Would Montreal Accept This Oilers Trade for Kirby Dach?

Frank Seravalli’s suggestion that the Edmonton Oilers would “drool” over Kirby Dach makes for an intriguing trade discussion. Dach is a big, right-shot centre from the Edmonton area, and his younger brother Colton is already an Oiler. But turning that connection into a deal would require Edmonton to give Montreal a reason to part with him.

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Here is one hypothetical proposal:

Edmonton receives: Kirby Dach
Montreal receives: Trent Frederic, Beau Akey and St. Louis’s 2028 third-round pick

The pick is available. Edmonton traded its own 2028 third-round selection to Buffalo in the Devon Levi deal, while it had previously acquired St. Louis’s third.

Why Montreal Would Consider It

Frederic would give the Canadiens a physical forward who can play in their bottom six. Akey is the more compelling piece: Edmonton selected the right-shot defenceman 56th overall in 2023, and he gives Montreal a young player to develop rather than making the deal solely about exchanging NHL contracts. The third-round pick adds another future asset.

The problem for Montreal is Frederic’s contract. He carries a $3.85 million annual cap hit through 2032–33 and recorded just seven points in 74 games last season. Dach’s $3.6 million deal expires after 2026–27. Taking Frederic means accepting years of financial risk in return for moving a player Montreal could reassess after one season. Whether Akey and a third are enough compensation is far from certain.

Why Edmonton Might Call

For the Oilers, the deal would move Frederic’s long-term commitment and bring in a younger forward with more offensive upside. Dach had 15 points in 37 regular-season games last season, then scored four goals in 19 playoff games. If healthy, he could compete for a centre spot behind Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Edmonton would also save $250,000 against the cap this season.

There is a major condition before either team debates the return: Frederic has a full no-move clause and would have to approve a trade.

Would the Oilers Do It?

I would hesitate. Dach’s size and upside are appealing, but injuries limited him to 37 games last season, and availability has been a recurring concern. Giving up Akey and a third-round pick to exchange one uncertain forward for another is a steep price, especially when Jason Dickinson and Josh Samanski can compete for Edmonton’s third- and fourth-line centre roles.

This proposal gives Montreal something worth discussing if Frederic agrees to it. For Edmonton, though, it may show why admiring Dach is easier than finding a trade that makes sense.

Next: Oilers Should Resist the Urge to Trade for Kirby Dach