NHLTR Mock Trade: Blues deal Pavel Buchnevich to the Edmonton Oilers

The Edmonton Oilers are in the market for a top-six forward as GM Ken Holland is looking to do some final tweaking before next Friday's trade deadline. Holland's been busy this season adjusting on the fly and now it could come time for a major splash.

Our mock trade series has featured a ton of Calgary Flames, a couple of Pittsburgh Penguins and now we make way to St Louis and more specifically, Blues forward Pavel Buchnevich. According to reports, the Blues are open to trading the veteran forward although are not aggressively shopping him.

Edmonton has been scouting Buchnevich a ton and recently, Edmonton Journal's Jim Matheson had this to say about the situation:

The Oilers have been scouting St. Louis, clearly looking at Pavel Buchnevich as a second-line right-wing possibility. He has this year at $5.8 million and next as well, which would appeal to Oilers GM Ken Holland as more than a rental, as was the case with Mattias Ekholm at the last trade deadline. Obviously there would be cap issues, either a player going out or Blues eating a chunk of that contract for multiple pieces. The Ekholm deal is a reasonable template for a Buchnevich trade: the Oilers moved a first-rounder and a fourth in 2023, plus 2022 first-round pick Reid Schaefer for Ekholm and got Nashville to take Tyson Barrie’s contract

NHLTR Mock Trade: Blues move Buchnevich to the Oilers for 2024 first-round pick, 2025 third-round pick, Xavier Bourgault and Warren Foegele.

Buchnevich would give the Oilers a top-six winger who can play in any situation and produce. He's recorded 22 goals and 46 points in 55 games this season and can be effective on the penalty kill, which would be music to the ears of Oilers fans. Buchnevich has another season left on his deal at $5.8 million and does own a 12-team no-trade clause, however playing for a Cup with Connor McDavid likely makes the approval list.

Money is a burden here as the financials will be tough to navigate between these two clubs. Ideally, the Oilers move on from one of Brett Kulak or Cody Ceci and free up some more cap space before the deadline. With Buchnevich signed for next season, the package will be substantial and this four piece combo is centered around a couple of high picks, along with Bourgault, who is one of the Oilers best offensive prospects. Foegele is strictly a throw in to help balance the books.

Keep an eye on these two teams, a deadline deal could be on the way.