Oil companies rethinking their trading strategy should avoid the Nugent-Hopkins mistake

Kurt Leavins of the The Edmonton Journal wrote this on Sunday“Unless Stan Bowman joins Connor McDavid in the hunt for a big game left winger, I can’t imagine who would be a better fit than Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.” He talked about the team’s need for a third-line center, but pointed out something I strongly believe in: Moving Nuge from that top line to fill the hole in the 3C would be a mistake.

Leavins adds:

“The Nuge has a long track record of being productive in that slot. He can devise the play at Connor’s level. But leaving Nugent-Hopkins on the first line would effectively kill the idea of ​​#93 at 3C. And while I greatly admire Adam Henrique, I think he is a very good 4C at this point in his career. I believe the 3C item has the potential to have the biggest impact of anything on this list.”

That means if the Oilers add something at the deadline and their goal is an edge, they may have to rethink their strategy.

Potentially good news for the oil companies at the deadline

This is actually good news for the Oilers. Adding a third-line center – even if it is difficult to find – could potentially be cheaper than adding a top-line winger. If Nugent-Hopkins is the man on that top line — and it appears he’s from the lineage of McDavid, Zach Hyman and Nugent-Hopkins — they don’t need to spend big assets to pop up Jonathan Marchessault, Artemi Panarin, Jordan Eberle, Jaden Schwartz or whoever in trade talks before the deadline.

Those players cost a lot to acquire.

And while centers are harder to find, the price isn’t often that outrageous when it comes to lows. Look at Phillip Danault. Yes, it was a second-round pick for a goal-less player, but he had many other qualities that the Canadiens found useful. Is there still a Danault on the market?

Jesperi Kotkaniemi was available in trade and was reportedly offered in exchange for Danault. He’s a potential option, but his cap hit is problematic: $4.8 million over the next five seasons.

Our very own Vivek Kalia wrote that Charlie Coyle, Nicholas Roy, and Nick Bjugstad can be intriguing options at a lower price point.

Don’t fix what isn’t ultimately broken

The point here is that Edmonton has long been looking for wingers in their top six to play alongside their elite stars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. They may have seen it in Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and to a lesser extent in second line Jack Roslovic. There’s no need to give up a huge amount if the solution is probably already on the list.

Instead, go after a 3C or make sure the depth is set to other positions.

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