Colorado Avalanche: Raiding the Oilers Roster

Apr 11, 2015; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Jordan Eberle (14) and forward Benoit Pouliot (67) celebrate forward Taylor Hall (4) goal against Vancouver Canucks goaltender Ryan Miller (30) during the second period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 11, 2015; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Jordan Eberle (14) and forward Benoit Pouliot (67) celebrate forward Taylor Hall (4) goal against Vancouver Canucks goaltender Ryan Miller (30) during the second period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
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Mar 25, 2015; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Taylor Hall (4) and Colorado Avalanche defensemen Tyson Barrie (4) battle for a loose puck during the first period at Rexall Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 25, 2015; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Taylor Hall (4) and Colorado Avalanche defensemen Tyson Barrie (4) battle for a loose puck during the first period at Rexall Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports

So is there a trade to be made here?

Of the 6 top line players Edmonton has, I’ve narrowed the list down to 2 players the Colorado Avalanche may be interested in: Hall and Eberle.

But what would it take to pry these stars out of Oiltown?

More from Mile High Sticking

It would take at least Tyson Barrie.

It’s well known that the Oilers have needs on defense, and specifically they need right shooting defensemen, which Mr. Barrie is. In addition, look at this quote from Micah Kowalchuk over at Beer League Heroes (an Oilers Blog):

"“Assuming the best odds are landing a player like Hamonic, it means the Oilers need a second pairing defenseman with high power play skills who’s naturally a right side defenseman.”"

Who does that sound like?

So is it worth it? If I’m the GM, there’s no way I trade Barrie for Eberle. He’s another player like we already have, and while his scoring will be much appreciated, this team desperately needs players who can both score and play defensively. If we’re going to trade Barrie, I don’t want it to be for yet another purely offensive player.

That being said, if there’s a chance to get Hall, and the price is right, I’d pull the trigger. Taylor Hall is the kind of guy who could easily end up in the Hall of Fame one day, and when you get a chance to land a guy like that, it’s hard to pass up. I’ve read in some places that he’s not being traded, but I have to think the Oilers would listen if the Avs dangled the right pieces.

Next: Colorado Avalanche: 4 Blackhawks Players to Consider

So overall, raiding the Oilers roster isn’t such a great idea after all. There’s only one potentially available player I’d want to pursue, and I think it’s unlikely a reasonable deal can be made there. I think we’ll have to look elsewhere for the top 6 wingers we need.