Amongst the chaos that is just before the NHL trade deadline, the Edmonton Oilers made another trade with the Chicago Blackhawks this week.
The Oilers dealt struggling winger Andrew Mangiapane to the Blackhawks along with a top-12 protected first round pick in 2027. In return, they received bottom-six centre Jason Dickinson and depth forward Colton Dach. Dickinson's contract is also 50 percent retained, lowering his $4.25 million cap hit for the rest of this season down to $2.625 million.
The Edmonton Oilers acquire Jason Dickinson from the Chicago Blackhawks for Andrew Mangiapane.
— Daily Faceoff (@DailyFaceoff) March 5, 2026
CHI retains 50% on Dickinson.
CHI also gets EDM’s first-round pick in 2027, which is top-12 protected, with Colton Dach in the deal going to EDM.
(details via @frank_seravalli) pic.twitter.com/ad0z5Ggp4Q
Talking about what the Oilers gave up. In trading Mangiapane, Oilers general manager Stan Bowman is able to undo an error he made over the summer by signing the 29 year old to a two-year deal, carrying a $3.6 million annual average value. He also gets out from under a player that the team has been trying to trade for months.
However, the cost comes in the way of a protected 2027 first round pick, losing out on yet another first rounder. It also leaves their 2026 first round pick that they sent to the San Jose Sharks last trade deadline unprotected.
What the Oilers receive in Dickinson and Dach
The Oilers were able to supplement their group by adding an impactful bottom-six centre in Dickinson. As many have pointed out, he has been one of the league's top shutdown centres in the league in recent years and is sure to shore up the Oilers overall defensive ability.
At 30 years old, he also provides the club with an opportunity to re-sign in the off season if it is a good fit and will likely be able to provide a few more years of good service. It is unclear exactly what role he will occupy but is most likely to be a top penalty killer and third line centre at 5-on-5.
So far this year, Dickinson has scored 13 points (six goals, seven assists) in 47 games played. He also averages nearly 16 minutes a night, logging significant playing time on the top penalty kill in the league on the Blackhawks. Out of all forwards, he ranks third in shorthanded time on ice for Chicago with over 100 minutes logged.
In Dach, the Oilers acquire an intriguing depth player who possesses good size at 6'4 218lbs, something that becomes highly coveted in the playoffs. Even if he does not play with the Oilers, at only 23 years old, Dach does not require waivers and is currently on his entry-level contract. If demoted, he would afford the club even more cap relief, allowing them to be more active ahead of the March 6th trade deadline.