As the March 6th NHL trade deadline approaches, the rumor mill is churning, with the Edmonton Oilers once again finding themselves at the center of speculation. A recent post by the popular Instagram account PuckEmpire has ignited excitement among Oilers fans, suggesting a potential reunion with a familiar face on the defensive end: Adam Larsson.

Larsson, currently with the Seattle Kraken, previously spent five seasons in Edmonton following the Oilers' acquisition of him in a one-for-one trade that sent Taylor Hall to the New Jersey Devils. While in Edmonton, Larsson established himself as a reliable and defensively sound player, becoming a key part of the Oilers' blueline.

PuckEmpire's post linked Larsson as a potential trade target for the Oilers, fueling speculation that the team may be looking to add defensive depth ahead of a playoff push. The 33-year-old Larsson is currently in the first year of a four-year, $21 million contract extension he signed with the Kraken in 2024. This season, he has recorded 11 points (four goals, seven assists) in 46 games.

While the prospect of Larsson returning to Edmonton is intriguing for many fans, there are some factors that could make a trade unlikely. Jim Matheson reported several years ago that Larsson's departure from Edmonton was influenced by family-related personal reasons, not financial considerations. Matheson stated that it is reasonable to believe that Larsson would not waive his no-movement clause to move his family back to Western Canada.

The Oilers are reportedly looking to bolster their blueline and may be interested in adding another defenseman before the trade deadline. Names like Jamie Oleksiak of the Seattle Kraken, and Logan Stanley and Luke Schenn of the Winnipeg Jets have also been mentioned as potential targets.

The Oilers have a solid top four on defense with Walman, Bouchard, Ekholm and Nurse, but are looking for a tertiary piece to add depth to the blue line. However, due to the Oilers' cap situation, they may need to find a defenseman with a low annual average value (AAV).

As the trade deadline approaches, it remains to be seen whether the Oilers will ultimately pursue a reunion with Adam Larsson or turn to other options to strengthen their defense. The team's focus on adding depth scoring may also influence their approach to the trade deadline.