The trade deadline often forces teams to decide how far they are willing to go. The Edmonton Oilers have already made some roster moves, but more changes could follow. If management wants a veteran forward with playoff experience, one name stands out in St. Louis.
That possibility has pushed the conversation toward a significant contract and a complex decision.
Brayden Schenn Emerges as Top Trade Target for Edmonton Oilers Before March 6 Deadline
The Oilers have been linked to Brayden Schenn of the St. Louis Blues as they search for help in their bottom six. Schenn is under contract through the 2027-28 season as part of an eight-year, $52 million deal that carries a $6.5 million cap hit.
This figure creates an obvious challenge for Edmonton, which has limited cap space and would need to retain salary or make a separate move to make the numbers work.
NHL insider Pierre LeBrun recently examined the idea in The Athletic. He wrote, “Or could a bigger target, like Brayden Schenn of the St. Louis Blues, make sense? He’s got two years left on his contract at a $6.5 million cap hit, so St. Louis would need to retain some salary there. And what’s the cost of doing that?”
LeBrun added that Schenn’s “physical makeup and Stanley Cup-winning pedigree” make the concept appealing.
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From a hockey perspective, Schenn would bring experience and a physical edge. He has 25 points in 60 games this season while averaging close to 17 minutes per night. His pursuit fits Edmonton’s reported goal of adding a rugged forward.
His contract situation has also shifted. Schenn’s full no-trade clause dropped this season to a 15-team no-trade list, which gives the Blues more options if they choose to move him.
Even with that flexibility, St. Louis would likely need to retain up to 50 percent of his salary to complete a deal with Edmonton.
Schenn addressed the uncertainty earlier this week. “It’s an uneasy time for everyone,” he said. “We obviously see names out there, but at the end of the day, you have a job to do and you come out, you practice hard, you play hard, you put your head down, and you be a pro. That’s what it boils down to. Some guys have full control, some guys have some control, and some guys have none. But at the end of the day, it’s part of the business. No one likes going through it. But we know what we signed up for.”
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Edmonton has already completed one move, acquiring defenseman Connor Murphy from the Chicago Blackhawks, with Chicago retaining half of his salary. That structure could serve as a model if discussions with St. Louis advance.
Schenn has played more than 1,000 games in the NHL and won a Stanley Cup in 2019. The question now is whether Edmonton believes that experience is worth the cost and the cap maneuvering required before the March 6 deadline.
