It would stand to reason that if you have the highest paid player in the NHL and a "Norris trophy candidate", while also having Hyman, RNH, Arvidsson, Skinner, Ekholm, etc. etc. that losing McDavid would not cause a panic.

The truth is, the Oilers have tied up so much faith (possibly more important than the money) in three players that just do not compete (Draisailt, Bouchard, Nurse). Any other team with a similar 3-man "core" to compliment their superstar would not be panicking.
- JLO961

It says much more about your discretion that you take this fabricated conjecture seriously.

Doesn't this say something about Oilers' management and Oilers' fans over-rating their players?

It would stand to reason that if you have the highest paid player in the NHL and a "Norris trophy candidate", while also having Hyman, RNH, Arvidsson, Skinner, Ekholm, etc. etc. that losing McDavid would not cause a panic.

The truth is, the Oilers have tied up so much faith (possibly more important than the money) in three players that just do not compete (Draisailt, Bouchard, Nurse). Any other team with a similar 3-man "core" to compliment their superstar would not be panicking.
- JLO961

In no way am I an Oilers fan....very far from it....but surprised to see Draisaitl classified as someone who does not compete.

If the Oilers can't keep their head above water for a few weeks while McDavid heals, they have bigger problems than his injury.

Again, can someone explain how the Oilers can go shopping now and then magically activate a $12.5M player when healthy in 2-3 weeks?

Any trade would have to be dollar in dollar out (aka an actual hockey trade). So would have nothing to do with McDavid being on IR.

Again, can someone explain how the Oilers can go shopping now and then magically activate a $12.5M player when healthy in 2-3 weeks?

Any trade would have to be dollar in dollar out (aka an actual hockey trade). So would have nothing to do with McDavid being on IR.
- HockeyBuzzed

He is under the impression that money can be banked to apply while a player is on LTIR.

This whole time my eye has been on Carolina

This whole time my eye has been on Carolina
- glove_was_stuck

You were just gone to Carolina in your mind. Can't you just see the sunshine? Can't you just feel the moonshine?