It’s always exciting to talk about which teams need to take big swings to topple the current playoff contenders, but the conversation takes a left turn when it comes to the Edmonton Oilers, who already have their big guns in place.
Any roster with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl front and center will be expected to compete for the Stanley Cup year in, year out. But Edmonton flattered to deceive this time around, which means general manager Stan Bowman will need to dip into his bag of tricks and pull a rabbit out of the hat.
A laundry list of players have been linked with the Oilers, but one $65 million top-six forward has been named as the most logical target across the board.
Jeff Marek Links $65 Million Winger Jordan Kyrou to Oilers’ Offseason Plans
Jordan Kyrou is now being seen as one of the most discussed names connected to Edmonton’s offseason strategy. During a recent episode of Daily Faceoff, NHL insider Jeff Marek explained why the St. Louis Blues forward continues to surface in conversations around the Oilers’ roster plans.
Marek said, “I would expect to hear the name Jordan Kyrou a ton this offseason as someone that can skate with McDavid. And it’s not exactly a secret that Kyrou’s been out there for a couple of years.” Marek also noted Edmonton’s ongoing search for a winger who can naturally keep pace with the Oilers captain in transition.
This issue became more visible during their playoff loss to the Anaheim Ducks, where the team struggled to create offense outside of its top stars. They were outscored 25-21 and exited the playoffs in six games.
Kyrou’s skating remains one of the biggest reasons behind Edmonton’s interest. His 23.04 MPH top skating speed places him among the fastest in the NHL, making him one of the few forwards capable of fitting into Edmonton’s rush-heavy style.
Despite a quieter year offensively with 18 goals and 46 points in 72 games, Kyrou is still viewed as a dangerous transition player with strong bounce-back potential, given Edmonton will technically be buying low.
Edmonton’s crease instability has also played a major role in this pursuit. The organization’s decision to move Stuart Skinner for Tristan Jarry backfired quickly, as Jarry posted an .858 save percentage alongside a 3.86 goals-against average after arriving from Pittsburgh.
The Oilers shuffled between netminders throughout the season, and the uncertainty in goal has placed even more pressure on the offense to carry games.
That situation then exposed their major weakness of lacking secondary scoring. When McDavid and Draisaitl were off the ice, Edmonton’s attack struggled horribly, as was evident during the Anaheim series. Kyrou’s ability to transport the puck through the neutral zone and create chances off the rush fits exactly what the Oilers lacked in those moments.
Still, completing a trade will not be easy. Kyrou carries an $8.125 million cap hit through the 2030-31 season and owns a full no-trade clause. St. Louis is also expected to demand a significant return package that includes NHL-ready pieces and future assets.
Marek also touched on other areas Edmonton must address, including defensive depth and the search for a reliable starting goaltender. “Tristan Jarry is at best a backup,” Marek said, while also mentioning Buffalo Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen as another possible target.
For now, Kyrou remains one of the clearest indicators of how Edmonton wants to reshape its roster this summer.
