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Letters to the Editor: Kent Johnson is a perfect trade target for Oilers
Kasperi Kapanen Edmonton Oilers Letters to the Editor
Photo credit: Photoshop by Tom Kostiuk
Zach Laing
May 17, 2026, 19:00 EDTUpdated: May 17, 2026, 16:20 EDT
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It’s time to dig into this week’s Letters to the Editor. Want to join in the fun? Details about how to reach out are at the bottom of the article.

Kent Johnson, come on down

The Oilers should target Kent Johnson. He’d be a bit of a reclamation project, but putting him next to Draisaitl could be exactly what unlocks his game.
Watching him at the World Juniors made me wish he was an Oiler. He’s fast, skilled, has great size, and it feels like he’s completely fallen out of favour in Columbus. Even Bowness basically called him out by name.
Could he become the next 2026 Trevor Zegras or Vasily Podkolzin-style bounce-back story? Maybe, maybe not. But I’d trade Hutson and a second-round pick for him every day — and twice on Sundays. What’s a more realistic package?
The bigger question is whether it’s actually realistic. Columbus shouldn’t trade a player like this, but they totally could. He’s the same age as Podkolzin when he was moved.
Kaden
Edmonton, Alberta
(The might even be able to get him for less if they say please.)

They need a wrecking ball

I’ve been texting Bob Staufer and Sports 1440 for years.
I’ve texted the problems for years. I haven’t changed on this issue.
It’s always been team chemistry and the lack of player chemistry intensity.
Holland came close, but it took too long. And then Bowman and Jackson basically screwed it up again. You can’t have a quiet, low-checking team that doesn’t stand up for each other.
It’s why Matthew Tkachuk and Paul Maurice turn the Florida Panthers into a wrecking ball when healthy.
Harvey Bevans
(Further proof that how you play in the regular season sets you up for the playoffs.)
Oilersnation wants to hear from you, the reader, in our new weekly “Letters to the Editor” segment. Letters can be emailed to Oilersnation’s managing editor Zach Laing (zach.laing@bettercollective.com), titled “Letters to the Editor.” Please include a letter up to 200 words, including your name, place of residence (city, town, province, or state). Your letters may be edited for length and/or clarity. Letters must be submitted by 6 p.m. MT Saturday night to be considered for feature on Sunday mornings.
Zach Laing is Oilersnation’s managing editor, and The Nation Network’s news director. He also makes up one-half of the Daily Faceoff DFS Hockey Report. He can be followed on X at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach.laing@bettercollective.com.
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