Oilers Could Explore Blockbuster Trade for Igor Shesterkin This Offseason

The Edmonton Oilers are expected to be among the NHL’s most aggressive teams this offseason after another year that fell short of expectations. While most of the focus has been on coaching changes and defensive upgrades, another major possibility could quietly emerge — a blockbuster trade for Igor Shesterkin.

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It would be one of the boldest moves of the offseason and would immediately solve Edmonton’s long-standing goaltending concerns. However, making a deal work would require significant cap maneuvering and likely force the Oilers to move out major salary first.

Oilers Have the Cap Space to Make It Work

One reason the idea is not entirely unrealistic is because Edmonton actually has the financial flexibility to absorb Shesterkin’s full cap hit. The Oilers currently project to have roughly $16.5 million in cap space this offseason, which technically gives them room to fit the Rangers’ star goalie onto the roster.

The issue is that Edmonton still has multiple important priorities to address before taking on a contract of that magnitude.

Re-signing Connor Murphy should remain one of the organization’s top priorities after the veteran defender stabilized the Oilers’ blue line. Edmonton also still needs to add or retain a reliable third-line center while potentially bringing back Kasperi Kapanen to preserve bottom-six depth and speed.

If the Oilers seriously pursued Shesterkin, they would almost certainly need to clear additional salary first.

That likely means moving either Darnell Nurse or Tristan Jarry in separate transactions. Nurse’s contract has already become a major topic of discussion around the league due to its cap hit and full no-movement clause, while Jarry’s future in Edmonton appears uncertain following an inconsistent season.

Without shedding money elsewhere, a Shesterkin trade becomes extremely difficult to justify long-term.

What a Potential Trade Package Could Look Like

If the New York Rangers were ever willing to entertain moving Shesterkin, Edmonton would need to put together a significant package built around young assets and future value. A potential framework could include Matthew Savoie, Beau Akey, Connor Ungar, and a first-round draft pick.

From the Rangers’ perspective, the package offers a mix of NHL upside and organizational depth. Savoie projects as a top-six forward capable of becoming a 20-goal scorer thanks to his skating and offensive creativity. Akey may not project as a future star, but he remains a strong “B-level” defensive prospect with intriguing long-term upside.

Ungar may also quietly hold value in the deal. The young goaltender appeared in 13 AHL games during the 2025-26 season and posted an impressive .923 save percentage. Ironically, that number is higher than the save percentage posted by Jakub Dobes, who is currently playing a key role for the Montreal Canadiens during their Eastern Conference Final run.

Adding a first-round pick on top of that could at least force New York to consider the offer if they ever decide to pivot toward retooling around younger pieces.

Shesterkin Holds the Real Power

The biggest complication in any potential trade is not the return package or the cap situation — it is Shesterkin himself. The star goaltender owns a full no-movement clause, meaning he completely controls whether a trade can happen and where he would be willing to go. Even if the Rangers explored the possibility, Shesterkin would ultimately have the final say.

For Edmonton, though, the appeal is obvious.

Pairing elite goaltending with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl could finally give the Oilers the stability they have lacked during their Stanley Cup window. Whether a move actually materializes remains unlikely at this stage, but it is exactly the type of aggressive swing Edmonton could explore as pressure continues to mount heading into next season.

Next: Could the Oilers Fetch a Better Return for Darnell Nurse Than Expected?