With Stan Bowman now back in Edmonton after celebrating Team USA's gold medal win in Milan, the focus shifts to reshaping the Oilers' roster before the March 6 trade deadline. The challenge? Navigating a tight salary cap while keeping the championship window open for stars like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
Bowman's top priority is securing a top-four right-shot defenseman to pair with Darnell Nurse. This move would allow Jake Walman to slot in alongside Ty Emberson, giving the defense a fresh look. Additionally, the Oilers are in the market for a third-line center with more offensive punch than Adam Henrique.
The recent decision to send Matt Savoie to Bakersfield freed up some cap space, allowing Henrique to come off LTIR. With Savoie potentially returning for the upcoming California road trip, the Oilers are left with minimal cap room, making every dollar count. They’re also dealing with winger Kasperi Kapanen’s injury and managing Alec Regula’s cap hit during his conditioning stint in Bakersfield.
There's also interest in bringing back Josh Samanski, who impressed during the Olympics and showed potential in his brief NHL stint. However, to make room for Samanski, the Oilers will need to either send someone down or orchestrate a trade.
One of Bowman's biggest tasks is finding a way to move Andrew Mangiapane, whose $3.6 million AAV over two years is proving a tough sell. Despite efforts over the past six weeks, interest has been lukewarm at best. To facilitate a trade, the Oilers might need to sweeten the deal with a draft pick or take on a lesser contract.
If Mangiapane remains, Bowman may explore options for moving Mattias Janmark. While Janmark has been reliable, his lack of scoring-just seven goals over 193 games-makes him a candidate for trade, despite his defensive contributions.
Bowman has his work cut out for him, but with strategic moves, the Oilers can strengthen their roster and keep their championship aspirations alive.