TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 17: Carolina Hurricanes right wing Julien Gauthier (44) skates during the NHL Preseason game between the Carolina Hurricanes and Tampa Bay Lightning on September 17, 2019 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Mark LoMoglio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

According to a report from The Edmonton Journal, the Edmonton Oilers have interest in acquiring forward Julien Gauthier from the Carolina Hurricanes.

The Edmonton Oilers are off to a roaring start to their season, as they’ve won their first five games. However, they’re still looking to improve their team. According to the latest NHL trade rumors, the Oilers are interested in trading for Carolina Hurricanes forward Julien Gauthier.

This report comes from Kurt Leavins of The Edmonton Journal. The Oilers have expressed interest in him before, as his name came up in discussions involving forward Jesse Puljujarvi. At the time, the Oilers were optimistic they could work things out with the young forward. But with Puljujarvi playing overseas, things have obviously changed.

Gauthier recently made his NHL debut for the Hurricanes, skating in two games. However, the 2016 first-round pick of the Canes failed to register a point or even a shot on goal. Gauthier is still very young, as he turns 22 on Oct. 15. However, he has yet to earn a spot in the Hurricanes lineup, so it’s fair to question his future in the organization.

According to Leavins, the Oilers like Gauthier for several reasons. First of all, he is exempt from waivers, which means they can send him to the minors and call him back up without the risk of losing him. Secondly, the Oilers like his size, as he’s listed at 6’4″ and 225 pounds.

The Oilers need more skilled wings and Gauthier’s a fairly interesting prospect. He has 66 points in his last two AHL seasons, including 43 goals. In two AHL games so far this season, Gauthier has two goals. The Hurricanes system is up-tempo, which makes him a sub-optimal fit. He’s far from a liability as a skater, but he had a hard time keeping up with the rest of his teammates in his two-game stint in the NHL.

As far as what the Oilers could offer in return, Puljujarvi is a possibility. However, the Hurricanes would likely want to be sure that the 2016 fourth-overall pick would play for the Canes. For what it’s worth, Puljujarvi does have a clause in his current contract in Finland that would allow him to return to the NHL if an opportunity comes up.

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This would be an interesting trade for both sides. The Hurricanes would get a skilled forward in Puljujarvi. It’s worth noting they’ve had success with similar players and the Canes have several Finnish players who could help Puljujarvi as he tries to rebuild his career. Meanwhile, the Oilers would get an intriguing forward who is far more likely to help them than Puljujarvi is.