Oilers reportedly could be “forced” to make trade

The Edmonton Oilers made the decision to hire embattled former Chicago Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman as the official successor to Ken Holland, drawing plenty of varied reaction from fans and media alike. And already, Bowman is facing a challenge that one NHL analyst believes could force him into quickly making his first trade as Oilers GM.

The St. Louis Blues have handed offer sheets to Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway, further complicating the already cap-strapped financial situation of the Oilers. And according to noted Oilers analyst Jim Matheson, Bowman could elect to part ways with Brett Kulak or Cody Ceci in order to accommodate the two aforementioned players. 

“These offer sheets by Blues to Broberg and Holloway are clearly a kick in the head to Oilers since Broberg could be a top 4 D partner of Nurse and Holloway a possible third-line LW this season,” Matheson tweeted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“The Oilers may be forced to trade Ceci and his $3.25m for one more year or Kulak (two years at $2.75m per) on cap if the decide they can’t lose a young D in Broberg to offer sheet. Usually teams value young D over young wingers if they have to decide on offer sheet match,” he wrote in another tweet.

"I know one of the quick fixes to coming up with money to match Blues offer on Broberg is to trade Ceci but this D played 18 1/2 mins, third most after Bouchard and Ekholm in Game 7 in Florida," he then wrote. "That was biggest Oiler game since 2006 Game 7 vs Canes. Just sayin’"

Recommended articles:

• Leon Draisaitl makes specific demand on pending contract with Oilers
• Significant development in Leon Draisaitl’s contract situation
• Wayne Gretzky lands on hot seat as comments resurface following Stan Bowman’s hire in Edmonton
• Stan Bowman lands back on hot seat with answer during press conference!
• Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl’s roles in Stan Bowman’s hiring revealed and fans are outraged!