Would You Trade For Alexander Frolov?

It's not a secret that the Oilers could use a bonafide goal scoring first line left winger. The Jacques experiment provides something the first line hasn't had before, and the Oilers have a winning record this season, but when a golden opportunity arises, it's never a wise NHL decision to let it pass you by.


By all accounts, Alexander Frolov of the Los Angeles Kings fits that bill and may be the golden opportunity Edmonton could use. In the past four seasons, he's been a twenty plus goal scorer, twice eclipsing the thirty goal mark.

But as is being reported by TSN, the LA Kings have decided that Frolov is not playing up to their expectations even though he has five points in eight games. He doesn't fit the Kings new team concept and as a result, he's being made an example of as the Kings take on the Dallas Stars, where Frolov will be a healthy scratch.

When asked about the problem with Frolov, LA head coach Terry Murray told a Kings' Insider, "There's nothing coming back. That's the 10th meeting along those lines, and nothing ever comes back. So, I don't know."

Murray continued by saying that the Kings have been changing the culture, the style of play, philosophy, and team system, needing a total buy-in from all players. He ended with, "That's the only way you can become a good hockey club."

It's not been the best kept secret that the Oilers have inquired about the availability of Alexander Frolov as part of a couple trades that took place between the Kings and the Oilers over the past couple of seasons. With Frolov set to become a UFA at the end of this year, perhaps now more than ever, the Kings might re-visit the option of moving him.

If the Kings intend not to keep the seven year pro, it's likely that instead of losing him for nothing, a trade involving swapped salary and/or accepting a little less value in return is possible and just maybe, a great opportunity exists for both teams to get what they want.

How would this trade unfold?

Perhaps Robert Nilsson, Marc Pouliot and Steve MacIntyre? Perhaps any combination of the three? At this point, while each has dimensions to their game that perhaps the Kings could use, the Oilers have shown they have no place for them on this team.

The Kings have plenty of space to fit in all three contracts and all three salaries. The Oilers could stand to move all three contracts and all three salaries to fit Frolov's $2.9 million under the cap.

Furthermore, if what Murray says is accurate, and Frolov just isn't a team player, do the Oilers really want to add that kind of player to their roster?

I contend that even a player like Frolov, who maybe isn't team captain material helps a team like Edmonton who'd have nothing to lose in this deal. The Oilers need to move contracts, would have no obligation to re-sign Frolov at the end of the year, and such a trade would help make space for some contracts coming due --namely Sam Gagner, Denis Grebeshkov and Andrew Cogliano.

For the Kings, only Nilsson would remain on their books after this year, and with $13 million or so in cap space like the Kings have, there is plenty of flexibility even if Nilsson turns out to be a total bust.

What would you do?