Rodrigues has to be in there but to me if the Oilers are moving RNH they have to be getting back at least two middle 6 forwards so add one of Sheary or Vesey, probably whichever one is more likely to resign with the Oilers as they're both UFA'S.

Some Oilers fans on here have said that Sekera was bought out so they could make room for a prospect so idk if they'd have much interest in Ristolainen even though he'd be a top pair RHD for them.

Seems like they want to take this season so Holland can evaluate what they have, let some prospects fight for jobs, see what they need, etc.
Seems like a waste of a season to me, thank f@ck I'm not an Oilers fan.

I can't see them trading RNH given how weak they are for top 6 forwards.

Oilers decline, we don't want the worst defensive deference in the league!

Or just trade Sheary for Gagner, and skip all the other noise?

Works for me!

Pretty much a lateral move no?

Yep. Sheary played all year last year and got 34 points. Gagner spent most of the year on the bench, but was on pace for 32. Sheary's faster and a tiny bit younger. Gagner's bigger, more versatile, and more experienced.

I think the benefit for Edmonton is that they've already had a chance to audition Gagner in their top six and he didn't stick, there, so they give another guy who's had some success in an easy situation a chance. Obviously Sheary can get forty points at 1L if the skill guys give him the puck in front of the net enough times. The benefit for Buffalo is that they can develop Mittelstadt at AHL1C if he hasn't improved by leaps and bounds, and they still push for the playoffs this year with Echel, Johansson, Gagner and Larsson down the middle. Or if Mittelstadt sticks around, both Johansson and Gagner are fine playing wing. Sheary isn't likely to win back the 1L spot in Buffalo this season and after that he's UFA, so whether or not something has to be added on age/value, they might as well give Gagner an audition to get back to a 2C role, if he can come in and earn it.

Gagner's most common linemate was Nugent-Hopkins actually, so I'm not sure it's accurate to say that he didn't stick in the top-6. Anyhow, Holland seems to want more speed, so I think he'd go for a Gagner-for-Sheary trade as is.

Seems pretty fair. Sheary hit 50 points a little more recently and is younger and wasn't in the AHL at all last season. Gagner has a lot more career points and can play center. As a Caps fan, I still feel like Edmonton adds about a 4th or a 5th to this one, but neither team sweats it, much.

Of course, as a Caps fan, if Kuznetsov starts the year on LTIR, I have no idea who's playing 2C there, either.