Do the Oilers Have a Second “Miracle” Trade In Them This Summer?

If the Edmonton Oilers want to make further roster changes or continue adding cap space ahead of the 2026-27 season, the most direct way to do so is through a trade. As was already evident this summer, that’s often easier said than done.

Edmonton was able to pull off a “small miracle’ when they traded Darnell Nurse and got the San Jose Sharks to take on his full freight. Not only did San Jose do so, but they also gave back a serviceable NHL player and a prospect. It was considered a big win for the Oilers and GM Stan Bowman. Can he do it again?

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Let’s take a look at the possible candidates that would fall into that “miracle” category:

Tristan Jarry

Tristan Jarry would be one of the harder players to move off this Oilers roster, assuming Edmonton wants to get down to just two goaltenders. Since joining the Oilers, he has struggled significantly, posting a 3.86 GAA and .858 save percentage while also dealing with injuries. At 31, teams may question whether he can rebound to a reliable starting role.

Complicating matters further is his $5.375 million cap hit for two more seasons, which is steep for a goalie currently trending downward. It’s not as though the actual amount is an issue for most teams; $9.25 million for Nurse didn’t stop the Sharks. That said, San Jose essentially knows what Nurse is. Jarry can be anything; either excellent or a total train wreck. He might not be worth the nearly $6 million risk.

Maybe the Oilers can move Jarry without retaining salary or adding sweeteners, but that’s not a given. There will need to be a team in dire need of a goalie, and the timing will have to come as Jarry posts improved numbers.

Trent Frederic

Trent Frederic would also be difficult to move due to his contract structure and limited on-ice impact. While Jarry is problematic for his AAV, adding Frederic comes with another issue for any interested team. He’s got seven years remaining on his contract.

While he can serve as a physical fourth-line winger, his production—just four goals and seven points in 74 games—doesn’t justify a $3.85 million cap hit. It certainly doesn’t when a team is committing that kind of time to him. Teams are unlikely to commit long-term money to a replaceable bottom-six player, especially one who struggled to secure a consistent role and was even scratched in the playoffs.

Frederic is the kind of player the Oilers will have to give another full season to and hope he bounces back. If he does, they can look at moving him. He does have a full no-move clause, so he’s only going anywhere if he chooses to.

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