Edmonton Oilers' Best Trade Of The Past Year

The Edmonton Oilers have made five trades over the past year, two of which were to clear out cap space while the other three were adding key pieces to the lineup that have been great. Four of the trades, the four most recent, are the ones to note as the Oilers' arguably won each of them and it has helped shape the elite team they are heading into the playoffs.

First was the swapping of Dmitry Samorukov for Klim Kostin. After both were sent through waivers for their respective teams during training camp, the Oilers and St. Louis Blues dealt one for the other. Samorukov wasn't going to get a shot in the Oilers' lineup this year or potentially ever with the lack of room they have. Kostin didn't start the year with Edmonton, but came in, got the depth forwards going in terms of scoring, and has been a big, physical force in the bottom-six.

The Oilers then dumped the contract of Jesse Puljujarvi at the trade deadline without having to give up any additional assets, and even got a prospect playing overseas in return. This opened up the door for their big move that has been amazing for them.

The Oilers pulled off one of the biggest trade deadline deals this season by acquiring Mattias Ekholm and a 2024 sixth round pick in exchange for Tyson Barrie, Reid Schaefer, a 2023 first round pick, and 2024 fourth round pick. Though it was a big price to pay, Ekholm is +18 in 16 games and has done everything right at both ends of the ice. He has also elevated Evan Bouchard to a point-per-game since his arrival, accounting for the fact that he also got moved to the top power play as well.

The final deal before the deadline was the acquisition of Nick Bjugstad by the Oilers along with Cam Dineen for a third round pick and Michael Kesselring. Bjugstad has fit in very nicely on the third line and provided some goals for the Oilers already. His size and physicality are going to be much-needed in the postseason.

So which is the best trade for the Oilers over the past year? Without a doubt it has to be acquiring Ekholm since it solved so many problems in the back-end and they have him for three more years.