Oilers Trade Package for Kyle Connor — Would You Accept?

The Winnipeg Jets have become the NHL’s loudest storyline — Connor Hellebuyck’s public trade request, the speculation around a teardown, and the growing belief that Winnipeg might finally hit the reset button. Everyone is focused on Hellebuyck’s landing spot, and what his departure means for the rest of the roster. Does this force the Jets into a full rebuild? Not necessarily. But it might be the sign they’ve been waiting for.

Mark Scheifele and Josh Morrissey have already been dragged into trade proposals. One name that hasn’t as much — strangely — is Kyle Connor. And that’s odd, because Connor is one of the league’s premier snipers, a pure goal‑scorer who produces at a level only a handful of players can match. He’s quiet in the rumor mill, but he shouldn’t be.

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Why The Jets Might Move Him?

If Winnipeg decides to lean into a rebuild, Connor becomes a prime candidate to move. If they’re listening on Scheifele and Morrissey, they’re absolutely listening on Connor. Trading him would bring back a massive haul — picks, prospects, roster players — and accelerate a full organizational reset.

Connor’s résumé speaks for itself: two 40‑goal seasons, 39 goals last year, back‑to‑back 90‑point campaigns, and 92 points in 82 games most recently. He’s 29, still in his prime, and signed long‑term through 2033‑34 at a now‑reasonable $12M AAV.

If the Jets are truly shifting toward youth, moving a $12M winger is a logical step. Connor signed his deal early last season, before the Jets collapsed from President’s Trophy winners (116 points) to seventh‑worst in the league (82 points). He didn’t sign expecting a teardown. And if the dominoes start falling — Hellebuyck, Scheifele, Morrissey — Connor may not want to stick around either.

What Edmonton Could Offer

This would be a monster swing for the Oilers. The cost would be enormous, the cap gymnastics painful, and the sacrifice significant. But it’s not impossible — and Edmonton would absolutely be interested.

The Oilers have two blue‑chip prospects in Matt Savoie and Isaac Howard. Savoie was excellent last season, especially post‑Olympic break, and looked like one of Edmonton’s best players. Howard dominated the AHL as a rookie and appears ready to explode at the NHL level.

They also have a surplus of young defensemen and Jake Walman, who could slide directly into Winnipeg’s top four if Morrissey is moved. And Edmonton’s draft capital is more valuable than people realize — especially with the long‑term uncertainty around Connor McDavid’s future. Picks in 2028 and 2029 carry real weight.

The Offer

Jets Receive:

• Trent Frederic
• Matt Savoie
• Isaac (Ike) Howard
• Jake Walman
• 2028 1st round pick
• 2029 1st round pick

Oilers Receive:

• Kyle Connor

Who Says No?

Winnipeg gets a legitimate haul — the equivalent of four first‑round picks, two NHL‑ready players, and a top‑four defender. The picks are later, but their potential value skyrockets if Edmonton’s core ever fractures.

Edmonton could even add another young defenseman — Beau Akey, Shakir Mukhamadullin, or Spencer Stastney — with a late pick coming back from Winnipeg to balance the deal.

The Jets instantly revamp their youth movement, surround Viggo Bjorck with more young talent, and commit fully to a rebuild.

The Oilers, meanwhile, get exactly what they’ve lacked for years: a pure finisher to ride shotgun with McDavid and Draisaitl. Edmonton’s top players are pass‑first by nature. Connor is a 40‑goal machine. The fit is perfect.

Connor receiving passes from McDavid or Draisaitl would be terrifying for opponents — and might push him into another scoring tier entirely. At 29, he’s the same age as McDavid and fits the Oilers’ competitive window. Losing Savoie and Howard hurts, but Connor is the proven version of what they hope those prospects become.

Comparable Deals

Brady Tkachuk was just traded to the Panthers for three firsts and a second. Connor scores more, but is a bit older. Overall Connor is the better player and better producer, even though Tkachuk brings other intangibles.

The Flyers were about to give up four firsts for Leo Carlsson if their massive offer sheet went through. This offer is above even that. Connor only makes $12 million AAV compared to the $18 million AAV offered however.

Mikko Rantanen might be the closest in value that was traded recently. He was a few years younger when he was traded and had also put up back to back 100 point seasons. He was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes initially for Martin Necas, Jack Drury, a 2nd, and a 4th. Carolina also gave up a 3rd to Chicago to retain salary on Rantanen, and got Taylor Hall as a throw in.

Rantanen was then traded a second time as it didn’t work out in Carolina, and was moved to the Dallas Stars for Logan Stankoven, two firsts, and two thirds. The difference with Rantanen is he wasn’t signed, and could be viewed as a “rental”. He would sign a long term deal with Dallas after the trade, where he now makes the same as Connor at $12 million AAV.

The Oilers would be giving up arguably more than those two deals, but the Oilers need to get rid of some salary, and Connor is already signed long term. Carolina did give up Necas in the first deal, and he had 100 points last season. Logan Stankoven in the second deal also exploded for Carolina, similar to how Savoie and Howard could do for Winnipeg.

Benefits For Each

The benefits for each team are obvious. Winnipeg gets a massive haul, a legitimate top‑four defender, and an injection of young talent that can contribute immediately. They also clear a long‑term, high‑AAV contract from the books — exactly what a rebuilding team should be doing. And if the exodus begins in Winnipeg, Connor may prefer a fresh start anyway, making the move even more logical.

Edmonton, meanwhile, finally lands the type of player their top six has been missing for years. Isaac Howard might one day become what Kyle Connor already is, but the Oilers are in a Cup window now. Connor is still under 30, still elite, and would be electric receiving passes from the best playmakers on the planet. He fits the timeline, the need, and the identity of this roster.

If the Jets start selling, this is the kind of package that rises to the top of the pile. It’s a clean match for a team shifting toward a youth movement — and a perfect swing for an Oilers team trying to maximize its championship window.

Next: A Twist in the Hellebuyck Saga: Jets Insider Says “I Think He Would” Join Edmonton