Welcome to Oilersnation’s newest series, where we dive into what non-contending teams can bring to the table for the Edmonton Oilers as they look to improve their roster ahead of another deep playoff run.

The Canucks are the perfect starting point. They’ve gone from Pacific Division champs to a team scrambling to stay in the playoff hunt. Let’s break it down.

Last season, the Canucks were a powerhouse, finishing with a 50-23-9 record, topping the Pacific Division by five points over the Oilers. But Edmonton got the last laugh, taking them out in Game 7 of the second round before making it to the Stanley Cup Finals. Fast forward to 2024-25, and the Oilers are firing on all cylinders. Meanwhile, the Canucks sit at 23-18-10, a single point away from the final Wild Card spot.

The Canucks’ struggles hit a new level Friday with a pair of trades. They sent J.T. Miller and a pair of minor-leaguers to the Rangers for Filip Chytil, a prospect, and a top-13 protected 2025 first-round pick. That pick didn’t last long, as it was flipped to Pittsburgh for Marcus Pettersson and Drew O’Connor, with Vancouver also shipping out Vincent Desharnais, Danton Heinen, and prospect Melvin Fernström.

Now the big question: Who’s next on the chopping block in Vancouver before the March 7 trade deadline?

Let’s be real: it would be downright comical if the Canucks flipped a first-round pick and a prospect for Marcus Pettersson only to trade him again before the deadline. But given their current trajectory, it’s not off the table.

Pettersson, a reliable second-pair defenceman, has three goals and 18 points in 47 games this season. Coming off a career-high 30 points last year, the 28-year-old’s $4.025 million cap hit (which Vancouver could retain 50% of) makes him an attractive option for Edmonton. He’s steady, solid, and could be the piece the Oilers need to shore up their blue line.

Brock Boeser seems like a long shot, but stranger things have happened. The 27-year-old winger is a pending UFA, and if Vancouver’s season spirals further, they may try to cash in.

Boeser is having a decent year with 16 goals and 33 points in 44 games. But last season? He was electric, notching a career-high 40 goals and 73 points. His $6.65 million cap hit and 10-team no-trade list make him a tougher asset to move, but for a team like Edmonton, a sniper coming off a 40-goal season could be worth the price.

A much more realistic target is Pius Suter, a versatile bottom-six forward with an expiring $1.6 million cap hit.

Suter’s having a strong season with 13 goals and 23 points in 50 games, already closing in on his career highs. He’s a cheap, no-strings-attached option for Edmonton to bolster their depth, exactly the kind of player you want in a playoff push.

Drew O’Connor falls into a similar category as Pettersson: newly acquired but expendable if Vancouver decides to sell big.

The 25-year-old forward had six goals and 16 points in 53 games with Pittsburgh before the trade. His best season came last year, with 16 goals and 33 points. He’s not flashy, but for a bottom-six role, he’s dependable, affordable, and could add grit to Edmonton’s lineup.

If the Oilers want a depth defenceman without breaking the bank, Derek Forbort is an intriguing option.

The 32-year-old veteran is on an expiring $1.5 million deal and brings nearly a decade of NHL experience. While his current stat line of four assists in 25 games isn’t jaw-dropping, Forbort’s defensive reliability could make him a smart, low-risk addition for Edmonton’s blue line.

Let’s talk goaltending. Kevin Lankinen has been a bright spot in an otherwise bleak Canucks season.
With a .906 save percentage, a 2.56 GAA, and an 18-8-6 record, Lankinen has been a key reason Vancouver is even sniffing the playoff race. His one-year, $875,000 deal with an eight-team no-trade list makes him an intriguing option. Do the Oilers need an upgrade on Calvin Pickard? Probably not, but Lankinen’s numbers suggest he could be one of the better options available.

The Canucks are at a crossroads, and the Oilers have an opportunity to capitalize. As the trade deadline approaches, it’s time to keep a close eye on Vancouver, they could help Edmonton’s playoff run.