How Big Could the Oilers Swing Ahead of the Deadline?

It’s a matter of who, not if, the Edmonton Oilers land an impactful top-nine forward before the March 6 NHL trade deadline. GM Stan Bowman has made it clear that’s the priority, and all the rumors that have followed suggest that’s exactly what will happen.

From Bobby McMann and Nicolas Roy in Toronto, to pending UFAs like Boone Jenner, Charlie Coyle, and Mason Marchment in Columbus, to recently rumored available wingers Brock Boeser and Conor Garland in Vancouver, the possibilities are endless. While those names remain the most realistic, could Edmonton swing even bigger ahead of the deadline, perhaps with eyes on Jordan Kyrou?

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GM Doug Armstrong appears open to anything in St. Louis, and Kyrou’s name has been swirling around the rumor mill for quite some time. The Oilers haven’t really been mentioned as a suitor for the star winger, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth considering going all-in to land him.

The 27-year-old Kyrou is in year three of the eight-year, $65 million extension signed with the Blues back in 2022. He’s produced 32 points (13 goals, 19 assists) in 47 games played this season.

Could Edmonton Actually Trade for Jordan Kyrou?

At first glance, acquiring Kyrou might feel like a pie-in-the-sky scenario, but the Oilers could actually have the necessary future assets to at least get Armstrong’s attention.

A first-round draft pick, plus a top prospect like Isaac Howard or Matthew Savoie, would likely be the starting point, with the potential that St. Louis asks for another pick and/or prospect to complete a return package. The Oilers would, of course, also need the Blues—or another team—to take on a contract or two of substance, such as Andrew Mangiapane ($3.6 million), Trent Frederic ($3.85 million), or even Adam Henrique ($3 million) to make the money work.

Would it be a very difficult deal for Bowman to pull off? Absolutely. But it’s the type of swing Edmonton has to consider over the next few years with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl still at the peak of their powers and the salary cap starting to rise.

The Oilers have lost a lot of speed in recent years, with Ryan McLeod, Warren Foegele, Dylan Holloway, and Connor Brown all having departed. Not only would Kyrou bolster Edmonton’s offense, but he would also bring that element of speed—being one of the best skaters in the game—so he’s an addition that would make a ton of sense from an Oilers perspective.

Outbidding others rumored to be interested, such as Montreal, Seattle, and Utah, would be tough enough, and factoring in lingering tensions from the Holloway and Philip Broberg offer sheets makes the path even more complicated.

That said, it shouldn’t stop Bowman from pursuing Kyrou, because you never know how the Blues might value him at this point—especially given that he’s been in and out of trade rumors for years and a deal has still yet to materialize.

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