Oilers Should Be Cautious on Trade Rumors with Blues

While insider Jeff Marek believes Jordan Kyrou’s name will be “heard a ton” in connection with other NHL teams, one of which is the Edmonton Oilers, there are strong reasons why pursuing the St. Louis Blues winger might not be the smart move for Oilers general manager Stan Bowman.

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During a recent episode of Daily Faceoff Live, Marek noted that Kyrou can “skate with Connor McDavid,” highlighting the 28-year-old’s elite speed and offensive creativity. Kyrou has had three 70-point seasons and offers the type of skill that could theoretically complement Edmonton’s superstar duo. However, there are red flags the Oilers should be aware of.

Kyrou remains a streaky, inconsistent player who has yet to prove he can elevate his game in the postseason. Despite his 70-plus-point seasons, he had only 46 points this past year. Could it be a reflection of the team’s struggles? Is something off in his game? Perhaps the trade rumors surrounding him affected his concentration? Granted, he played 10 fewer games than in 2024-25, but that’s a 24-point swing.

His regular-season production only part of why the Oilers would want him. The Oilers already have skilled forwards who can produce — what they desperately need is players who bring compete level, defensive reliability, and playoff grit. They need players to step up when the games matter most. It’s unclear whether Kyrou can do so. In part, it’s because he hasn’t had enough playoff games to prove his ability. When he has played, his production hasn’t matched his regular-season totals.

Cap management is another major concern. Kyrou carries a significant salary, and committing long-term money to another high-event, defensively average winger could handcuff Edmonton’s ability to address bigger weaknesses on the blue line and in goal. If Kyrou had two seasons left, that might change things, given that he’d be an Oiler in the same window as McDavid. But, with four seasons left on his current deal, it’s a gamble to invest that much money and term on a player the Blues have dangled on the trade market several times. If he doesn’t pan out, Edmonton will have trouble moving that contract.

Additionally, the cost to acquire him would be steep. The Blues are expected to demand premium prospects and future assets. Recent rumors have him linked to trade talks between the Blues and San Jose Sharks. The Blues are trying to move up in the 2026 NHL Draft, and the Sharks would be open to moving down if a solid player were part of the return. That’s just another team Edmonotn would be competing with in trade talks. That’s not ideal from a leverage perspective.

While Kyrou looks good on paper, his fit in Edmonton is questionable at best. The Oilers don’t need another skilled but soft winger who can keep up with McDavid on highlight-reel plays. They need players who can help them actually win when the games get heavy. At the same time, Kyrou is a legitimate top-six forward. If the price is right, it’s worth at least looking at.

Next: NHL Trade Talk Recap: Blues, Maple Leafs, Vegas & Matthews Surprise