Following the Edmonton Oilers 3-2 loss in overtime against the St. Louis Blues, they currently sit third in the weak Pacific Division standings. They have now lost two in a row and are currently desperately clinging onto a playoff spot with multiple teams breathing down their neck.
They are 4-5-1 in their last 10 and risk losing their hold onto a playoff spot with the Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks, and Seattle Kraken only a few points back and with multiple games in hand. This is a crucial time for the organization, especially with captain Connor McDavid set to become an unrestricted free agent in only two years.
There have been positives in their play of late, even with a two-game losing skid. To add to the negatives however, this post on X (formerly Twitter) by Sportsnet Stats.
Oilers suffer their 4th loss this season when leading by multiple goals in the 3rd period.
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) March 14, 2026
Only the Blue Jackets (6) have had more such defeats
Oilers acquire Vancouver Canucks prospect
The Oilers made a surprising depth move on Friday, acquiring 22 year old Josh Bloom from the Vancouver Canucks for 23 year old Jayden Grubbe.
The move represents a change of scenery for both prospects where Grubbe has been playing for the Oilers ECHL affiliate, the Fort Wayne Komets this season. He moves to the Canucks who are in the midst of a rebuild, having traded away captain Quinn Hughes to the Minnesota Wild earlier this season. He will go there and should be given a chance in their system.
Bloom joins the Oilers in a similar spot, having been unable to stick at the American Hockey League level with the Abbotsford Canucks but having clearly outgrown the ECHL. This year in 19 games with the Kalamazoo Wings (ECHL) he has scored 15 goals and 13 assists for 28 points. Bloom is a skilled winger who will surely inject some talent into the Oilers farm system.
It is unclear whether or not Bloom or Grubbe will report to their respective ECHL or AHL clubs but we will see.
Dach placed on LTIR, Jones recalled
Following a hit from Colorado Avalanche defenceman Josh Manson, Oilers forward Colton Dach left the game early, earlier this week. The Oilers acquired Dach alongside Jason Dickinson leading up to the trade deadline.
Oilers forward Colton Dach was laboring in pain on the bench and had to go down the tunnel to get checked out.
— Oilersnation.com, Oily Since ‘07 (@OilersNation) March 11, 2026
📹: Sportsnet pic.twitter.com/RjM2rpm7Ff
It has now been announced that Dach has been placed on long-term injured reserve and the Oilers recalled Max Jones to take over his place. It is unclear what injury Dach sustained or the exact timeline but hopefully it will not keep him out too long and the Oilers can get a good look down the stretch.
What is guaranteed is that Dach will miss at least 10 games or 24 days, meaning there is a chance he comes back before the end of the regular season.