The New Jersey Devils have made major trades with the Edmonton Oilers in the past. While the Taylor Hall-Adam Larsson trade looks like a steal today, that won’t stop the two teams from talking Ryan Nugent-Hopkins at the deadline.
One would think after so many trades by the Edmonton Oilers lost by GM Peter Chiarelli, they would try to stay off the market. That is not the case, as another one of their star players could be getting traded at this year’s deadline. The New Jersey Devils should pounce on this.
I’m fully aware that Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is currently dealing with cracked ribs, and won’t be back on the ice until around the trade deadline. However, prior to his injury he was having one of his best seasons of his career.
When he was injured back on January 19th, Nugent-Hopkins had 16 goals in 46 games. He was on pace for 29 goals, which would be a career high. He clearly found a way to put everything together.
One would say Nugent-Hopkins needs to be traded, with the Oilers continuing to fall down the standings, and sitting at about a one percent chance to make the playoffs. This is a team with Connor McDavid playing every night. Something needs to change for this team.
The Oilers also have McDavid and Leon Draisaitl playing center, which usually moves Nugent-Hopkins down the lineup at center. I’m not saying that he’s expendable, but I am saying the Oilers have few assets that can help rebuild this team on the fly like he can.
That desperation may change the asking price for Nugent-Hopkins. Being that he still has three years left on his deal paying him $6 million per season, that could be a blessing or a curse for the Oilers. McDavid’s $12.5 million per season contract goes into effect next season. Then, you have Draisaitl making $8.5 million, and Milan Lucic making $6 million.
Those are four of just seven forwards signed for next season. The Oilers have $14 million to sign their restricted free agents, upgrade the wings, possibly re-sign Mark Letestu and that’s without bringing in any free agents. The Oilers need to magically make some cap space, and nobody is taking that Lucic contract.
So what would the Oilers want in return? This is different from any other rebuilding team because top prospects won’t get the conversation going. The Oilers need roster players.
The conversation is going to start, and hopefully quickly end, with Miles Wood and Jesper Bratt. The Oilers need good wingers desperately, and the Devils have some very good young wingers. However, it’s not worth it to send cheap, young, skilled wingers for a guy who’s giving a little bit more on the score sheet.
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I think then a trade would be centered around Pavel Zacha. The 20-year-old forward has finally found his stride after head coach John Hynes forced him to sit earlier in the season. While he hasn’t been able to light the lamp, he’s doing everything else on the ice well. That’s something the Oilers need desperately.
So here’s the trade I think would make both teams happy. The Oilers trade Ryan Nugent-Hopkins to the Devils for Pavel Zacha, Stefan Noesen, Nick Lappin and possibly MacKenzie Blackwood.
The Oilers need someone in the goalie pipeline, and I think Ray Shero wouldn’t mind turning a prospect with questions into a player that can help now and in the future. Nugent-Hopkins would immediately replace Zacha on the Devils, and Noesen and Lappin would give the Oilers cheap options to help fill the wing. That would give them the flexibility to find a top wing for McDavid on the free agent market.
Next: New Jersey Devils Trade Deadline Profile: James van Riemsdyk
What do you guys think? Are you unwilling to part with Zacha right now? Is this not enough to get Nugent-Hopkins? Let me know on Twitter @pitchforkedpuck! All contract information comes from CapFriendly.