With the 2026 NHL trade deadline inching closer - now under six weeks away - contenders are starting to circle the waters. And few teams are positioned quite like the Edmonton Oilers.
A legitimate Stanley Cup threat with a top-heavy roster, Edmonton is reportedly in the market for a top-nine forward to round out their attack. Whether that’s a winger or a center remains to be seen, but the need is clear: the Oilers need more depth scoring if they want to make a serious run.
Let’s break down five names from the latest trade board who could be strong fits in Edmonton - players with the kind of skill sets that could complement the Oilers’ high-end talent and give them the versatility they’ll need come playoff time.
Ryan Hartman: Grit, Goals, and a Little Edge
Ryan Hartman isn’t just a plug-and-play option - he’s the kind of forward who brings bite to your lineup. The Wild forward can slide in at center or wing, giving Edmonton some flexibility depending on how the lines shake out. While Minnesota is in playoff position, Hartman’s $4 million cap hit might make him expendable if the Wild want to upgrade elsewhere.
Statistically, he’s having a bounce-back season. With 14 goals and 24 points in 48 games, Hartman has already matched last year’s goal total and is just two points shy of his 2024-25 output - and he’s done it in 21 fewer games.
His best campaign came in 2021-22, when he erupted for 34 goals and 65 points. That kind of upside, combined with his physicality and ability to get under opponents’ skin, makes him an intriguing third-line option.
Faceoffs aren’t his strong suit - he’s winning just 42.7% of his draws this season and sits at 44.9% for his career - but if he’s used on the wing, that’s a non-issue. Hartman is under contract through 2026-27 and has a 15-team no-trade list, but if the Oilers can make the money work, he checks a lot of boxes.
Boone Jenner: The Ideal Third-Line Center
Boone Jenner feels tailor-made for a playoff push. A left-shot center who’s been a model of consistency, Jenner brings leadership, physical play, and just enough offensive punch to be a difference-maker in a bottom-six role.
From 2021-22 through 2023-24, Jenner posted three straight 20-goal seasons. He’s not flashy, but he’s reliable - the kind of player who grinds through tough minutes and still finds ways to contribute. This season, he’s got eight goals and 25 points in 36 games, which puts him on pace for 18 goals and 56 points over a full campaign.
Where Jenner really shines is in the faceoff circle. He’s winning 53.3% of his draws this year and has a career mark of 54%. That kind of reliability down the middle could be huge for Edmonton, especially in tight playoff games where every possession matters.
Jenner is a pending UFA with a $3.75 million cap hit and an eight-team no-trade list. If Columbus decides to sell, he’ll be one of the first names to go - and the Oilers would be smart to be in that conversation.
Ryan O’Reilly: Veteran Pedigree and Playoff Poise
If experience is what the Oilers are after, Ryan O’Reilly brings it in spades. A Stanley Cup champion and Conn Smythe winner, O’Reilly has been a steady two-way force throughout his career. And even at 35, he’s showing he still has plenty left in the tank.
Through 50 games this season with Nashville, O’Reilly has already reached the 50-point mark - 18 goals and 32 assists - and is once again proving he’s more than just a defensive specialist. He’s also a faceoff machine, winning 55.6% of his draws over his career, a stat that becomes even more valuable in the postseason.
Despite his playoff resume, O’Reilly has only played in 81 career playoff games, with nearly a third of those coming during the Blues’ 2019 Cup run. That spring, he was dominant - eight goals and 23 points in 26 games - and was the heartbeat of St. Louis’ championship push.
He’s in the second-to-last year of a four-year deal that carries a $4.5 million cap hit and has no trade protection. Nashville is just three points out of a wild card spot, so whether they move him will depend on how the next few weeks play out. But if he becomes available, O’Reilly could be the kind of stabilizing presence Edmonton needs down the stretch.
Vincent Trocheck: High-End Skill with Sandpaper
Vincent Trocheck might not be the first name you think of when it comes to trade targets, but don’t sleep on his potential impact. He’s under contract through 2028-29 at a reasonable $5.625 million cap hit and has a 12-team no-trade list - but his blend of offense, grit, and playoff experience could make him a perfect fit in Edmonton’s middle six.
Trocheck has been productive despite playing on a struggling team. He’s put up 11 goals and 32 points in just 38 games this season, even after missing 14 games with an upper-body injury early on. He’s on pace for 69 points over a full season, which is right in line with his career averages.
He’s also a proven playoff performer. In 56 postseason games, Trocheck has 17 goals and 37 points, including a standout run in 2024 with eight goals and 20 points in 16 games. That kind of track record matters when the games get tighter and every shift counts.
Trocheck is strong in the faceoff dot - 56.8% this season, 54.2% for his career - and isn’t afraid to mix it up. He brings a bit of an edge to his game, something the Oilers could use more of.
While the Rangers aren’t in a rush to move him, a full-scale rebuild could change that calculus. Acquiring Trocheck would come at a cost, but he’s the kind of player who could pay off big in the playoffs.
Jean-Gabriel Pageau: Defensive Reliability and PK Value
Jean-Gabriel Pageau might not be the flashiest name on the board, but he’s the kind of player who quietly helps you win games. A right-shot center who excels on the penalty kill and in the faceoff circle, Pageau offers a steady veteran presence - and he’s on pace for another solid season.
With eight goals and 19 points through 42 games, he’s tracking toward a 15-goal, 37-point season - right in line with his production since 2015-16. But it’s the little things that make Pageau valuable. He’s winning 58.7% of his faceoffs this season and has logged 115 minutes on the penalty kill - key areas where Edmonton could use a boost.
Pageau is in the final year of a six-year deal that carries a $5 million cap hit. The Islanders currently sit third in the Metropolitan Division, so they may be hesitant to move him.
But if he does become available, the Oilers should absolutely be interested. He’s 33, playoff-tested, and brings the kind of defensive acumen that complements Edmonton’s offensive firepower.
Final Thoughts
The Oilers don’t need a star - they already have those. What they need is depth, versatility, and experience. Whether it’s a gritty winger like Hartman, a reliable two-way center like Jenner or O’Reilly, or a high-upside playmaker like Trocheck, there are options on the board that can elevate Edmonton’s bottom six and provide the kind of balance that championship teams are built on.
With the deadline looming, the question isn’t whether the Oilers will make a move - it’s which of these pieces they’ll add to the puzzle.