Edmonton’s plan to chase a big top-nine forward hinges on creating cap space before the trade deadline, potentially by shedding salary and using a 2027 first-round pick as a bargaining chip. The strategy centers on a two-step approach: trim payroll now to enable a blockbuster move later, then pounce when the market tightens and teams hold back cap space for the stretch run.
Key timing and personnel are in flux. Mattias Janmark’s 1.45 million hit and 10-team no-trade clause complicate a deal, while Adam Henrique’s no-movement clause reduces odds of a trade. Jake Walman’s contract discussions enter the mix as a potential piece, and the Oilers’ cap plan could hinge on extending or reshaping the defense core to maximize flexibility for a top-line addition.
With the Oilers owning a 2027 first-round pick, the math could tilt toward a splash for a forward or even a goaltender depending on how the roster is reshaped. The broader question remains whether Edmonton can stabilize its cap window enough to add a player who can immediately lift the lineup in high-leverage segments of the season and beyond.
