Why Ryan O’Reilly Makes Perfect Sense for the Oilers-If They Can Make It Work
With the NHL trade deadline looming on March 6, the Edmonton Oilers are in a familiar position: contending, but clearly one or two key pieces away from being truly dangerous. They’d love to add a top-nine forward and maybe even a game-changing defenseman-but the path to either is anything but smooth.
Edmonton’s front office, led by GM Stan Bowman, is working with razor-thin cap space, no first-round pick in 2026, and a limited pool of tradable assets. That’s not exactly a recipe for a blockbuster.
But that doesn’t mean they’re out of options. In fact, one name stands out as a realistic, smart, and potentially high-impact target: Ryan O’Reilly.
O’Reilly Checks Every Box
The Nashville Predators center isn’t just a familiar name-he’s a former Conn Smythe Trophy winner, a Stanley Cup champion, and one of the most respected two-way forwards in the league. And according to longtime hockey analyst Allan Mitchell, he might be exactly what the Oilers need.
O’Reilly carries a $4.5 million cap hit and has been logging tough minutes this season-Puck IQ data shows he’s matched up against elite competition in nearly half his ice time. That’s no small feat, and he’s helping Nashville hold its own in those situations. In short, he’s still doing what he’s always done: playing smart, responsible hockey at both ends of the ice.
At 35 years old, O’Reilly is in the third year of a four-year, $18 million deal he signed with the Predators in 2023. And he’s not just coasting-he’s producing.
Through 57 games, he’s put up 56 points (20 goals, 36 assists), showing that his offensive game is still very much alive. For a team like Edmonton, which already has high-end firepower but could use more depth and structure, that kind of production from a third-line center would be a massive boost.
Edmonton’s Defensive Issues Need a Forward Fix
The Oilers have already made changes in net and have a defense corps that, on paper, should be solid. But the numbers-and the players themselves-tell a different story. Before the Olympic break, both Tristan Jarry and Leon Draisaitl publicly pointed to team defense as a concern.
So how do you fix that? One way is by adding a forward who can help tilt the ice back in your favor.
O’Reilly brings exactly that. He’s one of the most defensively responsible forwards in the game, a penalty-killing asset, and a faceoff wizard.
He can slot into any role-third-line center, second-line wing, top unit on the PK-and make the players around him better. And when the playoffs roll around, that kind of versatility and experience becomes invaluable.
The Fit Is Obvious-The Cost Is the Question
There’s no doubt O’Reilly fits what Edmonton needs. The only question is whether Bowman can make the math work.
One potential path? Finding a trade partner to take on Andrew Mangiapane’s $3.6 million cap hit.
That would open up some breathing room, and from there, it’s about building a package that Nashville GM Barry Trotz can’t say no to.
It won’t be cheap. A first-round pick and a top prospect might be the starting point. But if you’re Edmonton, and you believe you’re on the cusp of something special, this is the kind of move that can tip the scales.
O’Reilly isn’t a flashy addition. He’s not going to lead the league in scoring.
But what he does bring is playoff pedigree, defensive structure, and the kind of leadership that can stabilize a team in big moments. And for an Oilers squad with championship aspirations, that might be exactly what gets them over the hump.
The clock is ticking-and if the Oilers want to make a real push this year, Ryan O’Reilly should be at the top of their list.