The 2026 NHL draft is fast approaching, and with that, the Edmonton Oilers could be looking to add to their overall roster. This buyers mentality is especially true if a player like Darnell Nurse is moved, which would free up plenty of extra cap space for the Alberta-based team.
This raises the question of: “If the Oilers decide to be buyers at the draft, what pieces do they really have to move?”
So let’s take a look at the three prospects that the Oilers could realistically move to get some NHL-ready pieces now.
Isaac Howard, Forward, Bakersfield Condors, AHL
This is the most obvious name on the list. Isaac Howard came into the Oilers system this past season after wanting a trade out of Tampa Bay. Well, that move was not the best for the young forward. He spent the majority of the campaign in Bakersfield with the Oilers’ AHL affiliate.
While in Bakersfield, the winger got plenty of opportunities, with 19:26 of TOI per game, and also a key role on the Condors power play unit. Overall, Howard was a goal-scoring and offensive driver for the AHL club. He racked up 50 points across 47 games. Despite the 0.39 goals expected rate and high level production, the former Spartan was shooting below average with his 2.7 scoring chances per game, only having a 10% conversion rate.
The forward made the most of his time in the AHL, which even earned him 29 games with the big club. In these 29 games, Howard was either a notable play-supporting offensive driver or completely invisible in a fourth-liner in Kris Knoblauch’s system.
The main question with the American is if he can make the jump to the Oilers full time next season. If the rumours are true and Babcock is behind the Oilers bench next season, it’s quite possible the 22-year-old former Hobey Baker winner spends another season in the minors. This would only decrease his value as a trade chip for the hopeful contenders.
Howard’s even fresh off a World Championship appearance with Team USA, which has seen his trade stock go up slightly. So with this trade value bump, it is a good time for the Oilers to contemplate whether the organization see Howard as a realistic NHL regular next season. If not, there’s no better time to include him in a nice package for a more proven NHL quality talent.
Quinn Hutson, Forward, Bakersfield Condors, AHL
Quinn Hutson is in a similar situation to Howard as both are proven AHL scorers who are uncertain additions to the Oilers’ NHL roster next season. Uncertainty aside, the 24-year-old does have significantly less trade value than Howard. However, after a stellar 63-point rookie campaign, he could be a last-minute toss-in for a rebuilder in a Darnell Nurse contract dump deal.
Hutson could be a realistic bottom-six forward in the future. But once again, whether the Oilers have the patience to fully develop the American remains the question.
With Bakersfield this past season, Hutson was a key playmaking focal point of the Condors’ offence. He was a consistent top-six forward and power play expert with 18:46 of TOI, with 3:31 of that total being power play time. Hutson also generated 2.4 scoring chances per game and demonstrated a regular clutch factor with a solid 15% conversion rate.
Hutson only appeared in four NHL games last season. With a log-jam of NHL fringe talent in Bakersfield, the former NCAA product could likely get lost in the shuffle if Howard, or Josh Samanski make the big club. The Oilers could recoup some value before his trade value drops by being lost in the future shuffle with Hutson serving as a minor trade chip at this upcoming draft.
Paul Fischer, Defence, University of Notre Dame, NCAA
Paul Fischer is the last remaining piece of the infamous St. Louis Blues offer sheets of Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway. He has silently carved out a solid more complete two-way game in his Junior season with the University of Notre Dame. The left-shot defender is likely the defensive prospect with the most trade value in the Oilers system right now. This makes him a prime candidate to be involved in a buyer’s trade at the draft.
Every season, Fischer continues to show steady upward improvement in all three zones best defined by his characteristically calm and collected composure. This composure is best articulated through his ability to absorb punishment and strip attacking opponents of the puck.
Recently, the defender has even shown substantial growth in the areas of puck skills and offensive instincts. This could make his complete game and even bigger target for sellers at the draft as a return for depth pieces.
Due to the sheer limited number of defensive prospects in the Oilers system, it’s unlikely Fischer gets moved, but not impossible.
Changes are coming: for the Oilers at the 2026 NHL Draft
With a new coach expected to be named soon and a clearer sense of what the front office has to do to be more competitive next season, it’s evident there will be some major moves this offseason for Edmonton. It’s possible that prospects get moved as a part of this change. With the draft set in a couple of weeks, fans won’t have to wait very long to see what the Oilers do on the draft floor.
What other trade chips do you think Edmonton has? Do you think they’ll make any moves at the draft? Let us know in the comments below.
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