Edmonton Oilers Gear Up for Back-to-Back Games Amid Trade Rumors; Eyeing Philadelphia Flyers Players

The Edmonton Oilers are facing back-to-back games to conclude this brief road trip. Tonight, they’ll take on the Anaheim Ducks, followed by a match against the Los Angeles Kings tomorrow. With the sting of a missed opportunity against the Vegas Golden Knights still fresh, the players are eager to bounce back.

Now that their impressive 16-game winning streak has come to an end and concerns about disrupting team chemistry have eased, there’s speculation that management, led by Ken Holland, may prioritize bolstering the roster for the playoffs before the trade deadline.

With the deadline just a month away, trade rumors are swirling, indicating ongoing discussions with other teams. Whether these talks will materialize into deals remains uncertain.

Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Flyers have emerged as a surprise contender this season, currently holding the third spot in the Metropolitan Division, four points ahead of the New York Islanders, who have a game in hand.

For a team in rebuilding mode to secure a playoff position is noteworthy, underscoring the impact of their coaching staff, led by John Tortorella.

However, the Flyers, not considered Stanley Cup contenders this year, are likely to explore trading players who could fetch valuable returns. This is where the Oilers come into play.

According to reports, the Oilers have shown interest in acquiring Sean Walker and Scott Laughton. Both players are on relatively affordable contracts, with Walker earning $2.65 million and Laughton $3 million.

-Laughton drawing interest.
-PHI in holding pattern w/ Walker
-Several talks w/ #letsgooilers
-Risto and what his future may hold.#LetsGoFlyers @TFP https://t.co/zQnU9J9zuj

— Anthony Di Marco (@ADiMarco25) February 8, 2024

Walker is known for his versatility as a defenseman, contributing on both the power play and penalty kill. Analyzing Evolving Hockey’s metrics, Walker outperforms Cody Ceci in all five categories displayed in their charts, including offensive and defensive metrics per 60 minutes.

On the other hand, Laughton brings a physical presence to his game and is highly regarded by his teammates. He could potentially fill a role similar to that of Klim Kostin.

The addition of either player could undoubtedly strengthen the Oilers. Whether they’ll join forces with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl remains to be seen, as the trade deadline approaches.