Oilers trade idea reunites former first-round pick

As long as the Edmonton Oilers have Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, they will contend for Stanley Cups.

However, can they finally break through for that coveted title for the first time since 1990?

Re-signing Evan Bouchard helps. Adding Andrew Mangiapane, and rookies Isaac Howard, and Matthew Savoie to the 2025-26 lineup will help, too. But this is still an Oilers team with holes.

NHL Insider David Pagnotta said on “Hello Hockey” that “The Oilers… they are looking for another top six guy.”

One possible option for Edmonton is a reunion with its 2008 first-round pick, Jordan Eberle. The Seattle Kraken right winger did turn 35 a few months ago, but he can still be an effective piece on either McDavid's or Draisaitl’s wing.

Eberle is coming off a disappointing 9-goal, 26-point campaign over 42 games, but he also notched a 20-goal, 63-point season in 2022-23. Like everyone else blessed enough to play on one of the Oilers’ top lines, he should have no problem producing top-six points.

Eberle has also proven himself in the playoffs. Over 76 career games, he has 19 goals and 47 points. Edmonton has struggled with depth scoring against the Florida Panthers, and while Eberle is at worst a third-line winger, he represents yet another threat to put the puck in the back of the net.

The money is complicated, as the Oilers have less than $250,000 in cap space to work with this summer. Eberle, meanwhile, has one year left at $4.75 million. 

Should the Kraken, who do not appear destined for a playoff berth, feel like offloading Eberle and retaining salary for extra draft capital, Edmonton should be the first to call.

Eberle does not necessarily get the Oilers over the top, but this is a win-now team that needs to make all-in moves.