Montreal Canadiens: Hypothetical Habs Trade With Every Pacific Division Team

Edmonton Oilers

The Edmonton Oilers are a team that has two of the best players in the league but can’t seem to find the correct formula to make it all work. They have the elite talent and the scoring, but the defensive side of the game isn’t working.

The Oilers need to find some safer players to play in their lineup and also add some depth to the forward group. Their defence is getting better as youngsters like Caleb Jones and Ethan Bear arrive and Darnell Nurse takes on a bigger role.

What they could use is another reliable two-way centre who can be counted on to shut things down when the team has a lead. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are terrific players but they aren’t shutdown types.

Phillip Danault would be able to add some needed depth down the middle behind the top players and could be the team’s primary shutdown centre. The player that Montreal would want to get their hands on is Jesse Puljujarvi. The Finnish winger fell out of favour in Edmonton but has looked terrific since returning to Finland to play.

A big, skilled right winger would be a perfect fit with the Habs. His value is down some because it appears he doesn’t want to play in Edmonton, but the fourth overall pick in the 2016 NHL Draft still has a ton of upside. It is hard to find the right value on Puljujarvi. He’s still young, is huge and skilled and looks great playing in Finland. So he should cost a lot.