That's definitely a steep price to pay even though they're low 2nd rounders in the Oilers case. High draft picks are valuable capital especially in a cap league and it's vital for a team like the Oilers with a high end salary structure to stock the farm with cheap young talent.
I have no problem with the trade in theory as I liked, and was surprised, by Holland's aggressive win now approach but ideally, you want a top 6 forward if you're dealing two 2nds.
Look at Ennis, 5th rounder for a guy who has been a little more impactful thus far.
Holland said it well: No risk, no gain.
Consider what players were going for at the deadline. Guy like Blake Coleman, never hit 30 goals, traded for a 1st round pick. Barclay Goodrow goes for a 1st. Brady Skjei, JG Pageau, Ondrej Kase.
If you're a true contender, maybe you're more interested in a sure thing, somebody with more experience, who can fit in right away. The price of that is higher. The Oilers aren't true contenders, they're already exceeding expectations this year. Hollands thinking around this trade, and the value given up seem very sound when viewed in context.
Consider Athanasiou as an asset. 30 goal scorer, younger than all those guys save Kase, and still an RFA. Even if he can't find his game this playoffs, there's still tons of race track, and if you have to recoup assets, he'd fetch at least a 2nd on the market. So you're paying a 2nd rounder to roll the dice on a speedy, top 6, 30 goal scorer? I'd take that risk all day.