Can the Oilers Get In On Any of These Expected NHL Blockbuster Trades?

With a wave of blockbuster trades already reshaping the NHL this offseason, there could be more movement still to come. Quinn Hughes remains without a long-term deal in Minnesota. Connor Hellebuyck‘s trade request in Winnipeg has teams like the Carolina Hurricanes and Buffalo Sabres showing interest. Dylan Larkin‘s situation in Detroit may resolve without a trade if the front office changes course. Kirill Marchenko could eventually be moved given Columbus’s uncertainty. And Anaheim’s cap crunch — worsened by the offer sheet for Leo Carlsson — may force them to move a veteran like Chris Kreider to create space for Cutter Gauthier‘s new contract.

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With names like Hughes, Hellebuyck, Larkin, and Marchenko dominating trade speculation this offseason, one team conspicuously absent from the conversation is the Edmonton Oilers. But with a roster still built around a two-year Stanley Cup window and Connor McDavid‘s future looming in the background, it’s fair to ask: could the Oilers become a part of any these blockbuster trade discussions during the season?

Quinn Hughes to the Oilers? – Ice Cold

No, this one isn’t happening for a few reasons. First, the Oilers aren’t about to spend the assets required to trade for Hughes, given they already have Evan Bouchard. It’s not that the Oilers wouldn’t love to have Hughes on their blue line, but committing to him and then trying to sign him means big money, which the Oilers don’t have.

At the same time, Hughes isn’t likely to pick the Oilers. The Wild are as much of a contender as the Oilers are this coming season. Hughes has no reason to jump ship to increase his odds of winning Stanley Cup. The Oilers also don’t employ any of his relatives, which seems to be the big hurdle slowing an extension with the Wild. If Hughes is destined for New Jersey, this isn’t worth the Oilers spending assets to get involved.

Connor Hellebuyck to the Oilers? – Lukewarm

This feels like a long shot, but the Oilers and Connor Hellebuyck could make sense if rumors that Hellebuyck is really quite open to where he lands are accurate. The Oilers are a contender. That checks off a major box for the netminder. However, many believe Hellebuyck would prefer to land in the U.S., not Edmonton.

The Oilers would likely trade what’s required to land Hellebuyck and his contract (assuming Edmonton can move out salary) is not prohibitive. The question is more about how confident the Oilers are that he’s the missing playoff piece. He’s a fantastic regular-season goalie coming off a bad season. His playoff performances of late aren’t stellar.

Dylan Larkin to the Oilers? – Nope

Assuming the Detroit Red Wings can even figure out how to trade Dylan Larkin, don’t expect the Oilers to be in the mix. First, they don’t need to spend money on another center. Even if they were willing, Larkin wants a team in the United States, with the Wild rumored to be his franchise of choice.

Having the extra offense would be a luxury, but one the Oilers probably can’t afford given what it would take to get the Red Wings to make the deal.

Kirill Marchenko to the Oilers? – A Little Hotter

The Montreal Canadiens are the favorite to land Marchenko if he’s moved, but the Oilers will undoubtedly pick up the phone first to see what the ask is. A top-six forward with four seasons of 20-plus goals and 31 in 2024-25, this is a player the Oilers would love to have. The cost to re-sign him is what stops this from being an all-the-way hot-grade. Given how contracts are going, the Oilers would need to commit big money to lock him into a new deal.

On paper, he’s the ideal fit. Cost is the issue.

Chris Kreider to the Oilers? – Unlikely

A center who can play wing and has only one season left on his deal at $6.5 million isn’t the worst idea. Kreider is a lock to get 20 goals every season. He’s hit a high mark of 52. He’s a goal scorer that the Oilers would like, and as a rental, it could make sense.

However, the Ducks probably won’t wait until the trade deadline to move him. They need money for Cutter Gauthier now, and his big number means moving out a piece before the season starts. The Oilers would have to be willing to spend their remaining cap space and then some on Kreider, who is 35 years old.

There are some ideas here worth exploring for the Oilers. None of them would realistically include Edmonton as a favorite and some just don’t make much sense financially. However, Hellebuyck and Marchenko would be real upgrades, that if either were available to the Oilers should see Stan Bowman moving pieces around to see if he can make it work.

Next: The NHL’s New $20 Million Question