lol Edmonton isn’t doing that

Not sure about that. Johnson is a cost controlled player who has star potential. That 1st is likely top 5 and they also get Texier who is a cheap player but effective in a third line role. You have to ask yourself can they keep both Draisaitl and McDavid long term? If they can’t then this is possible.

The Ducks will stay the course with the rebuild rather than take on defenders that don't fit the age window (Provorov) or just aren't very good (Boqvist). That "infusion of talent" the team needs will come from 20 yr-olds that are already draft and partly developed: Mintyukov, Zellweger and Luneau.

Drai coming with an extension in place would need to start with Fantilli or you would be clearing the prospect pool.
This isn't much of a return so EDM would say no and, if they were moving Drai, look elsewhere.

Draisaitl alone is worth more than that.

And i can't see John Gibson waiving for another cellar dweller.

Draisaitl alone is worth more than that.

And i can't see John Gibson waiving for another cellar dweller.

Well, can they keep McDavid around if they lose/let go of Draisaitl? If they are trading Draisaitl, they need to be getting better in some way that would help them be more competitive, and this trade doesn't ensure that happens. It's much easier for a GM to pay a superstar especially, a top C, than to try trading them since they won't get his value more than likely. Of course, it all depends on who the Oilers can select with that potential top 5 pick, although, I think a proven roster player like Provorov, Laine or Jenner would be included as well.

You could replace draisaitl with Hyman or Bouchard and the oilers would easily still say no

Are you seriously suggesting that Draisaitl would cost Laine, Johnson, ++??? You have to think in terms of long term projections. While yes, theoretically they can keep both, the depth on the team will suffer. This is one of those moments where Edm would be more likely to take the sum of the parts considering how much quality is there. Draisaitl is the best player in the deal but the ability to get a top 5 player, a budding young superstar who is cost controlled and effective depth pieces that all fall in the affordability range that can keep your team a contender is just as priceless. Remember, Draisaitl is not likely taking a cheap contract. His number probably starts at 12 mil maybe more. McDavid contract is up the summer after that and I guarantee his number starts at 15 mil but more like 16 mil.

The Ducks need an infusion if Defensive Defensemen. Neither Provorov nor Boqvist fit that description. Proborovs defensive metrics have been terrible this year, and Boqvist never figured out the responsibilities of the position at the NHL level and should be moved to wing.

Possibly, it really depends on all the pieces that would be involved, who they can select with that top 5 pick (NHL-ready player or not), what pieces are coming back from Edm, and whether or not Draisaitl is coming with an extension (which he is in the scenario). The Oilers would only have 2-years guaranteed of Laine, who is struggling and injury-prone, so he's not exactly at peak value. My point is that the trade would have to be a hockey trade, not futures' based because I can guarantee you that McDavid would be upset with a Draisaitl trade, and if the team gets worse as a result, there's a really good chance he doesn't re-sign even if the future is bright with the addition of KJ and a blue chip prospect.

The Oilers' depth issues are vastly overblown.

They're running three quality forward lines, almost every line and pairing has been winning the shots battle since Knoblauch was hired, and the Oilers have outscored opposing teams 58 to 23 (more than a two-to-one margin) over their last 15 consecutive wins. That's not something a team with depth issues can do. McDavid only has 8 of those goals, Draisaitl has 9, and Hyman has 11. Less than half of their goals during this streak have come from their "big three".

The Oilers, at least in terms of the skaters, are at a point of luxury. They can add a top-six forward if they want to, but no longer need to. They can upgrade on Ceci but there isn't a vast list of names that constitute as known upgrades. The only piece Edmonton must acquire today is a goaltender they can tandem with Skinner strictly to lighten his load, not because they need an upgrade to Skinner.

There are pieces Edmonton would like to acquire from Columbus sure, but those are likely pieces the Blue Jackets have no intention of moving (Marchenko, Chinakov, and Severson intrigue me). Probably not a fit for either team here.

I’m begging you to take Severson lol

Chinakhov would be so electric in Edmonton honestly, but if you lose Draisatl, I would actually think you’d have an interest in Sillinger. He’s just 20 but looks more and more every day like he could be a long term legit 2C 25-25-50 guy that plays PP PK. Could be locked up with term around $5-$6 million.