Oilers Looking At Specific Upgrade At Forward

The Edmonton Oilers are the second-highest scoring team in the NHL, and there have been a good amount of changes at forward with line mixing and injuries this season. There are some stable and trusted combinations, but there could still be something more added.

The Oilers don't have much cap space to work with this season, but will use Andrew Mangiapane to free up cap space to make an addition. Beyond that, there isn't much they can do to open up space until the offseason. GM Stan Bowman will do what he can and has already made some solid additions in his time in Edmonton.

Elliotte Friedman said, "They're definitely going to look for a forward. I've heard they feel they need someone who's willing to accept a 3rd or 4th line role. It's hard for guys like Andrew Mangiapane to do that."

There isn't really room in the top-6 for an addition this season with Connor McDavid, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Zach Hyman as the stellar top line, Leon Draisaitl, Vasily Podkolzin, and either Kasperi Kapanen, Jack Rolsovic, or Matthew Savoie as the second line. From there is where the Oilers need someone who can play their role well with more limited minutes, rather than needing to be alongside McDavid or Draisaitl to perform.

There are more roster spaces that can be freed up and there are definitely bottom-6 players who are comfortable in their role that the Oilers can go out and get before the trade deadline. They have their second and third round picks this season and first, second, and two fifths next year in terms of draft capital in the first five rounds to use to acquire what they need. For a bottom-6 player, a first round pick won't be used, or it's a bad trade. We won't have to wait too long to see what the Oilers can do to help their forward group.