After starting the year with a boatload of injuries up front, it appears help may be on the way for the Edmonton Oilers, but the search may have started long before the injury bug hit.

Over the summer, general manager Stan Bowman spoke about the need to add youth to the Oilers’ lineup, and he has followed through, with Isaac Howard, Owen Michaels, and Shakir Mukhamadullin all getting opportunities through the first three games of the season. But Bowman might not be done adding young talent to the roster, as the team is reportedly looking to trade a defenceman for a forward.

Bowman also said this off-season that the Oilers were looking for a right-shot centre, and the players they have been linked to since would suggest they are targeting a younger option. While Michaels seems to be fitting that description quite nicely through his first three NHL games, it’s a long season, and adding another young forward could be beneficial.

Here are four young forwards who could make sense for the Oilers.

Matthew Poitras

Matthew Poitras has yet to be linked to the Oilers, but he checks several of the boxes of what the team seems to be looking for.

Friedman reported a few days ago that teams were keeping tabs on what the Boston Bruins would choose to do with the 22-year-old to start the season, as he’s no longer waiver-exempt. Poitras opened the season injured, but after Boston waived Michael Eyssimont, the team activated him on Monday and slotted him in as the fourth-line centre.

A few years ago, Poitras made an outstanding first impression with the Bruins in 2023-24, making the team out of camp at just 19 years old. The right-shot centre had a solid rookie season before a shoulder injury cut his season short, but since then, Poitras’ development seems to have stalled. He’s spent the majority of his time in the AHL over the past two seasons and played just three NHL games last year, and he doesn’t look like the sure thing he once appeared to be.

Poitras is more of a skilled, playmaking centre rather than a checker or shutdown forward, so a fit would most likely be higher in the Oilers’ lineup. If the Bruins eventually decide they are comfortable moving him, the cost should be less than the other names on this list.

Kent Johnson

While Kent Johnson doesn’t fit the right-shot centre profile like the others, he is a young forward with plenty of upside and has the ability to play down the middle if needed.

The 23-year-old landed on Daily Faceoff’s June trade board after producing at a 24-point pace during the 2025-26 season, at times playing under 12 minutes a night. In July, Bob Stauffer said on OilersNow that he didn’t see the Columbus Blue Jackets moving him for what the Oilers had to offer at the time, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the door would be closed now.

Johnson is only one year removed from putting up 57 points in 68 games, and his offensive skill set can’t be denied. While last season’s counting stats certainly took a step back, his underlying numbers were promising. He was still elite at carrying the puck through the neutral zone and off the rush, and ranked near the top of the league in controlled zone entries. While he’s not primarily a centre, a Johnson acquisition would not only help the Oilers off the rush, but would also create a strong second line if McDavid and Draisaitl play together.

At the end of the day, it seems the Blue Jackets are content with giving their former fifth-overall pick another opportunity, as they have him on the first line and the top power-play unit to start this season. That would probably make him the least available name on this list, at least for now.

Jan 25, 2023; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Columbus Blue Jackets forward Kent Johnson (91) celebrates a goal during overtime against the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports

Kirby Dach

One name that requires very little speculation is Montreal Canadiens centre Kirby Dach.

Edmonton’s interest in Dach was first reported in late September, initially by Frank Seravalli, and later by Elliotte Friedman, who made it known the Oilers were looking into the centre. Seravalli went as far as to say the Oilers’ interest in Dach “borders on drooling” and that the team intends to acquire him at some point.

While he has had his struggles with injuries and consistency since being drafted third overall back in 2019, there is still plenty to like about the 25-year-old. At six-foot-four and 221 lbs., Dach has a combination of size, skill, and hockey IQ that is quite unique and helped make him one of the most highly touted prospects coming out of junior hockey. Dach has yet to put it all together in the NHL, showing the most promise when he scored 14 goals and 38 points in 58 games in 2022-23. Since then, he has played just 98 games, putting up 40 points, and his average ice time has been cut down to under 15 minutes.

For much of the Habs’ playoff run last season and to start this season, Dach has primarily been used as a bottom-six winger. With his role diminishing from what it once was, and the Canadiens’ strength up front, a clear path to a breakout opportunity might be difficult in Montreal. According to Seravalli, they seem open to moving him for the right price, as over the summer, they reportedly turned down multiple offers of second-round picks, instead seeking a return that could help their roster immediately.

While there are certainly concerns about his injuries and performance, if the cost is right, this could be a worthwhile move for the Oilers. With just one year left at $3.6 million, getting a fresh start with the general manager who drafted him and getting to play alongside his brother, Colton, could be just the opportunity he needs to get his career back on track.

Shane Wright

Another name linked to the Oilers is 2022 fourth-overall pick Shane Wright.

Friedman reported that the Oilers had explored a trade for the centre in late September, but talks with the Seattle Kraken never reached the finish line. This stems from his July report that the Kraken and Wright’s camp had agreed to explore a trade out of Seattle, but that has yet to come to fruition.

Wright has gone through his fair share of ups and downs to begin his NHL career, but only 22 years old, he still has plenty of untapped potential. In 2024-25, his 44 points in 79 games led many to believe he was ready to break out, but he followed that up by producing at a 30-point pace in 2025-26. Despite the drop in production, his underlying numbers still showed encouraging signs as a playmaker last season, with an emphasis on creating chances for teammates off the rush and finding passing lanes into dangerous scoring areas.

Ultimately, despite Bowman poking around on what a potential deal would look like and Seattle’s willingness to move him, Friedman said he doesn’t believe a deal with the Oilers will happen. Given what the Kraken would want, it may be a little too rich for what Edmonton has to offer at this time.

The Bottom Line

Some may consider Dach the front-runner of the four players, given his links to the Oilers, but there’s inherent risk due to the injury history and lack of production. Wright’s underlying numbers could make him the best fit, but his acquisition cost is likely the highest. Poitras is more of a question mark based on his current situation and lack of NHL experience, while Johnson’s role in Columbus makes him seem unlikely to move soon.

Who would you target?

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