Edmonton Oilers

Insider Says Oilers’ 30-Game Audit Could Shift Trade Focus

The Edmonton Oilers plan a full 30-game roster audit, and insiders say it could lead to a major trade if weaknesses persist.

by
NHL Trade Talk
November 22, 2025

The Edmonton Oilers are closing out their seven-game road trip tonight in Sunrise, and while a Stanley Cup Final rematch against the Florida Panthers is the only thing they’re actively focused on, what comes over the next couple of weeks is not too far out of the picture.

There’s a deeper storyline brewing behind the scenes. According to NHL insider Pierre LeBrun, Edmonton is quietly gearing up for a full roster audit at the 30-game mark — a checkpoint that could set the stage for a significant move.

As per LeBrun:

“Oilers complete 7-game road trip in Sunrise, Florida, tonight in Stanley Cup rematch. Sense is the Oil want to reach the 30-game mark to take stock, hopefully have a healthier roster by then, examine their needs, decide where to focus on in terms of the trade market, etc.”

The belief is the Oilers want to get healthy, stabilize their lineup, and gather a real sample of what this roster looks like before making any significant moves. The team is currently without Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Jake Walman (for tonight at least), Kasperi Kapanen, Noah Philp, and Curtis Lazar. They just recently got Zach Hyman back and the team has had one of the more demanding schedules in the NHL. To judge the team on this recent stretch would be premature.

That said, if the 30-game mark comes and goes without improvement, changes could be on the way.

The Oilers Are Going to Do A Full Audit

Management is expected to examine every soft spot: depth scoring that still comes and goes, a blue line that hasn’t fully settled, and a goaltending picture that remains under the microscope despite recent improvements.

If the next stretch doesn’t show enough progress, the Oilers could pivot aggressively into the trade market. Edmonton has pieces they’re willing to move, cap gymnastics they can attempt, and a win-now mandate that isn’t changing.

Tonight might be the finale of a long road swing — but it also feels like the calm before a potentially loud December.

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