NHL analysts slam Edmonton Oilers as ‘Losers’ of trade deadline

As the NHL trade deadline dust settles, analysts are quick to pick winners and losers and most believe the Edmonton Oilers missed the mark.
While some experts see value in the Oilers' moves, the consensus is that GM Stan Bowman didn’t make the splash needed to boost Edmonton’s Stanley Cup chances. Others argue that while their additions weren’t flashy, they bring essential depth. Either way, the critics are loud and clear.



Dallas went out and secured the best player available in Rantanen and locked him up long-term. Colorado snagged the top rental in Nelson. Meanwhile, Edmonton brought in a solid second-pair defenseman in Jake Walman and a third-line forward in Trent Frederic. If this is an arms race, Edmonton is losing. Once preseason favorites, they now look like the fifth-best team in the West.

The Oilers did nothing to fix their glaring goaltending issues, leaving them vulnerable come playoff time. A weak goalie situation can make or break a postseason run, and right now, Edmonton is rolling the dice with a major Achilles’ heel.

Edmonton’s deadline wasn’t a disaster. Walman is a solid addition, and Frederic adds depth—but their competition made bigger moves. The Oilers needed to make a statement, and they fell short.

They didn’t address their biggest needs. Defensive uncertainties remain, goaltending is still a question mark, and no top-six scoring help was added. McDavid will have to carry this team on his back yet again.

Stanley Cup odds shifted post-deadline, and the Oilers’ odds actually worsened from +650 to +800. Moves like acquiring Walman and Frederic don’t strike fear into playoff opponents. The Oilers needed a major splash—perhaps a true No. 1 goalie like John Gibson—but that was never realistic.

Not every trade needs to be flashy. The Oilers didn’t land a superstar, but Frederic is a gritty, dependable bottom-six addition. Walman strengthens their blue line and is an underrated offensive contributor. His production this season places him among the league’s best defensemen in points per 60 minutes. Edmonton didn’t overreach, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
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The Oilers’ trade deadline strategy has sparked debate. While critics argue they failed to make the kind of blockbuster moves needed to keep pace in the Western Conference, others believe the team quietly improved in key areas. Whether these changes will be enough remains to be seen but one thing is certain: the pressure is now on Edmonton to prove the doubters wrong when it matters most.