The Oilers want a forward, and one look at the bottom of their lineup shows why.
Elliotte Friedman reported Edmonton has explored a "lateral trade," moving a depth defenceman for a forward.
Nobody has named names, but the numbers point somewhere. Max Jones and Colton Dach have yet to register a point through three games, and both sit at -4.
Joshua Samanski is also still looking for his first point after two games. The depth forwards haven't given Mike Babcock much to work with.
The top end is doing more than its share. Connor McDavid has nine points in three games, including two shorthanded goals.
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Vasily Podkolzin and Leon Draisaitl have five points apiece. Even Owen Michaels has chipped in two goals on a $900,000 cap hit.
Stan Bowman's Podkolzin trade shows why the next deal matters
Stan Bowman already landed one steal. Podkolzin has three goals, two on the power play, on a $2,950,000 cap hit.
The defence side of the swap is easier to read. Shakir Mukhamadullin sat Saturday after a -6 start, which makes him the logical piece to move.
Edmonton has also been linked to a right-shot center. A depth defenceman for that kind of forward would plug a hole without touching the core.
Bowman should target a bottom-six forward who can kill penalties and chip in. The current depth group isn't cutting it for a team chasing a Cup.
It's like trading the extra couch in the basement for the dining chair you actually need.
Zach Hyman has appeared in only one of three games, which only adds to the pressure on the forward group.
The Oilers visit Anaheim on Wednesday. That gives Bowman a few quiet days to make a call.
The stars will keep scoring. Whether the bottom of the lineup stops leaking chances may depend on what Bowman brings back.
Should the Oilers trade a defenceman for a bottom-six forward this week?
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