Although there has been talk of a potential trade between the Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks about swapping the bad contracts of Milan Lucic and Loui Eriksson for several weeks, a new report by TSN’s Darren Dreger suggests on TSN’s Insider Trading that the deal could be a good fit for both teams, but if Edmonton wants to make the deal, they would have to add a “sweetener.”
The belief is that because Lucic has four years remaining on his deal at $6MM AAV, the Oilers would have to give up something as Eriksson’s deal has only three years remaining at $6MM himself. According to Edmonton Journal’s David Staples, both players could be amenable to a potential trade considering that Lucic holds a no-movement clause, while Eriksson has a no-trade clause. However, Sportsnet’s Rick Dhaliwal reports that nothing has been presented to either player and while the discussion of this trade has been discussed in the media for weeks, trade talks are quite premature.
Lucic is from Vancouver and played his junior years there but there is no guarantee he would waive his no-movement clause. Eriksson, on the other hand, is easier to project as he knows Oilers’ new coach, Dave Tippett, who he played for in Dallas for three years and had success under him. And considering that Eriksson has had issues with Vancouver coach Travis Green, his no-trade clause likely wouldn’t be an issue.
However, Staples disagrees that Edmonton should have to add a sweetner, pointing out that Lucic still has value as a fourth-line option who is a tough guy that can fight and score a little. He’s only 31 and still has value in the league. Throw in the fact that Vancouver is loaded with young talent and few threatening players who can protect those players like Elias Pettersson, who took a number of cheap shots over the course of the season would be quite valuable to the Canucks.
Eriksson, on the other hand, is already 34 years old and isn’t an option as a fourth-line player as he lacks toughness and hasn’t produced much offense over the past three years (32 goals total). There has to be questions whether Eriksson can truly help Edmonton at all, making the trade questionable at best. Staples adds that at best, he might be a below-average third-line winger who can kill penalties, but is that really helping Edmonton? Regardless, unless one of those players can find a way to find their old selves, it’s unlikely either can truly help either franchise.
Lucic and Poolparty for Erik and Hutton
Everyone happy
Except everyone in EDM… Boyz in Orange-And-Blue would have to be on guard for Eriksson’s not-so-magical-ability to put the puck into his own net at times… Not to mention the fact that he almost never has a need to dirty his assigned towel in the locker room… No sweat-breaking for that guy… Kinda like being short-handed for 17-20 a night…
No one happy east of banff on that proposal paw. Puj is worth far more than a 4th. That is about the extent of the difference between Loui and Milan.
An extra year of a 6 million dollar anchor is worth a lot more than a 4th. Lucic is the worst forward in the league
Puj is worth more than a 4th. He is also worth more than 9 points. In fact in a off and injured year he had 9 points in half a season. Fair would be lucic and a 4th for Eriksson. And even that might be stretching it. Lucic has more value in Vancouver being a hometown boy. Plus since it is rumored Lucic has requested a trade, his NMC may be null and void. Its kind of a grey area to anyone who hasnt been a lawyer and read the current CBA.
To me Lucic and a 4th for Eriksson is about fair value. Anything more and vancouver is stuck with a 6 million dollar player who doesnt want to be there and the fans dont want there. Lucic is a guy who the fans dont want and is rumored to not want to be there. Kind of equals out.
Oh and lucic is the 294th ranked fw out of 581. So not the worst.
Gtfo keep mooch bud no way a 4th gets it done four more years enjoy wasting more McDavid years
Coiler fans need to get real man at least loui shows up on the odd night and kills penalties what does loo have add that we don’t have in mceawen