I think the single best thing EDM can do is trade for Gibson. No UFA goalie is near as good and I think moving pieces like Puljujarvi, Bouchard and/or Yamamoto would be worth it.

Frances hangs up laughing horrific trade for them

No way Bouchard is considered in a Gibson trade. He had similar even strength points to other D like Fox, Hughes, Burns, Ekblad, McAvoy, etc.. and Bouchard was basically in his rookie year while playing like 2-4 fewer minutes.

Maybe the Oilers could trade JP+Barrie+picks for Gibson, not sure if Ana would be interested in 2-years of Barrie, especially if they sign Manson. If Shattenkirk is willing to waive to them perhaps he can go to the oilers at 50% and the Oilers pay for him in picks+prospects.

Although, Gibson isn't available supposedly and he has a cap hit of 6.4m, Skinner looks promising, so getting Campbell or Husso to play in a tandem with him is probably the way to go. Especially with Campbell putting up amazing numbers, he did get injured and tried to play through it and struggled, and struggled when he recovered as well for a bit, but he was good in the playoffs generally speaking (solid in 4/7 games, bad in 1, terrible in 2).

I would capitalize on that and move him while his value is high.



Gibson at 6.4M is not a problem, you pay that all day. Just let Kane walk (which I think would be a good move; Kane was able to dial it in slightly for a couple months, I doubt he'll do it for any extended period of time).

Kane has always been a solid 30G guy pretty much his entire career (his career G/GP is 0.35 = 28.88G/season), he has a wicked shot, strength, and some speed. I don't expect him to slow down any time soon either. Gibson is only 28 but he has had sub-par stats in the last 3 years, the Oilers aren't that great on defense even though they have come a long way. I would take Kane because then it doesn't make them a two-trick pony team on offense.

Moving Bouchard would be a mistake unless you expect him to be a bust. Need guys on the D-core that you have control over. As a RHD with a killer shot from the point, he will probably become one of the Oilers most valuable assets if he continues to grow.

I'm not really concerned about Kane on the ice. He's a talented player and a great fit with McDavid. I just doubt you see the same level of commitment/selflessness as you did for this half a season. He'd probably show up for the Playoffs though. Not to mention that even with Kane it's still the McDavid and Draisaitl show, he's just along for the ride.

Gibson has played in Anaheim the last 3 years. He is clearly their MVP and most teams in the league improve a lot by having him as their starter, none more so than the Oilers.

I do expect Bouchard to be a bust, or at least I don't expect him to be a strong top-4 guy. His skating is a major issue that doesn't look like it's getting better and he has all the tools to make plays but is at his best with time and space, which is easily neutralized and hard to come by in the Playoffs.

Fair enough, if you think Bouchard will fall off then I guess that balances the chance that Gibson doesn't really get to that elite level again I'm sure he would bounce back and be a solid starter at the least.