After Canucks Said No, McDavid’s Oilers Now Eyeing Bedard’s Blackhawks in Bold Trade Play

The NHL offseason is a chess match where every rejected move leads to another calculated play, and right now, the Edmonton Oilers appear to be shifting their strategy after an initial setback. Reports have surfaced that after being turned down by the Vancouver Canucks in their pursuit of a key piece, the Oilers are now setting their sights on an even more intriguing trade partner—the Chicago Blackhawks, home of young phenom Connor Bedard. The potential implications of such a move could reshape not just the Oilers’ roster but the balance of power in the Western Conference.

The initial target in Vancouver remains somewhat shrouded in speculation, but insiders suggest the Oilers were likely probing about a defenseman—possibly Nikita Zadorov or Tyler Myers, both of whom bring size and experience to the blue line. Vancouver, however, seems to have shut the door on any deal, leaving Edmonton’s front office, led by general manager Ken Holland, to pivot quickly. With the clock ticking toward free agency and the draft, the Oilers can’t afford to wait around. Enter the Blackhawks, a team in the midst of a rebuild but one that holds several interesting trade chips.

Chicago may not be ready to contend just yet, but they’ve been stockpiling assets and could be willing to move a veteran or two to continue building around Bedard. The most obvious name that fits Edmonton’s needs is defenseman Seth Jones. Once considered a franchise cornerstone, Jones has seen his stock fluctuate in Chicago, and while his $9.5 million cap hit through 2030 is daunting, the Oilers might see him as a calculated gamble. When at his best, Jones is a minute-munching, two-way defenseman who could slot in perfectly alongside Darnell Nurse or Evan Bouchard. The question is whether Chicago would retain salary—and what Edmonton would have to give up in return.

Another possibility? Veteran forward Tyler Johnson. The 33-year-old winger isn’t the dynamic scorer he once was in Tampa, but he’s a proven playoff performer with Cup-winning experience. More importantly, he’d come cheap, both in terms of acquisition cost and cap hit ($5 million for one more year). If the Blackhawks were willing to retain half his salary, Johnson could be a sneaky-good addition to Edmonton’s middle six, providing depth scoring and versatility.

Then there’s the wild card: Philipp Kurashev. The 24-year-old Swiss forward had a breakout season alongside Bedard, posting 54 points and showing flashes of top-six potential. He’s an RFA this summer, meaning Chicago could move him if the price is right. For the Oilers, a player like Kurashev could be a long-term solution at wing, offering speed and skill to complement their superstar centers. Of course, prying him away from the Blackhawks would likely require parting with a draft pick or prospect—something Edmonton has been reluctant to do in recent years.

The financial gymnastics of any deal with Chicago can’t be ignored. The Oilers are pressed tight against the cap, and any significant addition would almost certainly require money going the other way. That could mean including a player like Warren Foegele or Cody Ceci in the trade, or even buying out someone like Jack Campbell to free up space. Holland has pulled off cap miracles before, but this would test his creativity to the limit.

What makes this potential pivot to Chicago so fascinating is the Connor vs. Connor subplot. McDavid and Bedard represent the present and future of the NHL, and while they won’t be directly involved in trade talks, the idea of their teams doing business adds an extra layer of intrigue. There’s also the fact that the Blackhawks and Oilers have a recent trade history—remember the Duncan Keith deal in 2021? These two franchises aren’t strangers to making bold moves with each other.

The bigger picture here is that the Oilers are clearly in “win-now” mode. After coming painfully close to the Stanley Cup Final this year, they know the window is wide open—but also that it won’t stay open forever. McDavid and Draisaitl are in their primes, and the supporting cast needs to be optimized for one thing: winning a championship. If that means pivoting from Vancouver to Chicago, or any other team for that matter, Holland will do it.

Of course, trade rumors are just that—rumors. For every deal that happens, a dozen more are discussed and abandoned. But the fact that Edmonton is actively exploring options after their first choice fell through tells us everything we need to know about their urgency this summer. They’re not content to run it back with the same group. They’re hunting for upgrades, no matter where they have to look.

As the days tick by, all eyes will be on Holland to see if he can turn this reported interest into reality. If he does, it could be the move that finally pushes the Oilers over the top. And if not? Well, in the NHL’s offseason game of chess, there’s always another move to make. One thing’s for certain: the Oilers aren’t done yet.