Familiar Name Suddenly Makes a Lot of Sense for the Oilers

The Edmonton Oilers don’t exactly need reminding that their window is wide open right now with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl driving the bus. But after a 2025–26 season that didn’t go anywhere close to expectations—ending in a first-round exit to the Anaheim Ducks—the same old issue is still hanging around: they need more finishing around their elite playmaking.

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Why Jake DeBrusk Might Be a Perfect Match for the Oilers

That’s why Jake DeBrusk keeps popping up as such a natural fit. Start with the obvious stuff first. He’s from Edmonton. That part alone usually gets fans talking, but this isn’t just a “hometown story” angle. It actually fits hockey sense-wise, too. DeBrusk is exactly the kind of winger who can live off the kind of chances McDavid and Draisaitl create.

Those two don’t need help generating offence. They need someone who can actually finish the looks they’re already manufacturing at a ridiculous rate. They could use another Zach Hyman-type player.

DeBrusk isn’t a perimeter guy either. When he’s at his best, he goes to the net, he hunts rebounds, and he scores the ugly goals that tend to matter more in May and June than October highlight reels. Put him next to McDavid, and you’ve got instant chaos. McDavid draws all five defenders toward him, and DeBrusk gets the tap-ins and quick-strike chances that come from that panic. With Draisaitl, it’s a different look but the same result—elite passing, soft touches, and DeBrusk finishing plays in tight.

DeBrusk Could Elevate an Already Good Power Play Unit

And then there’s the power play, where this gets even more interesting. Edmonton’s PP doesn’t need a redesign; it just needs another layer. Imagine DeBrusk parked near the crease while McDavid and Draisaitl play catch at the top. He doesn’t have to be fancy. He just has to be available in the right spot at the right time. And that’s exactly his game when he’s rolling.

On top of that, he’s not just a rental piece. DeBrusk is signed long-term at a reasonable cap hit, which matters for a team that’s constantly juggling money around its stars. He also brings legit playoff experience from his Boston days, which is something Edmonton can never really have too much of, given where they are in their contention cycle.

DeBrusk Has Proven He Can Finish

The production is there too. He put up 23 goals in 2025–26 and a 28-goal season the year before in Vancouver. That’s not superstar scoring, but it doesn’t need to be. For the Oilers, it’s about slotting the right player into the right chair next to elite talent.

And, when you line it all up—skill set, fit, contract, and even the hometown angle—it’s one of those rare cases where a trade rumour actually makes hockey sense for Edmonton instead of just noise.

Related: NHL Trade Talk Recap: Oilers, Canadiens & Maple Leafs 1st Pick