Oilers Analysis: Hall, Larsson, Puljujarvi and More

Taylor Hall

Recently, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reported that if Taylor Hall reaches free agency unsigned or traded, the Edmonton Oilers would likely be interested if Hall becomes available. I think that Hall would be a great addition to the team. Although when he got traded the first time, there was some speculation that Hall was not a very good team leader. Hopefully, Ken Holland and Dave Tippett can persuade him that the Oilers are a contender and that Hall should stay. I believe that if Hall becomes available at the deadline the Oilers should target him. Here are 2 potential deals:

Mock Trades

To NJ: Kris Russell, Jesse Puljujarvi, Tyler Benson, Joel Persson, and a 2nd round pick in 2020.

To EDM: Taylor Hall and a 3rd round pick

In this deal, New Jersey gets three prospects and a high draft pick. Russell is traded to create cap space for the Oilers but also provides New Jersey a serviceable player in a position of need. EDM gets Hall back, and a third, as they lost theirs in the James Neal trade.

To NJ: Adam Larsson, Kailer Yamamoto, Caleb Jones, and a 2nd round pick

To EDM: Taylor Hall and a 3rd round pick

This deal gives New Jersey 2 of EDM’s top prospects, a high draft pick, and a second pairing defenseman. Again, Edmonton gets Hall back and a third as they lost theirs in the James Neal trade.

Overall, if New Jersey does not start getting wins quickly, I expect Ray Shero to trade Hall. He has shown that he has the guts to make risky trades in the past, and if a couple of prospects plus a high draft pick intrigues Shero enough, this could go through. If Hall does not get traded and NJ misses the playoffs and EDM does, a reasonable offer on July 1st would 5 years at 9 mil per. You do not need to overpay someone to play with Connor McDavid… unless you’re Milan Lucic!

Adam Larsson

When Adam Larsson comes back in less than a week I wonder what the Oilers will do to make room for him. Right now I like all three pairings, and maybe Joel Persson is the odd man out. I’m not saying that he will be traded, but he may be scratched when Larsson comes back. Brandon Manning could be sent down to the AHL to be a depth defenseman. What do you think the Oilers should do? Leave your thoughts in the comments section.

Jesse Puljujarvi

Last Monday in an interview with Sportsnet, Jesse Puljujarvi said that he is focused on finishing the season in the Finnish Elite League with Oulun Karpat. For all Oilers fans that want Puljujarvi out as soon and possible, this report put the chances of that happening much lower. Puljujarvi has been playing quite well this season with Karpat, putting up 20 points in 18 games.

There have reportedly been three teams showing interest in Puljujarvi, the New York Rangers, Montreal Canadiens, and the Arizona Coyotes. All three of these teams don’t have a prospect like Puljujarvi (Not producing as expected/a reclamation prospect) but I would not be surprised to see the Oilers pull off a trade with either of these teams. The Rangers would like to add yet another young prospect to their group. The Canadians already have young, Finnish talent on their team (Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Artturi Lehkonen, and Joel Armia), and GM John Chayka of the Coyotes has shown that he loves to trade players and picks. Here’s a trade option for each team:

Mock Trades

To MTL: Jesse Puljujarvi

To EDM: Jordan Weal and a 2nd round pick

This trade is good for both trades and the Oilers. A high draft pick and a very good middle 6 player for a guy who isn’t in Ken Holland’s long term plans? Sign me up!

To NYR: Jesse Puljujarvi

To EDM: Filip Chytil

Oilers need forwards, Rangers need wingers. This trade is also great for both teams. Chytil is doing very good this year with 7 points in 9 games, so the Oilers might have to add a sweetener into the deal to make this go through

To ARI: Jesse Puljujarvi and William Lagesson

To EDM: Michael Grabner and Nick Merkley

This is an interesting trade. Grabner is unbelievably fast and Merkley is very smart. Would look good on Ryan Nugent Hopkins wing in the future. Also getting rid of Lagesson will make room for the other up and coming defensemen. I would love to see Grabner on a line with RNH and James Neal.

All of these trades will make both teams better soon and the Oilers will hopefully get a player that is NHL ready and/or a pick or prospect. Ken Holland is an experienced GM in this league so don’t expect him to push any trades through.

The Oilers go to Los Angeles to face the Kings on Thursday. I would expect Smith in net for that one. A reasonable goal for the Oilers this road trip is to go 3-2. That’s all for this Oilers Analysis!

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Oilers Analysis