Trade talk is heating up in the NHL and for the Edmonton Oilers, or more specifically the Oilers’ goalies, there is much to discuss. All the teams are in the process of maneuvering and negotiating in a bid to position themselves in the best way possible before the trade deadline set for 7th of March. And one name that is gaining much attention now? Ryan Donato. After a career-best performance against the Nashville Predators, the Chicago Blackhawks forward might just find himself at the center of multiple trade talks.

The Blackhawks have been living in trade discussions all season—it’s part of the grind when you’re in rebuild mode with valuable vets and budget-friendly contracts. Taylor Hall has already packed his bags for Carolina, but Donato? It looks like the Oilers have their eyes locked in on him. Could this be the move that shifts the tide for Edmonton?

Oilers Access took to X on February 8 to drop some trade talk heat, sharing, “Elliotte Friedman on Saturday Headlines says he believes the Oilers are one of the teams looking at Ryan Donato.” And just like that, the trade rumors are buzzing louder than ever. With the March 7 NHL trade deadline creeping up, Edmonton is on the hunt to beef up their center depth, and Chicago Blackhawks forward Ryan Donato is in the middle of it. NHL insider Elliotte Friedman spilled the tea, saying the Oilers are among the Canadian teams eyeing a potential move for him.

But wait, it’s not only Oilers that’s in the picture. It seems that Donato’s name is attracting attention around the league, and it is known that teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs are interested in him as well. Since there are two squads in the race, it appears that the race to acquire Donato will be one to watch.

Ryan Donato is having his best season so far in the NHL. With 19 goals and 37 points in 53 games, he is already past his previous best of 16 goals and 31 points with the Krakens in 2021-22. At 28, he’s proving he’s got that play-anywhere magic, sliding effortlessly between center and wing—exactly the kind of versatility that teams drool over. And the best part? His $2 million cap hit is a steal, and he brings the physicality and energy that a team needs when looking to add depth to their offense.

If he ends up in Oilers, his experience could prove to be pretty useful for the team’s championship aspirations. However, this is not the only trade that the Oilers have in their hat!

Whom do the Oilers have in mind?

The Oilers are on the hunt for some extra blue-line muscle, and guess what? A golden opportunity just came on the waivers as per the Oilers Daily report on February 8. Utah Hockey Club have put 23-year-old Vladislav Kolyachonok on waivers, and Edmonton could consider picking him up. With Alex Regula still sidelined and the team needing depth on the left side, Kolyachonok could be the perfect no-cost solution. Standing tall at 6’2” and weighing in at 200 pounds, he is a player that gives a team that typical playoff, rough and tough feel. And Oilers analyst Bruce Curlock has mentioned that Edmonton could be interested in him already.

For a depth piece, Kolyachonok’s got some sneaky-good potential. He was selected by the Florida Panthers in 2019 and has played 62 NHL games—just enough experience to step in when needed, but still young enough to develop into something more. His defensive game is solid, and he even has a little offensive spark, making him more than just a bruiser on the ice. And let’s talk numbers—his contract is a dream at just $775K for the next two years. That is cheap for a man who can provide depth immediately and may become more important in the future.

Bowman has already mentioned that a left-shot defenseman is one of the targets of the Oilers, and Kolyachonok is a perfect match for that position. Three top lefties to be precise—Ekholm, Kulak, and Nurse—have been extremely reliable, but what if one of them gets injured? Things get dicey real fast. So signing Kolyachonok off waivers would be a no-brainer as there is no downside to it and only potential to gain.