The Oilers have a clear type in mind if they decide to chase a top-six upgrade, and Kirill Marchenko fits it almost too neatly.
With Connor McDavid’s current deal down to its final two years and Matthew Savoie injured, Edmonton still looks short one impact forward for the 2026-27 picture. That gap could be filled later at the trade deadline, but if a player like Marchenko is on the market now, the argument is simple: why wait?
According to Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos, the Oilers are among several teams that “seem poised” to explore a deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets for the winger.
Marchenko’s production explains the appeal. The 26-year-old put up 27 goals and 67 points in 76 games last season, just under the 31 goals and 74 points he posted in 2024-25.
He has also reached the 20-goal mark in every NHL season he’s played. That kind of scoring touch is exactly what Edmonton would be hunting for if it wants to sharpen an already dangerous roster.
On paper, the fit is obvious. Marchenko shoots right and could slide onto a line with McDavid.
That would deepen a top six that already includes McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Savoie, Vasily Podkolzin, and Zach Hyman. It would also ripple through the lineup in a useful way, potentially pushing Ryan Nugent-Hopkins onto a third line with Jason Dickinson and Kasperi Kapanen, while Isaac Howard would then have a role to fight for.
The challenge is paying for him.
Marchenko carries a $3.85 million cap hit for the 2026-27 season, a number Edmonton can finally fit, but affordability doesn’t mean cheap in trade terms. He does not have trade protection, so Columbus can send him wherever the best offer lands. He is also available for an extension, which could matter to interested teams.
That puts the Oilers in a tough spot because their system is thin. The club’s lack of high-end prospects, outside of Howard, makes it difficult to assemble the kind of package that could beat out another contender. In practical terms, Edmonton would almost certainly have to include one of Savoie or Howard to get Columbus’s attention.
Draft capital is part of the discussion too, though not a huge stash. Edmonton’s top pick in the 2027 NHL Draft is a second-rounder, and it does not have another selection until the fifth round.
The club also does not control its second-round picks in 2028 or 2029, though it does have first-rounders starting in 2028. That 2028 first-rounder feels like the kind of piece that would be in play, especially since it’s likely to be moved before the 2027 trade deadline anyway.
The Oilers do have one area where they can create flexibility: defence. They have nine defencemen for seven spots, and while Evan Bouchard, Jake Walman, Connor Murphy, Mattias Ekholm, and Ryan Shea appear set, Shakir Mukhamadullin, Spencer Stastney, Ty Emberson, and Alec Regula are all candidates to be traded or waived this season.
There are also depth names Edmonton could dangle. Quinn Huston, Viljami Marjala, Damien Carfagna, and other players in that mold might interest Columbus, along with the Oilers’ collection of goaltending prospects such as Connor Ungar, Nathaniel Day, Samuel Jonsson, and Eemil Vinni.
One suggested package would send Savoie, Hutson, Emberson, and a trio of picks to Columbus. It would be a hefty price, but it also gives the Blue Jackets a high-upside young forward, a middle-six scoring prospect, a third-pairing defenceman with room to grow, and draft assets. That’s the kind of return that could get serious consideration.
Even then, Edmonton may not be bidding alone. Kypreos also reported that the Montréal Canadiens were interested in Marchenko, and they bring a much stronger prospect base to the table.
Daily Faceoff ranked the Oilers’ pool 28th, while Montréal came in at eighth. The Canadiens can match Edmonton’s offer and still be in a better position long term.
Marchenko’s own preference could end up mattering too. He lacks trade protection, but he is a restricted free agent after the season, which means teams may hesitate if he does not want to stay. If he wants Edmonton, that helps the Oilers’ case.
Still, there’s another path here. Howard is getting an extended look in the top six because of Savoie’s injury, and if he runs with it, Edmonton may not need to force a major move before the trade deadline.
If the club does want a veteran addition, an expiring piece like Alex DeBrincat could make more sense. And if it wants help before the season starts, free agents Vladimir Tarasenko and Michael Bunting remain available and could fit in the middle six at worst.
Marchenko is the most attractive name that appears both available and realistic for the Oilers. The question is whether Edmonton wants to pay the price when other teams can outbid them and cheaper options are still out there.
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