The answer has to come from within the Edmonton Oilers’ locker room. That’s what’s clear after the NHL’s Trade Deadline came and went Friday afternoon, with the team’s front office making just two trades before it passed.

That’s Matt Savoie. He showed well in his recent NHL audition and would’ve been the ask in multiple discussions over the week leading up to the deadline. He’s a value deal and could spend the 2025-26 campaign on one of Edmonton’s feature lines with McDavid or Leon Draisaitl.

The Edmonton Oilers added three pieces at this season’s trade deadline. They acquired Max Jones and Trent Frederic from the Boston Bruins and then traded for Jake Walman of the San Jose Sharks.