Report: Oilers trying to move Ceci, Kulak after offer sheets

The Edmonton Oilers have been gauging the trade market for defensemen Cody Ceci and Brett Kulak in an effort to clear cap space after the St. Louis Blues tendered offer sheets to Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg earlier this week, sources told Postmedia's Bruce Garrioch.

St. Louis signed the offer sheets on Aug. 13, and the Oilers have seven days to match them. Holloway's deal is for two years with a $2.29-million cap hit, while Broberg's pact is the same length with a $4.58-million cap hit.

The Oilers would be approximately $7.2 million over the NHL's $88-million salary limit if they matched the offer sheets, according to PuckPedia. Edmonton could temporarily be relieved of Evander Kane's $5.125-million cap hit if he starts the season on long-term injured reserve, but the team would still need to move additional salary to accommodate Holloway and Broberg.

Ceci counts for $3.25 million against the cap this coming season before hitting unrestricted free agency. The 30-year-old has spent the past three campaigns with the Oilers, averaging over 20 minutes per night in each. Ceci chipped in 25 points in the regular season and added five more in the playoffs as Edmonton reached the Stanley Cup Final.

Kulak is signed through 2026 at $2.75 million. His ice time dropped to 15:23 per game last season, but he still suited up in all of Edmonton's regular-season and playoff contests.