Should the Oilers acquire Tucker Poolman, they could place him on LTIR, giving them immediate cap relief. This move would benefit the Canucks, who are in need of a defensive upgrade. The Canucks would likely prefer Brett Kulak over Cody Ceci due to Brett Kulak's strong defensive skills and smart play.
Brett Kulak, who joined the Oilers for the 2021-22 season, has shown significant improvement throughout his career with the Flames, Canadiens, and Oilers. In the 2023-24 season, he notched 16 points in 82 games and added eight points during the Oilers' playoff run.
Tucker Poolman, who was drafted by the Winnipeg Jets in 2013, has struggled with migraines and has not played since January 2023. He's expected to retire after his current four-year, $2.5M AAV deal ends next season. During his time with the Jets and Canucks, Poolman played 163 NHL games, scoring 23 points, including six goals from 2017 to 2023.