Is there an Edmonton Oilers trade to be made with the Seattle Kraken?
The Edmonton Oilers may have an ideal trade partner sitting right in their division with the Seattle Kraken.
With the Kraken now more than 10 points out of a playoff spot, it is looking like the team will indeed be entering the seller market ahead of next month’s trade deadline. They also may be one of the teams with the most interesting pieces potentially available for the Oilers.
Edmonton Oilers GM Stan Bowman missed out on his chance to make an ideal deal with the Penguins, who shipped off defenceman Marcus Pettersson and forward Drew O’Connor to the Vancouver Canucks last month, but the Kraken could have similar, if not better, players that could soon be hitting the market.
This isn’t the case of one or two players that could intrigue Bowman, but several.
Let’s take a look at potential Oilers trade targets currently playing in Seattle…
Jared McCann
Position: LW/C
2024-25 stats: 14G, 28A, 42PTS, 57GP
Contract status: $5 million (UFA-2027)
At 28, Jared McCann has already cemented himself as the franchise leader in both goals (110) and points (224) for the Kraken, but his time in Seattle could be coming to an end.
A recent report from Sportsnet’s Jacob Stoller suggests that the Kraken could be exploring the trade market for McCann ahead of the deadline. He is once again leading the team in points this season, and if he is available, he would be their biggest trade piece.
I'm hearing Jared McCann could be made available before the deadline.
McCann is a versatile scoring forward that can kill penalties and play centre, if needed.
The 28 yr old carries a $5M AAV until the end of the '26-27 season
Would make a lot of sense for the #NHLJets
— Jacob Stoller (@JLStoller) February 11, 2025
McCann fits in perfectly with what the Oilers need at the top of their lineup, which is a player who can finish their chances as well as provide a sound two-way game. He is also a fixture on Seattle’s PK, making him an attractive all-around piece for the Oilers.
Oliver Bjorkstrand
Position: RW
2024-25 stats: 15G, 20A, 35PTS, 56 GP
Contract status: $5.4 million (UFA-2026)
If the Kraken decide not to ship off McCann, Oliver Bjorkstrand could be the big ticket moving out of Seattle.
Bjorkstrand’s name, unlike McCann’s, has been out there in trade rumours for most of the season. The 29-year-old Danish forward is currently ranked #9 on Daily Faceoff’s trade bait list.
He is as consistent a scorer as you could ask for and would add a scoring touch on either one of Edmonton’s top lines. Bjorkstrand has scored at least 20 goals in each of the last three seasons and is on pace to hit that plateau once again.
Yanni Gourde
Position: C
2024-25 stats: 6G, 10A, 16PTS, 35GP
Contract status: $5.1 million (UFA-2025)Ā
McCann and Bjorkstrand represent potential big movers on this Kraken team, but they also have plenty of secondary pieces on expiring contracts that seem like a lock to be traded.
Top of that list is Yanni Gourde, who has been struggling the past two seasons. His days of scoring 20+ goals are most likely behind him, and he is now in a transition to becoming a reliable bottom-six player who can bring a little jam to his game.
The 33-year-old may be having trouble getting on the scoresheet, but he remains as annoying a player to line up against. That could be something that interests Edmonton to add onto their other pests in Corey Perry and Viktor Arvidsson.
Jamie Oleksiak
Position: LD
2024-25 stats: 4G, 9A, 13PTS, 57GP
Contract status: $4.6 million (UFA-2026)
There is also a blueline option on the Kraken blueline that could shake loose and one that fits what the Oilers may be after.
Jamie Oleksiak, who towers over his opponents at six foot seven and 252 lbs, is another player whose name has been in the rumour mill this season. He has had a bit of a down season, but he would not be playing top-four minutes in Edmonton if a deal were to be made.
Instead, Oleksiak could provide a physical presence on the team’s third pair and potentially take up a role on the PK. This would allow the team to move Brett Kulak up the lineup, who has had good results with Darnell Nurse this season.
It would also bump down John Klingberg if his struggles continue.
Brandon Tanev
Position: LWĀ
2024-25 stats: 9G, 8A, 17PTS, 55GP
Contract status: $3.5 million (UFA-2025)
If the Oilers are balking at the price of Gourde, another Kraken player potentially available to do, more or less, the same role is Brandon Tanev.
Like his defenceman brother, Tanev is a workhorse of a player who isn’t afraid to get physical on the forecheck. Edmonton currently doesn’t have a physical player quite like Tanev in their bottom-six, so he could be a fit based on what the team is prioritizing.
He isn’t a prolific scorer, but he does have the ability to chip in on the scoresheet every once in a while. Tanev also holds a much more manageable cap hit and is a UFA at the end of the season.