The Edmonton Oilers are poised to start a new dynasty, entering the 2025-2026 season after back-to-back trips to the Stanley Cup Finals. Despite their success, they’ve yet to win the championship, losing both times to the Florida Panthers.
To “finish the job,” the Oilers might consider fine-tuning their roster, potentially making strategic trades or adjustments to their lineup. With their current core and momentum, they’re well-positioned to make a deep playoff run and potentially bring home their sixth Stanley Cup.
Top-Six Forward on the Agenda in Edmonton
The Edmonton Oilers might be interested in acquiring Jared McCann, a 29-year-old forward currently playing for the Seattle Kraken. McCann has a proven track record of points production, with 61 points (22G, 39A) in the 2024-2025 season. He has consistently produced points throughout his career and has two years left on his contract with a $5 million cap hit.
The Seattle Kraken are reportedly open to moving McCann, and the Oilers might be a good fit for him. With his points production and experience, McCann could be a valuable addition to the Oilers’ roster. The Oilers seem poised to “finish the job” after coming up short in the Stanley Cup Final for the second straight season, and acquiring McCann could be a key move to help them achieve their goal.
Top Prospects to Seattle for Team-Best Goal Scorer
Jared McCann has found success with the Seattle Kraken, scoring at least 20 goals each season. In the 2024-2025 season, he scored 22 goals and added 39 assists for 61 points in 82 games, averaging 0.74 points per game. Throughout his career, McCann has scored 184 goals and 214 assists for 398 points in 668 games, averaging 0.60 points per game.
McCann is considered an elite top-six contributor, with a solid two-way game and consistent offensive production. If the Kraken were to trade him, it would likely signal a full rebuild for the team, as he’s been their leading scorer in all four seasons with Seattle.
Oilers Must Free Up Cap Space to Nab McCann
The Edmonton Oilers might need to clear cap space to acquire Jared McCann, who has a $5 million cap hit and two seasons remaining on his contract. Potential ways for the Oilers to create cap space include trading Adam Henrique or Mattias Janmark.
To acquire McCann, the Oilers might need to offer significant assets, such as prospect Beau Akey, Maxim Berezkin, their 2027 first-round pick, and their 2028 second-round pick. However, the Seattle Kraken might prefer a first-round pick in 2026, which the Oilers don’t own until 2027. The Kraken’s preference could impact the trade negotiations.
