This would be my list of players that I would be willing to part with in a trade that are either on the Oilers or close to playing on the team.....
#37-D Denis Grebeshkov 33gp. 2-14-16 +6
A RFA at season's end, the Oilers have already invested a boatload of $ in Tom Gilbert, Sheldon Souray, and Lubomir Visnovsky. If the Oilers aren't looking at giving him Gilbert-esque money he could be bolting back to Russia. He is probably the crown jewel of our tradeable assets at the moment. A young puck moving d-man has a very solid trade value.
#12-Lw/Rw Robert Nilsson 31gp. 5-6-11 -4
Signed to a reasonable deal, Nilsson's combination of speed and skill could very well entice other teams to ask for him in a trade. With Rob Schremp showing the willingness to battle and play a more physical style than Nilsson, the Oilers maybe able to afford to deal Nilsson and replace him with Schremp.
#88-Lw Rob Schremp 4gp. 0-3-3 +2
A RFA at years end, Rob Schremp likely feels that he deserves an opportunity at the NHL level.
Of Nilsson and head coach Craig Mactavish are in the Oilers long term plans, then they may as well trade him now before he signs a contract in Europe next year and they lose a tradeable asset for the duration of his European contract. I cannot see Schremp being happy with anything less than a 1 way contract next season. If the Oilers aren't willing to do that and give him a spot on their opening day roster they are wasting an asset.
#51-C Kyle Brodziak 34gp. 6-2-8 -2
If the Oilers decide to look for a veteran 3rd line center to make a run at the playoffs this year, Brodziak could be a viable trading chip. He is becoming that player at the moment, but if the Oilers are in a "win now" mode it could make sense to deal part of the future for the present.
#18-Lw Ethan Moreau 35gp. 7-7-14 +3
If the Oilers fall out of the playoff picture, it would make sense to deal Moreau to a playoff bound team. This would allow them to give the C to Sheldon Souray while replacing Moreau with a younger and cheaper equivalent in the off season.
#24-D Steve Staios 34gp. 1-2-3 -4
Staios is in the same situation as Moreau. A veteran that could be dealt to make room for younger/cheaper alternatives. Like Moreau his value could be greater to a contending team than to the current version of the Oilers.
#16-Rw Fernando Pisani 16gp. 2-4-6 -2
A proven playoff performer, Pisani could have the greatest value of the veteran trio that I propose as tradeable assets. Pisani would be the last of the vets that I'd want to deal, however if this team is looking to head in a new direction (doubtful) he could be a solid trading chip if teams can overlook his salary.
#26-Rw Erik Cole 36gp. 6-8-14 -3
The most likely player to be traded, Cole's recent play is raising his trade value, and his soon to be UFA status makes him an attractive player to veteran teams needing some help up front while making a charge towards the playoffs.
#35-G Dwayne Roloson 9-6-3 2.72 0.918
Another soon to be UFA that could be seen as a big addition to a contending team in need of a stable veteran goaltender with past playoff success. Roloson has gone from a borderline NHL goalie for much of last year to a solid starter this season.
#31-G Mathieu Garon 5-8-0 3.36 .885
Garon hasn't really had an opportunity to improve his stats, a team would have to believe in his ability to return to last years from to deal for this UFA goaltender. However it doesn't make sense for the Oilers to keep 2 UFA goaltenders around while needing to get NHL experience for Deslauriers. One of Garon or Roloson needs to be moved and soon. I would prefer Roloson be moved personally.
#10-C Shawn Horcoff 36gp. 10-16-26 +2
If the opportunity arises to acquire another highly skilled forward, Horcoff could be a big part of the package in landing that player. A solid 2-way center with a long term contract, Horcoff is also a proven playoff performer.
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