Oilers Linked to Kirill Marchenko as Potential Trade Suitor

The Edmonton Oilers have spent much of the offseason looking for another difference-maker in their top six, and one of the more intriguing names connected to them is Columbus Blue Jackets winger Kirill Marchenko.

Sportsnet insider Nick Kypreos placed Marchenko among his top trade candidates entering the 2026-27 season and specifically identified Edmonton, the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens as teams that “seem poised to try and make something work with Columbus.” Kypreos added that Marchenko has no trade protection and is a pending restricted free agent with arbitration rights, meaning an acquiring team would control his rights beyond this season.

For an Oilers team firmly trying to maximize the Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl era, Marchenko is exactly the type of player worth paying a premium to acquire.

Marchenko Would Give Oilers Another Legitimate Scoring Threat

Marchenko’s attraction goes well beyond his age and contract situation.

The 26-year-old is coming off consecutive productive seasons in Columbus. After breaking out with 31 goals and 74 points in 79 games in 2024-25, he followed that with 27 goals and 67 points in 76 games last season. He generated 218 shots in 2025-26 while averaging 18:57 per game, further establishing himself as a legitimate top-six offensive weapon.

At 6-foot-3 and 201 pounds, Marchenko also brings a combination of size and skill that would translate well into Edmonton’s lineup. More importantly, he’s a right-shot winger capable of finishing opportunities created by elite playmakers.

Put Marchenko beside McDavid and Edmonton could suddenly have another 30-goal threat receiving some of the best scoring opportunities of his career. Alternatively, placing him with Draisaitl would give the Oilers another dangerous scoring line and make it harder for opponents to load up defensively against McDavid.

Marchenko wouldn’t simply be another complementary winger. His production suggests he could legitimately drive offence himself, something Edmonton’s secondary scoring has lacked at times.

What Would an Oilers Trade Package Look Like?

The difficulty is determining whether Edmonton has enough to outbid Toronto, Montreal or another interested club. A realistic conversation likely begins with Isaac Howard, with Columbus potentially also asking for significant draft capital and an NHL player. Something along the lines of:

Oilers receive: Kirill Marchenko
Blue Jackets receive: Isaac Howard, Kasperi Kapanen, 2028 first-round pick and an additional conditional/mid-round pick

That’s a significant price, but Marchenko isn’t a traditional rental. Howard would be the centrepiece from Columbus’ perspective. Although he recorded only five points in 29 NHL games last season, he produced 22 goals and 47 points in 45 American Hockey League (AHL) games and was named to the AHL All-Rookie Team. He’s also only one year removed from winning the Hobey Baker Award after recording 52 points in 37 games at Michigan State.

Kapanen would provide Columbus with an established NHL winger who could immediately enter its lineup. Edmonton re-signed him to a one-year, $2.6 million contract after he recorded eight goals and 17 points in 41 games last season and led the Oilers with four goals during their playoff run.

The draft-pick portion is more complicated. Edmonton’s 2027 first-rounder is currently controlled by Chicago with top-12 protection conditions, making the 2028 first-round selection the cleaner premium pick to build around. Even Howard, Kapanen and a first may not automatically get it done if several teams start bidding. Marchenko is young, productive and controllable, giving Columbus considerable leverage.

Marchenko’s Contract Makes a Trade Even More Appealing

Perhaps the biggest reason Edmonton should have serious interest is Marchenko’s contract. He carries only a $3.85 million cap hit in 2026-27 before becoming an arbitration-eligible restricted free agent (RFA). His qualifying offer is $3.975 million.

That means Edmonton wouldn’t be spending Howard and a first-round pick for a few months of hockey. The Oilers would acquire his negotiating rights and potentially have an opportunity to make him a long-term part of their core.

There would obviously be another financial decision coming. If Marchenko continues producing around 30 goals and 70 points, his next contract will be substantially more expensive. But that is also the type of player Edmonton should be willing to allocate significant money toward.

Oilers Would Be Trading Potential for a Proven Commodity

Giving up Howard would hurt. He’s one of Edmonton’s most valuable young assets, and moving another first-round pick would further thin an already limited prospect and draft cupboard. Recent analysis of Edmonton’s trade assets notes that the organization has only three selections in the first three rounds across the 2027 and 2028 Drafts, including the 2028 first.

But there is an important distinction between trading premium futures for an aging rental and trading them for Marchenko. Marchenko is 26. He has already demonstrated that he can produce at a high-end level in the NHL, and Edmonton would control his rights after this season. A trade could therefore address both the Oilers’ immediate championship aspirations and their longer-term need for skilled wingers around McDavid and Draisaitl. Howard could eventually develop into an excellent NHL player. Marchenko already is one. That’s the calculation general manager Stan Bowman would have to make.

Marchenko Is the Type of Swing Edmonton Should Consider

There is no indication yet that a trade to Edmonton is imminent, and competition could make the price uncomfortable. Kypreos naming the Oilers alongside Toronto and Montreal, however, makes Edmonton’s connection to Marchenko considerably more interesting than simple offseason speculation. If Columbus’ asking price begins with Howard, Kapanen and significant draft capital, Bowman would have a difficult decision.

But Edmonton’s objective isn’t to build the NHL’s deepest prospect pool. It’s to win the Stanley Cup while McDavid and Draisaitl remain at the centre of the organization. Adding a 26-year-old, 6-foot-3 winger who has produced 141 points over his past 155 games would immediately strengthen that pursuit. Marchenko could play with either superstar centre, provide another legitimate finishing threat and potentially remain in Edmonton well beyond one playoff run. The price would be substantial. For a player like Marchenko, it may have to be.