Oilers interested in veteran forward from Coyotes

The Edmonton Oilers have started slipping down the standings as of late, and it seems that Ken Holland and Co. will be looking to make some changes ahead of the 2022 trade deadline. The team is still looking to improve their forward group, specifically their top-nine wingers.

One established veteran winger that will be available is Arizona Coyotes forward Phil Kessel. According to Jim Matheson, the Oilers will likely make a «strong play» for Kessel, especially if Arizona is willing to retain half of his contract.

The plan would be for him to slot in somewhere in the top-six, either playing on Connor McDavid or Leon Draisatl's line. Kessel has won two cups, both with Pittsburgh, and he could prove to be a worthy addition to the team's forward group.

Kessel is 34 years old, so he is at the age where steady decline typically comes to NHLers. He is a proven playoff performer, and he could just be the veteran presence that the Oilers need to make it to the next step.

Presume Oilers would make strong play for Phil Kessel for second line RW if Ariz would eat half his contract. Two Cup wins, proven he can play with stars, obviously, in Pittsburgh. https://t.co/XV1d9YsbwZ— Jim Matheson (@jimmathesonnhl) December 22, 2021

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