The transfer deadline is getting closer, and teams are busy making sure that they have enough gas in the tank for a successful postseason run. Well, at least those still in contention are. Among them are last year’s Stanley Cup finalists, the Edmonton Oilers, who are sitting second in the Pacific Division right behind the Vegas Golden Knights. Having lost the Stanley Cup to the Florida Panthers last year, Connor McDavid and co. would want to flip the script this time around. But it seems like the hero behind Canada’s 4 Nations triumph doesn’t feel that the Oilers’ management has done enough for that to happen.

TSN’s Ryan Rishaug just took to X to share McDavid’s feelings about the upcoming transfer deadline. And while he talked in general terms about how trades can prove to be an emotional rollercoaster with allegiances, he also had a subtle message for the Oilers’ management. He said, “Management in years past have always done a good job of pitching in and giving us another horse in the stable to help us coming down the stretch and into the playoffs, so I’d expect management to do the same.” But what has made him think this way? 

According to Money Puck’s March 3 report, the Oilers have a 97.8% chance of making it to the playoffs. That’s great, right? It is. But it’s also not the whole story. The same report says that they have only a 6.3% chance of making it to the finals and a 2% chance of winning the Stanley Cup.

Of course, odds change all the time. But given the Oilers’ recent run of form, it seems like they might need to make some big moves to make a deep playoff run. Before their win against the Hurricanes on March 2, the Oilers had a five-game losing streak against the Avalanche, Flyers, Capitals, Lightning, and Panthers. And that’s why McDavid is more serious about the performance of the current players. 

On February 27, Sportsnet caught up with McDavid to know his thoughts on the transition from what was a dream international run to the NHL grind prompting an honest but concerning reply from the captain. “I’d be lying if I said I’ve been feeling good out there. You know, it’s been tough to get going… Obviously, a big emotional week, an exciting week, last week,” he said, reflecting on the Oilers’ back-to-back losses post the 4 Nations Face-Off. But what kind of reinforcements do the Oilers actually need to give their campaign a late boost?

Connor McDavid gets serious about the trade deadline while hoping for reinforcements  

When asked about what specific trades he would want ahead of the March 7 deadline, McDavid made it clear that he wasn’t the right person to be asked the question, “My job is to make sure that everyone in here is ready to roll, myself first and foremost,” he said. “It’s not my job to trade for guys,” he added bluntly. 

But if we talk about the perfect trade fits for the Oilers ahead of the Stanley Cup playoffs, fans and experts think Alex Tuch of the Buffalo Sabres could be a great fit for the Oilers. In the current season, Tuch has scored 23 goals and 24 assists after playing 59 games. Tuch is currently in the last year of his seven-year $33,250,000 contract with the Vegas Golden Knights.   

Interestingly, an NHL insider, Brenden Escott, revealed what Elliotte Friedman thinks would be a good roadmap for Connor McDavid’s team in the trade deals. Escott posted on X, “I think [the #Oilers] are looking for a forward with speed and size…a D too…it’s dollar in, dollar out, but if they can create some cap room, we’ll see what else can happen here.” Speed and size in a forward could definitely help out Connor McDavid, and Alex Tuch fits that description perfectly.

But along with Alex Tuch, the New York Islanders veteran Brock Nelson can be a good fit, too. Although not a young gun by any means, he still has a lot left in the tank. And despite a dip in scoring has been decent this season, scoring 19 goals and 22 assists. What’s more? He brings a ton of playoff experience with 27 goals and 50 points in 78 playoff games. So if the Oilers can find a way to fit in his $6 million cap hit somehow, he could prove to be a decent addition.

It’s gonna be a tough season for Connor McDavid as the Oilers are reportedly trading Evander Kane. There are 20 more games to go. In fact, the playoffs picture will get clearer ahead of it. Let’s see how last year’s championship finalists move toward the playoffs from this point.