Oilers Predicted to Trade Promising Young Player Before the Deadline

The Edmonton Oilers made their move for a right-shot defenseman on Monday by acquiring Connor Murphy from the Chicago Blackhawks. Now that the blue line is mostly set in stone, the focus will shift to adding up front — potentially a third-line center and, if they want to swing big, even a top-six winger.

Given that GM Stan Bowman only gave up a second-round pick to get Murphy with 50% salary retention, the Oilers still have enough draft capital for further moves. However, if they want to make a truly impactful addition, team reporter Allan Mitchell believes it might have to involve sending a promising young forward the other way.

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In a recent bold trade-deadline predictions article for The Athletic, Mitchell’s prediction was that Matt Savoie could be traded out of Edmonton.

Mitchell wrote:

“They will trade Matt Savoie. Oilers general manager Stan Bowman doesn’t have a massive number of valuable trade pieces at this year’s deadline. If the goal is a major addition to the roster, the ask will be painful. Bowman will attempt to make a deal with the 2027 first-round selection, but Savoie is the one young player with enough value to secure a top-flight acquisition at the deadline. The target could be a bigger winger, a right-handed defenseman or a No. 3 center,”

The 22-year-old Savoie is in the second year of his three-year, $2,659,998 entry-level contract, originally signed with the Sabres in 2022. He’s picked up the production of late and now sits at 24 points (10 goals, 14 assists) through 61 games this season

You would have to think Savoie’s recent play — six points (one goal, five assists) in his last three games — decreases the likelihood that he gets moved in the coming days, though it can’t be ruled out if the Oilers aim to make a big splash.

That said, improving the blue line was Edmonton’s top priority, and where a big swing felt most possible. Now that they’ve made a lower-cost move for Murphy, that possibility has eased a bit.

At this point, the only way Savoie gets dealt is if Edmonton goes all-in to pry a player like Alex Tuch or Jordan Kyrou from their respective teams, which, of course, won’t be easy to pull off.

Next: Insider Casts Doubt on Connor McDavid’s Future with the Oilers