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Oilers Rethinking Trade Strategy, Should Avoid Nugent-Hopkins Mistake

Originally posted on NHL Trade Talk | Last updated Dec 26, 2025 3:48 PM ET

Kurt Leavins of the Edmonton Journal wrote on Sunday, “”Unless Stan Bowman is going big game hunting for a left winger alongside Connor McDavid, I cannot imagine who would be a better fit than Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.” He was speaking about the team’s need for a third-line center, but was pointing out something I strongly believe: moving Nuge off that top line to fill the 3C hole would be a mistake.

Leavins adds:

“The Nuge has a long track record of being productive in that slot. He can think the game at Connor’s level. But leaving Nugent-Hopkins on the first line would effectively scotch the idea of #93 at 3C. And while I admire the hell out of Adam Henrique, at this point in his career, I think he is a very good 4C. I believe the 3C item has the potential to deliver the greatest impact of anything one thing on this list.”

That means, if the Oilers are going to add at the deadline and their target is a forward, perhaps they should rethink their strategy.

Potentially Good News for the Oilers at the Deadline

This is actually good news for the Oilers. Adding a third-line center — while tough to find — might be less costly than trying to add a top-line winger. If Nugent-Hopkins is the guy on that top line — and it looks like he is from the way that line of McDavid, Zach Hyman, and Nugent-Hopkins is playing — they don’t have to spend big assets to go out and acquire a Jonathan Marchessault, Artemi Panarin, Jordan Eberle, Jaden Schwartz, or whomever else might pop up in trade discussions ahead of the deadline.

Those players cost a lot to acquire.

And, while centers are harder to come by, the price isn’t often as outrageous when it comes to depth pivots. Look at Phillip Danault. Yes, it was a second-round pick for player with no goals, but he had a lot of other qualities that the Canadiens found useful. Is there another Danault out on the market?

Jesperi Kotkaniemi was available in trade and reportedly offered in exchange for Danault. He’s a potential option, but his cap hit is problematic at $4.8 million over the next five seasons.

Our own Vivek Kalia wrote that Charlie Coyle, Nicholas Roy, and Nick Bjugstad could be intriguing options at a lower price point.

Don’t Fix What Finally Isn’t Broken

The point here is that Edmonton has been searching for a long time to find wingers in their top six who can play alongside their elite stars, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl . They may have seen it in Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and to a lesser extent, on the second line, Jack Roslovic. There’s little need to give up a huge haul when the fix is likely already on the roster.

Instead, go after a 3C or ensure that the depth at other positions is set.

This article first appeared on NHL Trade Talk and was syndicated with permission.

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