Oilers seek speedy winger and goaltending upgrades amid 2026 offseason speculation

It has been nearly a month since the Edmonton Oilers exited the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the opening round. Uncertainty surrounding their roster plans for the summer continues to fuel speculation across the NHL rumor mill.

Daily Faceoff’s Jeff Marek recently highlighted the team’s need for a fast-skating winger who could complement captain Connor McDavid. He pointed to St. Louis Blues right winger Jordan Kyrou as a possible fit, noting the 28-year-old has appeared in trade rumors for the past two seasons.

Kyrou would need to waive his full no-trade clause for any deal to proceed. The Oilers would also need to assemble a package that meets the Blues’ expected high price tag while creating enough cap space to take on his $8.125 million average annual value. The Blues have shown no interest in retaining any portion of the salary.

The Oilers could create the necessary room by moving a player such as Darnell Nurse, whose $9.25 million AAV remains on the books for the next four seasons. Teams looking for defensive depth might view the veteran as an attractive addition, though his recent performance has drawn criticism.

Marek suggested the Oilers could target clubs with an abundance of young forwards when shopping Nurse. The San Jose Sharks stand out as one such candidate given their surplus of promising talent up front.

The Sharks’ general manager Mike Grier might be open to moving a player like right winger Collin Graf, who posted 21 goals and 46 points in his sophomore campaign. Such a swap would depend first on Nurse agreeing to waive his full no-movement clause to head to San Jose.

With $41.5 million in projected cap space, the Sharks could absorb Nurse’s full salary next season. However, Grier may prefer more budget-friendly options as he continues to build around his young core.

Goaltending needs enter the conversation

The Oilers’ search for reliable goaltending has also surfaced in recent speculation. One name mentioned is Buffalo Sabres netminder Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, though acquiring him would leave the Sabres needing an immediate replacement.

Devon Levi represents another possibility from the same organization. The once highly regarded prospect has found it difficult to establish himself in Buffalo’s lineup and could benefit from a fresh start elsewhere. Still, he does not project as the experienced starter Edmonton appears to require.

Buffalo’s potential plans add context

Matthew Fairburn of The Athletic noted that new Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekalainen demonstrated a willingness to make significant roster moves at the March trade deadline. Fairburn speculated Kekalainen could pursue another goaltender if the right opportunity arises.

Limited options on the trade and free-agent markets, combined with high demand for netminders league-wide, could complicate those efforts. Kekalainen might also explore adding another center if Tage Thompson continues to play primarily on the right wing.

• Key factors influencing any Oilers trade
  • Salary-cap flexibility
  • Willingness of players to waive no-trade or no-movement clauses
  • Availability of suitable return packages from partner teams

The ongoing discussions underscore how interconnected roster decisions remain across the league this offseason. Any move involving high-salary players like Kyrou or Nurse will require careful cap management and partner-team cooperation.

What lies ahead for Edmonton

As the summer progresses, the Oilers will need to balance short-term improvements with long-term flexibility. Finding the right combination of speed, skill, and goaltending stability could define their path back to contention.

Observers will continue to monitor developments closely as general manager Stan Bowman and his staff navigate the complex trade market.