The Edmonton Oilers have reshaped parts of their roster this offseason, yet one analyst insists they still lack a key piece up front if they want another deep playoff run.
General manager Stan Bowman has already brought in goaltender Frederik Andersen, fresh off a Stanley Cup win with the Carolina Hurricanes, along with prospect goalie Devon Levi from the Buffalo Sabres. The team also landed defenseman Shakir Mukhamadullin from the San Jose Sharks in the deal that sent Darnell Nurse the other way.
Those moves address the crease and the blue line. But the conversation keeps returning to the forward group that surrounds stars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
Allan Mitchell of The Athletic argues the Oilers need one more proven scorer to chase a third Stanley Cup Final appearance in four seasons. His suggested target is Anaheim Ducks forward Cutter Gauthier, a restricted free agent who has yet to sign a new contract.
Mitchell pointed out the stalled talks between Gauthier and the Ducks.
“Cutter Gauthier and the Anaheim Ducks haven’t agreed on a deal, and time is tight as training camp gets closer. A recent fan survey at The Athletic produced some interesting options. Eric Stephens walked through the trade options, including Frank Vatrano, Chris Kreider and Alex Killorn all popular suggestions from Ducks fans.”
He added that Edmonton’s approach has shifted away from expensive short-term fixes.
“For the Oilers, bringing in high-priced veterans is no longer a viable option. The team needs an impact player, and needs that player to deliver guaranteed production for the next five seasons (or more). In Anaheim, that player is Gauthier.”
Because Gauthier is not arbitration eligible, an offer sheet is off the table. Any deal would require a trade for his rights.Gauthier, selected fifth overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2022 draft, never suited up for that franchise. The Flyers later sent him to Anaheim in exchange for defenseman Jamie Drysdale and a second-round pick in the 2025 draft.
In his first full season with the Ducks in 2024-25, he scored 20 goals in 82 games. Last season he took a major step forward, finishing with 41 goals and 28 assists in 76 games.
He carried that production into the playoffs, recording four goals and eight assists in 12 games. Anaheim even eliminated the Oilers in the opening round along the way.
That playoff series offered a close look at what Gauthier can bring. At 6-foot-2 and still only in his early 20s, he has the size and scoring touch that could fit alongside McDavid or Draisaitl.
Oilers fans have watched the team come close in recent years, only to fall short of the ultimate prize. Adding a young forward with 40-goal upside would give the lineup another dimension without relying solely on veterans whose production might decline.
Bowman has shown a willingness to make bold moves, as seen in the Nurse trade and the goaltending overhaul. Whether he pursues Gauthier remains to be seen, but the window for such a deal is narrowing as training camps approach across the league.
Anaheim holds the cards for now. The Ducks could still lock up their young scorer, or they could listen to offers if the asking price fits their rebuild timeline.
For Edmonton, the calculus is straightforward. McDavid and Draisaitl remain among the most dangerous duo in hockey. Surrounding them with consistent secondary scoring has been the missing ingredient in past postseasons.
Gauthier’s breakout season and his restricted free-agent status make him an intriguing option. Any package would likely include young talent and draft capital, assets the Oilers have carefully managed.
As the calendar ticks toward September, the pressure builds for both sides. A resolution one way or the other could reshape the Pacific Division picture before the puck even drops.
Mitchell’s case rests on the long-term view. A player who can deliver for half a decade or more fits the Oilers’ current needs better than another short-term rental.
Whether Bowman and his staff share that assessment will become clear in the coming weeks. For now, the idea of pairing a 41-goal scorer with the team’s existing stars has the hockey world paying attention.
