Edmonton Oilers on the verge of trading key players in massive shake-up

With trade rumors heating up again in Edmonton, it's clear the Oilers are preparing for another Cup run, but getting past Dallas won't be easy.

The Edmonton Oilers are once again facing a familiar situation: loaded with talent, backed into a win-now window, and flirting with another all-in approach at the trade deadline.

This time, though, the road to the Stanley Cup looks more crowded, especially in the Western Conference.

The Dallas Stars aren't just contenders anymore.

They might be the team that Edmonton has to beat.

In a recent piece from The Athletic, NHL insider Allan Mitchell named five Oilers who could be dangled as trade bait if Edmonton goes full throttle again.

That list includes goalie Stuart Skinner, winger Matt Savoie, and prospects Vasily Podkolzin, Beau Akey, and Maxim Berezkin.

These aren't throwaway names.

Skinner alone has started 50 playoff games and was in net for the first two of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final.

"This team has already given up a lot of futures to win now," Mitchell explained. "And they might do it again, depending on how the season plays out."

The Oilers want the Cup, but the Dallas Stars might be their biggest roadblock in the West

While Edmonton debates whether to spend more future capital, the Dallas Stars have quietly built one of the deepest, most balanced rosters in hockey.

With Jason Robertson, Miro Heiskanen, Wyatt Johnston, and Mikko Rantanen, they've mixed youth and star power better than almost anyone.

And they've done it without constantly emptying the cupboard.

In fact, the Stars might now be the Oilers' biggest nightmare in the Western Conference.

They've ended playoff runs before and could do it again.

Personally, I don't think Edmonton gets past Dallas unless they hit on every single trade they make.

The Stars are built to last. The Oilers are built to win now, or risk it all.