Oilers’ Track Record of Acquiring Forwards is Less Than Stellar

The Edmonton Oilers have turned things around after a disappointing start to the 2025-26 season. With a single point in Tuesday’s overtime loss to the Nashville Predators, they were able to pull back into a tie with the Vegas Golden Knights for first place in the Pacific Division. Still, they don’t feel like an elite team like we’ve seen in each of the past two seasons.

Rather than getting contributions throughout the entire lineup, the Oilers are being carried Connor McDavid, who is playing out of his mind right now. The recently turned 29-year-old is riding a 20-game point streak, the longest of his career. Others, such as Leon Draisaitl, Zach Hyman, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins are also pulling their weight up front. That said, there are a number of other passengers who are dragging this team down.

Two names that immediately come to mind are Andrew Mangiapane and Trent Frederic. For Mangiapane, who is in just his first season with the Oilers, there is already a ton of chatter that he will be traded ahead of the trade deadline. His two-year extension this offseason simply didn’t work out.