So just for fun, because it is so much fun. Lets look at the future of the Oilers.
Right now in terms of their lineup they have four forwards that are worth being called useful
McDavid, RNH, Draisaitl, Chiasson (Even though that shooting percentage is just an anomaly)
On the blueline they are missing Sekera (Even though he's been pretty much missing for two years) Russell, Klefbom. Russell is a bottom pairing guy who can't win a board battle and is terrible positionally. Nurse has been horrifyingly bad this year, he's just a dumb defenseman.
Prospect wise they really don't have much to be excited about, Bouchard being probably the best prospect that they have. hasn't really lit it up in the AHL and might never arrive. Poolparty looks entirely lost.
Salary Cap wise they're in huge trouble.
They have 16 players under contract for next year and if the Cap goes to 81 million then they have 14 million to address the other 4. doesn't sound bad, except they need at least 2 goalies and if they want Bob that's 8 to 10 million.
They will have
Lucic McDavid Draisaitl
Spooner RNH Kassian
Cagigula, Brodziak, JP (RFA, could go home)
Zykov, Khairi, Rattie (RFA)
Klefbom Larsson
Nurse, Benning
Sekeras Russell
Jones
Goalies Both UFA's.
Chances are that they're going to need a new coach again. If they don't make the playoffs then they're going to need a new GM that's going to want to build the team his way.
Now hear me out fellas. I think that the Oilers have to make a choice in the offseason. they're not going to be able to move Lucic, or a lot of the other crap.
They need to decide on whether to move Draisaitl or put feelers out on McDavid.
Draisaitl is not an elite center, he doesn't drive a line, he's a great winger for McDavid, but he's really expensive for a complimentary piece and teams will probably give a lot of value for him.
However
The name of the modern NHL is depth through your lineup. At least two lines that can score, a deep blueline that can move the puck, and a 3rd and 4th line that won't hurt you.
McDavid would instantly be able to right that ship with the right GM dangling him.
Its no secret that right now the Oilers are looking at a failed rebuild, they're heading towards another one. With years of draft failures in all rounds, the Oilers don't have a prospect pool that can help them out with the cap, and they don't have enough NHL players to be excited about.
But trading a McDavid allows you to fix a lot of mistakes. The kings ransom that the Oilers would receive in prospects and high picks could instantly give the Oilers the building blocks that they need to restart the franchise.
As well, having a generational player is nice, but teams are so deep now that it doesn't tip the scales, especially at 12 or 13 million dollars in cap space.
McDavid is a dynamic scorer, he's a decent setup guy, but nobody can argue that he's a terrific all around player. Frankly other teams are building two man units that are more production for a lot less the Oilers pay for their premiere one two punch in McDavid and Draisaitl.
Draisaitl will get you a return that can help. a first, a good prospect and a decent young roster player.
Nurse won't get you a better defenseman or a top 6 winger.
But with McDavid you can name your price and instantly put some depth in your roster and boost your organizational depth.