The Edmonton Oilers may have a chance to chase another proven playoff piece if the Pittsburgh Penguins follow through on their reported willingness to move veteran forwards for futures.
That possibility is what makes Evgeni Malkin such a fascinating name to float. Elliotte Friedman said on Saturday Headlines on October 17 that Pittsburgh is open to dealing veteran forwards in exchange for draft picks or prospects as the club keeps moving toward a younger roster.
Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell sound like the more realistic candidates, but Malkin is the big swing. The 40-year-old centre is not being actively shopped, yet he’s still productive enough to make any hypothetical deal worth kicking around.
The proposed framework is simple: Edmonton gets Malkin, while Pittsburgh receives Josh Samanski, Quinn Hutson and a 2027 second-round pick.
From the Oilers’ side, the attraction is obvious. Malkin would instantly give them a legit second-line centre and let Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl stay together on the top line.
He’s still producing, too. Last season, Malkin put up 61 points in 56 games, a reminder that even at 40, he can still drive offense when he’s healthy.
That kind of addition would let Edmonton roll out a dangerous one-two punch down the middle. One look at a possible top six tells the story: Vasily Podkolzin with McDavid and Draisaitl on the first line, then Zach Hyman with Malkin and Matthew Savoie on the second. That’s two scoring units with real bite.
There’s also the championship factor. Malkin brings three Stanley Cup rings and a Conn Smythe Trophy, and that kind of postseason resume carries obvious value for a team still chasing its first title since 1990. His $2.75 million cap hit would also keep the price more manageable than adding another established top-six forward at full salary, assuming Edmonton can free up the space.
For Pittsburgh, the appeal would be in the return. Kyle Dubas has reportedly shown a willingness to trade veteran players for younger assets, and this deal would fit that direction. Samanski and Hutson would give the Penguins two forwards who could compete for NHL opportunities, while the 2027 second-round pick adds another future piece as the organization continues its reset.
There’s another angle for Pittsburgh, too. If Malkin reaches unrestricted free agency next summer, the Penguins risk getting nothing back.
Moving him now would turn an aging veteran into three assets. The catch is his no-movement clause, and that’s no small thing.
Getting him to agree would be the hardest part of the entire idea.
Malkin has spent his whole NHL career in Pittsburgh, so any exit would be a major decision. Still, if the Penguins slip out of the playoff race, a chance to chase one more Cup with McDavid and Draisaitl might at least be worth considering.
If Dubas wanted more, a first-round pick could be the next ask instead of the second, especially if Pittsburgh retained half of Malkin’s salary. A higher-end prospect could also enter the discussion if more teams get involved. Even so, Edmonton would have every reason to hesitate before sending out a first for a 40-year-old pending unrestricted free agent.
That’s why waiting until closer to the trade deadline may make the most sense. It would give the Oilers time to see what they need most and whether Malkin actually becomes available.
So would you do it? Edmonton would be landing a proven playoff performer who could firm up the second line.
Pittsburgh would be collecting future pieces. The real question is whether the Oilers should give up two promising forwards and a second-round pick for one shot at a Stanley Cup run.
In Other News...
Connor McDavid Is Forcing A Bigger Oilers Question Again
Connor McDavids opening stretch has once again put the focus on just how far his individual brilliance can carry the Oilers. After another fast start, the conversation around Edmonton is not only about whether he can keep producing at an elite pace, but also about what kind of support he needs around him while he does it. Coach Mike Babcock has already praised the way McDavid has looked, and the early comparisons being made speak to how dominant he has been.
The bigger question, though, is the one Edmonton keeps circling back to whenever its captain catches fire. Around the league, Canadian teams have been finding answers in net in unexpected places, with Winnipeg managing without Connor Hellebuyck, Ottawa getting strong early play from Linus Ullmark, and Vancouver getting help from waiver pickup Leevi Merilinen. For the Oilers, that kind of stability in goal remains the conversation they cannot quite escape, even as McDavid keeps forcing attention back onto the other end of the ice. [Read more 🡒]
Maple Leafs Are Suddenly In A Trade Debate Fans Will Understand
As Edmontons forward mix starts to change with injured regulars working their way back, Isaac Howard is one name that suddenly has to be part of the conversation. The 22-year-old left wing prospect gives the Oilers something valuable to weigh because he is young, talented and still early in his pro career, which is exactly the kind of profile other clubs are chasing as they try to get younger without tearing down their rosters.
It is the sort of trade puzzle that can get complicated fast, especially when teams are shopping for youth and Edmonton has to decide how much patience it can afford with its prospects. Howard has not been officially tied to any specific deal, but with the Penguins and Maple Leafs both in the market for younger talent, the speculation around where a player like him could fit is starting to pick up steam. [Read more 🡒]
Kings Road Trip Suddenly Comes With A Zuccarello Decision
Mats Zuccarello is expected back from injury during the Kings current road trip, adding another layer to a trip that already has a few roster questions attached to it. For Edmonton fans tracking the wider Pacific Division picture, the timing matters, because any lineup movement around a player of his caliber can ripple through the standings and the way opponents prepare from night to night.
There is also a little personnel churn closer to home for the Oilers, with James Stefan now assigned to Bakersfield after opening the season on injured status. In a league where young players are always trying to carve out a path, every trip to the AHL carries a bit of added meaning, even when the immediate move is just about getting him back into game action and keeping his season moving in the right direction. [Read more 🡒]