Just In: Report: Oilers Exploring 2 Defencemen to Clear Cap Space For Offer Sheets

The Edmonton Oilers are considering trading defensemen Cody Ceci and Brett Kulak to free up cap space. This move comes as the Oilers need to accommodate new contracts for restricted free agents Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway, who recently signed offer sheets with the St. Louis Blues.

Before the offer sheets, the Oilers were already $350,000 over the cap. Broberg’s two-year deal with St. Louis is worth $4,580,917 annually, while Holloway’s two-year deal is valued at $2,290,457 per year. The Oilers have a seven-day window to match these offers.

Teams interested in acquiring Ceci’s $3.25 million or Kulak’s $2.75 million contracts are demanding a high price, potentially a first- or second-round pick, due to the Oilers’ cap constraints.

The Oilers might use long-term injured reserve (LTIR) on Evander Kane, potentially freeing up $5.125 million. However, this is a temporary solution, especially if Kane returns mid-season. Kane is expected to undergo surgery and may not be ready for training camp, with a recovery time of several months.

Ceci, in the final year of his contract, recorded five goals and 25 points in 79 games last season and added two goals and five points in 24 playoff games. Kulak, signed through 2025-26, had three goals and 16 points in 82 games last season, plus one goal and eight points in 25 playoff games.

In other news, the Blues acquired their 2025 second-round pick back from the Pittsburgh Penguins as part of a trade, which allowed them to complete the offer sheets for Broberg and Holloway. If the Oilers don’t match the offer sheets, they will receive a second-round pick for Broberg and a third-round pick for Holloway.

Broberg, who had a brief stint in the AHL earlier this year but contributed in the playoffs, and Holloway, who split time between the Oilers and the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors, are both expected to make significant contributions in their new contracts.