Oilers face unfortunate obstacle in adding critical missing piece, NHL insider says
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Daniel Lucente
Jan 15, 2026 (12:51)
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Photo credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
The Oilers would love to add a critical missing piece to their lineup, but NHL insider Bob Stauffer revealed the salary cap is an obstacle getting in the way.
Top Edmonton Oilers insider Bob Stauffer, host of Oilers Now, says the team may not be able to acquire a third-line centre and could eventually have to move Ryan Nugent-Hopkins into that role.
Stauffer noted that Edmonton doesn't have much cap space, creating a difficult situation for GM Stan Bowman.
"I don't know if the Oilers can trade for a third-line centre. Okay?" Stauffer said. "There might have been a guy I was thinking of three weeks ago that possibly could have become available in the threes ($3 million per year) that's a really good third-line centre. Well, his team's been on a pretty good roll of late and they're probably going to make the playoffs now."
"They got creative in getting the combination of (Tristan) Jarry and (d-man Spencer) Stastney, basically offsetting what moved out in the deal, you know, with (Stuart) Skinner and (Brett) Kulak. They just simply don't have, in my opinion, the flexibility to find a third-line center. Maybe a top nine winger, but not a third-line center. I think eventually they might have to just play Nugent Hopkins as their third-line center. They want to strengthen the balance on the team."
- Bob Stauffer
"They got creative in getting the combination of (Tristan) Jarry and (d-man Spencer) Stastney, basically offsetting what moved out in the deal, you know, with (Stuart) Skinner and (Brett) Kulak. They just simply don't have, in my opinion, the flexibility to find a third-line center. Maybe a top nine winger, but not a third-line center. I think eventually they might have to just play Nugent Hopkins as their third-line center. They want to strengthen the balance on the team."
- Bob Stauffer
What the Oilers desperately need in their lineup
This is a major problem for the Oilers, who need a reliable third-line centre. Adam Henrique no longer has the skating to fill the role effectively, while Jack Roslovic lacks the defensive fundamentals and awareness the position requires.
Stauffer's insight carries weight because it mirrors the message insiders shared last trade deadline.
Fans wanted Edmonton to trade for a goalie, but sources emphasised there wasn't a reasonable option available at a fair price. No goalie trade happened until December, confirming the insiders' warning.
Why the situation is getting worse
Cap limitations make things worse. If the Oilers could easily move winger Andrew Mangiapane, with his $3.6 million cap hit this year and next, it would free space for a new acquisition.
But there doesn't appear to be a strong market for him, meaning Edmonton would have to make a "dollar in, dollar out" move, limiting the type of player they can bring in.
Other roster players with significant cap hits are largely untouchable. The team already moved medium-cap players Stuart Skinner and Brett Kulak to acquire Tristan Jarry.
Most remaining players over $2 million have no-trade clauses, and top-pairing defensemen Evan Bouchard and Mattias Ekholm are off-limits. Bowman's options are extremely limited.
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| POLL | ||
JANVIER 15 | 102 ANSWERS Oilers face unfortunate obstacle in adding critical missing piece, NHL insider says Do the Oilers need to find a way to make room under the cap to bring in that missing piece? | ||
| Yes | 94 | 92.2 % |
| No | 8 | 7.8 % |
| List of polls | ||