Scribe Identifies New No. 1 Need for Oilers at Trade Deadline

The Edmonton Oilers picked up another win on Monday night, putting them back into 1st in the Pacific Division and now 3rd overall in the NHL standings. They are 22-6-1 in the last 29 games and 27-10-2 since November 1st. While that gives them a cushion to take their time, they have identified potential needs just over five weeks out of the 2024-25 NHL trade deadline.

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According to Daniel Nugent-Bowman of The Athletic, the team’s biggest priority is securing a reliable No. 4-5 defenseman to stabilize and add depth to their blue line. They might already have that player, seeing as the team is about to get John Klingberg, the Oilers’ newest addition, into the lineup next week. What the Oilers decide to do will hinge on his performance.

Following a double hip resurfacing procedure, there are questions about how effective he’ll be. If he’s quick and productive, there may not be a need to make a splash at the deadline. If he struggles, the Oilers will need an upgrade.

Does the Oilers’ Deadline Revolve Around Klingberg?

Klingberg’s potential return to form could significantly impact Edmonton’s trade deadline strategy. If he can regain his top-tier play from a few years ago, the Oilers will go for a depth defenseman and shift to looking at their forwards. However, if Klingberg struggles to meet expectations, general manager Stan Bowman may feel compelled to seek out a top-four option.

Once that blue-line situation is sorted, the Oilers could also benefit from adding a top-nine winger and a dependable No. 4 center. They have been testing out Noah Philp, and he’s impressed. With Philp a go and Derek Ryan in the AHL for depth, the Oilers feel confident they have solid options. They’ll only need to make a move if something amazing becomes available.

The top-nine winger spot is a bit of a mystery based on the status of Evander Kane. He was back on the ice and skating for the first time since he was ruled out with an injury.

#Oilers Evander Kane posts he was back on the ice today skating for the first time. pic.twitter.com/fOGrnNpLHo

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) January 27, 2025

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The Oilers have demonstrated a strong commitment to winning now, so it is expected they will be active at the deadline. But, they are winning and moving up the standings. The plan should be not to tinker too much with a good thing.

They’ll start by evaluating Klingberg’s performance. If he makes an impact, it may shift what the team decides to do.

Next: NHL Trade Talk Daily News: Oilers & Canucks Players of the Day