Good morning, everyone, and a happy deadline week to all of you. I&#8217;ve got a fresh mailbag ready to go after taking your questions and sending them to the crew for their take on whatever is on your mind. This week, we&#8217;re discussing the Edmonton Oilers&#8217; trade deadline plans, goaltending, past trades, and more. If you’ve got a question you’d like to ask, email it to me at <a class="text-accent" href="mailto:baggedmilk@oilersnation.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">baggedmilk@oilersnation.com</a> or on Twitter at <a class="text-accent" href="https://www.twitter.com/jsbmbaggedmilk" rel="noopener noreferrer">@jsbmbaggedmilk</a>, and I’ll get to you as soon as I can.

<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-158283" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Edmonton-Oilers-GM-Stan-Bowman-Press-Conference-1024x611.png" alt="Edmonton Oilers General Manager Stan Bowman" width="1024" height="611" srcset="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Edmonton-Oilers-GM-Stan-Bowman-Press-Conference-1024x611.png 1024w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Edmonton-Oilers-GM-Stan-Bowman-Press-Conference-300x179.png 300w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Edmonton-Oilers-GM-Stan-Bowman-Press-Conference-768x458.png 768w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Edmonton-Oilers-GM-Stan-Bowman-Press-Conference-1536x917.png 1536w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Edmonton-Oilers-GM-Stan-Bowman-Press-Conference.png 1598w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />
1) Lance asks &#8211; What do you personally see as the Oilers&#8217; biggest need heading into the trade deadline?
Jason Gregor:
They need a winger and 4C with some size, speed and grit. They really lack any physical presence.
Tyler Yaremchuk:
If I&#8217;m basing my answer off of what&#8217;s currently available and the trade market, then the biggest need I believe they will address is their blue line. There are impactful blue liners on the market that the Oilers can afford. The goaltending market is not as robust.
Liam Horrobin:
Lance, there feels like so many right now. The obvious one, though, is another top-four defenceman. If they go into the postseason with either Troy Stecher or John Klingberg playing those minutes, then the Oilers are toast. I would also accept a 3LD, which would then allow Brett Kulak to be pushed up the lineup.
Baggedmilk:
A top four d-man. Specifically someone who can play on the right side. Either that or a third pairing LHD and Brett Kulak moves up to play with Darnell Nurse.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-158283" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Edmonton-Oilers-GM-Stan-Bowman-Press-Conference-1024x611.png" alt="Edmonton Oilers General Manager Stan Bowman" width="1024" height="611" srcset="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Edmonton-Oilers-GM-Stan-Bowman-Press-Conference-1024x611.png 1024w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Edmonton-Oilers-GM-Stan-Bowman-Press-Conference-300x179.png 300w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Edmonton-Oilers-GM-Stan-Bowman-Press-Conference-768x458.png 768w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Edmonton-Oilers-GM-Stan-Bowman-Press-Conference-1536x917.png 1536w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Edmonton-Oilers-GM-Stan-Bowman-Press-Conference.png 1598w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />
2) Paul asks &#8211; We&#8217;ve seen videos on Oilersnation&#8217;s socials this past week where <a href="https://publish.oilersnation.com/2025/01/29/looking-back-at-the-oilers-history-with-seravallis-trade-targets-and-what-we-can-expect-this-year/">Frank Seravalli speculated</a> that this team will only make one move at the deadline. What are your first thoughts when you hear that?
Jason Gregor:
Unacceptable. Get creative. A few years the Oilers were in LTIR and still acquired Ekholm, Bjugstad and Kulak. It would be a failure if they only make one addition.
Tyler Yaremchuk:
Disappointment. I would like to see them make a big move on the blueline and add to the forward group. Seems like the cap constraints are going to prevent that from happening.
Liam Horrobin:
It&#8217;s not ideal but I don&#8217;t think it would necessarily kill them if that happened. With a bit of cap management, they could still open up just over $1 million in cap space. From there, if you throw a Kasperi Kapanen on waivers, into a trade, then you can acquire Connor Murphy, for example. I hope Evander Kane&#8217;s on LTIR, though, and the Oil can spend his cap. They need it badly.
Baggedmilk:
Can&#8217;t happen. They need more than one piece, and other teams always seem to find ways to get creative with cap management. Stan Bowman needs to do the same.
<figure id="attachment_166939" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-166939" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-166939" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/USATSI_24452375-1024x683.jpg" alt="Edmonton Oilers goaltenders Calvin Pickard and Stuart Skinner" width="1024" height="683" srcset="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/USATSI_24452375-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/USATSI_24452375-300x200.jpg 300w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/USATSI_24452375-768x512.jpg 768w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/USATSI_24452375-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/USATSI_24452375-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-166939" class="wp-caption-text">Oct 9, 2024; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers goaltender Calvin Pickard (30) replaces goaltender Stuart Skinner (74) after he gave up 5 goals on 13 shots against the Winnipeg Jets at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure>
3) Bryce asks &#8211; Why does everyone in the Oilers&#8217; organization seem to say there&#8217;s no problem with the goaltending? What are they seeing that I&#8217;m not?
Jason Gregor:
Skinner has had ups and downs no question. But so do the vast majority of goalies across the league. It’s just that most fans only watch the Oilers and don’t see other teams with similar struggles. It can be frustrating, but I guarantee if Binnington comes to Edmonton he would allow goals you don’t like as well. Unless they get one of the true elite goalies, there will always be frustration at that position. For instance many are clamouring to acquire Karel Vejmelka or John Gibson. They are having good years this year, but go look at last year for Vejmelka or the past few for Gibson.
Tyler Yaremchuk:
I think they&#8217;re remembering that Skinner is young and has had long stretches where he looks like a legit number one goaltender. Being patient isn&#8217;t fun but the Oilers have quit on goalies too early before and I would hate to see them do that with Stuart Skinner. I am all for an upgrade on Pickard though.
Liam Horrobin:
I don&#8217;t think it&#8217;s them saying there isn&#8217;t a problem, there&#8217;s just other problems ahead of that. Additionally, who are they acquiring? They can&#8217;t afford John Gibson and Karel Vejmelka is making a push for the playoffs with Utah. Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard can be better and they need to show it.
Baggedmilk:
The goaltending is always going to be a conversation until the tandem changes or proves itself to be a winning duo, but I also don&#8217;t think Stan Bowman is going to do make any adjustments. This is what we&#8217;ve got.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-158255" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Edmonton-Oilers-Stan-Bowman-Jeff-Jackson-1024x575.jpg" alt="Edmonton Oilers Stan Bowman Jeff Jackson" width="1024" height="575" srcset="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Edmonton-Oilers-Stan-Bowman-Jeff-Jackson-1024x575.jpg 1024w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Edmonton-Oilers-Stan-Bowman-Jeff-Jackson-300x168.jpg 300w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Edmonton-Oilers-Stan-Bowman-Jeff-Jackson-768x431.jpg 768w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Edmonton-Oilers-Stan-Bowman-Jeff-Jackson.jpg 1288w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />
4) Yves asks &#8211; Should Jeff Jackson be taking more heat for the gambles he made in free agency that clearly haven&#8217;t worked out?
Jason Gregor:
In what way? Call for his firing? He isn’t getting fired as President. I think we’ve seen the results thus far. They haven’t been what they hoped. Not every move will work out. I assume it wasn’t just Jackson. His pro scouts must have had some say. I thought Jeff Skinner would be better, but he simply doesn’t fit with his lack of speed and style of play (holds on to puck too long). Now Bowman has to react and fix it. Every GM will make a bad signing or trade. It is how you react after that matters.
Tyler Yaremchuk:
Absolutely. <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/edmonton-oilers-sign-viktor-arvidsson-to-two-year-contract">Arvidsson</a> was a bad bet and can you imagine how much different this team would look if they had Dylan Holloway over Jeff Skinner? We thought Jackson killed it on the first day of free agency but that ended up being very far from the truth.
Liam Horrobin:
Yes, he didn&#8217;t do a good job and probably removed too many players from the roster. I would&#8217;ve still moved on from Cody Ceci and Vincent Descharnais but Warren Foegele should still be an Oiler.
Baggedmilk:
It&#8217;s wild how so many of us were pumped about the moves on July 1st, right? Seems like the Arvidsson and Skinner bets were bad ones, but he&#8217;s also not going to fire himself. So&#8230; Meh.
&nbsp;
5) Andrea asks &#8211; What are the best and worst Oilers trades from NHL trade deadline day?
Jason Gregor:
I’d have to say the best, since the goal is winning, was acquiring Bill Ranford and Geoff Courtnall from Boston for Andy Moog. Courtnall was solid, but Ranford won the Conn Smyth in 1990 and was a huge part of the team.
Other good ones include acquiring Doug Weight for Esa Tikkanen, Jason Smith for a 2nd (Jonathon Zion) and 4th round pick (Kris Vernarsky), Dwayne Roloson for a 1st round pick (Trevor Lewis) and the Mattias Ekholm trade.
The <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/edmonton-oilers-acquire-andreas-athanasiou-from-detroit-red-wings">Andreas Athanasiou trade for two 2nd rounders</a> didn’t work, although the season ending due to COVID impacted that. I still think the Jerrid Smithson trade in 2013 when the Oilers were in 8th place was more funny than bad. They didn’t give up much (a fourth rounder), but thinking he was going to help them in any way was the fail.
Tyler Yaremchuk:
The Dwayne Roloson deal stands out. Mattias Ekholm wasn&#8217;t a deadline day deal but if we&#8217;re counting that, then it&#8217;s probably number one. Hard to envision where this blueline would be without him. Worst? Losing Kesselring in the Bjugstad deal is a really bad look. The Mike Green and Andreas Athanasiou deals look bad in hindsight too.
Liam Horrobin:
I moved to Canada in 2010 so I&#8217;ll only judge from that time onwards. Jerred Smithson is the worst and it&#8217;s not particularly close. That is perhaps the most pointless trade in NHL history. The best is Mattias Ekholm.
Baggedmilk:
The best trade for me is the Mattias Ekholm deal, and I&#8217;ve even <a href="https://publish.oilersnation.com/2025/01/01/tkt-oilers-utah/">written about how that one probably ruined Oilers trades for me</a> going forward. The Athanasiou trade was a bad one that sticks out because it was one of the most recent examples, but I&#8217;m sure there&#8217;s another one that will annoy me even more.
<h2>PRESENTED BY STAR MECHANICAL</h2>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-146181" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Article-2-SME.png" alt="" width="728" height="404" srcset="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Article-2-SME.png 728w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Article-2-SME-300x166.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 728px) 100vw, 728px" />
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GDB Mattias Ekholm Edmonton Oilers Photoshop Vancouver Canucks

Good morning, everyone, and a happy deadline week to all of you. I've got a fresh mailbag ready to go after taking your questions and sending them to the crew for their take on whatever is on your mind. This week, we're discussing the Edmonton Oilers' trade deadline plans, goaltending, past trades, and more. If you’ve got a question you’d like to ask, email it to me at <a class="text-accent" href="mailto:baggedmilk@oilersnation.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">baggedmilk@oilersnation.com</a> or on Twitter at <a class="text-accent" href="https://www.twitter.com/jsbmbaggedmilk" rel="noopener noreferrer">@jsbmbaggedmilk</a>, and I’ll get to you as soon as I can.



<img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-158283" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Edmonton-Oilers-GM-Stan-Bowman-Press-Conference-1024x611.png" alt="Edmonton Oilers General Manager Stan Bowman" width="1024" height="611" />

1) Lance asks - What do you personally see as the Oilers' biggest need heading into the trade deadline?

Jason Gregor:

They need a winger and 4C with some size, speed and grit. They really lack any physical presence.

Tyler Yaremchuk:

If I'm basing my answer off of what's currently available and the trade market, then the biggest need I believe they will address is their blue line. There are impactful blue liners on the market that the Oilers can afford. The goaltending market is not as robust.

Liam Horrobin:

Lance, there feels like so many right now. The obvious one, though, is another top-four defenceman. If they go into the postseason with either Troy Stecher or John Klingberg playing those minutes, then the Oilers are toast. I would also accept a 3LD, which would then allow Brett Kulak to be pushed up the lineup.

Baggedmilk:

A top four d-man. Specifically someone who can play on the right side. Either that or a third pairing LHD and Brett Kulak moves up to play with Darnell Nurse.

<img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-158283" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Edmonton-Oilers-GM-Stan-Bowman-Press-Conference-1024x611.png" alt="Edmonton Oilers General Manager Stan Bowman" width="1024" height="611" />

2) Paul asks - We've seen videos on Oilersnation's socials this past week where <a href="https://publish.oilersnation.com/2025/01/29/looking-back-at-the-oilers-history-with-seravallis-trade-targets-and-what-we-can-expect-this-year/">Frank Seravalli speculated</a> that this team will only make one move at the deadline. What are your first thoughts when you hear that?

Jason Gregor:

Unacceptable. Get creative. A few years the Oilers were in LTIR and still acquired Ekholm, Bjugstad and Kulak. It would be a failure if they only make one addition.

Tyler Yaremchuk:

Disappointment. I would like to see them make a big move on the blueline and add to the forward group. Seems like the cap constraints are going to prevent that from happening.

Liam Horrobin:

It's not ideal but I don't think it would necessarily kill them if that happened. With a bit of cap management, they could still open up just over $1 million in cap space. From there, if you throw a Kasperi Kapanen on waivers, into a trade, then you can acquire Connor Murphy, for example. I hope Evander Kane's on LTIR, though, and the Oil can spend his cap. They need it badly.

Baggedmilk:

Can't happen. They need more than one piece, and other teams always seem to find ways to get creative with cap management. Stan Bowman needs to do the same.

[caption id="attachment_166939" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]<img class="size-large wp-image-166939" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/USATSI_24452375-1024x683.jpg" alt="Edmonton Oilers goaltenders Calvin Pickard and Stuart Skinner" width="1024" height="683" /> Oct 9, 2024; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers goaltender Calvin Pickard (30) replaces goaltender Stuart Skinner (74) after he gave up 5 goals on 13 shots against the Winnipeg Jets at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images[/caption]

3) Bryce asks - Why does everyone in the Oilers' organization seem to say there's no problem with the goaltending? What are they seeing that I'm not?

Jason Gregor:

Skinner has had ups and downs no question. But so do the vast majority of goalies across the league. It’s just that most fans only watch the Oilers and don’t see other teams with similar struggles. It can be frustrating, but I guarantee if Binnington comes to Edmonton he would allow goals you don’t like as well. Unless they get one of the true elite goalies, there will always be frustration at that position. For instance many are clamouring to acquire Karel Vejmelka or John Gibson. They are having good years this year, but go look at last year for Vejmelka or the past few for Gibson.

Tyler Yaremchuk:

I think they're remembering that Skinner is young and has had long stretches where he looks like a legit number one goaltender. Being patient isn't fun but the Oilers have quit on goalies too early before and I would hate to see them do that with Stuart Skinner. I am all for an upgrade on Pickard though.

Liam Horrobin:

I don't think it's them saying there isn't a problem, there's just other problems ahead of that. Additionally, who are they acquiring? They can't afford John Gibson and Karel Vejmelka is making a push for the playoffs with Utah. Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard can be better and they need to show it.

Baggedmilk:

The goaltending is always going to be a conversation until the tandem changes or proves itself to be a winning duo, but I also don't think Stan Bowman is going to do make any adjustments. This is what we've got.

<img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-158255" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Edmonton-Oilers-Stan-Bowman-Jeff-Jackson-1024x575.jpg" alt="Edmonton Oilers Stan Bowman Jeff Jackson" width="1024" height="575" />

4) Yves asks - Should Jeff Jackson be taking more heat for the gambles he made in free agency that clearly haven't worked out?

Jason Gregor:

In what way? Call for his firing? He isn’t getting fired as President. I think we’ve seen the results thus far. They haven’t been what they hoped. Not every move will work out. I assume it wasn’t just Jackson. His pro scouts must have had some say. I thought Jeff Skinner would be better, but he simply doesn’t fit with his lack of speed and style of play (holds on to puck too long). Now Bowman has to react and fix it. Every GM will make a bad signing or trade. It is how you react after that matters.

Tyler Yaremchuk:

Absolutely. <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/edmonton-oilers-sign-viktor-arvidsson-to-two-year-contract">Arvidsson</a> was a bad bet and can you imagine how much different this team would look if they had Dylan Holloway over Jeff Skinner? We thought Jackson killed it on the first day of free agency but that ended up being very far from the truth.

Liam Horrobin:

Yes, he didn't do a good job and probably removed too many players from the roster. I would've still moved on from Cody Ceci and Vincent Descharnais but Warren Foegele should still be an Oiler.

Baggedmilk:

It's wild how so many of us were pumped about the moves on July 1st, right? Seems like the Arvidsson and Skinner bets were bad ones, but he's also not going to fire himself. So... Meh.

&nbsp;

5) Andrea asks - What are the best and worst Oilers trades from NHL trade deadline day?

Jason Gregor:
I’d have to say the best, since the goal is winning, was acquiring Bill Ranford and Geoff Courtnall from Boston for Andy Moog. Courtnall was solid, but Ranford won the Conn Smyth in 1990 and was a huge part of the team.
Other good ones include acquiring Doug Weight for Esa Tikkanen, Jason Smith for a 2nd (Jonathon Zion) and 4th round pick (Kris Vernarsky), Dwayne Roloson for a 1st round pick (Trevor Lewis) and the Mattias Ekholm trade.
The <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/edmonton-oilers-acquire-andreas-athanasiou-from-detroit-red-wings">Andreas Athanasiou trade for two 2nd rounders</a> didn’t work, although the season ending due to COVID impacted that. I still think the Jerrid Smithson trade in 2013 when the Oilers were in 8th place was more funny than bad. They didn’t give up much (a fourth rounder), but thinking he was going to help them in any way was the fail.
Tyler Yaremchuk:

The Dwayne Roloson deal stands out. Mattias Ekholm wasn't a deadline day deal but if we're counting that, then it's probably number one. Hard to envision where this blueline would be without him. Worst? Losing Kesselring in the Bjugstad deal is a really bad look. The Mike Green and Andreas Athanasiou deals look bad in hindsight too.

Liam Horrobin:

I moved to Canada in 2010 so I'll only judge from that time onwards. Jerred Smithson is the worst and it's not particularly close. That is perhaps the most pointless trade in NHL history. The best is Mattias Ekholm.

Baggedmilk:

The best trade for me is the Mattias Ekholm deal, and I've even <a href="https://publish.oilersnation.com/2025/01/01/tkt-oilers-utah/">written about how that one probably ruined Oilers trades for me</a> going forward. The Athanasiou trade was a bad one that sticks out because it was one of the most recent examples, but I'm sure there's another one that will annoy me even more.
<h2>PRESENTED BY STAR MECHANICAL</h2>
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-146181" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Article-2-SME.png" alt="" width="728" height="404" />

Star Mechanical is one of Edmonton’s biggest locally owned and operated plumbing and heating businesses. They have been working within the community for over 20 years, and many of the homes built in Edmonton over the last two decades have had their plumbing and heating systems installed by Star Mechanical.  Visit them at <a href="http://starmechanical.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://starmechanical.ca&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1707492487512000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2mVs3WUkp8iUCZ0kJRe9lJ">starmechanical.ca</a> to schedule an appointment and let them help keep your home running smoothly.

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