The Edmonton Oilers are exploring major trade options (Image source: Getty)

The Edmonton Oilers are exploring major trade options, according to NHL insider Frank Seravalli of The Daily Faceoff.

Seravalli said on Oilers Now that the team is looking into many scenarios for a significant deal that could shake things up more than just signing a veteran defenseman to a PTO (professional Try-Out).

“The thing is it’s so fluid right now. I think there are seven different scenarios that Stan Bowman and his staff are probably looking at. They’re looking at a lot of different options around the league.” Seravalli said.

The motivation stems from uncertainty around Evander Kane’s injury status. If Kane started the season on long-term injured reserve but returns healthy later, the Oilers need to find room to fit him under the salary cap. But there are no clear trade candidates to move out in that scenario, analysed Seravalli.

Keeping Kane off LTIR also allows the Edmonton Oilers to bank more cap space for a major acquisition down the road. That provides incentive to avoid using LTIR if possible. Seravalli believes that those cap considerations explain why the Oilers passed on matching offers for RFA prospects Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway.

Edmonton Oilers to consider defenseman Tony DeAngelo

Beyond a big trade, Frank Seravalli added that the Edmonton Oilers will consider UFA defenseman Tony DeAngelo as an upgrade over other unsigned veterans like Tyson Barrie, Justin Schultz or Kevin Shattenkirk.

Despite past controversies, including social media issues and on-ice incidents, Seravalli said:

“All the intel that I have is that he’s a really well-liked teammate. Have there been some skirmishes that have popped up over the course of a career?

“Did he gain notoriety for his Twitter account? Those things are all true. Some of them are true. Some of them have become legend.”

DeAngelo is coming off a one-year deal with the Carolina Hurricanes, where he put up three goals and eight assists in 31 games. He had a career year in 2021-22 where he tallied 10 goals and 41 assists for 51 points with the Hurricanes.

“I think what you’re talking about is the potential for a 50-point defenceman on your team that is still in his 20s that is ready, willing and able to play for close to league minimum and would absolutely love to be in Edmonton.” Seravalli added.

It remains to be seen whether Edmonton makes a move for DeAngelo or explores other options to strengthen their defensive corps.