Oilers News and Rumours: Oilers sign prospect, Trade appears imminent, and more

The Edmonton Oilers have been active the last few days with multiple transactions ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics roster freeze.

Starting on Sunday, the Oilers made the decision about their goaltending tandem, placing netminder Calvin Pickard on waivers.

Pickard, 33, has played 13 games with the Oilers this season sporting a 5-6-2 record and a 3.68 goals against average and .871 save percentage. He lost his role in the club's regular rotation after general manager Stan Bowman acquired Tristan Jarry from the Pittsburgh Penguins in December to take on the starting role, swapping him with Stuart Skinner.

As well, the resurgence of goaltender Connor Ingram after he was recalled from the Oilers' American Hockey League affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors. He has played 11 games for the Oilers with a 6-3-1 record and a 2.55 GAA and .901 save percentage.

It is unclear whether or not Pickard will be sent down to the American Hockey League to play for the Oilers' affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors. At this time, he remains listed on the Oilers roster.

Oilers re-sign defenceman Atro Leppanen

Bowman, the Oilers GM made an influx of signings last spring to help restock the cupboards by adding players from the NCAA and across various European leagues. One player was Atro Leppanen, a player who broke onto the scene last year, setting the Liiga single-season record for points by a defenceman with 63 points in 60 games.

The 27 year old joined the Oilers for training camp where he was a standout performer and was a late cut from camp ahead of the 2025-26 season. After being cut, he joined the Condors where he has amassed 20 points in 28 games for the Oilers AHL affiliate, leading all defencemen on the roster in scoring. His performance has earned him a contract extension as the Oilers and his camp agreed to a one-year two-way contract for the 2026-27 season.

He will be a dark horse to make the Oilers roster for next season and remains an intriguing call-up option for the Oilers as they hope to make another deep run in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Oilers trade reportedly imminent

The Oilers have reportedly been shopping struggling forward Andrew Mangiapane since the start of the New Year. Nothing has happened on that front so far but with Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch consistently making him a healthy scratch, it could further harm any possible trade value he may have.

There is a clear need for the Oilers to upgrade their depth forwards, specifically it is reported that the Oilers want to acquire a top-nine forward this season to aide in their playoff push. According to the 2 Mutts Hockey Podcast on X (formerly Twitter), a trade could be imminent.

As the 2026 Winter Olympics roster freeze looms, the trade speculation across the NHL has picked up with many insiders connecting the Oilers to various different players.

It remains to be seen if or when the Oilers will make a move but reading the tea leaves, especially with the waiving of Calvin Pickard potentially freeing up cap space, could indicate that Stan Bowman and Co. hope to free up space to make a move, as many speculated at the time.

It should eb an exciting next 24-48 hours either way.