Shane Wright Joins Kirby Dach in Oilers Trade Rumours

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Shane Wright Joins Kirby Dach in Oilers Trade Rumours

Originally posted on NHL Trade Talk | By Vivek Kalia | Last updated Sep 28, 2026 10:44 AM ET

The Edmonton Oilers may be looking beyond their current roster for a right-shot centre. On 32 Thoughts: The Podcast, Elliotte Friedman connected Edmonton to the Kirby Dach rumours and said he believes the club has also “poked around” on Shane Wright. Friedman suggested head coach Mike Babcock may have raised the need for a right-shot centre with management, though he presented that as his read of the situation rather than a confirmed conversation.

That distinction matters. Friedman’s comments point to interest, especially in Wright; they do not mean the Oilers are close to a trade with either Montreal or Seattle. Still, the two names give Edmonton a pair of very different possibilities to consider.

Dach Offers a Familiar Fit, With a Major Question

Dach would give the Oilers a big, right-shot centre who could move around the lineup. Edmonton also has his brother, Colton, adding an obvious connection to the speculation. Kirby has the skill to hold the puck, create space for his linemates and contribute on a second or third line when he is at his best.

The concern is how often Edmonton could count on that version of him. Dach played 37 games for Montreal in 2025-26 and recorded 15 points. He signed a one-year, $3.6 million contract in July, so the Oilers would have to decide whether his potential is worth both the trade cost and the risk attached to his health.

A move for Dach would make the most sense if Edmonton viewed him as a flexible middle-six option, rather than a guaranteed solution at centre. The Oilers have young players competing for those minutes, and a trade should give them a clear upgrade.

Wright Would Be a Bigger Bet on the Future

Wright presents a different case. Seattle selected him fourth overall in 2022, and he produced 44 points, including 19 goals, in 79 games during his first full NHL season in 2024-25. He offers the right shot Edmonton appears to want, along with the possibility of growing into a larger role.

That upside would likely make him harder to acquire. The Kraken would need a reason to move a young centre they have spent years developing, while the Oilers would have to weigh the cost against their need to improve immediately. If Edmonton made a serious pitch, it would be buying Wright’s future as much as his present production.

For now, Friedman’s report is most revealing for what it says about Edmonton’s priorities. The Oilers appear to be exploring ways to strengthen the middle of the ice and add a right-handed option. Dach could be a shorter-term gamble with a familiar connection; Wright would be a more ambitious investment. Neither is a confirmed trade target at an advanced stage, but both are names worth watching as Edmonton assesses its centre depth.

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

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