The Edmonton Oilers want to ensure they are competitive now and remain that way for the future, and their missing piece for that to happen would be with the Bruins. Stan Bowman's first stint as Edmonton Oilers GM has been <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/edmonton-oilers/stan-bowman-breaks-his-silence-after-leon-draisaitl-contract-extension' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>characterized by understated, calculated actions</a>. <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/edmonton-oilers/massive-over-pay-on-offer-sheets-for-dylan-holloway-and-philip-broberg' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Having been the victim of two offer sheets when arriving</a>, Bowman quieted criticism with two shrewd deals and has continued to tweak his team through waiver claims and minor-leaguers ever since. The quiet, measured pace may not continue, but perhaps Bowman will continue it through the trade deadline. Despite the high-profile offer sheet transactions with Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway that stole the spotlight over the summer, Bowman's transactions to date have focused on depth roles at bargain prices. <div align='center' style='padding:20px;'><img src='https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/i/photo/521896.webp' width='100%' border='0' alt='image' loading='lazy' defer /></div> <h3>Bruins prospect Georgii Merkulov could help the Oilers</h3> Some have outperformed expectations. Vasily Podkolzin, for instance, rose through the depth chart, proving his value to the organization. If Bowman continues to prioritize cheap, meaningful additions, one name to consider is AHL standout Georgii Merkulov. Merkulov, 24, is thriving in the Boston Bruins system with the Providence Bruins. <a href='https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/boston-bruins/latest-news/exciting-bruins-prospect-cant-stop-getting-points' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>A high-end skill player</a>, Merkulov possesses excellent passing and shooting skills. As a listed center, faceoff ineptness could move him to the wing in order to help him reach the NHL level. <a href='https://www.nhl.com/bruins/player/georgii-merkulov-8483567' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Merkulov</a> has been a point-a-game player in the AHL for over a period of a year, ranking fifth in scoring a season ago and a current top-10 scorer this campaign. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/BruinsNetwork/status/1883520792673304683'> </a></blockquote></div> With Boston possibly becoming a seller by the deadline, Merkulov could be sold at a cheap price. For an Oilers team that is over-committed at the center position, acquiring a cheap, high-value winger in Merkulov for depth and to avoid future cap headaches is a wise move. Bowman's talent for under-the-radar deals could reward him again.