The Philadelphia Flyers’ 0-5-2 start has already kicked up the kind of noise that turns every rough patch into trade chatter, and that’s where the Edmonton Oilers enter the conversation. If the Flyers’ early slide keeps going, the question becomes whether Daniel Briere eventually decides to shake things up - and whether Edmonton tries to take advantage.
One name that has surfaced in the chatter is Owen Tippett. The speedy winger has six years left on his deal at $6.2 million per season, and social media talk has pushed him into the spotlight as a possible fit for the Oilers. But not everyone in Oilers Nation is on board with that idea.
Some fans would rather Edmonton swing bigger. Travis Konecny has been floated as a more attractive target, while others would go even further and chase Matvei Michkov, believing he’s being used in an awkward role in Philadelphia and offers more upside.
The fit, though, isn’t simple. The Oilers don’t have much extra cap space to work with, and they’re also in a pretty good spot on the ice despite the injuries they’ve been dealing with.
Edmonton is the only team that hasn’t lost in regulation this season, and it has done that without Zach Hyman, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Matt Savoie. Hyman is set to return Tuesday against the Los Angeles Kings.
There’s also the longer view to consider. One fan raised the possibility that a contract like Tippett’s could make it harder for Edmonton to re-sign Connor McDavid. And with the emergence of Vasily Podkolins, the argument from some fans is that the real needs are lower in the lineup and in goal, not on the wing.
Even if the Oilers wanted to act, the price could be another issue. Skeptics pointed out that Edmonton may not have the kind of return Philadelphia would want, with one fan suggesting a package centered on prospects might be the best the Oilers could put together. That creates another problem, since Edmonton would likely need to move money out if it were taking money back.
So this remains more rumor than reality for now. The Flyers are still looking for their first win in regulation, and the Oilers are still sorting through what they actually need once everyone is healthy. For now, the connection is just part of the trade-market buzz, but it’s the kind of buzz that can linger if Philadelphia’s season keeps spiraling and Stan Bowman gets a clearer read on his roster.
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