|
Oilers vs Wild - Buchnevich An Option |
|
|
|
|
|
Tonight the Edmonton Oilers will play against the Wild followed by a match against the Calgary Flames on Saturday. So far Edmonton has gone 4-3-1 in the month of February; respectable but not great. What has been worse has been the team's second period woes which continued against the Boston Bruins. 3 unanswered goals in the 2nd period made it seem like Edmonton was on their way to a blowout loss. They turned the heat back on in the third and ultimately got the game to overtime where a horrible effort by Evander Kane resulted in a loss.
The Oilers quite simply need to refocus their efforts in the second period and recommit to the defensively strong systems game they played throughout January. These defensive lapses have cost the team points and will continue to cost them against better opponents.
Let's talk fast today about Pavel Buchnevich being a potential option for the Edmonton Oilers at the trade deadline. The 6'1 200lb winger is on pace for a career year with the Blues this season. He currently has 22 goals and is only 8 away from his previous career high of 30. Buchnevich is a highly skilled player, an excellent scorer and a bigger body. He would be an excellent option if the Oilers are looking to upgrade their top six.
The other excellent part of a Buchnevich addition is that he has one more year remaining on his contract after this season with a cap hit of 5.8 million. Buchnevich would help Edmonton not only for this season but the following season as well.
Now let's talk about cost. A 1st round pick would be a given and on top you are likely giving up a decent prospect and probably another pick. Plus a player in order to make the cap space work. For argument sake let's say a 1st round pick, Broberg, and Foegele... that still isn't enough cap space to get the job done.
What if it was Evander Kane for Buchnevich? The cap space at that stage would be close and the Blues would have a top six winger signed for another two seasons in addition to whatever other assets the Oilers would give up as well.
Kane is a physical scoring winger and there is value there but in terms of the full package, Buchnevich is undeniably a better player. That move would certainly be an upgrade for the Oilers though still likely leaves them wanting to add another forward.
Over the course of the next week we should have a far better idea at who is and is not available. In the meantime the games this weekend should keep fans occupied.
Thanks for reading.
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»
