Lucic and McDavid don't play together very often at all even strength wise, I'd guess Lucic has spent about 85% of his time as an Oiler stapled next to RNH. Though both McDavid and Lucic are regulars on the 1st powerplay unit.
Even if he was producing at a lower pace than this, Lucic is a rare type of player and most teams would have some interest in bringing him in without retention. We might not get the player we need back to make it worthwhile, and Chiarelli probably has no interest in moving him anyway, but GM's respect this type of player more than fans do.
EXCEPT BOS NOR any other Eastern team wants Lucic, he wants personally to stay West, that's why the deal to LA/EDM
Where did you get your information that he doesn't want to play in the East, my understanding of the final 3 when he was settling on a location were Edmonton, Vancouver, and Montreal. Edmonton was the winner primarily cause of the McDavid factor & his connection to Chia. While playing closer to home for him is a bonus, he always seemed to say the two biggest reasons were McDavid and Chia.
So, now might be the best time to try to trade him, but he still will be hard to move with that contract.
