LATEST: Canadiens To Acquire 2 Players From Oilers To Alleviate Offer Sheet Issue

The Canadiens find themselves in a situation similar to last season.

On Tuesday, the Edmonton Oilers’ offseason plans were abruptly disrupted when the St. Louis Blues extended offer sheets to Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg. Now, the Oilers must either clear some salary cap space to match those offers or risk losing the players in exchange for a few draft picks. A similar situation arose last year for the Calgary Flames when Kent Hughes addressed their cap issues by acquiring Sean Monahan and a first-round pick. Hughes later traded Monahan at the deadline to gain additional assets.

The Oilers have two contracts set to expire that could help them get under the cap without significantly weakening their roster. Hughes, known for his sharp moves with the Canadiens, is likely considering a similar strategy after these recent developments.

Cody Ceci

 

Cody Ceci has one year left on his $3.25 million per year contract, and the Oilers are eager to move on from him, as he lost favor during their 2024 playoff run. Both he and Darnell Nurse faced heavy criticism as the team fell into a 3-0 deficit against the Florida Panthers and struggled early against the Dallas Stars, leading to Ceci being a healthy scratch in some games.

Ceci might also be interested in a fresh start with Montreal. Similar to how Monahan turned things around in Montreal after falling out of favor in Calgary, Ceci could find value if he regains his form, especially as a right-shot defenseman capable of logging significant minutes. If the Oilers decided to trade him to the Canadiens, Ceci could fetch a substantial return at the trade deadline.

Brett Kulak

 

Kulak remains a notable figure for Canadiens fans, having played in 13 games during the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs and staying with the team through the 2022 season. He has since found stability in Edmonton, playing in all 82 games over the last two seasons. While the Oilers might hesitate to trade Kulak, given the value of his $2.75 million contract, a reunion with the Canadiens could be on the horizon.

However, Ceci might be a better fit for the Canadiens, who could use a right-handed defenseman. He would also be an easier asset for the Oilers to part with. Don’t be surprised if rumors start circulating about Hughes exploring potential deals with the Oilers.