The Edmonton Oilers are going to need to make significant changes to the roster this offseason. What they had is not working. They have already committed to a coaching change, after some reported feuding between former Head Coach Kris Knoblauch and General Manager Stan Bowman over personnel and player usage. But that is not going to be enough. The players on the roster will need even more turnover than normal to hopefully return the Oilers to a competitive state.
The end of the 2025–26 season has allowed us fans to bring out our chairs to set up for some armchair GM’ing as we approach the draft and opening of free agency in the coming weeks. Late season rumours largely centred around finding ways to trade defender Darnell Nurse and his behemoth of a contract, while the focus of returns in trades is primarily still on goaltending. Although it seems that the ideal trade objectives are just out of reach, there may be hope for the team to be able to retool just enough to achieve them.
Often times, the main trade capital teams have, especially those in a Cup-contending window, is draft and prospects. The Oilers have very little of either, severely limiting their opportunity to buy via trade. Although the team has done well with building a prospect pool to pull from, it is mostly low-ceiling depth pieces. These players have either been passed over by other teams or are older and on their final chance at the NHL. Neither group of those have much value when it comes time to make a big trade.
What will the Oilers be able to cobble together for an offseason trade? Let’s break down the Edmonton Oilers’ trade bait board heading into the 2026 offseason.
Darnell Nurse
The biggest name that could be on the move this offseason is defender Darnell Nurse. His name has been in trade talks from fans for seasons. This is with the general sentiment around his level of play growing more negative by the game. Unfortunately, his contract has made him nearly untradeable to this point. Between a no-movement clause and the sheer size of the cap hit, there was no opportunity for the Oilers to move him.
That may be changing, however. At the 2026 Trade Deadline, Nurse’s name popped up more and more in insider analysis. Nothing that really got close, but it suggested that he was in preliminary discussions to be moved at the very least. And more recently, heading into the offseason, those rumblings continue.
What has changed to create an environment in which Nurse could be moved? For starters, his contract is now moving into a more favourable trade condition. Starting next season, his salary owed drops below his cap hit – and it continues to drop in the remaining years. Teams looking to hit the cap floor but have a lower salary burden may be interested. Next, the no-movement clause on the contract switches to a modified no-trade clause after next season. This is the final chance for Nurse to fully control where he ends up. Starting in the 2027 offseason, it becomes a 10-team no-trade list instead.
It is not unheard of for a defender in a similar situation to be moved. Think back to the Seth Jones trade that gave the Chicago Blackhawks Spencer Knight in return. That should be the framework of a trade involving Nurse.
2028 first-round draft pick
In terms of sheer trade value, this may be the most valuable tradeable asset the Oilers have right now. Edmonton has been operating multiple years ahead in terms of trading their first-round picks recently. The 2027 first was already a part of the Jason Dickinson trade at the deadline.
Of note, that pick had a top-12 protection clause in the trade. And if Edmonton chose to exercise that if it were to be applicable, the 2028 first would be used to finish that trade. If the Oilers trade the 2028 first, the top-12 protection becomes moot and the 2027 first is automatically used to fulfill the terms of the trade.
All that being said, it is incredibly likely this pick gets traded. It is more likely to be used at the next trade deadline, given past behaviour. However, with a busy offseason looming that schedule may get bumped up to help make a bigger trade.
Usually, we would hope that this pick gets used to improve the team or acquire a high profile player. But it may end up being used as a sweetener in a cap dump trade involving Nurse or Tristan Jarry.
Isaac Howard
Should the Oilers even be considering trading their top prospect? Probably not. But is it an option? It has to be, almost everything is on the table right now. Isaac Howard will be the prospect in the organization with the most trade value, and he will be asked about by other general managers as Bowman tries to fix this team.
Although it would likely be wiser to keep Howard until he gets an actual chance in a suitable role in the Oilers’ lineup, there is a non-zero chance that this is as high as Howard’s value will be. Some concerns exist about his game’s development and how he will transition to the NHL, if he can. Despite a stellar rookie season in the AHL, his time in the NHL was underwhelming at best as he struggled to play noticeable hockey.
Given how the previous coaching staff treated rookies and younger players, it should be no surprise that Howard struggled to find a fit. He was rarely put in positions to thrive for long enough to make an impact.
Even though it would be unwise to trade a top prospect, Howard does fit the bill of the type of player that gets moved in these situations. He is absolutely someone that opposing GMs will be asking about.
Quinn Hutson
After a stellar rookie season spent mostly with the Bakersfield Condors in the AHL, Hutson may be a candidate to move this offseason. On his own, he would not fetch a high return. But his value may be as a sweetener in a different trade. For example, added in to a Nurse trade as a bit of extra value without giving up more draft capital.
Is it likely? No, he has more value as a member of the Oilers organization right now. But as one of the team’s top prospects, the possibility remains open for him to be included in a deal.
Players who should be moved, but do not have enough value to be trade bait
Two more names fall on the list of players who should be moved. However, they would not have enough value to actually be considered trade bait.
Mattias Janmark
It may be time for Kris Knoblauch’s favourite player to finally be moved. Mattias Janmark was a fairly reliable player; you knew what you’d get, but made very little impact outside of some playoff magic. After missing most of last season due to injury, and watching other players joining the Oilers in his absence, there is no longer room for him to stay without blocking a potentially more deserving player or prospect from a roster spot.
Tristan Jarry
Another move that would be a pure cap dump is Tristan Jarry. Bowman would be best served to take the hit on this one now and cut ties. Jarry did not work out in Edmonton, and his rushed decision to make this the big goalie move last season was misguided at best. Moving into the offseason, it would serve the Oilers well to find a way to move his contract and put the effort into finding a bonafide starter.
Who else would you consider moving this offseason? Drop a comment down below!
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