The Edmonton Oilers could use some scoring, especially of their bottom-six
Allan Mitchell of The Athletic: The Edmonton Oilers five-on-five scoring has been a difficulty. Adding a scoring top-six winger can be expensive. Prospect Ike Howard can rating, but they sent him to the AHL to work on the opposite side of the puck. He needs to be given a shot this season to play on the highest lines, after posting 13 goals and 18 assists through 24 games.
The Oilers gave up two-way center Sam O’Reilly, who is best fitted to a Kris Knoblaugh coaching staff, to get Howard. There have been hopes entering the season that he would play within the NHL, and in the event that they added a scoring forward on the deadline, it could block his shot this yr.
The Oilers don’t have their 2026 first-round pick, and would likely have to provide up their 2027 first in the event that they trade for a scoring forward.
Mitchell notes: “If the Oilers make a deal on the deadline that blocks Howard, the organization shall be repeating the trail that led Broberg and Holloway to supply sheets. It’s going to also represent an entire shutout of general manager Stan Bowman’s 2025 summer bets on wingers regarded as possible solutions on the skill lines: Howard, Andrew Mangiapane and Trent Frederic.”
Allan Mitchell of The Athletic: The Edmonton Oilers need to extend their offensive production on their third and fourth lines. One strategy to do that is move Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Vasily Podkolzin to the third line and run latest left wingers for Connor McDavid on the primary line and Leon Draisaitl on the second line.
One issue for the Oilers is that some underperforming players have no-move or no-trade clauses. Adam Henrique shall be activated to the lineup when games resume. Rookie Josh Samanski has played well on his bried audition, but he can have to be sent back to AHL because they’ve some immovable NHL contracts.
Top Edmonton Oilers trade assets
Allan Mitchell of The Athletic: The Edmonton Oilers could use a right-handed third-line center, an enormous middle-six winger, and a right-handed second-pairing defenseman. The Oilers also have to clear salary to activate Adam Henrique. The don’t have a first-round pick this yr.
Rating the Oilers top trade assets heading into the March sixth trade deadline.
1. Matt Savoie
2. Ike Howard
3. 2027 first-round pick
4. Quinn Hutson
5. 2026 second-round
6. Maxim Berezkin
7. Damien Carfagna
8. 2026 third-round pick
9. Roby Jarventie
10. Max Jones
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