EDMONTON OILERS
Record: 21-29-5, 47 points; 7th in Pacific Division, 14th in Western Conference
Unrestricted free agents: Teddy Purcell, RW; Eric Gryba, D; Nikita Nikitin, D; Rob Klinkhammer, RW
Restricted free agents: Justin Schultz, D; Iiro Pakarinen, LW; Zack Kassian, RW; Brandon Davidson, D; Adam Clendening, D
Needs: Top end defenseman
Surpluses: Young skilled forwards
Players Potentially in Play: Schultz, Purcell, Benoit Pouliot, LW; Mark Fayne, D; Jordan Eberle, RW; Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, C; Nail Yakupov, RW
Likely status: Seller
Skinny: Despite winning the NHL Draft Lottery four times in the past six years, the Oilers are still at the bottom of the NHL standings. This season was expected to be different for Edmonton with the hiring of general manager Peter Chiarelli and coach Todd McLellan. Along with Connor McDavid, the No. 1 selection in the 2015 NHL Draft, and a maturing core, the Oilers were hoping to challenge for the Stanley Cup Playoffs this season. Edmonton has not qualified for the playoffs since losing the 2006 Stanley Cup Final to the Carolina Hurricanes. Unfortunately for the Oilers, McDavid sustained a fractured clavicle 13 games into the season and they were unable to gain any traction without him. McDavid returned after missing 37 games and has been one of the Oilers' best players, but it has not been enough to get Edmonton out of the basement. Leading up to the trade deadline, Edmonton will be looking to move complementary players to once again rebuild the roster around its young nucleus. It is unlikely Chiarelli will trade any of his young, talented forwards before the deadline. He likely will reevaluate the Oilers this summer and decide whether to move a player such as Jordan Eberle or Ryan Nugent-Hopkins in an effort to obtain a much-needed, high-end defenseman. Until then, Edmonton likely will try to move other pieces of their roster. The Oilers are looking to trade defenseman Justin Schultz, who is unlikely to be tendered a qualifying offer this summer. Outside of Schultz, Chiarelli likely will attempt to add draft choices for players who are not in Edmonton's long-term plans. The Oilers must forfeit a second-round selection to the Boston Bruins either in the 2016 or 2017 draft as compensation for hiring Chiarelli, so it is likely they will try to acquire a second-round pick before the deadline.
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