McDavid, Draisaitl Shine on Olympic Stage as Oilers Eye Trade Deadline Moves
For Connor McDavid and many of the NHL’s current stars, the Olympics have long felt like a dream deferred. After the league skipped the 2018 and 2022 Winter Games, the chance to wear their country’s colors on the world’s biggest stage finally became a reality this week in Milan. And McDavid wasted no time reminding everyone what he can do when the lights are brightest.
Lining up as Canada’s No. 3 center - a label that raised some eyebrows in Edmonton - McDavid played like a man on a mission. From the opening shift, he was electric.
He delivered a clean, heavy hit early, drew a penalty that led to Canada’s first power play, and picked up an assist on the opening goal late in the first period. By the time the final horn sounded on a 5-0 win over Czechia, McDavid had racked up three assists, fired six shots on goal, and posted a +2 rating at even strength.
His 18:04 of ice time led all Canadian forwards - and every second of it counted.
Canadian fans, regardless of NHL allegiances, were loving it. Social media lit up with posts from fans of rival teams finally getting a chance to root for McDavid.
And Oilers fans? They were downright giddy watching their captain dominate in his Olympic debut.
McDavid’s Line: A Glimpse of What’s Possible
The coaching staff wasn’t shy about mixing lines, but McDavid started the game between Macklin Celebrini and Tom Wilson - and the trio clicked instantly. Celebrini notched the game’s first goal (and eventual game-winner), while Wilson brought the physical edge, throwing his weight around with authority. McDavid found himself rotating through various combinations throughout the game, including a particularly dangerous sequence with Brandon Hagel that nearly resulted in his first Olympic goal.
But the highlight of the night might’ve been a dazzling power play sequence. McDavid took a pass from Sidney Crosby, then threaded the puck to Nathan MacKinnon for a tap-in goal that already feels like an Olympic classic. Canada’s top-end talent looked every bit the part - and McDavid was right in the middle of it.
What Can the Oilers Take From This?
While the Olympics don’t offer a blueprint the Oilers can copy and paste, they do provide a few useful reminders. Chief among them: McDavid thrives when surrounded by high-end skill.
Back in Edmonton, he’s typically flanked by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman - a line that’s been plenty productive. But watching McDavid alongside dynamic wingers like Celebrini and Hagel raises an interesting question: Could the Oilers benefit from giving him a different look down the stretch?
A physical winger in the mold of Leon Draisaitl’s Olympic linemates - think Vasily Podkolzin or Kasperi Kapanen - might be exactly what Edmonton needs to round out its top six. And with the trade deadline looming, general manager Stan Bowman may already be weighing his options.
If Nugent-Hopkins were to slide into a third-line center role post-Olympics, it could open the door for a fresh new combo on the top line. The question is: What kind of asset would it take to land that type of player?
Draisaitl Delivers for Germany
McDavid wasn’t the only Oiler making noise in Milan. Leon Draisaitl opened his Olympic account with a goal and an assist, leading Germany to a 3-1 win over Denmark. He logged 21:46 of ice time and registered three shots on goal - a typical all-around performance from one of the NHL’s most complete forwards.
Perhaps more surprising was the workload given to Oilers rookie Josh Samanski, who played 21:23 - second only to Draisaitl among German forwards. It’s a strong vote of confidence for the youngster and a sign that Edmonton’s pipeline continues to produce NHL-ready talent.
Back Home in Edmonton: Trade Winds Picking Up
While the Olympic stage grabs headlines, things are quietly heating up back in Edmonton. The Oilers not participating in Milan - or skating with AHL affiliate Bakersfield - are currently on break. No trades can be finalized until February 22, but with the March 6 deadline fast approaching, the urgency is building.
One name that keeps surfacing in trade chatter: Ike Howard. The rookie forward is putting together one of the best AHL seasons by an Oilers prospect in decades.
His 1.36 points-per-game pace ranks second only to Miro Satan’s 1994-95 campaign among rookie forwards in franchise history. Here’s how he stacks up:
| Player | Year | Pts/Game |
|---|
| Miro Satan | 1994-95 | 1.60 | | Ike Howard | 2025-26 | 1.36 |
| Shawn Horcoff | 2000-01 | 1.17 | | Steven Rice | 1991-92 | 1.16 |
| Cooper Marody | 2018-19 | 1.10 | | Quinn Hutson | 2025-26 | 1.05 |
| Tyler Benson | 2018-19 | 0.97 | | Dan Curris | 1988-89 | 0.84 |
| Matthew Savoie | 2024-25 | 0.82 | | Esa Tikkanen | 1985-96 | 0.81 |
Howard and fellow prospect Quinn Hutson are both producing at a high clip, and while they each have NHL potential, it’s unlikely the Oilers will be able to keep them all. Matthew Savoie is already in his rookie NHL season, and Samanski is making a strong case for a full-time role. All three - Howard, Hutson, and Savoie - are undersized, which could factor into trade decisions as the Oilers look to add size and experience for a playoff push.
What’s Next?
Oilers fans have every reason to be excited right now. McDavid and Draisaitl are showing out on the Olympic stage, and the team’s top prospects are lighting it up in the AHL. But with the trade deadline looming, the front office faces some tough decisions.
Howard could be the key to unlocking a major move - either as a future top-six scorer or as a valuable trade chip. And if Edmonton is serious about making a deep run this spring, don’t be surprised if the team makes a bold play once the Olympic break ends.
The Oilers return to action on February 25 against the Ducks. Until then, buckle up - the next few weeks could get loud.