NHL Rumors: 2 Edmonton Oilers Trade Candidates

The Edmonton Oilers are in a battle to make the playoffs in the western conference and it may be time for general manager Ken Holland to go all-in at this season's trade deadline. He's already added Evander Kane and now perhaps his attention should turn to a starting goaltender or some depth on defense. While the Oilers are expected to make at least one other move before March 21, let's take a look at a couple of players who may be on their way out of Edmonton before the deadline:

Zack Kassian, RW

Kassian does a lot of things well for a rugged winger who's meant for the bottom-six, the only problem is he's making way too much money and the Oilers could use the cap space. Kassian is signed for this season and through the 2023-24 at $3.2 million per season. So far in 2021-22 the enforcer has recorded 15 points in 36 games. Edmonton should try and move Kassian to playoff bound teams in the eastern conference as there's a few trying to add toughness. The only problem is they may need to retain some salary to do so.

Kailer Yamamoto, RW

If the Oilers want to make a huge splash this deadline it's going to take a young roster player to get the attention of rival executives and Yamamoto being included in talks would do so. He's lightning quick and has elite hockey sense, the only problem is the results have yet to be consistent for the 23-year-old former first-round pick. This season he's been up and down the lineup and has managed to score 12 times and record 21 points in 57 games. As a pending restricted free agent with only a $1.1 million cap hit it's likely going to take someone like Kassian or netminder Mikko Koskinen to be included in any deal to make the money work. Unless Holland decides to flip Yamamoto for a young defenseman with a similar contract structure. For now, Kassian is the likelier of the two to be moved.