The Edmonton Oilers made three separate trades on Monday and acquired defenseman Mike Green of Calgary, Alberta and centre Andreas Athanasiou of London, Ontario in two separate deals with the Detroit Red Wings, along with centre Tyler Ennis of Edmonton, Alberta from the Ottawa Senators.
Green was acquired for a conditional draft pick and Kyle Brodziak of St. Paul, Alberta. According to Rogers Sportsnet, the pick is currently a fourth round draft pick in the 2020 National Hockey League Entry Draft. However the draft pick rises to a third round draft pick in 2021 if the Oilers reach the Western Conference Final and Green plays half the games with the Oilers.
Green will be joining his third NHL team. In addition to five seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, Green played 10 seasons with the Washington Capitals. While in Washington, Green had back-to-back 70 point seasons (73 points in 2008-09 and 76 points in 2009-10) and was a first team NHL all-star both times. He also played in the 2011 NHL All-Star Game.
While with Detroit, Green played in the 2018 NHL All-Star Game. In 2019-20 with Detroit, Green played 48 games and had three goals and eight assists for 11 points. He was a -32 with 32 penalty minutes, four power play points, one game winning goal, 74 shots on goal, 63 blocked shots, 58 hits, 12 takeaways and 41 giveaways.
Athanasiou was traded from Detroit to Edmonton with left wing prospect Ryan Kuffner of Ottawa, Ontario for centre Sam Gagner of London, Ontario, a second round draft pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft and a second round draft pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.
In 46 games with the Red Wings, Athanasiou has 10 goals and 14 assists for 24 points. However just like Green, he has a terrible plus/minus at -45. Athanasiou also has 26 penalty minutes, seven power play points, two game winning goals, 115 shots on goal, 43 faceoff wins, 21 blocked shots, 28 hits, 13 takeaways and 30 giveaways.
The Oilers will hope Athanasiou bounces back toward his productive 2018-19 season where he had 30 goals, 54 points and 216 shots on goal. Athanasiou had been with the Red Wings over the last five seasons since Detroit drafted him in the fourth round, 110th overall, in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.
Gagner is joining his sixth NHL franchise. In addition to the Oilers, he has played with the Arizona Coyotes, Philadelphia Flyers, Columbus Blue Jackets and Vancouver Canucks. In 36 games with the Oilers in 2019-20, Gagner has five goals, seven assists, 12 points, is a -9, 10 penalty minutes, two power play points, 69 shots on goal, 41 faceoff wins, nine blocked shots, 19 hits, 12 takeaways and 17 giveaways.
Finally, the Oilers acquired Ennis from the Ottawa Senators for a fifth round draft pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. Ennis has 14 goals and 19 assists for 33 points in 61 games. He is a -5 with 16 penalty minutes, 10 power play points, one game winning goal, 139 shots on goal, six faceoff wins, 22 blocked shots, 76 hits, 24 takeaways and 16 giveaways.
The Oilers become Ennis’s fifth NHL team. In addition to the Senators, he has played with the Buffalo Sabres, Minnesota Wild and Toronto Maple Leafs. In 2010-11, Ennis had a career high 49 points.
Edmonton is currently in second place in the Pacific Division. They have a record of 33 wins, 22 regulation losses and seven losses in extra time for 73 points. The Oilers are three points back of the Vegas Golden Knights for first place in the division.
