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Elliotte Friedman reports Edmonton Oilers have shifted places in players' no-trade list
NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reported a change in how NHL players see the Edmonton Oilers. Edmonton is now coming off many players' no-trade lists. This shift shows that players now view the team as a real contender.
Agents told Friedman that players who had Edmonton on their no-trade lists last year have removed it. The main reason? Players believe they can win in Edmonton. While concerns like weather, taxes, and intense fan attention still exist, the chance to win a Stanley Cup outweighs them.
"I heard from some agents who told me there were players who took Edmonton off their no-trade list.....The number one thing is still, ‘Where do think I can win?’ Any player you want, that’s the number one thing. And players right now think they can win in Edmonton." – Friedman said (via 32 Thoughts Podcast).
Friedman also mentioned that Edmonton’s management is focused on filling key needs, especially in defense. Seasoned defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk is one name linked to the Edmonton Oilers, signaling more veteran players are open to joining the team.
Shattenkirk’s interest is proof of Edmonton’s improving reputation across the league. Money is still an important factor in player decisions. Some veterans, having made good earnings, might accept a smaller contract to join a Cup-contending team.
But Edmonton’s salary cap challenges mean they will need to rely on developing young talent or signing veterans willing to take a "Cup discount."
Shattenkirk's potential addition adds to the Edmonton Oilers' growing appeal. While Friedman didn’t go into detail about Shattenkirk's current form, his experience and ability to score points at even strength make him a strong option.
Evaluating Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid’s 2023-24 season performance
Connor McDavid’s 2023-24 season reinforced his place among hockey’s best. He started slowly due to overtraining, averaging one point per game in his first 11 games. He soon picked up the pace, finishing with 32 goals, 100 assists, and 132 points in 76 games.
McDavid became the fourth player in NHL history to reach 100 assists in one season. His playoff performance was even more impressive, with 34 assists breaking Wayne Gretzky’s record for most assists in a playoff run.
McDavid also joined the small group of players who scored 40 or more points in a single playoff. Hockey Viz data shows he contributes five times more than the average first-line player.
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