Oilers Could Pursue Canadiens Forward Kirby Dach in Trade Talks
The Edmonton Oilers may not be finished reshaping their roster this offseason. General manager Stan Bowman has already made several additions, with most of the changes strengthening the defense and goaltending. However, the team still appears to be searching for another forward.
With close to $5 million in projected salary cap space, according to PuckPedia, Edmonton has the flexibility to explore the trade market. As quality free agents become scarce, The Athletic‘s Allan Mitchell believes the Oilers are more likely to pursue a deal for a forward instead of signing one.
Mitchell suggests the Oilers could target the Montreal Canadiens, who have considerable depth up front. One player who has emerged as a possible trade candidate is Kirby Dach, who recently agreed to a one-year contract extension worth $3.6 million.
Despite his new deal, Mitchell believes Montreal could still consider moving Dach. He notes that while Dach is not a full-time center, he could fill an important role for Edmonton if Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl continue to play together. Dach’s versatility, faceoff ability, and offensive upside could make him a valuable addition—provided he can stay healthy.
Family Connection Adds to the Story
Adding another layer of intrigue, the Oilers recently re-signed Kirby’s younger brother, Colton Dach, to a two-year contract. Colton joined Edmonton from the Chicago Blackhawks before last season’s trade deadline and appeared in both the regular season and playoffs. The Dach brothers also grew up near Edmonton and supported the Oilers as children.
Meanwhile, Canadiens insider Marco D’Amico reported that Montreal had previously explored the trade market for Kirby before finalizing his extension. According to D’Amico, Dach’s strong playoff performance drew attention from several NHL teams despite one difficult outing against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Health Remains the Biggest Question
Dach’s talent has never been in doubt, but injuries continue to be a major concern. D’Amico believes that if the 24-year-old can stay healthy, he has the potential to produce around 40 points in a season—solid production for a middle-six forward.
In 2025-26, injuries limited Dach to just 37 regular-season games. Throughout his NHL career, he has reached the 65-game mark only once, during the 2021-22 campaign.
While Dach is a logical trade target, he is not the only young forward linked to Edmonton. Prospects such as Carolina Hurricanes forward Felix Unger Sörum and Boston Bruins youngster Matthew Poitras have also been mentioned as potential offseason additions. Rather than pursuing another veteran, the Oilers appear focused on adding a younger player who can contribute now while offering long-term upside.
Leave a Reply