Edmonton Oilers finalize trades, remain cautious at NHL deadline

The 2025 NHL trade deadline saw the Edmonton Oilers make some key acquisitions prior to the deadline, notably acquiring defenceman Jake Walman and forwards Trent Frederic and Max Jones. While these moves aimed to address some roster gaps, fans were left questioning whether the Oilers had done enough to solidify their playoff contention, particularly due to the lack of a new goaltender despite concerns about Stuart Skinner's consistency. General manager Stan Bowman expressed a desire to make a significant deal but ultimately opted not to overhaul the team's mix, which some analysts viewed as underwhelming compared to other teams' actions. The Oilers' management chose to stand pat after earlier trades, signaling confidence in their current roster despite notable gaps, especially on the blue line and in the fourth-line center position. The decision to avoid panic trades was seen as a potential silver lining, though many fans expressed disappointment at the missed opportunities. Overall, the Oilers head into the postseason with a roster that has seen some improvement, but questions about their competitiveness remain.