Edmonton Oilers Trade Deadline Preview: All-In or All-Out?
As the Olympic break hits pause on NHL action, the Edmonton Oilers find themselves in a familiar spot: firmly in the playoff mix, eyes locked on a deep postseason run, and a front office weighing its options with the trade deadline less than a month away.
The Oilers have been knocking on the door for years. Two straight trips to the Stanley Cup Final have ended in heartbreak, most recently at the hands of the Florida Panthers. But with Florida potentially out of the picture this time around, Edmonton sees a window-and it’s wide open.
This season has been a rollercoaster, but the mission remains clear: win now. With Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl still leading the charge-and McDavid recently re-upped through 2027-28-the Oilers are pushing all their chips to the center of the table.
General Manager Stan Bowman made his first big move back in December, bringing in goaltender Tristan Jarry and defenseman Spencer Stastney. So far, Jarry hasn’t exactly locked down the crease, but the hope is that he can stabilize things behind one of the league’s most dynamic forward groups.
Where Things Stand
- Record: 28-22-8
- Pacific Division Rank: 2nd
- Playoff Probability (via MoneyPuck): 74.9%
- Deadline Cap Space: $2.88 million
- Contract Slots Used: 46 of 50
- Retention Slots Used: 0 of 3
Buyer Mentality, Limited Ammo
The Oilers are buyers, no question. But they’re not shopping with a full wallet.
With limited cap space and a shallow draft pick pool, Bowman will need to get creative. Edmonton holds just five picks in the 2026 draft-none in the first round-and six in 2027, including Boston’s fifth-rounder.
That means if the Oilers want to make a splash, it’ll likely involve moving roster players or dipping into a thin prospect pool.
Trade Chips on the Table
The most likely trade candidate? Andrew Mangiapane.
The 29-year-old winger has struggled to find his game in Edmonton, tallying just 12 points in 49 games. He’s been linked to several teams-Ottawa, Anaheim, Detroit, and Winnipeg among them-and with one year left on his $3.6 million contract (plus trade protection), a move seems inevitable.
A fresh start could benefit both sides.
Another name to watch is Mattias Janmark. A versatile veteran who’s been a steady presence in years past, Janmark has just one goal this season and is posting a career-low 39.4% Corsi For. He’s under contract through 2026-27 at a manageable $1.45 million, but any return would likely be modest-think a one-for-one swap with another struggling bottom-six forward.
If Bowman decides to go bigger, he could look to move a prospect. Beau Akey, a right-shot defenseman taken in the second round of the 2023 draft, has flashed offensive upside in the AHL. Paul Fischer, a more stay-at-home type playing NCAA hockey, also has a potential path to the big club if signed this spring.
But the name that’ll raise eyebrows in any serious trade talk is Isaac Howard. The 21-year-old winger has been electric in the AHL-31 points in 24 games-and has already logged 28 NHL appearances in his rookie season.
He looks like a future top-six mainstay. Trading him would be a bold move, and it’s more likely the Oilers hold onto him unless a blockbuster deal materializes.
Still, if Edmonton wants to go all-in, Howard and their 2027 first-round pick would be the centerpiece of any major package.
What the Oilers Need
- Third-Line Center Help
Adam Henrique has been a reliable veteran presence, but at 36-and currently on LTIR-he’s not the answer down the stretch. Even when healthy, Henrique has just 10 points this season and may not be able to handle the playoff grind at 3C.
There are options out there. Boone Jenner would be a dream fit, but Columbus is enjoying a resurgence and may not be eager to part with their captain. Charlie Coyle could be a high-impact rental, but his $5.25 million cap hit makes things tricky unless Bowman can get creative with salary retention or move money out.
A more realistic path could be a swap with Winnipeg, who’s been linked to Mangiapane. Vladislav Namestnikov, with a similar contract and role, could be a fit.
There’s also the sentimental angle-Jonathan Toews, Bowman’s former captain in Chicago, is still skating with the Jets. But at 37, and seemingly content to finish his career in Winnipeg, he likely won’t be chasing another ring elsewhere.
- Middle-Six Scoring Depth
With defense reportedly off the Oilers’ shopping list, the focus shifts to adding firepower up front-specifically, a winger who can deliver what Mangiapane was supposed to.
If Nashville decides to move on from veterans, Michael Bunting could be a target. He’s on an expiring $4.5 million deal and has proven he can complement elite centers from his days in Toronto. If salary is retained, the fit makes sense.
Speaking of Toronto, Bobby McMann would be a sneaky-good pickup. He’s got 20 goals already and carries a cap-friendly $1.35 million hit. But prying him away from the Leafs won’t be easy, especially with Edmonton’s limited trade assets.
Blake Coleman is another intriguing name. The Calgary winger plays a playoff style and would slide seamlessly into Edmonton’s middle six.
But salary retention would be a must, and pulling off a deal with a division rival is always complicated. Henrique’s $3 million cap hit would likely need to move the other way, and his trade protection adds another layer of difficulty.
Final Thoughts
The Oilers are in a familiar spot: talented, dangerous, and right on the cusp. With McDavid and Draisaitl still in their prime and the team chasing its third straight trip to the Final, the time to act is now. Bowman doesn’t have a ton of flexibility, but he has enough to make meaningful moves-especially if he’s willing to part with a prospect or two.
The path to the Cup is never easy, but with Florida possibly out of the way and the Pacific Division wide open, Edmonton has every reason to believe this could be the year. The next few weeks will tell us whether they’re ready to go all-in.