Interesting. I can kinda see it. the cap space for EDM would be tight for next year. but not CAR's problem and its potentially doable.
CAR would potentialy have the best Center depth in the league with this. and will all the D locked up for 3 years. this could be a pretty decent team. even if EDM said no, if you threw in a second or first for a sweetener theyd have a hard time saying no. especially with RNH going back to 2nd line center and suring up the D with faulk and getting a legit scoring winger for mcdavid to play with. and CAR getting a 1 2 punch with Necas and Draisaitl for the future. not too bad. especially with all the wingers around them.

not bad

I really think this benefits both teams, especially if Oilers sign Skinner or Faulk to an extension. Oilers would be giving up 7 years of contract for 3 years in Faulk and Skinner, but they get a prospect to compensate. I'd add a 2nd round pick if Oilers need more, especially because Drai is locked up for his best years.

What's striking to me is how a top-6 center makes the Hurricanes suddenly look REALLY good, except for in net. And that's not likely a problem they can solve this year.

Solid hockey deal.

I don't think this is really close, Draisaitl has to be one of the top commodities in the entire game. He's got back to back 70 point seasons, plays the center position and is locked up to a very reasonable $8.5M for 7 years. Skinner is a good winger, but only comes with one year of control (even an extension isn't helping much) making nearly $6M. Faulk is a good defenseman, but again not great. He's signed for 2 years $4.8M a year. It's not that Skinner or Faulk are overpaid, just there isn't really any surplus value from their contracts, esp. since both will be in line for raises. If the Oilers extend both they could be looking in the neighborhood of a combined $13-14M in salary. Sure they get a solid prospect back as well, but that isn't coming close to the value of one of the top young centers in the game.

How about if Hurricanes throw in 2nd rd pick in 2019 or one of Hurricanes defensive prospects?

I think you're right, Oilers won't do this because Drai is very valuable. But they have a LOT of money tied up in centers while needing help elsewhere.

The other option would be Faulk for RNH. That's a fair player for player trade in my opinion.

Having money tied up in centers is exactly where you want it though. Caps have a lot of money in Backstrom and Kuzy, Pens have their money tied up in Crosby and Malkin. That is a proven strategy to win in paying your star players. I just don't see adding future picks/prospects as a way this would make sense for the Oilers. 7 years of a young star player at a premier position at a reasonable rate is worth a ton in trade equity. Look at Draistal vs Tavares, both are signed for 7 years, but JT is $11M a year vs $8.5M and at the end of Tavares' deal he will be 34, where as Draistal will be 29.

I do think RNH is the guy who could be traded, because while he's good and productive, he's hardly elite.

As a CAR fan i would love this

After the Hall - Larson trade i just can't see that happening,

First of all I love those line combinations. Second I think it's funny how suddenly this is one of the best top sixes in the league and every player in the top six is 23 or younger. Obviously as a Canes fan I would do this in a heartbeat, but to all the Oilers fans out there who are hesitant about this trade: 1) would you do this trade if skinner was signed to an extension? 2) faulk and sekera were an excellent tandem in carolina, so I think that that reunion would help elevate faulk's game (who has scored 17 goals when with Sekera). 3) don't undervalue Morgan Geekie, I think that he has potential to be a top 6 center in the next couple of years. With this trade the Oilers take a small step back in the 2C role from Draisaitl to RNH, however they receive huge upgrades at 1LW and 1RHD as well as an excellent prospect.

Sorry it was 15 goals and 49 points for faulk when playing w sekera