Oilers turned down because trade target wants to play “for a winner”

Ahead of the upcoming trade deadline, the Edmonton Oilers are focused on the top priority of finding help on the blue liner. Darnell Nurse is overwork and there is a clear need for a boost on the back end. While some interested trade targets are available on the market, GM Ken Holland always makes very calculated choices and some believe he might not want to go all out and attempted to trade for a star defenseman like Jakob Chychrun of the Arizona Coyotes, who commands a huge asking price.

Rumours have it that the Oilers might have been looking into defenseman Jake McCabe of the Chicago Blackhawks.
The 29-year-old blue liner is in the second year of a four-year, $16 million contract. But he owns a seven team no-trade list and Sportsnet Elliotte Friedman believes the Hawks are in no hurry to move him.

On Saturday, during Hockey Night in Canada, Friedman wondered if the Oilers would target McCabe, but also pointed out that Edmonton could be turned down by McCabe himself, who might not only be disinterested in coming to Canada, but also prefers to play “for a winner”.

The Oilers are not the only team out there seeking help on the blue line, with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Los Angeles and New York Rangers also looking to upgrade their defensive corps.

However, McCabe would not be a rental player for any club that tries to acquire him, which means the cap hit needs to fit his $4 million AAV.

In 34 games with the Blackhawks so far this season, McCabe has put up one goal and eight assists for nine points, along with 10 penalty minutes.

Let's see if he moves and which team he chooses - though we get that it won't be Edmonton...

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