The Edmonton Oilers have pulled off another deal with the Chicago Blackhawks, landing forwards Jason Dickinson and Colton Dach on Wednesday. In return, Chicago receives Andrew Mangiapane and a conditional 2027 first-round pick.[1] This comes just a day after the Oilers picked up defenseman Connor Murphy from the Blackhawks for a 2028 second-rounder, as detailed in our coverage of that trade. The moves signal Edmonton’s aggressive push ahead of Friday’s 3 p.m. ET trade deadline.
These transactions bolster the two-time defending Western Conference champions’ depth as they chase a third Stanley Cup Final appearance. Edmonton sits third in the Pacific Division with a 30-24-8 record, two points behind the Vegas Golden Knights and one point ahead of the Seattle Kraken for the final Western wild-card spot.[2][3]
Trade details
The Oilers sent struggling winger Andrew Mangiapane and the conditional first-round pick to Chicago. The Blackhawks agreed to retain 50% of Dickinson’s $4.25 million salary, easing Edmonton’s cap burden. Dickinson is in year two of a two-year pact.
PuckPedia now lists the Oilers with roughly minus-$300,000 in deadline cap space. This tight squeeze could force more salary dumps if GM Stan Bowman eyes additional targets.
Mangiapane, signed to a two-year, $3.6 million AAV deal as a free agent last summer, heads to a rebuilding Blackhawks squad. Chicago (23-28-10) lurks 11 points behind Seattle for the last wild card and 13 clear of last-place Vancouver.
The conditional pick adds intrigue—likely top-12 protected, based on similar deals. It protects Edmonton if their playoff hopes falter.
This marks the second trade in 24 hours between the clubs, highlighting both teams’ deadline activity.
Jason Dickinson’s fit in Edmonton
At 30, Dickinson brings versatile two-way play to Edmonton’s top-nine centers. He slots in alongside Hart winners Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, plus wing-converted pivots like Trent Frederic, Adam Henrique, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.
This season, Dickinson has six goals and 13 points in 47 games with Chicago. His real value shines on the penalty kill, logging 103 shorthanded minutes—his fourth straight year over 100.[4]
He wins faceoffs at a solid clip and flexes between center and left wing. Expect him to stabilize matchups against opponents’ top lines.
Dickinson’s penalty-kill prowess addresses Edmonton’s needs. The Oilers have leaned on depth forwards for special teams amid injuries.
Over 549 career NHL games, he’s proven reliable in bottom-six roles. His arrival deepens Edmonton’s center corps significantly.
Colton Dach’s upside
The 23-year-old Colton Dach, brother of Calgary’s Kirby, offers size (6-foot-4) and skill. In his second full NHL season, he’s tallied three goals and nine points in 53 games.[5]
An Edmonton native drafted 62nd overall in 2021, Dach can play wing or center. His 11:40 average ice time shows trust from Chicago coaches.
Prospect radars pegged him as a top-10 Blackhawk asset. Now, he joins a contender with star power to accelerate growth.
Dach’s physicality and reach suit playoff hockey. He could see third- or fourth-line minutes initially.
Long-term, his local ties add motivation. Edmonton fans will embrace the homecoming story.
Andrew Mangiapane’s Chicago reset
Mangiapane’s Edmonton stint soured quickly. After 14 goals and 28 points with Washington in 2024-25, he managed seven goals and 14 points in 52 games—on pace for a career-low 11 tallies.[6]
The Oilers waived him Monday, with Bowman clarifying it was cap-driven, not performance-based. “It was for salary cap reasons rather than his performance,” Bowman told reporters.
In Chicago, Mangiapane reunites with a rebuilding core. His speed and shot could thrive in top-six roles there.
At 29, he seeks consistency. This trade offers a fresh start away from playoff pressure.
Chicago gains scoring punch and the pick for future assets.
Boosting Edmonton’s playoff push
Depth at center was key for Edmonton’s repeat bids. Dickinson and Dach add flexibility amid Pacific dogfight.
- Current Pacific standings (per ESPN):
Team Record Points Vegas Golden Knights 29-19-14 72 Edmonton Oilers 30-24-8 68 Seattle Kraken 29-22-11 69?
McDavid and Draisaitl carry offense, but bottom-six grit wins Cups. These adds enhance penalty kill and faceoff wins.
Following the Murphy trade, Edmonton’s blue line toughens too. Momentum builds.
Injuries like Curtis Lazar’s loom, but versatility covers gaps.
Cap implications and deadline outlook
With scant space left, Edmonton must shed salary for more moves. Conditional assets preserve flexibility.
Blackhawks’ retention helps, but deadline pressure mounts. PuckPedia’s minus-$300k forces creativity.
Bowman’s wheeling-dealing echoes past successes. More trades likely before cutoff.
Fans eye impacts on Vegas chase and wild-card hold.
These acquisitions position Edmonton for deep playoff run. Depth wins championships—Oilers now stack it high. Watch how Dickinson kills penalties and Dach grows in crunch time. The Pacific stays wide open, but Edmonton’s bolder.
Frequently Asked Questions
Par Mike Jonderson
Mike Jonderson is a passionate hockey analyst and expert in advanced NHL statistics. A former college player and mathematics graduate, he combines his understanding of the game with technical expertise to develop innovative predictive models and contribute to the evolution of modern hockey analytics.