There’s Something Familiar About the Filip Hallander Trade for the Oilers

The Edmonton Oilers have traded a defenceman for a forward listed as a center who has barely played the position in the NHL. In acquiring Filip Hallander from the Pittsburgh Penguins, the deal suggests the Oilers either felt they had enough center depth and wanted a forward with a variety of skills, or saw Hallander as a depth piece with interesting upside and liked the gamble given their extra bodies on the blue line.

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The Oilers acquired Hallander from the Pittsburgh Penguins for Spencer Stastney. On paper, it’s a way to add offensive upside to the bottom six. In reality, there’s no guarantee that Hallander will make much of an impact. He’s a bet on potential; however, Hallander’s NHL track record is thin. There is risk in the move, even if it’s not great risk.

Think Vasily Podkolzin, though I’m not suggesting Hallander could be a home-run add like Podkolzin was. There are signs. Described in his draft year as a two-way forward with capable skating, he is known to be hard-working and good at both shooting and passing. He is a 200 ft player. Sound like anyone?

The Oilers Were Linked to Several Names… Hallander Wasn’t One Of Them

Names like Kirby Dach were heavily linked to the Oilers. Matt Poitras of the Boston Bruins was another. But with speculation pointing to a young, unproven center in the East with upside, Hallander turning up as the direction the Oilers went makes sense. It fits the description of the player linked to Edmonton by NHL insider Darren Dreger.

Speaking on The Nielson Show earlier this week, Dreger declined to name the player but offered a detailed description. He said it’s a young center with plenty of upside and room to grow, but still “trying to prove his NHL value.” Dreger added that Edmonton has been discussing the move for several weeks and was considered a front-runner in talks with the other team.

Hallander, 26, is a 6’2″, 207-pound left-shooting centre from Sundsvall, Sweden. He has a goal, two assists and a +4 rating in two games with Pittsburgh this season.

The Penguins drafted him in the second round in 2018. He was dealt to Toronto in 2020, returned to Pittsburgh in 2021 and made his NHL debut in 2021-22. In 18 NHL games over four seasons, he has two goals and five assists and averages 12:04 of ice time. Most of his North American career has been in the AHL, where he had 26 goals and 36 assists (62 points) and 44 penalty minutes in 107 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

What Can Hallander Become in the NHL? Did the Penguins Give Up on Him Too Soon?

His best production came overseas. Oilers Now host Bob Stauffer noted that Hallander finished second in Swedish Hockey League scoring with Timrå in 2024-25, putting up 26 goals and 27 assists for 53 points in 51 games. Stauffer also said Hallander can play multiple forward positions and that the trade saves Edmonton more than $650,000 in cap space.

Jason Gregor noted that he’s not really a natural center, having a poor record on faceoffs. He’s barely played the position in the NHL. However, he also added, “He returned to PIT this year and has 1-2-3 in two games. Could be a late bloomer. Depth forward for a depth D-man.”

A late bloomer is exactly what Podkolzin was. If the Oilers have found a player anywhere close to the level of what Podkolzin has become for Edmonton, this is a trade that will pay big dividends. Josh Yohe of The Athletic writes, “I’m surprised that Hallander was the forward the Penguins decided to move. They love him. But remember, the other team has a say in this kind of thing also, and I can see why Hallander is a player the Oilers would like. The forward logjam was getting a little ridiculous.” He adds, “Personally I love Hallander and would have had a hard time moving him. But I am not the general manager.”

Next: Bruins Scooped By Maple Leafs on Zacha Blockbuster Trade with Blue Jackets