The Edmonton Oilers find themselves in a familiar position - firmly in the playoff hunt and looking to make a serious push. Sitting second in the Pacific Division with a 25-19-8 record and 58 points, the expectation heading into the 2026 NHL trade deadline is clear: they’re going to be buyers. And with the postseason in sight, the front office has to be thinking about how to round out this roster for a deep run.
One area that could use a boost? Forward depth.
Edmonton’s top-end talent is undeniable, but if they want to go toe-to-toe with the Western Conference’s best, they’ll need more support in their middle six. That’s where a name like Boone Jenner starts to make a lot of sense.
Jenner, the current captain of the Columbus Blue Jackets, is starting to pop up in trade chatter - and for good reason. He’s a pending unrestricted free agent, and with Columbus on the outside of the playoff picture, there’s a real possibility they’ll look to move him before the deadline. If that happens, the Oilers would be smart to get in line.
What makes Jenner such an intriguing fit for Edmonton isn’t just his experience or leadership - though both would be welcome in a locker room with Stanley Cup aspirations. It’s his versatility.
He can center a third line, which would give the Oilers much-needed stability in that role, but he’s just as comfortable playing on the wing. That kind of flexibility is gold come playoff time, when matchups get tight and coaches need to tinker.
He’s also the type of player who does the little things that win postseason games. Jenner plays a heavy, physical style - the kind that wears down opponents over a seven-game series.
He chips in offensively, kills penalties, and can contribute on the power play. That kind of two-way presence is exactly what Edmonton needs more of if they’re going to hang banners, not just win rounds.
Through 36 games this season, Jenner has quietly put together a solid stat line: eight goals, 17 assists, 25 points, plus 36 blocked shots and 82 hits. That’s not flashy, but it’s effective - and it tells the story of a player who’s involved all over the ice. He’s the type of forward who brings a playoff-ready game every night, whether it shows up on the scoresheet or not.
Of course, a player like Jenner won’t come cheap. Columbus will expect a meaningful return - and rightly so.
But for a team like Edmonton, with a window that’s wide open and a core built to win now, this is the kind of move that can pay off in May and June. If the Oilers are serious about chasing the Cup, Boone Jenner should be high on their radar.