Oilers trade proposal lands 24-year-old from Bruins for one draft pick

The Edmonton Oilers might only have a few years to continue competing at the highest level. There's even a chance that this could be their final season, as some have suggested that Connor McDavid won't be with the team after this year. 

Whether that happens remains to be seen, but the Oilers could view this as one of their last chances to win it all and might make the necessary move to accomplish that. 

Whether it's adding a depth piece, trying to find a star, or making another move, the Oilers are in a position to improve. 

In a recent trade proposal from Heavy Sports’ Tristan McKinstry, the Oilers would accomplish just that in a deal with the Boston Bruins. The trade would move a 2027 fifth-round pick to the Bruins for Georgii Merkulov, a forward who could fit in as a depth piece for Edmonton. 

MORE: Oilers' Connor McDavid gets shorter-term, $16 million per year contract update

Oilers acquire: Georgii Merkulov

Bruins acquire: 2027 fifth-round draft pick

“Merkulov may not have the most immediate path to NHL ice time in Edmonton, to be fair. However, he would become one of their best depth options almost upon arrival. And there is a chance he pushes a veteran such as Adam Henrique or Mattias Janmark down the lineup.

“Merkulov could follow the path of Savoie, in a way. Many expected Edmonton to deploy the former ninth-overall pick as their third-line center following the Sabres trade. However, they let him develop a year in the minors, and now are likely bringing him to the NHL,” he wrote.

As McKinstry touched on, it isn't a guarantee that Merkulov will be a starter by any means, or even a second or third liner. 

However, for an Oilers team that could be in a position to need depth throughout the year to keep players like McDavid healthy, there are worse options for them to consider.