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Jason Dickinson, Chicago Blackhawks (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)

Oilers’ Best Trade Target at Each Forward Position

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers
By Jackson Scherger | Last updated Jan 30, 2026 2:00 PM ET

What is the Edmonton Oilers’ biggest need before the March 6 trade deadline? Is it an upgrade in goal? Is it a depth defenceman? Is it a top-nine forward like they have been rumoured to be looking for?

If it’s a forward, here are a few fits at each position that the Oilers should pursue, depending on what management is looking for.

LW: Jake DeBrusk

Yes, Jake DeBrusk plays for a division rival, but the Vancouver Canucks are floundering and could benefit from moving the veteran winger. The Oilers would need to pay a high price for him (plus a rivalry tax), but it would be very worth it. DeBrusk is a dual-threat who could easily fit alongside any of Edmonton’s centres. He has been a consistent point-getter in every season of his career, he doesn’t shy away from physical play, and he has played more and more minutes for the Canucks amid turnover.

DeBrusk has 28 points through 53 games and carries a cap hit of $5.5 million per season, which may seem high, but again, the Oilers should be willing to pay to get him. Evander Kane, whom the team traded to Vancouver back in June, has a similar cap hit and his numbers pale in comparison to DeBrusk on various fronts. It’s not a hard sell for the Canucks, and the Oilers need reinforcements now.

C: Jason Dickinson

There hasn’t been a lot of talk about Jason Dickinson, but he is a solid option for the Oilers to consider. Management has been rumoured to be going after other centres, but not the Chicago Blackhawks’ alternate captain. He’s had injury troubles this season (and had them last season), but when fully healthy, he’s a 200-foot force similar to DeBrusk.

Dickinson has 11 points through 40 games this season and is not far removed from his career year in 2023-24 when he notched 22 goals and 35 points and had his best defensive season. He also came in 12th in Selke Trophy voting that year and had a career-high in hits and takeaways. If he can stay on the ice, he would be a great option in the Oilers’ bottom-six.

RW: Alex Tuch

Alex Tuch would be the toughest to land but also the best addition to Edmonton’s lineup. The Buffalo Sabres are typically sellers, but right now, they are in a playoff spot and will likely want to keep Tuch for a postseason run. At the same time, he is on an expiring deal and will be looking for a big payday that Buffalo might not be able to afford. Enter the Oilers, who could use a goal-scoring veteran on their right side.

Tuch’s cap hit is just $4.75 million this season – a bargain considering he has scored at least 22 goals in every season since 2022-23. He is very hard to knock off the puck and has been a leader on a young Sabres squad. If the Oilers can put something together to entice Buffalo to deal him, his presence would be welcome almost anywhere in the lineup.

Who Is the Best Fit for the Oilers?

It’s easy to make an argument for any of these players, but DeBrusk is the best option. It’s not necessarily a positional need, but between a winger or centre, a winger is the better fit. The Oilers are good enough up the middle, and based on his playoff experience, physicality, and Edmonton’s playoff style, DeBrusk is who they should target. He is also the most well-rounded player of all the options.

With Adam Henrique out with an injury and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins playing a lot on the wing, there’s an argument that trading for a centre should be the priority. But, with Jack Roslovic playing well on the third line and Henrique, hopefully, returning soon, adding depth should be the priority. Mattias Janmark is also a capable centre. Regardless of how management leans before the deadline, they need to attack the market now and get in the game before other contenders make their phone calls.