The Edmonton Oilers are no strangers to the pressure of championship expectations. After seven straight playoff appearances and back-to-back Stanley Cup Final runs in 2024 and 2025, the narrative around this team has shifted from dynasty-in-waiting to a squad that may have already missed its window. That narrative only intensified after a first-round playoff exit at the hands of the Anaheim Ducks this past season, prompting Connor McDavid himself to confess that the team has taken a step back. According to sources close to the situation, the Oilers are now aggressively exploring a major shake-up — and the name at the top of their list is St. Louis Blues forward Jordan Kyrou.
At just 28 years old, Kyrou represents the kind of elite offensive weapon who could immediately re-energize Edmonton’s top line. While his 2025-26 numbers — 18 goals and 28 assists — were below his usual standard, it appears the Blues’ organizational direction, rather than any decline in Kyrou’s game, is the driving factor behind his availability. Over the three prior seasons, Kyrou posted 30-plus goals and 20-plus assists each year, numbers that have scouts and executives around the league buzzing about what he could do alongside a talent like McDavid. Insiders say the Oilers are prepared to pay a steep price to make it happen.
Edmonton’s Draft Capital Is Dwindling — But They’re Willing to Gamble
The Blues have been quietly stockpiling future assets. They currently hold three first-round picks in the 2026 NHL Draft — their own, plus selections acquired from the Detroit Red Wings in the Justin Faulk trade and from the New York Islanders (originally belonging to the Colorado Avalanche) as part of the Brayden Schenn deal. That war chest signals a full-scale rebuild, and sources claim St. Louis is eager to add even more draft capital. Meanwhile, the Oilers have already traded away their 2026 first-rounder (to San Jose for Jake Walman) and their 2027 first-rounder (for Colton Dach). That leaves Edmonton with a 2026 second-round pick and a 2028 first-rounder as their most movable draft chips. According to one insider, the Oilers may have to part with both to stay competitive in the bidding war for Kyrou.
Matthew Savoie: The Centerpiece the Blues Are Reportedly Demanding
If the Blues are going to move a player of Kyrou’s caliber, they reportedly want a potential franchise cornerstone in return. Enter Matthew Savoie. Selected ninth overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2022 NHL Draft, Savoie exploded in the WHL with the Winnipeg Ice, posting 95 points in 62 games the season after being drafted, then adding 29 more in 19 playoff games. After a brief stint in the Sabres organization — just a handful of AHL games and one NHL appearance — he was dealt to Edmonton. Savoie turned heads in his 2025-26 rookie NHL campaign, notching 19 goals and 19 assists, tying for sixth among all rookies in scoring. At just 22 years old, Savoie’s vision and playmaking ability have sources around the league convinced he could become the face of the Blues’ rebuild — and the key to unlocking a deal for Kyrou.
Isaac Howard: The Final Piece That Pushes This Trade Over the Line
With Edmonton’s prospect pipeline already considered one of the thinnest in the NHL, parting with Savoie alone might not be enough. According to multiple reports, the Oilers are also prepared to dangle Isaac Howard — their last remaining high-end prospect. Howard, selected 31st overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2022, never signed with Tampa and instead dominated at Michigan State, scoring 26 goals and 26 assists in 2024-25 to win the Hobey Baker Award and Big Ten Player of the Year honors. After being traded to Edmonton for Sam O’Reilly, Howard spent most of 2025-26 in the AHL with Bakersfield, where he lit the lamp 24 times and added 26 assists in 47 games. His NHL audition — just two goals and three assists in 29 games — has some scouts questioning his readiness, but insiders insist his raw talent is exactly what the Blues would demand to finalize a blockbuster. If the Oilers are willing to part with both Savoie and Howard, sources say this deal could be done before the trade deadline — and it could change the balance of power in the Western Conference overnight.
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