Insider Links 2 Impact Forwards To Oilers on Trade Market

While the Vancouver Canucks and Winnipeg Jets have gone out and made big trades, their Canadian rivals out West, the Edmonton Oilers, are still surveying the market. 

With Elias Lindholm and now Sean Monahan off the market, who might the Oilers be targeting for their second-half boost? 

According to hockey insider Chris Johnston, he said on TSN Sportscentre that the Oilers are prioritizing an impact forward, and names the Pittsburgh Penguins Jake Guentzel and an old friend in Jordan Eberle of the Seattle Kraken as potential targets.

A couple of flies in the ointment, however, on those two players:

In Pittsburgh, GM Kyle Dubas hasn't yet determined what path he's going to take on Guentzel, who'll be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. Will they try to re-sign him? Does he want to stay? Or if they drop out of the playoff chase, do they go in another direction and make him instantly the top name at the trade deadline?

Guentzel would undoubtedly be the biggest star to change hands if it happens, as the 29-year-old is in the midst of his 7th straight 20-goal season, sitting on 22 thus far, with 27 assists for 49 points in 46 games.

As for Eberle, the 33-year-old was a first-round pick by the Oilers back in 2008 (22nd overall), and spent the first seven years of his career there, where he racked up five 20+ goal seasons. He's spent the past two years with the Seattle Kraken and comes off his 5-year contract ($5.5 million cap hit) at the end of the season. Problem here is, the Kraken still find themselves fighting for a Wild Card berth, just two points back currently. They might not be motivated to sell.

Eberle has nine goals and 28 points in 46 games, while playing over 17 minutes a night.

Could the Oilers also throw their hat in the ring for the best center still available on the trade market in the Anaheim Ducks' Adam Henrique? His price tag just went up after both Elias Lindholm and Sean Monahan were scooped up by Vancouver and Winnipeg, respectively.

 Photo: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports