Oilers Exploring Trade for Forward Help

With recent injuries thinning the Oilers’ forward group, Edmonton has a more pressing need up front and less reason to carry eight defencemen. Moving Stastney could help balance the roster while giving him an opportunity to play more regularly elsewhere. His mobility and NHL experience could appeal to a team seeking additional depth on its blue line.

The Oilers acquired Stastney from Nashville for a third-round pick in December 2025. Although that investment does not determine his current trade value, Edmonton would ideally recover something useful rather than move him simply to clear a roster spot. The challenge is finding a team with both a need for Stastney and a forward it is willing to move.

Three Potential Forward Targets

Mark Kastelic could be an appealing option from Boston. The right-shot centre would bring size, physicality and another option for Edmonton’s bottom six. His approximately $1.567 million cap hit through 2027-28 also makes him an attractive financial fit. However, Boston’s willingness to exchange him for defensive depth remains uncertain.

Kevin Stenlund would offer a more established checking-centre profile. Stenlund won 54.2% of his faceoffs last season, an attribute that could help Edmonton in defensive-zone situations. His $2.75 million contract would require additional financial consideration, and Utah would need a reason to part with a useful contributor it recently re-signed.

Kirby Dach is the more intriguing upside option. Friedman previously linked Edmonton to Dach, reporting that the Oilers had explored the Montreal centre while seeking help on the right side of the faceoff circle. That earlier interest makes him relevant, although it does not establish that he is involved in this latest discussion.

Dach’s one-year, $3.6 million contract would make a straightforward swap more complicated. Montreal would also likely seek additional value beyond a depth defenceman, making him a less natural fit for the “lateral trade” description.

A Small Move Could Fill a Useful Role

Kastelic and Stenlund are speculative fits, while Dach has previously been linked to Edmonton. None has been identified as the target of this particular proposal.

For the Oilers, the goal should be acquiring a forward who can contribute regularly without sacrificing too much defensive insurance. Stastney is a logical candidate to move, but the return must fill a meaningful need to make the exchange worthwhile.