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.
Oilers organization is on a full court press to find help at forward. Scouts and staff deployed en masse.
— Ryan Rishaug (@TSNRyanRishaug) January 14, 2019
Cap situation could make it tough, but first round pick, a goaltender, maybe a young developing forward likely all in play.
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:
| LW | C | RW |
|---|---|---|
| Leon Draisaitl | Connor McDavid | Ty Rattie |
| Milan Lucic | Ryan Nugent-Hopkins | Alex Chiasson |
| Ryan Spooner | Kyle Brodziak | Jesse Puljujarvi |
| Tobias Rieder | Jujhar Khaira | Zack Kassian |
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.