It’s trade deadline week and we’ve already seen some big moves, perhaps none bigger than Saturday night when the Florida Panthers picked up disgruntled defenceman Seth Jones.
There’s a plethora of names that could be on the move with Brock Nelson No. 1 on Daily Faceoff’s Trade Targets list.
As I do every year leading up to the deadline, I crowd-sourced some trade proposals and offer my thoughts on them.

Here’s an interesting one to address the goaltending position. From the Oilers standpoint, a no-doubt home run here. Karel Vejmelka has been excellent this year, posting a 16-16-4 record, 2.45 goals against average and a .910 save percentage, but I have a hard time imagining the other two teams being interested. The Utah Hockey Club and the Anaheim Ducks both really come out on the short end, and unless there were first round picks and maybe more heading to each team, I have a hard time imagining them interested. John Gibson is a downgrade from Vejmelka, and Calvin Pickard is a downgrade from Gibson.
Spicy. I like it. Viktor Arvidsson hasn’t quite worked out in Edmonton thus far, with just seven goals and 19 points in 45 games, despite spending virtually all of his time in the top-six. That’s a tough pill to swallow given the dominance Leon Draisaitl has had this year. Sam O’Reilly is looking like a rock solid prospect, though he’s likely a few years from impacting an NHL roster in Edmonton or beyond.
Rantanen is a game-breaker, and while there’s been an adjustment, he’s scored a goal and four points in his last four games heading into Sunday. The Oilers could fit this under the salary cap dipping into the LTIR pool, but would this be enough for the Hurricanes?
If they do decide to flip Rantanen, they’re likely looking for another high-end, game-breaking talent. Arvidsson just isn’t that, so I have a hard time seeing this being enough.
Another Arvidsson deal here and another that’s close for both sides. Connor Murphy is a strong two-way defenceman, providing positive results both offensively and defensively, with his impacts bordering that of a first pairing blue liner, according to HockeyViz. Donato, meanwhile, is a strong offensive driver with a great shot he’s utilizing more and more this year. Both would be strong additions to the Oilers top-four defenders and top-nine forwards.
Murphy has two years left on a deal paying him $4.4-million, but Chicago isn’t able to retain salary on any more trades this season after the Jones deal Saturday. Still, the Oilers could fit this deal in under the cap.
Chicago gets back a top-six winger who could play alongside Bedard, as well as adding some draft capital as they continue to rebuild. The Oilers would kill two birds with one stone, getting upgrades in two spots they need. One concern would be Edmonton getting outbid for both of these players.
No deal.
This one is simple and while a first round pick for Rasmus Ristolainen might be considered malpractice a few years ago, he’s significantly improved his game over recent years. So much so that this season, he’s contributing at the rate of high-end first-pairing defenceman. The Oilers would need Philadelphia to retain money, or a third team to broker retention, but I could see them swinging something like this. He brings a physical edge the Oilers need on the blue line, and at 6’4″, 208 lbs., some size, too.
Jake Evans’ stock has continued to climb with a strong season in a contract year. He’s been reliable, yet unflashy and would fit the bill as the depth centre the team is likely to look at acquiring. The return on the deal is reasonable, though there are injury concerns with Roby Jarventie in Bakersfield. I like this trade for the Oilers.
Trade Proposal from Steven Fiddler
To Edmonton: Alex Tuch and Mattias Samuelsson
To Buffalo: 2026 1st round pick, 2025 2nd round pick, Beau Akey, Matvei Petrov and Viktor Arvidsson
Steven DM’d me this as his social media account is private.
This one is a monster. First off, the money wouldn’t quite work as it would put the Oilers over the LTIR pool by $700,000. Still, Buffalo has all their retention slots, so they could eat some money on one, or both players. Tuch has a year left on a deal paying him $4.75-million, while Samuelsson has five years left on a deal paying him $4.285-million.
Tuch, 28, is a two-way, middle-six winger with offensive upside, scoring .71 points per game over his 512 game career, including career highs in goals, assists and points in 2022-23, going 36-43—79. He’s had positive impacts offensively and defensively equating to that of an borderline 2nd line forward, according to HockeyViz.
Samuelsson, 24, is a defence-first defenceman that has taken a step forward this year with his impacts similar to that of a high-end second pair blue liner. He’s locked in on a long-term deal at an affordable rate that will only look better over the next couple of years.
While Tuch appeared on Daily Faceoff’s recent trade targets list, with Frank Seravalli highlighting how he’s has been the model of consistency during one of the most turbulent periods in Sabres history. Steady. Tough. Competitive. That’s why teams are interested in shaking him loose from the Sabres.”
The Oilers would be giving up a lot here, essentially moving two first round picks, a second and Arvidsson, but given that both players have term, it’s a much easier sell.
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.

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