The Edmonton Oilers have started the 2026-27 season with a 2-0-1 record, and they’ve done it while missing a chunk of important pieces. That alone says plenty about the team’s early depth. It also helps explain why a forward addition is at least on the radar.
Elliotte Friedman recently said the Oilers could look at moving some of their defensive depth for help up front, floating the idea of a “lateral trade, maybe a defenceman for a forward.” Edmonton has eight defensemen on the roster, and with Jason Dickinson, Matthew Savoie, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Zach Hyman still out, there’s a case for trying to bolster the forward group.
Friedman also made clear this is not a panic move. The Oilers are exploring options, not forcing one. Still, if they do decide to deal from the blue line, there are a few names that fit different needs.
One possibility is Boston Bruins forward Mark Kastelic. He’s 27 and would give Edmonton more muscle in its bottom six, along with the kind of edge that can create internal competition with players in a similar mold, including Trent Frederic.
Kastelic isn’t going to drive offense, but he does bring a willingness to fight when needed, plus the sort of physical game built around hits and energy. He carries a $1,566,667 cap hit and is signed through 2027-28, while Spencer Stastney has a $1,525,000 cap hit, which could make a one-for-one swap work without extra money changing hands.
Another Bruins forward who could fit is Michael Eyssimont. The 30-year-old was recently placed on waivers, and if he clears, that could make him even more appealing to Edmonton because of the flexibility he would provide.
The Oilers could move him to the American Hockey League more easily once some of their injured forwards return. Eyssimont also brings plenty of NHL mileage, with over 250 games under his belt.
In 269 career games, he has 33 goals and 41 assists for 74 points, a 0.28 points-per-game average. His cap hit sits at $1,450,000, so a Stastney deal would again line up financially.
If Edmonton wants to swing a little bigger, Montreal Canadiens forward Kirby Dach is the name in a different tier. He’s more than a depth option; he’d project into the Oilers’ middle six for the rest of the season.
There’s also a family connection, since his brother, Colton, already plays for Edmonton. Dach’s $3.6 million cap hit makes the math trickier, but the article notes that attaching a draft pick to Stastney and having Montreal retain half of Dach’s salary could make it possible.
Dach is 25, was born in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, and has over 300 games of NHL experience. He has also dealt with injury issues, which could give Edmonton pause.
In 308 career games, Dach has 51 goals and 86 assists for 137 points, a 0.44 points-per-game clip.
Whether the Oilers end up making a move or simply stay put, the idea is out there now: if they want more firepower, they have a few different ways to go about it.
In Other News...
Bruins Still Have One Roster Hole That Could Define Their Ceiling
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That is why the trade market remains worth watching for Boston, especially with names already being floated as possible fits if the right situation opens up. One recent report from Adam Gretz of Bleacher Report put the Bruins among four teams that could make sense for Winnipeg center Mark Scheifele if he becomes available, a reminder that the Bruins may still need one more major swing to push their ceiling higher. [Read more 🡒]
Bruins Make Intriguing Lineup Call Ahead Of Senators Game
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Poitras is slated to slide into the fourth-line center role, giving Boston another option down the middle as it continues to sort out its forward groups. The more intriguing wrinkle is what the Bruins are doing on defense, where Brunet is in position for his first NHL action. For a team still trying to find the right balance between health and depth, this kind of adjustment can say a lot about where the coaching staff thinks the next opportunity might be. [Read more 🡒]
Bruins Give Two Young Players A Real Chance To Stick
Matt Poitras is back in the Bruins picture at just the right time, and Marco Sturm is giving him a fresh chance to prove he belongs. Boston announced that Poitras and Frederic Brunet will make their season debuts against Ottawa, a notable opportunity for two young players trying to carve out real roles on a roster that always asks for accountability first and patience second.
Poitras missed time after getting hurt late in camp, then worked his way back into the mix as Boston reset its lineup. Brunet, meanwhile, is getting another NHL look after spending multiple seasons in the AHL, and both players have talked about understanding what is expected of them if they want to stay. For the Bruins, it is less about one game than what these two can show in it, and whether their first step back can turn into something more permanent. [Read more 🡒]