After matching Leo Carlsson's $18 million deal and still needing to sign Cutter Gauthier (likely in the $13-15 million range or more), the Ducks could be shopping veteran wingers to create room. That might mean Frank Vatrano, Chris Kreider, and Alex Killorn becoming trade candidates.

One report has insiders saying Anaheim would need to move two of those three deals to get fully compliant.

The Oilers already have real cap room next season and are known to be looking for a top-six winger. If Anaheim is genuinely dumping one of these players to make room, or  (a second-round pick, for instance) just to dump salary, Edmonton could theoretically take on a Killorn or Kreider for effectively free — a rental at $6-6.5 million with term expiring after this season.

The Oilers would have to send some money back. Moving Mattias Janmark would theoretically do it (if not get them close). 

Kreider, Killorn, and Vatrano hold modified no-trade protection (15-team no-trade lists for Kreider and Killorn), meaning they'd have real say in where they land, and it's unclear Edmonton is on either player's list of preferred destinations.

Vatrano is the more movable piece contract-wise, but he's coming off a rough season (just 9 points in 50 games) and has term through 2027-28, making him a tougher sell as a "buy-low reclamation" fit for a team trying to win now.

So the more realistic version of what's available isn't "Oilers swoop in for a difference-maker" — it's "Oilers could get a legitimate rental winger for next to nothing if the no-trade lists cooperate."

Then again, Edmonton would have to decide if this is the best use of their available cap space. Bowman already said he likes having the wiggle room as the team enters the 2026-27 season. If he blows through the money they still have on one of the Ducks veterans, it closes doors later in the year. 

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