Report: Oilers, Flames both looking to add top-6 forward

The on-ice rivalry between the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames has been well-documented this season, but the Battle of Alberta could extend beyond the playing surface over the next five weeks.

Both clubs are looking to add a top-six forward before the Feb. 24 trade deadline, according to TSN's Pierre LeBrun and Darren Dreger.

The Flames cleared $4.3 million in cap space when they dealt Michael Frolik to the Buffalo Sabres on Jan. 2. LeBrun noted that finding a right-handed shooter is a "key" for Calgary general manager Brad Treliving.

Rental forwards that could be on the trade block ahead of the deadline include Tyler Toffoli (R), Chris Kreider (L), Jesper Fast (R), Jean-Gabriel Pageau (R), Tyler Ennis (L), Vladislav Namestnikov (L), Ilya Kovalchuk (R), Mikael Granlund (L), Rocco Grimaldi (R), Craig Smith (R), Wayne Simmonds (R), Alex Galchenyuk (L), Conor Sheary (L), and Jimmy Vesey (L).

Among players set to become unrestricted free agents in the summer of 2021, Tomas Tatar (L), Eric Staal (L), Kyle Palmieri (R), and Marcus Johansson (L) are intriguing names on clubs currently outside the playoff picture that could become sellers ahead of the deadline.

Whether many of the aforementioned players could hold their own in a top-six role is up for debate, but it's clear Treliving and Oilers GM Ken Holland have options at their disposal.

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