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NHL·TRADE·October 4, 2026 07:58 PM ET

Oilers exploring lateral trade to swap defenseman for forward

Management seeks to deal from a surplus of eight defenders.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated yesterday1 min read
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What happened: Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reports the Edmonton Oilers are testing the market for a "lateral move" involving a depth defenseman. The organization is seeking to replenish its forward group after sustaining multiple preseason injuries.

Why it matters: Edmonton entered the season carrying eight defensemen, making the blue line a natural area to deal from as absences mount up front. The front office remains proactive in finding bottom-six reinforcements without panicking over the short-term situation. The Oilers were previously linked to a Montreal Canadiens forward late last month.

By the numbers: Edmonton is currently 12-6 this preseason, scoring 3.7 goals per game while allowing 3.1. The Oilers most recently secured a 3-1 final over the Seattle Kraken.

What to watch: Watch for Edmonton to leverage its defensive depth to complete a minor roster tweak before the preseason concludes.

Sources

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