Oilers would need to pay a steep price to pry Owen Tippett from the Flyers

A mock trade sending Owen Tippett to the Oilers is making the rounds this morning, and Edmonton's side of the bill is steep.

The pitch, posted on X by IceMetrix, ships Isaac Howard, Beau Akey, Ty Emberson, a 2028 first and a 2027 second to Philadelphia for the winger at 20% retained.

That retention trims a $6,200,000 cap hit down to $4,960,000 on Edmonton's books.

Still a lot of cash for a forward with one goal and no assists through 7 games.

The account billed him as a perfect top-six fit. And with Zach Hyman day-to-day on an undisclosed issue, Edmonton's wing depth question is real enough.

But the Oilers have found answers without spending picks. Vasily Podkolzin has 5 goals in 5 games on a $2,950,000 deal.

Flyers losing streak puts Daniel Briere on the clock

Philadelphia is 0-5-2 heading into tonight's home date with Seattle, with eight straight losses stacked up.

The Flyers have 8 goals through 7 games. Read that one twice.

Travis Konecny is out until at least October 17 with a lower-body injury, which leaves Rick Tocchet thin on the wings.

Daniel Briere has to decide what this roster is, and soon.

Flipping a 27-year-old winger for a young NHL forward and a first is a reset any GM can sell to a frustrated fan base.

So who says no? Edmonton should, and quickly.

Isaac Howard has dressed for all 5 games on a $972,500 cap hit.

Cheap legs matter when Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl eat $26,500,000 between them.

Shipping that out with a first for Tippett's current form is a bad trade for Edmonton. Full stop.

It's like paying sticker price for a used truck because the paint looks great, then learning it won't start in October.

Ty Emberson and prospect Beau Akey round out the package. Emberson has dressed for 3 games without a point.

But Jake Walman is day-to-day with an upper-body issue, so even a depth defenseman carries weight on that blue line right now.

Mike Babcock's club is 4-0-1 and riding a four-game win streak into Los Angeles tonight.

The Oilers and Flyers meet twice in November, first on November 11 in Edmonton. Whether Tippett is still wearing orange by then could depend on how ugly October gets in Philadelphia.

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