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Two months ahead of the NHL trade deadline, the Oilers’ plan remains unclear

6 1
08.01.2026
This year’s NHL trade deadline will fall on March 6th, meaning we are just two months away from the final day for General Managers to make moves.

Edmonton Oilers general manager Stan Bowman has already gotten involved in the trade market this season, and he didn’t exactly dip his toes into the waters either. The Oilers and Pittsburgh Penguins swung a massive deal last month, and Edmonton acquired goaltender Tristan Jarry in exchange for Stuart Skinner, Brett Kulak and a second-round draft pick. They also acquired defenseman Spencer Stastney from the Nashville Predators in exchange for a third-round pick that day.

I’m bringing up those deals again for a number of reasons.

First off, in moving out Skinner and Kulak, the Oilers traded away two of the most expensive contracts that didn’t have any trade protection attached to them. In fact, the only Oiler who makes more money and doesn’t have a no-trade or no-movement clause is Evan Bouchard.

Bowman has already traded what would be considered his two easiest cap dumps.

Secondly, the Oilers aren’t exactly flush with assets. Remember, they traded their 2026 first-round pick last deadline to the San Jose Sharks for Jake Walman, and they also don’t have a fourth or a fifth round pick in this year’s draft.

Here are the picks they have over the........

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