4 Trade Targets Listed For Oilers To Add An Offensive Boost

Stan Bowman & Kris Knoblauch, Edmonton Oilers GM & Coach

A team with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl sitting in 17th place in goals-per-game in the NHL? It's clear that, despite the dynamic duo, the struggling Edmonton Oilers need more punch up front.

Allan Mitchell writes in The Athletic that in 5-on-5 offense, the Oilers have gone from 2.48 goals per 60 in 2024-25 (No. 14) to 2.22 goals per 60 (No. 22) this season. He attributes this to the Oilers' new offensive mindset, which he notes favours the long stretch pass.

With that in mind, he suggests four ideal trade targets for the team that would fit the new model and give them a boost in scoring:

Alex Tuch

The Buffalo Sabres' two-way forward would be "the biggest difference-maker possibly available on the market," writes Mitchell. And it's hard to argue. His five-on-five numbers have been off the charts, with 1.25 goals/60 minutes, and 3.74 points/60.

The Sabres haven't quite decided how they're going to handle the pending UFA, given the massive price tag he can charge for his services as one of the only top UFA offensive players still unsigned. A trade is a very real possibility.

Kiefer Sherwood

We learned on Tuesday that the Vancouver Canucks are making all of their pending UFAs available, and Sherwood is off to a tremendous start to the year, boosting his trade value. His strong skating makes him an ideal add for the Oilers. But would the Canucks trade within the division to their Canadian rival?

Anthony Mantha

The 31-year-old is also off to a strong start to the season, and is on an expiring (one-year) contract. He's not often mentioned as one of the Penguins skaters on the trade block, but, as Mitchell writes, "he uses his body well enough to work in a system like the one Edmonton is trying to create."