The Edmonton Oilers entered the Olympic break with important roster decisions still to address. Their results before the break were disappointing and ultimately highlighted their lack of depth. Management now has a short window to explore options before the trade deadline.
That situation has brought attention to a veteran center who could fit their needs.
Edmonton Oilers Target Predators’ Ryan O’Reilly to Improve Center Depth Before Trade Deadline
The Oilers entered the break after three straight losses, and Connor McDavid’s scoring pace dipped. That decline also showed in the team’s offense, and now they must add depth up front.
The team holds a 28-22-8 record and sits second in the Pacific Division with 64 points. They score 3.41 goals per game but allow 3.29, and their penalty kill also needs improvement.
In his column for The Athletic, insider Allan Mitchell focused on the team’s depth at center. He wrote, “The Oilers have a Ryan Nugent-Hopkins problem: There’s only one of him.” He explained that Nugent-Hopkins fits both the top line and the third-line center role, which leaves a gap elsewhere in the lineup.
Mitchell also addressed the current setup, writing, “Bowman is running Jack Roslovic as third-line centre, but he could easily move to the wing if a suitable replacement could be found. Johnston’s list of possible centres and wingers gives us a reasonable range of possible targets.” That comment points to the need for a more natural option in that role.
One player linked to that need is Ryan O’Reilly of the Nashville Predators. He is in the third year of a four-year, $18 million contract with a $4.5 million cap hit. Reports indicate Nashville is open to offers as part of a potential roster shake-up, even though it remains close to a playoff spot.
Mitchell explained why O’Reilly fits the Oilers. He wrote that the veteran “covers all the bases required for Edmonton at the third-line centre position.” He also noted that O’Reilly faces top competition in a large share of his minutes and helps his team stay competitive in those situations.
He added, “Of all the names on the trade board, O’Reilly might be the best combination of perfect fit, affordable cap hit and achievable acquisition cost for Bowman.” That view places him among the top options for Edmonton as the trade deadline nears.
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O’Reilly has also produced this season, with 20 goals and 36 assists for 56 points in 57 games. He plays more than 20 minutes per night and contributes on both special teams. His 55.3% faceoff rate adds value for a team looking to improve in that area.
Cap space remains an issue for Edmonton, as the team is projected to be $1,772,267 over the limit, according to PuckPedia. Any move would require roster adjustments. The Oilers have reached the Stanley Cup Final in each of the past two seasons but did not win. The focus now is on adding the right player to strengthen the lineup.
