Oilers Tried to Trade Josh Archibald, Holland Unwilling to Add Sweetener

Originally posted on NHL Trade Talk | Last updated 3/22/22

As per a report by Daniel Nugent-Bowman of The Athletic, the Edmonton Oilers did try to make one additional move during yesterday’s NHL Trade Deadline chaos. While they were ultimately unable to pull it off, GM Ken Holland said he committed to forward Josh Archibald and his agent that he would try to facilitate a trade.

Holland acknowledged that he had some conversations with other teams but ultimately couldn’t find a team willing to add the winger. Either because of his vaccination status and ineligibility to play in cross-border games or because of the value he actually brings as a player and pending UFA, the only teams that were willing to make the deal wanted a sweetener as part of the trade. The Oilers were not willing to add that.

Holland said, at the end of the day, he’d prefer to keep Archibald on the team, even if it means he can’t play in half of a playoff series or road games during the regular season because he likes what Archibald brings to the table. The net win was to keep the player versus trade another asset off the team simply to move him. And, the cap space that might have been cleared by moving Archibald may not have made a difference in terms of adding a goaltender or another player at the deadline.

Holland Claims Prices Were High

Holland was asked about paying a second-round pick for defenseman Brett Kulak and acknowledged that it wasn’t ideal to move that high a pick. He also notes that he figured he could spend less but the market for rental defencemen changed when Nashville gave up a second-rounder to Seattle to acquire Jeremy Lauzon.

Holland noted, “The prices were higher than they were two years ago. … If you don’t want to pay the price, you still on the sidelines.” He knew he needed to improve the depth at that position so he made the move.

This article first appeared on NHL Trade Talk and was syndicated with permission.

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