Oilers want 2 positions before trade deadline, and now we know which ones

Edmonton has come so close.

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Oilers want 2 positions before trade deadline, and now we know which ones

Billy Heyen

Sun, March 1, 2026 at 6:39 PM UTC·
1 min read

*Oilers want 2 positions before trade deadline, and now we know which ones originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.*

The Edmonton Oilers have come up just short in each of the last two seasons.

Two years ago, they fell in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals. Last year, it was Game 6 that ended their season on the same stage.

They aren't in quite that level of form at the moment, but as long as they get into the postseason, they're dangerous.

That makes what happens in the days to come before Friday's NHL trade deadline extra important.

It appears they are looking for two positions: A defenseman for the right side, and a third-line center.

This is what Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman said on Hockey Night in Canada:

"From what I've heard, I think Edmonton is looking at two possibilities: a defenceman who can play the right side, OEL (Oliver Ekman-Larsson) has done that before, or potentially a third centre, especially if Ryan Nugent-Hopkins stays on the wing.. They've got to move on from (Andrew) Mangiapane, but those are, I think, the two positions that Edmonton is considering shoring up."

MORE: Elias Pettersson breaks silence on Canucks benching before deadline

There's also been speculation that the Oilers could trade for a goalie. Friedman pushed back on that.

"They've already made their move," he said.

The Oilers traded with the Penguins earlier this season to get Tristan Jarry, who has been injured and struggled.

Edmonton apparently is sticking by Jarry, though. They can't use up more assets to get a replacement for a replacement.

Keep an eye on defensemen and centers for the Oilers.

More NHL news:

Auston Matthews, Maple Leafs now forced to face tough reality

A salary cap rule may make 2 Flames trades difficult

Sidney Crosby breaks silence on injury, Olympics and rest of Penguins' season

It'll be complicated to trade for Steven Stamkos

Alex Ovechkin has shared an update on his retirement plans

Evgeni Malkin gets big news on a possible future

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