5 Players the Edmonton Oilers Should Target Before the 2015 Trade Deadline

By PowerPlayCJ

5 Players the Edmonton Oilers Should Target Before the 2015 NHL Trade Deadline

Edmonton Oilers v New York Rangers — The 2014-15 season for the Oilers has been an absolute trainwreck as their eight-year rebuilding process rolls on with no end in sight. The team is selling at the deadline as youth looks to be infused in the lineup as the team tries, yet again. These five young players on contending teams would be ideal targets for Edmonton during their rebuilding process.

5. Matt Nieto

Matt Nieto Report Card

5. Matt Nieto

Matt Nieto Report Card — The second-year winger has had a yearlong sophomore slump and could use a change of scenery. There is a plethora of players on the Oilers’ roster that the Sharks would be interested in so don’t rule out a trade between the two squads. I still think Nieto has top-six potential in the NHL and a fresh start -albeit in Edmonton - could work wonders for him.

4. Derek Forbort

Forbort

4. Derek Forbort

Forbort — The former North Dakota star recently earned his first NHL call up with the Kings and brings size and physical tenacity to the blue line. The Kings need a veteran righty shooting defenseman and with Jeff Petry on the trading block it’s likely the Oilers would want the 2010 first rounder as part of any deal with Los Angeles.

3. J.T. Miller

New York Rangers v Florida Panthers

3. J.T. Miller

New York Rangers v Florida Panthers — Miller has bee unable to escape Alain Vignealut’s doghouse, and much like Nieto, he could be at his best playing elsewhere. The Rangers are buyers, and with essentially an entire Oilers squad for sale, it’s possible that the Ohio native is playing in Alberta by the end of the season.

2. Erik Gudbranson

Getty Erik Gudbranson 1

2. Erik Gudbranson

Getty Erik Gudbranson 2 — The Panthers are fading fast in the Eastern Conference playoff picture and could use a shakeup. Edmonton could surely use some help on defense as it has been their Achilles heel since the “rebuild” started. A dramatic trade involving Gudbranson and Nail Yakupov could very well be in the works.

1. Devante Smith-Pelly

Devante Smith-Pelly

1. Devante Smith-Pelly

Devante Smith-Pelly — The forward is playing more of a depth role in Anaheim and moving to a less than stellar Oilers team could see a spike in his productivity. With Anaheim interested in Jeff Petry, among other Oilers, look for the team to inquire about the Ducks winger in any package.

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Edmonton Oilers

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