Oilers Would You Do It: Blockbuster Trade Lands Jared McCann

With the Edmonton Oilers still having room to strengthen their forward group, a deal with the Seattle Kraken could provide exactly the kind of win-now addition general manager Stan Bowman might be looking for. The target: Jared McCann.

The hypothetical deal would send McCann to Edmonton with Seattle retaining 50 percent of his $5 million cap hit. Going the other way would be Spencer Stastney, Viljami Marjala and Edmonton’s 2028 first-round pick.

Oilers receive: Jared McCann ($2.5 million retained)
Kraken receive: Spencer Stastney, Viljami Marjala, 2028 first-round pick

The question for Oilers fans is simple: Would you do it?

McCann Gives the Oilers Another Proven Scorer

For Edmonton, McCann would bring another proven scorer into a lineup built to contend right now. Despite being limited to 52 games in 2025-26, he finished with 20 goals and 40 points, extending his streak to five consecutive 20-goal seasons with Seattle.

There is considerably more offensive upside in his track record. McCann scored a career-high 40 goals and 70 points in 79 games in 2022-23 and has accumulated 204 goals and 438 points across 720 NHL games.

That type of scoring ability could be particularly intriguing alongside Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl.

The retention is what really makes the proposal attractive for Edmonton. Instead of absorbing McCann’s entire $5 million cap hit, the Oilers would get him at $2.5 million. The downside is that this would be a rental unless an extension followed. McCann is entering the fifth and final year of his contract and is eligible for unrestricted free agency in 2027.

Giving up a 2028 first-rounder would therefore be a significant price, but Edmonton is operating within a win-now window.

Why the Kraken Could Consider the Deal

Seattle would have a much different motivation. If the Kraken decide McCann isn’t part of their plans beyond this season, this package would allow them to convert a pending UFA into three future assets rather than risk losing him for nothing.

The 2028 first-round selection would headline the return, while Stastney would provide an NHL-ready defenceman. Marjala would add another intriguing young piece to the deal and give Seattle another player it could potentially develop as part of its forward group.

For the Kraken, that’s a first-round pick, a younger NHL defenceman and a prospect in exchange for one season of McCann while absorbing $2.5 million in retained salary. It would give Seattle a combination of immediate help and future value rather than committing to a new contract for McCann as he moves deeper into his 30s.

Would You Make This Trade if You’re the Oilers?

This is where the proposal gets interesting. A 2028 first-round pick, Stastney and Marjala isn’t an insignificant package, especially considering McCann could walk as a free agent next summer. Edmonton would be sacrificing three assets for a player who might only be around for one playoff run.

However, the Oilers aren’t acquiring McCann with an eye toward 2029 or 2030. They’re trying to win the Stanley Cup now. Getting a proven 20-plus-goal scorer for only $2.5 million against the cap could give Bowman additional flexibility to make another move later in the season. McCann’s ability to play both centre and wing would also give the coaching staff more options throughout the top nine.

Seattle gets futures. Edmonton gets immediate scoring help. So, Oilers fans: would you give up Stastney, Marjala and a 2028 first-round pick to bring McCann to Edmonton at 50 percent retained?

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