Edmonton Oilers

NHL Trade Talk Recap: Senators, Jets & Oilers’ Deeper Issue?

Tkachuk’s exit, Skinner’s fresh start in Winnipeg, and the Oilers’ Babcock hire make for a busy day around the NHL.

by
Old Prof
September 22, 2026

In today’s NHL Trade Talk Recap for September 22, 2026, a lot is happening in the hockey world. The Senators owner finally spilled the tea on why his captain really bolted. A goalie who might be about to prove everyone wrong in a new city. And a coaching hire that might not be quite what it seems in Edmonton.

NHL Trade Talk Recap Nov 28 — NHL Trade Talk Recap September 22, 2026

Sens Owner Finally Spills on Why Tkachuk Really Left

Senators’ owner Michael Andlauer just broke his silence on the Brady Tkachuk trade, and it’s pretty juicy. He basically said family pulled Tkachuk toward Florida, dropping the line “blood is thicker than water” and pointing at dad Keith and brother Matthew for getting “in his kitchen.” Tkachuk himself has said the move wasn’t about his brother. So there’s clearly two different stories here. But either way, Andlauer made it clear this one stung.

Even with the frustration, Andlauer still gave Tkachuk his flowers, calling him an awesome captain and leader who did a ton for the community. Ottawa got a nice haul back from Florida (multiple first-rounders plus more), and even flipped one of those picks into a trade with San Jose for Eklund, Halttunen, and Svoboda. These are good future pieces. But the real story is a franchise figuring out how to move on after its captain walked away.

Senators Owner Breaks Silence on Brady Tkachuk Trade

Why Skinner Could Quietly Turn Heads in Winnipeg

A lot of people wrote Stuart Skinner off after Edmonton, but that’s not really fair. He had good stretches there and helped them make deep playoff runs. The problem was the defence in front of him just wasn’t doing him any favours. Now he’s landed in Winnipeg, and their defence corps is a whole different animal. With guys like DeMelo, Morrissey, and Pionk in front of him, plus an underrated Ferraro signing, Skinner has finally found a setup that could let him show what he can do.

The system might matter more than anything else here. If the Jets can defend better and make things more predictable for Skinner, that’s all a goalie really asks for. I’m a Skinner fan, and I think there’s a real shot he quietly puts together a strong season. It might be the kind where he’s not making headlines. He’s just getting it done. And for a goalie, that’s exactly the vibe you want.

Why Stuart Skinner Could Actually Be Really Good in Winnipeg

Stuart Skinner Jets Hellebuyck — Stuart Skinner and Connor Hellebuyck of the Jets

Is the Babcock Hire a Smokescreen for the Oilers’ Real Problems?

TSN’s Bryan Hayes thinks the Oilers’ hiring of Mike Babcock was about more than just landing a coach. It was a calculated move to shift the spotlight away from bigger issues, like Connor McDavid’s contract situation. Hayes says the plan is working perfectly. Players are publicly praising Babcock so heavily that it’s overshadowed talk of McDavid’s future and pushed former coach Kris Knoblauch’s Cup Final runs out of the conversation entirely.

Hayes called the whole thing “a little bit over the top and a bit performative.” But he admitted the strategy has done exactly what it was designed to do. He predicts that once the season starts and the puck drops, attention will naturally shift back to McDavid and Draisaitl’s play on the ice. That means Babcock’s moment in the spotlight may only be temporary.

Oilers Using Mike Babcock Hire to Hide the Real McDavid Story in Edmonton, Analyst Suggests