Recent Signing Proves Finding McDavid a Real Winger Remains a Challenge for Oilers

The Edmonton Oilers did a good job checking off offseason boxes that were easy to define — goaltending and defense tops among them. But the one need that may actually decide their Cup window remains open: a genuine top-six scoring forward to complement Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Zach Hyman, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.

Everything below those four is solid depth, not difference-makers, and that gap is the last real swing of the summer. With the signing of Anthony Mantha in New Jersey on Wednesday, that task just got a bit more challenging.

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Mantha Was a Legitimate Option for the Oilers

Mantha might not have been a perfect fit, but the Devils just proved there was a deal to be made. Mantha wanted four years and signed for two. He took a reasonable cap hit per season, and the kicker is, he got no trade protection in the deal.

That’s the kind of risk the Oilers could have taken. Instead, over the past few years, they’ve gone with names like Jeff Skinner (who was scratched in the playoffs), Viktor Arvidsson (who was shipped to Boston), and Andrew Mangiapane‘s two-year deal blew up so badly the Oilers had to attach a first-round pick just to get off it.

Three straight offseasons, three free-agent swings at a top-six winger, three misses. Mantha might have been a miss, but the Devils signed him to a relatively risk-free contract. That deal also showed that finding players like him will be difficult. Vladimir Taranseko remains out there. Is he a smart bet? Maybe. Would making a trade for a more sure thing be the better move? Bryan Rust or Rickard Rakell might be available.

The prevailing argument is that this year’s free-agent class is thin, prices will be inflated, and any real fix will have to come via trade rather than another July gamble.

Tarasenko, still productive at 34 with 47 points last season, has been mentioned by Elliotte Friedman, along with a related Oilers inquiry on Claude Giroux. Owen Tippett was reportedly a target too, though that path cooled after Philadelphia’s failed offer sheet for Leo Carlsson. There’s nothing imminent with either.

This points to the real likelihood: this hole may not get filled until the trade deadline, not this month, when rental-market pressure and playoff urgency make bigger names available. Until then, the Oilers are entering training camp as a team one dependable winger away from looking complete.

Next: NHL Trade Talk Recap: Maple Leafs, Oilers & Canadiens Risky Contract