{"id":524972,"date":"2026-03-09T17:30:15","date_gmt":"2026-03-09T17:30:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/524972\/"},"modified":"2026-03-09T17:30:15","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T17:30:15","slug":"did-the-oilers-do-enough-at-the-trade-deadline","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/524972\/","title":{"rendered":"Did the Oilers do enough at the trade deadline?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Good morning, everyone, and a happy Monday to you all. As per tradition, I\u2019ve got a brand new mailbag<\/a> set to go after taking your questions and sending them to the crew for their takes. This week, we\u2019re discussing the Oilers<\/a>\u2018 moves at the trade deadline, spending on rentals, another round of goalie talk, and more. If you\u2019ve got a question you\u2019d like to ask, email it to me at baggedmilk@oilersnation.com<\/a> or on Twitter at\u00a0@jsbmbaggedmilk<\/a>, and I\u2019ll get to you as soon as I can.\"Edmonton<\/p>\n

Mar 6, 2026; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Jason Dickinson (16) looks for a loose puck in his first game as an Edmonton Oiler against the Carolina Hurricanes at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

1) Gregg asks \u2013 Did the Oilers do enough at the Trade Deadline<\/a> to compete with the likes of Colorado, Dallas, and Tampa Bay?<\/p>\n

Jason Gregor:<\/p>\n

Most of the Oilers\u2019 improvement has to come internally. Dickinson and Murphy fill obvious holes, but they won\u2019t magically send the Oilers soaring up the standings. The big minute eaters need to be better defensively, as does the entire team, and goalies need to play better.<\/p>\n

Tyler Yaremchuk:<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t think so. Colorado specifically added a few really nice pieces and got the best player available on deadline day in Nazem Kadri. The Oilers added two players who address specific areas of need and should make them harder to beat in a playoff series, but it wasn\u2019t enough for me to look at their roster and view it as on par with either Dallas or Colorado.<\/p>\n

Liam Horrobin:<\/p>\n

First off, Dallas is not in the same category as Colorado and Tampa. I don\u2019t care what their record says, but until their top players show up in the playoffs, they\u2019re not a threat. Secondly, probably not, but they would\u2019ve had to add tons of new players to reach that level.<\/p>\n

Baggedmilk:<\/p>\n

I think Stan Bowman targeted glaring holes in the roster, and I appreciate that approach. That said, I also think he paid handsomely for the players he brought in. I also include the Skinner\/Jarry trade as part of the collective, and it\u2019s a pretty massive loss on Bowman to this point.<\/p>\n

\"Edmonton<\/p>\n

Mar 6, 2026; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers defensemen Connor Murphy (5) battles for the puck against Carolina Hurricanes forward Andrei Svechnikov (37) during the second period at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

2) Harold asks \u2013 Do you not think it\u2019s crazy for the Oilers<\/a> to be spending assets on rentals at the deadline when they are such a train wreck on the ice? I know they have Connor and Leon, and there is a duty to those two players, but this team should have sold at the deadline, not bought.<\/p>\n

Jason Gregor:<\/p>\n

You just need to get in the playoffs. This core has proven they can elevate when it matters. To sell while in a playoff position would have been the ultimate \u201cquitter\u201d mentality. No chance to do it.<\/p>\n

Tyler Yaremchuk:<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not crazy. They added to this year\u2019s team, which they have to do because of the two players you mentioned, and they maintained their financial flexibility for this summer, which I viewed as very important. They got better, and it cost them quite a bit, to be fair, but they didn\u2019t do anything that will prevent them from going big-game hunting this summer.<\/p>\n

Liam Horrobin:<\/p>\n

No, because sitting on your hands and doing nothing shows that the GM doesn\u2019t believe. You know what the outcome of that is? Connor McDavid leaves.<\/p>\n

Baggedmilk:<\/p>\n

I get it, but it is true that you have to spend when you have McDavid and Draisaitl in their primes.<\/p>\n

\"Edmonton<\/p>\n

Feb 25, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Edmonton Oilers goaltender Tristan Jarry (35) makes a save as Anaheim Ducks right wing Troy Terry (19) reaches for the puck during the second period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

3) Nathan asks \u2013 How did Stan Bowman mess up his goaltending swap<\/a> as badly as he did? He traded from a position of weakness, and all he got back was an absolute anchor in Tristan Jarry, who doesn\u2019t even appear to be as good as Stu was, is older, and at twice the cost.<\/p>\n

Jason Gregor:<\/p>\n

Great question. I have no sane answer. They were so focused on thinking Skinner wasn\u2019t the answer that they didn\u2019t focus on acquiring someone who was. I don\u2019t think Jarry is as bad as he\u2019s shown, but he doesn\u2019t have Skinner\u2019s track record of bouncing back after bad performances. No one can deny Skinner could get pulled, sit for a game or two and come back and play very well at the most important time of the season.<\/p>\n

Tyler Yaremchuk:<\/p>\n

I mean, you outlined it perfectly. He made a trade from a position of weakness, acquiring a player in Tristan Jarry who was at the height of his value. It felt like a mistake from the jump, but the GM trusted his gut and must have felt like the move would spark his room. Well, it didn\u2019t, and now we\u2019re here.<\/p>\n

Liam Horrobin:<\/p>\n

The Oilers have had one good defensive month this season: December. Any guesses on when their best goaltending month was? Also, it\u2019s no coincidence Tristan Jarry went from a 0.909 SV% to a 0.888. Jarry takes some blame, but the Oilers \u2018 refusal to play defence is why the goaltending sucks.<\/p>\n

Baggedmilk:<\/p>\n

There are so many people that need to play better in this lineup, and that certainly includes the goaltending. The crazy thing is that the expected save percentage is basically in line with how porous the defending has been. A lot of cooks in this kitchen that are bringing stinky recipes to the table.<\/p>\n

\"Edmonton<\/p>\n

Jun 3, 2025; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch is seen during media day in advance of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

4) Bill Fox asks \u2013 Given how things are going right now, do you expect a new coach and\/or GM change this season?<\/p>\n

Jason Gregor:<\/p>\n

No GM change during the season. If the Oilers go 0-4 on the road trip, they might have no choice but to fire the coach, but I\u2019m not sold that the coach is the main issue. He has a role in the disappointing season thus far, but he isn\u2019t the only culprit.<\/p>\n

Tyler Yaremchuk:<\/p>\n

If they do not win a playoff round, then yes, there will be a new Head Coach next season. If they miss the playoffs, then maybe Stan Bowman will be in trouble, but I\u2019m not sure. I think they\u2019ll give him a chance to get out of this mess, although that feels risky.<\/p>\n

Liam Horrobin:<\/p>\n

I wouldn\u2019t be surprised if Knoblauch is gone if the season continues to trend in the wrong direction.<\/p>\n

Baggedmilk:<\/p>\n

If they get bounced early or, heaven forbid, miss the playoffs, then Knoblauch would be gone, I think. We\u2019ll see.<\/p>\n

\"Colorado<\/p>\n

Jun 26, 2022; Tampa, Florida, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Nazem Kadri (91) celebrates with the Stanley Cup after the Avalanche game against the Tampa Bay Lightning in game six of the 2022 Stanley Cup Final at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

Jason Gregor:<\/p>\n

Colorado and Minnesota in the West and Buffalo, Detroit and the New York Islanders in the East were winners.<\/p>\n

Carolina is the clear loser for me. They needed a bigger 2C, and instead, their divisional rival, NYI, landed Brayden Schenn. Carolina is still good, but I don\u2019t see them being good enough to win more than 1 or 2 rounds.<\/p>\n

Tyler Yaremchuk:<\/p>\n

I really felt like there were more losers than winners. Teams like Montreal and Carolina should have done more, considering how wide open the Eastern Conference is. I liked that the Avalanche got Kadri, but it makes the trade they made for Nic Roy feel a bit redundant, especially given the cost. The Oilers did fine. I wouldn\u2019t call them losers. Dallas did well, too. I\u2019m stunned that Minnesota didn\u2019t add a centreman. Put them in the loser category.<\/p>\n

Liam Horrobin:<\/p>\n

Winners \u2013 Anaheim<\/p>\n

Losers \u2013 Washington. Not sure why they\u2019ve given up on the season, which could be Ovechkin\u2019s last.<\/p>\n

Baggedmilk:<\/p>\n

Winners are Colorado and Anaheim. Losers, the Canucks. They didn\u2019t move a few guys they would have wanted to.<\/p>\n

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