Rumor: Oilers could make blockbuster trade

The Edmonton Oilers are said to be relying on Darnell Nurse and Cody Ceci a bit too much. Could they help alleviate their workload by showing interest in former Norris Trophy winning defenseman Erik Karlsson? 

According to TSN's Darren Dreger, there are elements within the Oilers who are showing interest in Karlsson, who is having a renaissance season for the San Jose Sharks with 34 points in 28 games played. 

Take a look at what Dreger had to say:

“What we know is defence is an area of concern for the Oilers. It was going into the season and it continues to be. The Edmonton Oilers need a top defenceman. Now, do they get wild and crazy and try and swing for the fence and get in on Erik Karlsson of the San Jose Sharks? It seems impossible they could do that, but there is some around the organization with interest. The problem is that their key veterans in Darnell Nurse and Cody Ceci are playing too much and their younger guys like Evan Bouchard and Philip Broberg, well, they’re not quite ready yet as we saw Bouchard benched in a 3-2 loss to the Washington Capitals. So defence top priority for Kenny Holland.”

According to David Staples of The Edmonton Journal, the Oilers would likely have to send Tyson Barrie, Jesse Puljujarvi, two lottery-protected first-round picks plus Broberg or Dylan Holloway back to San Jose in exchange for Karlsson in a potential trade. 

Oilers general manager Ken Holland would certainly be putting a major bet on the likes of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl sticking around with a major reinforcement in the form of Karlsson should a deal ultimately materialize. But is the price too steep?