6 way-too-early Edmonton Oilers trade targets
It’s never too early to look ahead to the NHL trade deadline.
We may still be in October, but the Edmonton Oilers have already started to show some areas around the roster that need a bit of help. An 8-2-2 start is about as good as it gets for Edmonton to start the season, but the team has hit their first bit of turbulence over the last few games.Â
So, where should GM Stan Bowman focus his trade efforts? Forward depth is a concern as the Oilers have largely been carried offensively by that top line of Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Vasily Podkolzin. A top-six forward could be of use to help add some secondary scoring.
There has also been a bit of trouble on the backend, specifically on the left-side, as Jake Walman has failed to grab onto a spot on the second pair and there is no obvious replacement readily available.
The list will likely evolve over the course of the season, but these six players could be of early trade interest for the Oilers…
1. Ryan O’Reilly, Nashville Predators
Matt Blewett/Imagn Images
Age:Â 35
2026-27 stats: 7 G, 6 A, 13 PTS, 12 GP
Cap hit: $4.5 million (UFA-2027)
The Oilers have made a habit of trading for a veteran centreman over the past couple of seasons, and Ryan O’Reilly would fit the bill.
At 35, age is a concern for O’Reilly, but he’s looked magnificent with the Nashville Predators early on. He is tied with Steven Stamkos in goals for Nashville and is second in points through 12 games.
2. Jake DeBrusk, Vancouver Canucks
Bob Frid/Imagn Images
Age: 30
2026-27 stats: 3 G, 5 A, 8 PTS, 12 GP
Cap hit: $5.5 million (UFA-2031)
Jake DeBrusk has long been rumoured to return to his hometown, but has yet to make it back. He’s currently playing for a bottom-feeding Vancouver Canucks team that will likely look to flip him for future assets before the deadline.
He’s still a perennial 20-goal scorer in the NHL and would fit in nicely with Edmonton’s top-six. The issue is that he still has lots of term left at a $5.5 million cap hit, which might be a bit too big of a commitment for Edmonton for this type of player.
3. Vince Dunn, Seattle Kraken
Paul Barnick/Imagn Images
Age: 29
2026-27 stats: 2 G, 6 A, 8 PTS, 12 GP
Cap hit:Â $7.35 million (UFA-2027)
Vince Dunn is already entering trade conversations and could fit the bill for the Oilers.
The Seattle Kraken rearguard is off to a decent offensive start, though his advanced analytics show some struggles in the defensive zone. He’d be a high-profile grab for Edmonton and would certainly get lots of ice time inside the top-four.
It would be a rental, however, as Dunn is set to hit free agency this summer.
4. Elias Pettersson, Vancouver Canucks
Simon Fearn/Imagn Images
Age:Â 27
2026-27 stats:Â 4 G, 11 A, 15 PTS, 14 GP
Cap hit:Â $11.6 million (UFA-2032)
If Bowman wants to swing for the fences, Elias Pettersson might be the guy to try for.
The Swedish forward has been in and out of trade rumours for the better part of a year, and it’s looking like he’s rediscovered some of his game in Vancouver. Whether or not the Canucks decide to capitalize on his newfound value, or keep him for themselves, remains to be seen.
He’d fit great in Edmonton, but it would require a big package and some salary cap magic to make it happen for the Oilers.
5. Rickard Rakell, Pittsburgh Penguins
Charles LeClaire/Imagn Images
Age:Â 33
2026-27 stats: 2 G, 3 A, 5 PTS, 12 GP
Cap hit:Â $5 million (UFA-2028)
Another player who has often been tied to the Oilers in trade rumours is Rickard Rakell.
It’s been a rough start for the Swede in Pittsburgh this season, but he has a solid history of being a reliable scorer with above-average finishing. Rakell has notched 20 or more goals in four of the last five seasons, and peaked with 35 in 2024-25.
He won’t be a primary play-driver, but he’s proven to be a good complementary top-six piece over the course of his career.
6. Alexander Nikishin, Carolina Hurricanes
Lucas Peltier/Imagn Images
Age:Â 25
2025-26 stats (last season): 11 G, 22 A, 33 PTS, 81 GP
Cap hit:Â $3 million (RFA-2027)
Against all odds, Alexander Nikishin returned to the Carolina Hurricanes this season, inking a one-year deal earlier this month after a long contract dispute.
The Hurricanes could very well hold onto him and repeat the process next summer, but it’s clear that there is tension between the player and organization. Nikishin had a solid rookie season and played an important part on a Stanley Cup-winning team.
He’s not a top pair guy yet, but he’d add a lot to the Oilers’ defensive group with room to grow.