Kailer Yamamoto for Carey Price?

Kailer Yamamoto and Mikko Koskinen were two of the key contributors for the Edmonton Oilers this past season. Koskinen was the starting goalie for the Edmonton Oilers during the 2019-20 season and posted a 2.75 goals-against average and .917 save percentage. Koskinen helped the Oilers earn a spot in the NHL’s play-in series. Kailer Yamamoto was also a fantastic player for the Oilers. Yamamoto produced 26 points in 27 games for Edmonton. His talents combined with Connor Mcdavid and Leon Draisaitl also helped the Oilers make the play-in round.

Unfortunately, the Oilers lost to the Chicago Blackhawks. During Koskinen’s and Yamamoto’s time with the Oilers, the team has not found much success. To become the Stanley cup contenders they desire to be, they need to improve their goaltending position.

Carey Price would be the perfect solution for the Edmonton Oilers. Price is perhaps the most dominant goalie in the entire league. Currently playing for the Montreal Canadiens, Price was dominant in the NHL bubble. If Edmonton is able to trade for him they will immediately be a favorite to win the Stanley Cup.

Carey Price to the Oilers

Oilers acquire: Carey Price

After the Chicago Blackhawks destroyed the Oilers goaltending in the play-in series, Edmonton realized they needed to improve on that position. Carey Price would do exactly that as he would instantly become the starting goalie on their roster. With Connor Mcdavid and Leon Draisaitl leading the charge up front and Carey Price shutting down the opponents, the Oilers would be a team nobody wants to match up against.

Kailer Yamamoto to the Canadiens

Canadiens acquire: Kailer Yamamoto, Mikko Koskinen, and James Neal 

The Oilers have some of the best offensive players in the entire NHL. Connor McDavid and Leon Driasaitl have been leading the Oilers as they put up lots of goals and points. With these two superstars leading the charge, the Oilers don’t have a need for offensive help. On the other hand, the Canadiens definitely need some help improving their goal scoring. Since the Oilers can spare some offensive talent they will have to give up Kailer Yamamoto. Yamamoto is a 21-year-old forward who can play right-wing and center. Yamamoto posted 26 points in 27 games. He was almost a point per game player and the Canadiens definitely need that scoring ability in their lineup.

James Neal is another player that Montreal would acquire in the trade. Neal would be used as a player to even up the salary but Neal can actually contribute to the Canadiens lineup. This season for Edmonton the 33-year-old Neal scored 19 goals and added 12 assists in 55 games proving he still can be productive in this league. Neal could be a solid addition to Montreal’s bottom six and provide some depth goal scoring. 

Mikko Koskinen would be Carey Price’s replacement in this trade. The 32-year-old Finnish goaltender posted solid numbers this season as he had a 2.75 goals-against average and .917 save percentage. Koskinen will form a nice tandem with newly acquired goalie Jake Allen. Montreal has not had a solid goalie tandem in a while so Koskinen and Allen will instantly be the best goalie tandem Montreal as they will trade off games.

Conclusion 

Montreal and Edmonton both satisfy their needs from this trade, but ultimately the Oilers will lose the trade. The Canadiens add Kailer Yamamoto and he will do wonders for their offense. James Neal will also improve their offense as he will provide between 15 and 20 goals. Mikko Koskinen will be a solid goalie for the Canadiens and be a fantastic complement to Jake Allen.

Carey Price will be a fantastic goalie for the Edmonton Oilers as he will propel them deeper into the playoffs then they have gone in a while. Price could find his Vezina form with a better team in front of him.

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