A speculative trade scenario that connects the Edmonton Oilers and Detroit Red Wings has fueled more eye-rolls than excitement at hockey fans.
The concept, originally floated as a “what as” piece by Jesse Courville-lynch of the hockey writers, presents the Oilers-Landende Startleus Alex Debrincat in exchange for defender Mattias Ekholm, Prospect Beau Akey, a 2027 first round pick and a 2028 second round pick. The reason: Edmonton could add a proven top-six scorer alongside Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, while Detroit would get a veteran Blueliner, a high-end prospect and design capital if they fell out of the play-off rack.
The article emphasized that the deal was purely hypothetical, and noted that Detroit has shown no tendency to move Debrincat, which is under contract with a list of 16 teams without trade until 2026-27. It also pointed to his ties with Edmonton via Oilers CEO Jeff Jackson and his OHL past with McDavid.
Yet the reaction of readers was overwhelming – of both fan bases.
The feedback on this trade proposal refers to an unlikely deal
“Stupid trade. Yes, let’s exchange a 27-year-old Debrincat for a 35-year-old Ekholm. No thanks,” wrote a supporter of Red Wings. Another bright joke: “Yzerman would fire himself if he ever did.”
Even some oilers fans were out, and said the costs were too steep and the move would weaken their blue line. “No, the forward group is set. If there is something, they must add another D-man … not take away their defensive core,” they argued. Others doubted Debrincat would abandon his clause to return to Canada after he had previously forced himself from Ottawa.
A common theme in the answers was frustration about what readers consider as unrealistic, click -driven “proposed transactions” during the summer news yacht. “These messages are everywhere nowadays. They have little sense for both teams and seem to be complete fantasies that are invented by bored ‘writers’,” said a commentator. Another called the scenario ‘downright comical’.
Some doubted the logic of the oilers with “deep defensive depth” to renounce Ekholm, while others declined Debrincat as a bad stylistic fit for play -off hockey. “Apart from the fact that he is small, Debrincat brings zero physicality and small playoff experience,” wrote a fan.
Although the idea was never presented as a really rumor, it is clear that the gap between hypothetical commercial interview and fan-in can be broad, especially when the documents involved are important players for both parties.
** taking author:
This is not a trade that makes sense to the oilers. Although Debrincat is a target scorer and possibly the type of winger that the oilers would have loved last season, he is a cap of $ 7.875 million with an adapted no-trade clause. There is no way to know if he is remotely interested in leaving the red wings.
At the same time, the oilers are arranged as a team with one of the better defenses of the NHL. The relocation of Ekholm of this is severely weakened their defense. Moving Beau Akey also takes away one of the better Blue Line prospects of the team. Edmonton hurts their blue line in the future. This does not even take into account the two extra picks that the writer enters.
If Debrincat were a rent at the deadline with a decayed contract, that would be one thing. The costs would be lower and the oilers should not commit big money if they have other worries about salary caps. But you cannot exhaust your blue line and rob Peter to pay Paul.
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