3 Forwards the Oilers Could Target in Reported “Lateral Trade”

The Edmonton Oilers have gotten off to a strong start to their 2026-27 season, with a 2-0-1 record through their first three games. The fact they have had this solid of a start, with several key players out with injuries, proves they have some strong depth and could be in for a solid campaign if things keep working in their favour.

In a recent report, Elliotte Friedman mentioned that the Oilers could take some of their defensive depth and move someone for a forward, considering how depleted their forward group is. With eight defensemen on the roster, moving one of them to add a little firepower up front could be beneficial.

Jason Dickinson, Matthew Savoie, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Zach Hyman remain out, so it wouldn’t hurt to add some reinforcements.

Friedman was clear that the Oilers aren’t panicking to make a move, but did say they have explored a “lateral trade, maybe a defenceman for a forward.”

While fans have debated which defender could be the odd one out, this article is going to take a look at three forwards the Oilers could target, if they do choose to make a move.

Mark Kastelic

Adding some physical depth to their bottom-six forward group could be exactly what the Oilers want, and creating a little internal competition with players who have similar styles, like Trent Frederic, could help them out a little bit. For that, one player they could target is Boston Bruins’ Mark Kastelic.

Kastelic, who is 27 years old, isn’t someone who can bring much offensively, but his willingness to fight when needed to spark his team and use his body to throw hits make him an enticing addition, and someone that head coach Mike Babcock may like to utilize.

He has a $1,566,667 cap hit and is signed through the 2027-28 season. Spencer Stastney, who could end up being the odd defenseman out, has a $1,525,000 cap hit, making the deal not need any extra money in or out for the Oilers, if they moved him one-for-one.

Michael Eyssimont

Another Bruins forward, Michael Eyssimont, could be someone the Oilers look at.

Eyssimont, who is 30 years old, was placed on waivers recently, and if he passes through, he will be more valuable in the Oilers’ eyes, who may need to move him down to the American Hockey League (AHL) freely when they get some of their own players back.

Having somebody in their organization, like Eyssimont, who has over 250 games of NHL experience and is available at any time to be called up if any more injuries come up throughout the season, would be a great thing for the Oilers.

Through 269 career games, Eyssimont has scored 33 goals and added 41 assists for 74 points, which comes out to a 0.28 points-per-game average.

With just a $1,450,000 cap hit, moving Stastney out for him could make the money work.

Kirby Dach

Less of a depth forward, and likely someone who would step into the Oilers’ middle-six forward group for the rest of the season, Montreal Canadiens’ Kirby Dach.

Kirby’s brother, Colton, already plays for the Oilers, and combining the two of them could help elevate them both.

The $3.6 million cap hit that Dach has makes it a bit tougher for the Oilers to make a deal work, but attaching a draft pick with Stastney and having the Habs retain half of his salary could make things work.

Dach, who is 25 years old, was born close to Edmonton in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, and adding hometown players never hurts. He has over 300 games of NHL experience, but his injury history could scare the Oilers a little bit.

Through 308 career games, Dach has scored 51 goals and added 86 assists for 137 points, which comes out to a 0.44 points-per-game average.

Any of these three players could be someone the Oilers look at, if they truly are looking to make a move for a forward, but time will tell if they choose to stand pat, or if they choose to add some firepower.

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