Oilers moving one deadline forward can feel like two moves

The Edmonton Oilers enter the 2026 NHL trade deadline with an interesting choice to make. On the one hand, they have the good thing that they can be flexible in what they target: they can choose to target a winger or they can choose to target a center. The downside is that whatever they choose, there isn’t much available, at least not that they can grab with limited cap space.

After back-to-back trips to the Stanley Cup Final, the Oilers roster is now built to win. They’re not as strong a team as they have been in recent seasons, but they’re still in the mix and the road to improvement isn’t as complicated as some might think.

The crucial player here is Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Harman Dayal of The Athletic writes”The Oilers can be flexible on the forward position; if they land a center it gives them the luxury of using Ryan Nugent-Hopkins as a full-time winger, and if they land a winger they can use RNH as a full-time 3C.”

His ability to move seamlessly between the two positions will almost make it feel like the Oilers are landing two pieces at the deadline. The addition of the winger means Nugent-Hopkins can establish himself as a center on the third line, a spot where the team has struggled to stabilize this season. If the Oilers find a center, there will be no need to add another winger — at least not a superstar. Nuge can stay where he is and Edmonton can add a value piece with a proven level of production.

How the Oilers could round out their top nine

Edmonton’s current top nine structure looks like this:

RNH – Connor McDavid – Zach Hyman

Vasili Podkolzin – Leon Draisaitl – Kasperi Kapanen

Jack Roslovic – Josh Samanski – Matt Savoie

Mattias Janmark – Trent Frederic – Curtis Lazar

Assuming the Oilers can move on from Andrew Mangiapane, the Oilers are in good shape to make something happen. Although this year’s first-round picks are already over, Edmonton has more first-rounders, along with a potential pool that could entice another team. Assuming the Oilers are willing to move pieces and picks, this gives general manager Stan Bowman some ammunition.

Scenario 1: The Oilers acquire a Top-Six center

Landing a proven pivot (e.g. a Ryan O’Reilly or Boone Jenner type or similar rental/upgrade) could allow RNH to permanently switch to the wing. This creates a balanced, high-quality top nine with more depth in the middle:

• Rule 1: RNH – McDavid – Hyman (RNH thrives with McDavid)
• Rule 2: Podkolzin – Draisaitl – Kapanen
• Rule 3: Savoie – Jenner – Roslovic
• Rule 4: Frederic – Samanski – Lazar

Scenario 2: Purchase a Top-Six Winger

If the market favors a winger (e.g. a scoring LW/RW fit), RNH moves to full-time 3C, anchoring a strong check/shutdown line with advantages:

• Rule 1: Jared McCann – McDavid – Hyman
• Rule 2: Podkolzin – Draisaitl – Kapanen
• Rule 3: Savoie – RNH – Roslović
• Rule 4: Frederic – Samanski – Lazar

The real challenge, as expected, is the salary cap. Edmonton operates with virtually no margin for error, with forecasts ranging from barely under the cap to effectively above it. Any meaningful addition will likely require money.

Mangiapane and Janmark stand out as logical trading chips. Adam Henrique was not included in the above projections due to his injury, but he could well be inserted into the lineup or agree to waive his no-move clause.

Mangiapane’s $3.6 million cap hit or Henrique’s $3 million cap hit gives the Oilers some options.

The championship window is wide open, but reality will determine how aggressive Edmonton can afford to be. Fortunately, it appears that one smart transaction can address two problems.

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