Insider Feels Edmonton Oilers Have Big Trade as Top Priority

The Edmonton Oilers are open to moving their 2024 first-round pick ahead of the March 8 trade deadline as GM Ken Holland is going for it this season. With a roster as talented as the Oilers have and the way they've been playing lately, can you really blame him? Priority #1 in Edmonton? Could be linked to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

According to Elliotte Friedman via 32 Thoughts the podcast, Friedman sees the Oilers making a huge play for Jake Guentzel of the Penguins, should Kyle Dubas not be able to get a contract extension completed before the deadline and begins to sell. There's going to be a long list of suitors for Guentzel if he hits the market, so it's going to take a lot more than just one first-rounder to get the deal done.

Friedman on the Oilers and their deadline plans (32TP): "If Guentzel is available, my opinion is that's their guy, that's the guy they'd like to get"

— NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) February 9, 2024

The Penguins forward is the top-six impact player the Oilers have been looking for all season long. He's a proven scorer and has showed up in the playoffs year after year. So far through 47 games, Guentzel has sniped 22 goals and recorded 50 points. The Pens sit with a 23-17-7 record at the moment and are on the outside looking in at the playoff picture, five points back of the Detroit Red Wings for the second wild card position.

Guentzel is a pending free agent who is owed $6 million against the cap. He's also protected by a 12-team no-trade clause, however it's likely playing alongside Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid would be something he's open to.

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