The NHL has seen a big uptick in blockbuster trades in recent times and this summer itself has seen a lot of big activity that is not always present. In the past year the league has seen major players move at a rate that we have not seen in a long time, if ever, across the NHL.
Players like Quinn Hughes and Brady Tkachuk have changed teams with many more high end players being rumoured to be actively on the block. Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin submitted a trade request earlier this off season and Columbus Blue Jackets Russian star Kirill Marchenko is expected to be traded soon, not long after it was rumoured that 2026 Norris Trophy winner, Zach Werenski wanted out.
Especially with Marchenko, he is a player that the Oilers should be interested in given his ability. At 26 years old, he is in his prime and having scored 20 or more goals in each of his four NHL seasons with a career high 31 goals and 43 assists for 74 points in 79 games in 2024-25, he could fit nicely into a top six role for the Oilers. The main question is, could the Oilers make it happen?
Do not immediately count the Oilers out
When players like this hit the trade block, it seems unlikely that the Oilers would have any hope in acquiring them but the club should not be immediately written off. The team has made the Stanley Cup Finals in two of the past three seasons and finally has some cap space with an estimated $4.725 million entering next season.
Marchenko carries an annual average value of just $3.85 million this next season, making him able to fit into the Oilers' cap picture seamlessly. Although he will certainly cost more next season, he will still be under team control and will be a restricted free agent, giving the Oilers more control over their situation even if Marchenko opts for salary arbitration.
In addition to the cap room, the Oilers also should have the assets to make a big trade work.
Oilers have high end assets
As of right now, the Oilers have a first round pick in two of the next three drafts with selections in rounds 3-7 for both the 2028 and 2029 NHL Draft. This draft capital alone gives the Oilers some highly coveted assets that could be used to make a big splash.
However, the Oilers also have sought after young players that could be used as trade chips. 22 year old Matt Savoie who just completed his rookie NHL season that saw him produce nearly 40 points, finishing with 18 goals and 19 assists for 37 points in 82 games, especially with how he ended the season, there is plenty of optimism about how he will play in the future.
The team also has Isaac Howard, the 2025 Hobey Baker Award winner and despite his struggles at the NHL level in his rookie pro campaign, he was a highly productive player for the Oilers' American Hockey League affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors. In 47 games with the Condors, he scored 24 goals and 26 assists for 50 points. He should still carry plenty of trade value should the Oilers dangle him for a potential trade.
These assets give the Oilers the proper skeleton to go big game hunting, should general manager Stan Bowman and Co. choose to do so.
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