The Edmonton Oilers have already addressed several priorities this offseason, but their work may not be finished just yet.
With the roster largely in place, the focus has shifted toward finding the right complementary pieces who could strengthen the lineup for a Stanley Cup push. The organization still has financial flexibility, making another move a realistic possibility if the right opportunity presents itself.
This possibility has now fueled fresh speculation around an emerging New York Rangers forward who checks nearly every box Edmonton is looking for.
Allan Mitchell Calls Noah Laba a Perfect Fit for the Oilers
Noah Laba has emerged as one of the more intriguing names connected to the Oilers, thanks to an evaluation from Allan Mitchell.
In his latest column for The Athletic, Mitchell identified the young Rangers center as a player whose style fits exactly what Edmonton needs, even while acknowledging that acquiring him would be an uphill battle.
Mitchell clearly laid out his stance when describing the fit, writing, “Noah Laba of the New York Rangers would be a perfect fit. He has size, speed, and enough skill to project as a middle-six (second- or third-line centre).”
For an Oilers team searching for another dependable center capable of handling difficult minutes while contributing offensively, those qualities naturally stand out.
The insider also pointed to Laba’s unexpected rise in New York. “He came out of nowhere to grab an NHL job last season,” Mitchell wrote, adding that Rangers reporter Peter Baugh had already identified him as “a surprising but significant piece of the New York retool.”
Although Laba did not produce eye-catching offensive numbers during his rookie season, Mitchell believes there is considerably more upside waiting to emerge.
“Laba didn’t deliver the kind of offence that suggests a career on the second line,” Mitchell acknowledged, “but players often blossom in their second or third NHL seasons.” This belief helps explain why Edmonton would view him as more than just a depth addition.
His combination of size (standing 6′ 2″), skating ability, defensive reliability, and long-term potential could make him an ideal complement in the Oilers’ middle six.
The challenge, however, is convincing the Rangers to move him.
Mitchell described Laba as “the outer marker target, probably beyond what the Oilers can acquire at this time,” suggesting that New York has little incentive to part with a young player expected to assume a larger role after Vincent Trocheck’s departure.
He also questioned whether general manager Stan Bowman is prepared to complete a significant trade before training camp, writing that “Bowman may not have an appetite to make a big deal before training camp.”
Edmonton is at least in a position to explore options if circumstances change.
With roughly $4.7 million in projected cap space under the league’s $104 million salary cap, Bowman has enough financial breathing room to absorb the right contract without forcing an immediate move.
This flexibility allows the Oilers to remain patient while monitoring the trade market rather than rushing into a deal.
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For now, Laba appears firmly entrenched in the Rangers’ plans, making any trade difficult to envision.
Even so, Mitchell’s assessment highlights why the young center continues to generate attention around the league. If New York’s stance ever changes, Edmonton would have every reason to make the call.
