Josh Bloom is going to Edmonton, and now Kris Knoblauch has a new task after the Oilers traded AHL forwards with Vancouver.
Even though this isn’t a big deal in the NHL, it shows how both teams are currently positioned.
Edmonton traded Jayden Grubbe to Vancouver and got Bloom in a direct one-for-one trade of young players.
For the Oilers, the goal is clear. They are hoping to find a winger who has shown he can score in the minors and believe that a fresh start will help him turn his season around.
This trade also comes at a time when experienced players like Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Adam Henrique have both been dealing with injuries.
Bloom, who is 22 years old, plays as a winger and had a solid start to the season with the Canucks.
He was ranked as Vancouver’s 15th best prospect, making this trade more significant than your typical minor swap.
The difference in Bloom’s performance this year is striking. He scored 15 goals and got 28 points in 19 games in the ECHL, but only managed 1 goal in 19 games after moving up to Abbotsford in the AHL.
That is why this trade seems more about finding the right role for him than just focusing on numbers. Edmonton believes Bloom’s style of playing near the goal and his ability to fight for the puck will work better in Bakersfield than it did in Abbotsford.
Why this trade is good for both teams
The Oilers also have a reason to keep checking their player options. With a record of 32 wins, 26 losses, and 8 overtime losses, plus 72 points and a goal difference of plus-5, every aspect of their team depth is important as they approach the end of the season.
Vancouver’s part of the trade is not the same. Adam Foote’s team has a record of 20 wins, 37 losses, and 8 ties, totaling 48 points with a -72 goal difference. The Canucks are still figuring out their players and searching for people who can fill other roles.
Grubbe is a center who stands at 6-foot-3, offering a different type of player than Bloom.
He has scored 7 goals and racked up 19 points in 28 games in the ECHL, showing that he works hard and plays well rather than just being a goal scorer.
This is a straightforward hockey trade. Edmonton went for potential on the wing, while Vancouver picked up a larger center who might fit better in different positions on the team in Abbotsford.
Right now, there won’t be any benefits for the NHL because players who are traded after the deadline can’t play in the NHL or the playoffs for their new teams this season.
Even so, Bloom is a player to keep an eye on from Edmonton’s team. As the Oilers work on finding their balance, they have made it clear that they prefer to invest in skilled players who can finish rather than remain stagnant.
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