As the March 6th NHL trade deadline approaches, the Edmonton Oilers find themselves in a familiar position: contending for the Stanley Cup and looking to bolster their roster. After two consecutive Finals appearances, the Oilers are determined to "get over the hump" in 2026. General Manager Stan Bowman has been actively working the phones, aiming to add impactful forwards to the team's top nine.

According to TSN Insider Pierre LeBrun, the Oilers have a "very concrete plan" to target a top-nine forward. The team's pro scouting meetings have resulted in a list of potential targets, and Bowman has already initiated preliminary conversations with other teams. However, there's an internal debate within the Oilers organization regarding whether they should prioritize acquiring a center or a winger. This decision hinges on whether Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is deemed more valuable at center or on the wing.

One of the primary challenges for the Oilers is the lack of teams willing to sell. With parity across the league, many teams are still in contention, making it difficult to pry away valuable assets. This scarcity of sellers could drive up the price for available players, potentially requiring the Oilers to overpay.

Despite the challenges, several forwards could be potential targets for the Oilers, even if their teams aren't actively looking to sell.

• Boone Jenner (Columbus Blue Jackets): The Blue Jackets captain is on an expiring contract with a reasonable $3.75 million cap hit. A four-time 20-goal scorer, Jenner is a strong faceoff man and brings a veteran presence. However, with the Blue Jackets only a few points out of a wild card spot, they may opt to keep Jenner.
• Charlie Coyle (Boston Bruins): Coyle, like Jenner, is a pending unrestricted free agent. With a $5.25 million cap hit, Coyle could provide valuable depth and experience down the middle.
• Ryan O'Reilly (Nashville Predators): O'Reilly carries a $4.5 million cap hit with one year remaining on his contract. His experience and two-way play would be an asset to the Oilers, but acquiring him could be difficult.
• Blake Coleman (Calgary Flames): While a trade between the Oilers and their provincial rivals is rare, Coleman could be a good fit. He has a $4.9 million cap hit and can play in the middle six. However, the Oilers would likely need to overpay significantly to acquire him, especially if they want Calgary to retain salary.
• Drew O'Connor (Vancouver Canucks): With the Canucks possibly open for business, O'Connor could be a target for the Oilers. He is a versatile winger known for his defensive abilities and forechecking.

To facilitate any potential acquisitions, the Oilers may need to move out existing players to create cap space. Andrew Mangiapane and Adam Henrique have been mentioned as potential trade candidates. Goaltender Calvin Pickard could also be on the move.

Ultimately, the Oilers' success at the trade deadline will depend on their ability to identify the right targets and convince their respective teams to part ways with them. Navigating the complexities of the salary cap and trade market will be crucial as Bowman aims to add the final pieces to a team with Stanley Cup aspirations.