As the NHL offseason hits its quiet period, the Edmonton Oilers are still sitting with close to $6 million in cap space and, with a few roster moves, could easily see that number creep up north of $8 million.

They have money to spend and a clear need for a top-six winger. The problem is that the free agent market is all but dried up.

Anthony Mantha is still out there, and he did score 33 goals last season with the Pittsburgh Penguins, but I’m not totally convinced he’s a good fit in Edmonton, and I’m sure he’s still searching for a multi-year deal, which the Oilers really shouldn’t be too interested in.

Patrick Kane is coming off another good season in Detroit, but his preference is reportedly to stay out East.

Michael Bunting is mildly intriguing, but he comes with severely limited upside. I don’t mind him as a depth piece in the bottom six, but signing him doesn’t solve the issue of needing another top-six scoring threat.

A lot of people have been asking about Patrik Laine, but Mike Babcock being the Oilers’ head coach takes them right out of that conversation.

So with close to nothing out there on the free agent market, if Bowman wants to go out and make a move, it’s going to have to come via trade.

Why should the Oilers look to the trade market for a top-six winger?

I know lots of people are advocating for the Oilers to simply keep their cap space and let it accrue during the regular season, but keeping north of $5 million in cap space is just silly.

That amount of money, if held onto until the day of the deadline,........

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