While it's certainly easy to place the blame on goaltending and their poor defensive performances, overall the team has been very underwhelming.
There's no quick fix to Edmonton's situation and while General Manager Ken Holland is working the phone lines, something he probably should've done this summer, it won't be easy to make a deal.
The Oilers have been linked to plenty of goaltenders around the league, including Montreal's trio of Samuel Montembeault, Jake Allen and Cayden Primeau. But again, making a deal is easier said than done.
In terms of what assets the Oilers could move to make a deal, according to Ryan Rishaug, likely only three are unavailable - Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and this year's first-round pick. Everything else could potentially be on the table.
It'll be interesting to keep an eye on the Oilers to see what moves, if any, they make in the coming weeks. If they have any hopes of turning things around, they'll need to do so quickly and have McDavid and Draisaitl at the top of their game, along with their depth plays contributing and everyone playing better on the defensive side of the puck.
POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 26 | 179 ANSWERS Insider reveals the only assets the Edmonton Oilers aren't willing to trade Should the Oilers have their first-round pick available for trade? | ||
Yes, they need to be in win-now mode | 52 | 29.1 % |
Depends on what they're getting in return | 60 | 33.5 % |
No, keep it. No chance of making playoffs | 41 | 22.9 % |
See Results | 26 | 14.5 % |
List of polls |