NHL Rumors: Edmonton Oilers Need Some Scoring Depth

The Edmonton Oilers could use some scoring, especially in their bottom-six

Allan Mitchell of The Athletic: The Edmonton Oilers five-on-five scoring has been an issue. Adding a scoring top-six winger would be expensive. Prospect Ike Howard can score, but they sent him to the AHL to work on the other side of the puck. He should be given a shot this season to play on the top lines, after posting 13 goals and 18 assists through 24 games.

The Oilers gave up two-way center Sam O’Reilly, who is better suited for a Kris Knoblaugh coaching staff, to get Howard. There were hopes entering the season that he would play in the NHL, and if they added a scoring forward at the deadline, it could block his shot this year.

The Oilers don’t have their 2026 first-round pick, and would likely have to give up their 2027 first if they trade for a scoring forward.

Mitchell notes: “If the Oilers make a deal at the deadline that blocks Howard, the organization will be repeating the path that led Broberg and Holloway to offer sheets. It will also represent a complete shutout of general manager Stan Bowman’s 2025 summer bets on wingers thought to be possible solutions on the skill lines: Howard, Andrew Mangiapane and Trent Frederic.”

Allan Mitchell of The Athletic: The Edmonton Oilers need to increase their offensive production on their third and fourth lines. One way to do this is move Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Vasily Podkolzin to the third line and run new left wingers for Connor McDavid on the first line and Leon Draisaitl on the second line.

One issue for the Oilers is that some underperforming players have no-move or no-trade clauses. Adam Henrique will be activated to the lineup when games resume. Rookie Josh Samanski has played well on his bried audition, but he may have to be sent back to AHL because they have some immovable NHL contracts.

Top Edmonton Oilers trade assets

Allan Mitchell of The Athletic: The Edmonton Oilers could use a right-handed third-line center, a big middle-six winger, and a right-handed second-pairing defenseman. The Oilers also need to clear salary to activate Adam Henrique. The don’t have a first-round pick this year.

Ranking the Oilers top trade assets heading into the March 6th trade deadline.

1. Matt Savoie2. Ike Howard3. 2027 first-round pick4. Quinn Hutson5. 2026 second-round6. Maxim Berezkin7. Damien Carfagna8. 2026 third-round pick9. Roby Jarventie10. Max Jones

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