The Edmonton Oilers were active at the trade deadline, making multiple moves to strengthen their roster for a playoff push. But as new details emerge, it’s becoming clear there was one name they were especially interested in and ultimately couldn’t land.
According to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, the Oilers “really liked” Oliver Ekman-Larsson, the $14 million defenseman from the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Why the Edmonton Oilers Targeted Oliver Ekman-Larsson
Ekman-Larsson, currently in the second year of his four-year deal, has quietly put together a strong season in Toronto. With 35 points in 68 games and nearly 21 minutes of ice time per night, he’s been a reliable presence on the blue line.
He also carries a modified no-trade clause, allowing him to block deals to 16 teams, adding another layer of complexity to any potential move.
Friedman revealed, “I think they would’ve traded him if they got the 1st and the 2nd; I know Edmonton really liked him; the Leafs were very clear, they were not going to him unless they had reason to.”
In Friedman’s view, the Oilers would have been willing to pay that price if it meant landing Ekman-Larsson.
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Even without landing Ekman-Larsson, Edmonton didn’t stand still.
They struck a deal with the Chicago Blackhawks to acquire forwards Jason Dickinson and Colton Dach, sending Andrew Mangiapane and a conditional 2027 first-round pick the other way, with salary retained on Dickinson.
Before that, the Oilers also added defenseman Connor Murphy from Chicago in exchange for a 2028 second-round pick, again with salary retention involved.
General manager Stan Bowman emphasized that each addition was targeted, bringing specific traits the team felt were missing. “When you look at those three players, they all have very specific identities, and they bring an element that I think our team was missing,” Bowman said. “And that’s what we’re most excited about… But most likely, I would say this is our team.”
Despite their aggressive approach at the deadline, the Oilers enter this stretch on the back of consecutive losses and currently sit second in the Pacific Division.
Missing out on a player like Ekman-Larsson may not define their season, but it does highlight the type of upgrade Edmonton was seeking on the blue line: a steady, experienced presence capable of logging big minutes.
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For now, the focus shifts back to the ice, with the Edmonton Oilers set to face the Utah Mammoth on Tuesday as they look to get back on track.
