Edmonton Oilers Trade Depth Forward to Boston

Viktor Arvidsson Dealt to the Bruins

The Swedish forward will get a fresh start in Beantown. When he’s not stuck in a bottom-six role, he can be a productive part of a winning roster. We saw in Nashville that his talent is undeniable. It’ll be a fresh start for him to get going in a new place. He’ll get to play with more talented wingers and feel more at home. It just wasn’t a fit in Edmonton’s bottom six.

Why it Works for Edmonton

Cap relief. With the signing of Evan Bouchard yesterday, the Oilers were against the cap ceiling. Freeing up $4 million in this manner will provide the Oilers with some flexibility. Stan Bowman needs to address some of the other issues on this roster. That money can be reallocated wherever the Oilers see fit. They have a few needs to address, and the most pressing is in the crease. This may be the beginning of his roster transformation this summer.

Why it Works for Boston

With the departure of Brad Marchand, the Bruins have openings in their top six. The free agent class is so thin, they’ve taken on a contract that could rebound. With the cap increase, this is a risk worth taking. If he rebounds, he can help drive the team back toward the playoffs. He could also be flipped at the deadline if the Bruins fall to the bottom of the standings again. They’ll recoup more than they spent on Arvidsson in this trade.