NHL Trade Rumors: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins to the Red Wings

As Ken Holland takes over the reigns in Edmonton the rumors have begun about who the GM is targeting to provide some scoring punch for the wing of Connor McDavid. One name that keeps surfacing is Anthony Mantha from Holland's old Red Wings and sources close to the Oilers have mentioned perhaps a name like Ryan Nugent-Hopkins would be in play.


Mantha has been a man on a mission at the World Championships and is one of the best pure young snipers in the league. He's a couple years younger than RNH and makes less than $4,000,000. He would provide a touch of cap relief to the Oilers if they indeed move him for RNH, not only this year, but long-term as well.

Nugent-Hopkins has two more years at $6,000,000 and is an unrestricted free agent once his contract is up, to then expect a raise to close to $8,000,000, which could be too rich for the Oilers. Would make a ton of sense for the club to think about moving RNH with term left on his deal to maximize his value on the trade market.

Is Mantha enough? Is RNH the name Holland has circled to upgrade his club? It's going to be something to follow as we creep closer to next month's draft.