8 third-line centre trade targets Edmonton Oilers could look at
The NHL trade deadline is just a few months away, and the Edmonton Oilers are in the market for a new third-line centre.
It seems like this is the kind of need that comes around just about every single season for the Oilers. In each of the past four years, Edmonton has traded for a bottom-six centreman at each of those deadlines.
With the bottom-six once again struggling to produce much offensively and both Trent Frederic and Adam Henrique putting up disappointing results, there appears to be a need to improve at the position. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has been talked about as a potential internal solution, but head coach Kris Knoblauch seems to like him on the wing with Connor McDavid and Zach Hyman.
So, who could Oilers GM Stan Bowman target to fill that need? Here are eight targets that could wind up on Edmonton’s trade radar in the coming weeks.
1. Ryan O’Reilly, Nashville Predators
Age: 34
Cap hit: $4.5 million (UFA-2027)
2025-26 stats: 13 G, 26 A, 39 PTS, 46 GP
One of the top players expected to be on the market this season is veteran Ryan O’Reilly.
The Nashville Predators are bound to sell at the deadline, and O’Reilly might be their biggest chip. He’s been a consistent 50-point scorer for over a decade in this league, but age is starting to limit what he can do at the top of the lineup.
He would fit like a glove on the Oilers’ third line and help give the depth a bit of a scoring punch. The salary is also manageable and will give Edmonton some assurance going into next season.
2. Brayden Schenn, St. Louis Blues
Age: 34
Cap hit: $6.5 million (UFA-2028)
2025-26 stats: 9 G, 10 A, 19 PTS, 47 GP
Rumours swirled around Brayden Schenn last year, but the St. Louis Blues opted to keep him for a playoff run.
The postseason doesn’t appear to be in the cards for the Blues, who are primed to enter a bit of a retool phase.
The Saskatoon native has struggled to produce this season and is on pace for his worst season in over a decade. That, combined with a high cap hit that has two more seasons on it, should give the Oilers some pause.
3. Boone Jenner, Columbus Blue Jackets
Age: 32
Cap hit: $3.75 million (UFA-2026)
2025-26 stats: 8 G, 15 A, 23 PTS, 32 GP
Another captain who could be moved is Boone Jenner of the Columbus Blue Jackets.
He is exactly the type of gritty, physical forward that Edmonton has long coveted in its lineup, and he can produce as well.
Jenner’s prime may not have been as high as others on this list, but he’s been a model of consistency, and he has a low cap hit on an expiring contract. The Blue Jackets won’t be looking to give him away, as he could be among the best rentals on the market.
4. Ryan Strome, Anaheim Ducks
Age: 32
Cap hit: $5 million (UFA-2027)
2025-26 stats: 2 G, 4 A, 6 PTS, 25 GP
Ryan Strome has already been connected to the Oilers through Elliotte Friedman this season.
The ex-Oilers forward has been speculated as a potential trade return for a struggling Andrew Mangiapane. It would be an interesting reunion for Edmonton, and he would certainly slot into that 3C spot, but there are a few red flags.
Strome has a high cap hit that runs through next year, and he seems to have hit a wall offensively. He put up three straight 41-point seasons before this year, so you could gamble that he will rebound in Edmonton, but that would be a hefty risk.
5. Charlie Coyle, Columbus Blue Jackets
Age: 33
Cap hit: $5.25 million (UFA-2026)
2025-26 stats: 9 G, 20 A, 29 PTS, 46 GP
Another Blue Jackets forward who could find his way onto the trade market is Charlie Coyle.
The Massachusetts native had a bit of a hiccup last season, but he appears to be back to his old self. He’s been a productive forward in Columbus and is showing he still has more left in the tank at 33.
With the Jackets flailing at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, they could opt to sell high on Coyle as a rental. Though some retention would be needed on his cap hit.
6. Ryan Hartman, Minnesota Wild
Age: 31
Cap hit: $4 million (UFA-2027)
2025-26 stats: 12 G, 7 A, 19 PTS, 43 GP
Edmonton has long coveted an annoying yet productive forward in their bottom-six, and Ryan Hartman could be that guy.
Hartman is a name that has circulated in rumours this season. If he moves, Edmonton should be one of the teams calling. He’s one year removed from a 20-goal season and is in the midst of a down year. Perhaps the Oilers could buy low on him at the deadline.
7. Jean-Gabriel Pageau, New York Islanders
Age: 33
Cap hit: $5 million (UFA-2026)
2025-26 stats: 7 G, 10 A, 17 PTS, 38 GP
The Oilers targeted Jean-Gabriel Pageau at last year’s deadline. What’s stopping them from doing it again?
JGP has been the prototypical third-line centre in the NHL for nearly his entire career, and rumours have it that he could be moved at the deadline. He is on an expiring contract, and the Isles are fighting for a playoff spot, so there is no guarantee he moves. If he does, Bowman could be calling.
8. Erik Haula, Nashville Predators
Age: 34
Cap hit: $3.125 million (UFA-2026)
2025-26 stats: 8 G, 16 A, 24 PTS, 46 GP
If the Oilers are looking to add some speed to the bottom-six, Erik Haula might be their guy.
It’s been a while since the Finnish forward has shown top-six pop, but he has transitioned well into a lesser role in recent years. As it stands, he would be the top scorer of the Oilers’ depth players.
He’s got a low cap hit, is on an expiring contract, and shouldn’t be overall expensive. Haula would be this year’s low-risk bet.