Edmonton Oilers general manager Stan Bowman hinted Friday that the team was hard at work on a big swing ahead of the trade deadline.

“If you knew everything that might have happened, you’d be surprised,” he told reporters in a post-deadline press conference.

Well, word has come out Saturday morning about who the team was hard after, with TSN’s Ryan Rishaug reporting the team was “well down the path of an extension” for winger Mikko Rantanen that would’ve exceeded the eight-year, $12-million AAV he got from the Dallas Stars. Dallas, of course, ended up landing the winger in a deal that saw them send the Carolina Hurricanes one of their top young players, Logan Stankoven, two first round picks and two third round picks for the Finn.

But Rishaug reported that the Oilers’ lack of trade assets prevented the Hurricanes from getting anything done.

Rantanen, who shares an agent with Leon Draisaitl, wasn’t the only potential top-six addition the team was considering, either. Rishaug reported they also looked at Pittsburgh Penguins winger Rickard Rakell and Chicago Blackhawks forward Ryan Donato.

This isn’t the first time the Oilers had been linked to Rantanen, either. St. Louis Blues reporter Andy Strickland said in January after the Colorado Avalanche sent Rantanen to the Hurricanes that “there’s some belief” if Carolina let him walk to free agency, the Oilers could’ve found a way to land the winger on a long-term deal.

One could argue that Rantanen to the Oilers would’ve been more earth shattering than his acquisition by the Stars. While there’s no denying the depth of high-end talent they already have with the likes of Jason Robertson, Roope Hintz, Wyatt Johnston et al., they don’t have anyone near the level of Connor McDavid or Draisaitl.

Could you imagine McDavid, Draisaitl and Rantanen on the ice together late in a tie game? My lord.

There’s no denying that it would’ve had massive implications for the Oilers salary cap, but in a world where the cap is rising to $95.5-million next year, $104-million in 2026-27 and $113.5-million in 2027-28, it may not be as unrealistic as one would think. PuckPedia projects in those years the Oilers would have $14.71-million, $66.08-million and $78.13-million in cap space with the current contracts the team has.

That, of course, doesn’t account for Evan Bouchard’s extension, which will kick in next season, nor McDavid’s extension, which will take effect in 2026-27.

Rakell and Donato are interesting options, and while the former has put up 29 goals and 53 points in 64 games this year, but most of his impacts come defensively, rather than offensively. He’s driven play in the offensive zone at a five percent rate below league average, but defensively, he’s driven play to the tune of five percent above league average, according to HockeyViz. His overall imapcts, though, are poor, ranking at the rate of a high-end fourth-liner, or low-end third liner. Rakell is in the third-year of a six-year deal paying him $5-million annually.

Donato, meanwhile, has been having a breakout season in a contract year. His cap hit is much lower than Rakell’s, at just $2-million, and has made his impact felt offensively this year. He’s scored 23 goals and 47 points in 61 games, all marks that are career high. HockeyViz has had his overall impact this year at the rate of a low-end second-liner, driving play offensively at a four percent rate above league average and defensively at a six percent rate below league average.

Could Bowman’s work ahead of the deadline be an indication of what the team could look to do this summer? Time will tell.

Zach Laing is Oilersnation’s associate editor, senior columnist, and The Nation Network’s news director. He also makes up one-half of the DFO DFS Report. He can be followed on Twitter, currently known as X, at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach.laing@bettercollective.com.

The Canadian premiere screening of the documentary “UKE: The Untold Story of Hockey Legends” takes place at Ford Hall in Edmonton’s Rogers Place on

Monday, March 10, 2025. The film screening will be followed by a Q&A session with the film’s director Volodymyr Mula and broadcaster Kelly Hrudey.

The film highlights the enduring legacy of over 50 NHL champions of Ukrainian descent—more than any other nationality outside North America. Through rare footage, personal interviews, and gripping storytelling, “UKE” sheds light on the lives of legendary players such as Johnny Bucyk, Ken Daneyko, and Ruslan Fedotenko, revealing their connection to Ukraine and their lasting influence on the world of hockey.

Tickets and event information at www.ukrfolk.ca,  Tickets include delicious Ukrainian food!