What’s the solution? Do you think there is one, or do they just have to stand pat and hope for the best while the clock on McDavid & Draisaitl’s contracts run out?
Imo, they have to do something, and soon. You cannot just sit on your hands while the clock ticks away, and risk wasting two generational talents. That would be like the 80s Oilers, Mario era Pens, or the Crosby/Malkin era Pens never getting the job done.
They need a bonafide 1D, a legit starting goaltender, and either a strong defensive center or another quality winger, maybe two. The problem is they have no expendable assets and no cap flexibility. The Nurse and Campbell contracts really might be the nails in the coffin for the team’s Cup chances, unless they can do something to rebalance the roster. If they had actually got what they paid for with those two, they might’ve won already or they could get away with hoping for the best with what they’ve got, but obviously that’s not what happened. So here we are.
Imo, a couple big pieces are going to need to be moved to have a chance to salvage this whole thing (McDavid era), which leads us to pretty much the only two options, as the idea of trading McDavid defeats the purpose of even trying to do anything and is pointless to talk about. Basically, they are going to have to make a move that is going to hurt. They’re out of options. The tinkering deadline deals haven’t worked. A Hail Mary shakeup level deal is required at this point, imo.
Enter Draisaitl and RNH. Having 3 elite offensive centers is redundant and doesn’t work, as evidenced by, well, the current Oilers. These are the only assets they have that could possibly bring in what they need, or at least some/most of it. They may be able to get away with running with Skinner, if he turns a corner, so the focus should be on the other pieces they need. It’s a gamble they need to take (prioritizing the other needs over goaltending). I’m not saying they need to trade both, but that’s what they have to trade. Nuge won’t return a top defenseman, but maybe they trade him for a defensive center of similar value, or a younger defensive 3C with upside + a top-six winger.
That leaves Draisaitl. Trading him is their best shot at acquiring a top 10 NHL D, even though those rarely get traded. I think they need to try. If not a top 10 NHL D, then maybe one in the 11-30 range + another top six winger or something else.
And yes, I know Oilers fans are going to respond to the idea of trading Draisaitl with vitriol. I’ve heard it before. If that’s your take, you are welcome to post it, but we’ve all heard it before.