As the March 6, 2026, NHL trade deadline approaches, Edmonton Oilers GM Stan Bowman faces a familiar crunch: a tight salary cap, pressing needs for a reliable top-nine forward and a top-four defenseman, and the relentless pressure to maximize the Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl window. The Oilers sit competitively in the Pacific Division but have shown defensive vulnerabilities and inconsistent secondary scoring—issues that could doom another deep playoff run.
To get what the Oilers need, Bowman will look at his prospect pool and determine who is expendable. Brian Curlock, who covers the farm system and the Bakersfield Condors extensively, wonders if there are a few obvious names in jeopardy. Few know the players coming up from the AHL as well as he does.
He pointed out in a recent post on X, the following:
“Stan Bowman brought in Howard, Samanski, Hutson, Leppanen, Marjala and Carfagna. Editor’s Note: I can’t state emphatically enough how good this is for the organization. Also, he didn’t bring in Savoie, Jarventie or Akey. Remember that as we get to the trade deadline.”
Stan Bowman brought in Howard, Samanski, Hutson, Leppanen, Marjala and Carfagna.
Editor’s Note: I can’t state emphatically enough how good this is for the organization.
Also, he didn’t bring in Savoie, Jarventie or Akey.
Remember that as we get to the trade deadline.
— bcurlock (@bcurlock) February 18, 2026
What exactly is he saying?
Are Savoie, Jarventie, and Akey at Risk?
Curlock argues that Bowman made some savvy, low-cost additions—Isaac Howard (acquired via trade from Tampa Bay in summer 2025), Josh Samanski (signed from the German league), Quinn Hutson (college free agent), Viljami Marjala, Atro Leppanen, and Damien Carfagna—have injected life into the Bakersfield Condors. The AHL affiliate is thriving, with Howard dominating (multi-point nights, OT winners), Samanski earning quick NHL recalls and praise (now playing well at the Olympics), and Hutson showing he’s a player of the future.
These “Bowman guys” represent smart, sustainable building blocks for the organization’s future.
But as he also pointed out, “he didn’t bring in Savoie, Jarventie or Akey. Remember that as we get to the trade deadline.”
The subtext is clear. New GMs often prioritize “their” acquisitions while viewing inherited assets as movable pieces to reshape the roster.
Matt Savoie
A former top-10 pick acquired pre-Bowman from Buffalo in the 2024 Ryan McLeod trade, Savoie is a full-time NHLer and a solid NHL rookie contributor on the third line. Allan Mitchell of The Athletic recently ranked Savoie the Oilers’ #1 movable piece. He’s fast, smart, young, kills penalites…
A big-bodied winger from the Ottawa trade (pre-Bowman), Jarventie has overcome injuries to post strong AHL numbers (goals in clusters, physical presence). He’s ranked as a middle-six upside piece but remains expendable amid the influx of new talent.
Beau Akey
A 2023 second-round pick (pre-Bowman), the right-shot defenseman offers mobility and offensive potential but has flown under the radar with development hiccups.
To get whatever he’s targeting, Bowman may have to make some tough choices. When push comes to shove, will he keep the guys he went out and got, knowing how much he liked them? Or, will he move the players that were given to him when he took over?
Trading “non-Bowman” guys like Savoie (for a high-end rental?), Jarventie (for depth help), or Akey (as a sweetener in a blue-line deal) preserves his vision.
Of course, this is speculative and Curlock isn’t doing anything other than making a logical guess.
Next: 3 Right-Shot Defensemen the Oilers Could Target in a Trade
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