Oilers explore significant trade scenario admits tight playoff series

The first round series between the Los Angeles Kings and Edmonton Oilers is tied up at 1-1 and the latter are aware they needed to take the California rivals seriously.

However, reports emerge that GM Ken Holland may already be considering a significant trade for the summer, despite his team fighting a top opponent in a tight series. According to insider Frank Seravalli, the Oilers could look to trade defenseman Evan Bouchard if he doesn’t agree to a bridge deal for his next contract.

It is clear that the young blue liner will seek a raise coming off his entry-level contract after reaching the 40-point plateau for a second consecutive season, especially thanks to him joining trade-deadline acquisition Mattias Ekholm.

Seravalli doesn’t see a path for a long-term deal for Bouchard, given the Oilers’ salary-cap limitations. Edmonton is tight on money with a projected $8.5 million in cap space with 15 players under contract for 2023-24, per Cap Friendly. The insider believes the Oilers will prefer to sign him to a bridge deal and could offer up a two-year deal worth an annual cap hit of $3.5 million or $4.5 million, with the potential for a more lucrative long-term deal down the road.

“There was an avenue to extend him over the summer to a bridge deal. He (Bouchard) bet on himself by waiting to see how the year played out. Now moving forward, I think you bet on yourself and pocket whatever the number turns out to be 2 years x $3.5 million, 2 years x $4.5 million. You put that in your pocket and then work for that $8 million deal after that.”

However if Bouchard refuses, Seravalli wouldn’t be surprised to see the Oilers attempt to trade him during the summer as the young defenseman lacks arbitration rights.

Imagine if a rival club tempts Bouchard with an offer sheet knowing of the Oilers’ limited salary-cap space? While this is an unlikely scenario that rarely takes place in the NHL, the Oilers are reportedly studying all possible options for Bouchard… even amidst a tight playoff series!