Edmonton Oilers & Arizona Coyotes Complete Trade

The Edmonton Oilers have acquired some depth for their middle six as they've acquired forward Nick Bjugstad from the Arizona Coyotes. Elliotte Friedman was the first to report the return as it's a third-round pick heading back to the Coyotes.

Hearing #Oilers have acquired C Nick Bjugstad from #Yotes.@DailyFaceoff
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) March 2, 2023

Bjugstad was on the wish list of several contending teams and lands in Edmonton. He's a pending free agent forward who is making a very reasonable $900,000 against the cap. So far in 59 games this season in the desert, the 6-foot-6 forward has recorded 23 goals.

#LetsGoOilers have exactly $450k in cap space right now.

Bjugstad retained at 50% is exactly $450k.

Evidently there was a plan all along for that 4% retained on Ekholm.
— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) March 2, 2023

Nick Bjugstad, acquired by EDM, is a bottom six two-way forward. #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/8JJORrJMup
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) March 2, 2023

Full trade:

To #Oilers: Nick Bjugstad
To #Yotes: 2023 3rd Round Pick, Michael Kesselring, 50% retained@DailyFaceoff @OilersNation
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) March 2, 2023

Bjugstad is versatile to play down the middle or on the wing and could get a look as the Oilers #3 center. He's also a great penalty killer with his long reach and should help out Edmonton's second PK unit.