The Edmonton Oilers‘ current management is committed to improving the entire organization, top to bottom. Connor McDavid might be a superstar, but he can’t do all the scoring himself. That’s why the likes of Jake Walman, Leon Draisaitl, Jack Roslovic, Vasily Podkolzin, and Mattias Ekholm are also crucial to the organization.
A recent report may signal an early trade coming for the 2025-26 regular season. The Oilers haven’t been messing around this season, with their primary goal being to have the best team possible to hoist a Stanley Cup in June. One game on October 16 was jam-packed with scouts, with the Oilers having the most there of any other team.
Edmonton Oilers Loading up Scouts For Early Season Game
This new report comes from Aaron Portzline of The Athletic, who covers the Columbus Blue Jackets. In a social media post, he revealed the shocking number of scouts attending the game and how many represented the Oilers.
“#CBJ press box jammed with scouts tonight,” Portzline began his post on October 16. “3 from #LetsGoOilers (one a goalie scout), 2 from #VegasBorn and #TusksUp, and 18 others with one each. Gentlepeople, start your rumors.”
By my count, that’s 25 scouts present for a regular season game in the middle of October. It’s not uncommon for teams to scout each other. However, that is a lot of scouts for a game before American Thanksgiving.
American Thanksgiving is often the benchmark that hockey pundits point to as a make-or-break point of the season. At that point, if you aren’t in the playoff picture, you are in a difficult statistical position to claw back into playoff contention.
Mark Scheig of The Hockey Writers confirmed the large number of scouts present.
“Game 4 of season. But 20 teams and 24 scouts have descended on Columbus to watch #GoAvsGo and #CBJ,” Scheig wrote before the game. “Oilers with three reps here. Yegor Chinakhov season debut.”
Scheig then listed off each team with a scout at the game.
“BUF, WSH, PIT, VGK (2), CHI, OTT, DAL, STL, UTAH (2), NSH, WPG, MTL, EDM (3), PHI, DET, MIN, ANA, TOR, NJD, TBL.”
Which Blue Jackets Interest the Oilers?
GettyAre the Oilers getting ready to pull the trigger on a big trade?
When it comes to the Blue Jackets linked to the Oilers, two names stand above the rest: Elvis Merzlikins and Yegor Chinakhov.
Merzlikins (along with Ilya Sorokin and many others) have been linked to the Oilers. James Mirtle of The Athletic listed the Latvian netminder as one of seven different options the Oilers could consider to trade for. Given his poor year in 2024-25, the hope would be for a bounce-back season in a new environment on a team that could make its third trip to the Stanley Cup Final.
Recently, Tem Lassila reported that the Oilers and Chicago Blackhawks are on Chinakov’s list of trade destinations.
Chinakhov & Merzlikins on Their Way Out?
Thursday night was more impressive for one of the two potential targets. Merzlikins stopped 32 of 35 shots he faced, earning a .914 save percentage (SV%) on the night. On the other hand, Chinakhov finished his regular season debut with one block and one takeaway in nine minutes of ice time. Chinakhov skated on the team’s fourth line with Zachary Aston-Reese and Isac Lundestrom.
Obviously, there is more potential with him than what was on display Thursday night. Chinakhov is two seasons removed from a 16-goal campaign in 2023-24. He finished that season with 29 points in 53 games while averaging 15:10 per game.
Merzlikins has split the starts down the middle with Jet Greaves. Greaves has the potential to run away with the starter’s position, already posting a 2.06 goals against average (GAA), and a .932 SV% to Merzlikins’ 3.54 GAA and .920 SV%.
It’s crucial to note that Merzlikins has faced considerably more shots than Greaves. Merzlikins has had 87 shots against him, while Greaves has only faced 59.
Hockey fans everywhere should be treated to an entertaining season, one way or another.
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