What does Ken Holland need to prioritize for the Edmonton Oilers as the trade deadline approaches?

The Edmonton Oilers possess talent, but they fall short of being truly exceptional.

As the trade deadline approaches rapidly, the onus falls on general manager Ken Holland to acquire the necessary components to elevate a good team to greatness and position the Oilers for their most promising Stanley Cup run since 2006.

Amidst a flurry of activity among their rivals, with teams like the Vancouver Canucks, Winnipeg Jets, and Colorado Avalanche making significant additions, the pressure is on Holland to fortify the Oilers’ roster. These teams are bolstering their lineups with key acquisitions, highlighting the competitive landscape Edmonton faces.

In Edmonton, Holland oversees a roster that has proven its mettle and readiness to compete at the highest level. His decisions leading up to the deadline will significantly impact the Oilers’ prospects of success. The outcome will dictate whether Connor McDavid and his teammates can finally break through for a championship or face another offseason of anticipation and potential regret.

Identifying the most pressing need for the Edmonton Oilers is crucial as general manager Ken Holland navigates the trade deadline. The team faces considerations across all three key areas: goaltending, defense, and forward positions. However, with limited assets at his disposal, Holland must employ creative strategies to address these needs effectively.

The recent acquisitions of winger Corey Perry in free agency and the return of forward Dylan Holloway from injury provide the Oilers with valuable reinforcements. Yet, there’s still work to be done.

Holland faces tough decisions regarding the allocation of assets, including this year’s first-round pick and potentially even their second-round pick, to facilitate deals. While such strategies may entail sacrifices in terms of future prospects, the immediate focus is on maximizing the team’s Stanley Cup contention.

While there may be lean years ahead as the team relies more on its feeder system, the priority now is pursuing Stanley Cup glory. The decisions made by Holland at this year’s deadline could significantly impact the team’s championship aspirations.

The Edmonton Oilers have seen a significant improvement in their goaltending situation, which was once a major concern. Stuart Skinner has emerged as a reliable starter, providing the team with stability between the pipes. Additionally, Calvin Pickard’s strong performances have alleviated the need for external reinforcements in the backup role.

With Skinner performing well and Pickard proving himself as a capable backup, the immediate need for a starting goalie is no longer a priority for general manager Ken Holland. However, there remains a degree of uncertainty regarding Pickard’s ability to handle the workload if Skinner were to face injury or fatigue.

While Pickard has excelled in recent starts, his limited NHL experience raises questions about his long-term reliability. The Oilers must weigh the risk of entrusting their season to Pickard’s shoulders should Skinner be unavailable. Therefore, while goaltending may not be the primary focus for Holland’s moves and shake-ups, it remains an area of potential concern moving forward.

The Edmonton Oilers’ defense has undergone a remarkable transformation, transitioning from a liability to a formidable strength. Led by Mattias Ekholm and Darnell Nurse, the defensive unit has excelled in limiting opponents’ scoring opportunities and maintaining defensive solidity.

Evan Bouchard’s role in quarterbacking the power play has further bolstered the team’s defensive effectiveness. Additionally, the Oilers have been fortunate in terms of health, with all defensemen remaining injury-free throughout the season.

While the defensive group’s recent performances have been impressive, there are still areas that could be addressed to further solidify the team’s defensive depth. Although Philip Broberg awaits his opportunity in the minors, there may be room for improvement through strategic acquisitions or roster adjustments. However, with the defense performing at a high level and demonstrating consistency, the urgency to make significant changes in this area may be relatively low compared to other areas of the team.

The impressive defensive performance might not be sustainable over the long haul of a demanding playoff run, necessitating additional depth to ensure the team’s stability in crucial moments.

Recent lineup adjustments by head coach Kris Knoblauch, such as moving Cody Ceci to the third pairing and Vincent Desharnais to Darnell Nurse’s right side, suggest a level of discontentment with the current defensive setup, indicating potential room for improvement.

The top six right-wing position in Edmonton has historically presented challenges, with players like Jesse Puljujarvi, Kailer Yamamoto, and Connor Brown struggling to deliver consistent production.

However, Corey Perry’s addition and his integration into a line alongside Leon Draisaitl and Evander Kane offer promising solutions. Perry brings valuable attributes such as size, toughness, experience, and strategic play, addressing several key needs for the Oilers in that role.

Considering Perry’s age and limited time with the team, acquiring another established goal scorer could further enhance Edmonton’s offensive prowess.

The Oilers’ bottom six forwards have been inconsistent in their scoring contributions, evident in a recent five-game stretch without a goal from that unit. While the team displayed depth during their winning streak, there remains a need for added size and physicality in the bottom lines.

The effectiveness of Warren Foegele, Dylan Holloway, and Ryan McLeod as a potential third line is still uncertain, and the fourth line has struggled to generate offense.