2025 NHL Trade Deadline Odds and Rumours: Evander Kane complicates Oilers’ plan

After reaching Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final last season, the Edmonton Oilers are firmly in win-now mode. Let’s take a look at Edmonton’s situation heading into Friday’s NHL trade deadline.

2025 NHL Trade Deadline Tracker: Latest moves, updates and rumours

Evander Kane

Evander Kane hasn’t played a game this season and the Oilers need clarity on his situation. Edmonton is tight against the cap and they’ll be dollar in, dollar out, at the deadline if they expect Kane to play in the regular season. If not, there’s a little bit of wiggle room with Kane’s $5.125 million cap hit.

Aside from the looming deadline, Kane’s contract is also relevant because on March 1 his full no-move clause changed to a 16-team no-trade list. Kane is 33-years-old and coming off multiple surgeries this year, so if the Oilers want to move him and free up cap space, it’s likely going to cost them picks and/or prospects.

Targets

Edmonton is believed to be targeting a top-six forward, a second or third pairing left-shot defenceman and a fourth-line centre who can kill penalties.

There are plenty of top-six forwards available, but the prices might be too steep for the Oilers. Brock Nelson is at the top of everyone’s trade board and he’d slot in great in Edmonton, although they would likely need to move Kane’s contract to fit in Nelson’s $6 million cap hit.

Brian Dumoulin out of Anaheim could be an option on defence. The 33-year-old is a steady, reliable veteran presence who still moves around well. A two-time Stanley Cup winner with Pittsburgh, he’s also an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, so he shouldn’t be overly pricey as a rental.

Boston’s Trent Frederic is currently listed as week-to-week with an injury, but he’s still likely to be traded. The 27-year-old is a grind to play against and he adds a scoring threat to the bottom-six of the lineup. Frederic would make Edmonton’s depth look a lot better.