Edmonton Oilers Shopping for Specific Need

The Edmonton Oilers are trying to upgrade their roster ahead of the April 12th trade deadline and from all accounts it sounds like they are shopping for a specific type of player....a right-handed center. This according to Frank Seravalli from TSN who had this to say about the Oilers' needs:

It might not be splashy but I think the Edmonton Oilers have their eye on a very specific piece at a very specific price. That’s a right shot centre who can take faceoffs, and win them on the penalty kill where they’ve struggled this year, just 42 per cent shorthanded that can help their kill.

The team was hoping Kyle Turris was going to be everything and more for the club this season and that's just not been the case at all. Turris has one goal and four points in 21 games. Oilers general manager Ken Holland is shopping and here are three centers who the Oilers could be trading for:

Luke Glendening, Detroit Red Wings

Glendening is the obvious choice and that's not even factoring in Holland knows him well from their Red Wings' days together. The pending unrestricted free-agent is one of the best faceoff specialists in the league and can kill penalties with the best of them. He also wouldn't cost an arm and a leg to trade for as Holland doesn't have a track record of paying a steep price in trades.

Brandon Sutter, Vancouver Canucks

The math for the Canucks is not on their side as they are only two points back of the 4th place Montreal Canadiens, however the Habs have SIX games in hand. Sutter is a piece the Oilers brass know well and he's a pending unrestricted free-agent with a limited no-trade clause. A move to Edmonton would likely be on his 'OK' side of the list. So far in 35 games Sutter has recorded eight points and he would be a nice third center down the middle for the Oilers. Asking price is likely a 2nd-round pick and a prospect.

Travis Zajac, New Jersey Devils

Zajac holds a no-trade clause and is a pending UFA but there's been no word yet if he's willing to waive. The long-time Devil would be a great fit for the Oilers, however his $5.75 million salary is certainly a hurdle. The Devils would need to retain a ton of the money involved, which means the price goes up and Holland is usually reluctant to overpay. So far this season Zajac has recorded 14 points in 28 games and we'll know real soon whether he'll be open to a trade out of Jersey. If so, the Oilers will be ready with an offer.