Report: Oilers on 'full-court press' to find forward help

Peter Chiarelli and the rest of the Edmonton Oilers' brass are reportedly pulling out all the stops to help salvage their season.

The organization is on a "full-court press" to find forward help, according to TSN's Ryan Rishaug.

Edmonton has only $51,371 in projected cap space, according to CapFriendly.

The Oilers have an embarrassment of riches down the middle with Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Elsewhere up front, however, there are significant holes:

Outside of the aforementioned trio, Alex Chiasson is Edmonton's only forward to have met or exceeded expectations thus far.

Since taking over as Oilers general manager in April 2015, Chiarelli has traded away Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle, Drake Caggiula, and the draft picks that became Mathew Barzal and Anthony Beauvillier. All Edmonton has to show for it are Adam Larsson, Ryan Spooner, and Brandon Manning.

On Dec. 14, Oilers CEO Bob Nicholson said Chiarelli's job is safe as long as the Oilers make the playoffs.

The Oilers acquired both Manning and Alex Petrovic in separate trades on Dec. 30 in an attempt to shore up the blue line, and it appears the focus has now shifted toward a forward group severely lacking depth.

Despite a turbulent season thus far, Edmonton sits just two points out of a playoff spot.