If there's any truth to the Zucker to Calgary TDL trade that fell through then I'd think that maybe if you changed it to the Oilers 2019 2nd and Russell to Gagner they might take that.

Give Detroit back the second and switch Helm with Neilson. Then maybe Detroit listens.

Honestly, I’m not even sure the deal I proposed is worth it for EDM. From a Det point of view, we trade a bad contract for a worse contract in Abs and Lucic, but lose the ability to buy it out, we also trade Helm (who still has value) to make room for kids, and in doing all of this we get to jump back into the top ten and possibly grab a Caulfield or another potentially elite prospect.

Lucic is better than Abdelkader hands down but I'd rather have Abdelkader's contract just because if you have Lucic you have to protect him in the expansion draft. His NMC means you can't even waive him with out his approval. So you can't bury in the AHL like Montreal did with Alzner.
I also think if Edmonton gets rid of Lucic their team will get better as soon as he is out of the locker room.

No way is Nyquist signing for 4 years $20 million? He'd still be in Detroit if that were the case. Goose wants 6 x 6 Detroit had the cap space to resign him. And Holland low-balled him no way Edmonton can afford Nyquist when they've less to spend then Detroit.