Late Tuesday evening, the Edmonton Oilers and Chicago Blackhawks officially confirmed a trade involving veteran players and conditional draft picks. The deal primarily sees Edmonton acquiring center Jason Dickinson alongside discussions that may include young winger Colton Dach. The trade stipulates that Chicago will receive a first-round pick in 2027, protected if it falls within the top 12, with additional terms impacting future draft picks.
The conditional terms of the pick dictate that if Edmonton’s 2027 selection is among the top 12, the Oilers can opt to send their 2028 first-round pick to Chicago instead, with the choice to be made before the draft begins. Should Edmonton decide to trade their 2028 pick before the 2027 trade deadline, the 2027 first-round pick automatically transfers without conditions.
Impact of the Trade on Related Teams and Draft Picks
Chris Johnston of The Athletic highlighted an interesting ripple effect involving the San Jose Sharks due to these trade conditions. Last season, Edmonton traded a top-12 protected 2026 first-round pick to San Jose as part of the Jake Walman deal. Because Edmonton has now dealt their 2027 first-round pick, this 2026 pick loses its protection, effectively passing ownership fully to the Sharks. While Edmonton appears well-positioned for the playoffs, a drastic drop in their standings could financially benefit San Jose due to the now unprotected draft pick.
Colton Dach’s Potential Role in the Trade
Reported by Elliotte Friedman, Chicago Blackhawks’ young winger Colton Dach has emerged as a potential component in the deal heading to Edmonton. While his inclusion remains unconfirmed, it helps explain Chicago’s ability to acquire a first-round pick amid the financial complexities of the trade.
Dach, 23, is a native of Edmonton and was selected 62nd overall by Oilers GM Stan Bowman in the 2021 NHL Draft. Standing 6-foot-4 and playing center, Dach is the younger brother of Kirby Dach, Montreal Canadiens’ center and Bowman’s 2019 third overall pick. Over the past year, Dach has solidified his presence in the NHL, registering seven points in 25 games last season and nine points through 53 games this season. According to both Chicago’s Elite Prospects and The Athletic’s Corey Pronman, he ranks around No. 10 among Chicago prospects and is seen as a prospective middle-six winger. This season, he has averaged nearly 12 minutes of ice time per game.
Terms Surrounding Dickinson and Mangiapane’s Involvement
Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic reports that the Blackhawks will receive a top-12 protected first-round pick in 2027 in exchange for Jason Dickinson. The Blackhawks’ willingness to absorb the full salary of Andrew Mangiapane, coupled with retaining 50% of Dickinson’s contract, has facilitated a favorable return for Chicago. This salary retention has provided Edmonton with the necessary cap flexibility to integrate Dickinson, whose $4.25 million average annual value was previously a concern given Mangiapane’s $3.6 million hit.
Trade Talks Initiated by Injury and Roster Needs
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman indicated that Edmonton and Chicago have been negotiating a trade involving veteran center Jason Dickinson after news surfaced that Curtis Lazar of the Oilers will miss up to four weeks due to injury. To make room for Dickinson’s salary, Edmonton is expected to send Mangiapane to Chicago.
According to Frank Seravalli of Frankly Hockey, the discussions also include an additional player moving to Edmonton alongside Dickinson and a conditional draft pick moving to Chicago. While final details are pending, the Oilers are keen on strengthening their lineup with experienced depth, especially in the bottom-six forward group, as Lazar’s health status creates a gap.
Executive Connections and Strategic Fit for Dickinson
The two teams’ relationship is underscored by the presence of Stan Bowman, current GM of Edmonton, who previously managed the Chicago Blackhawks. Bowman’s familiarity with Chicago’s operations, including players like Dickinson and Connor Murphy (who was traded to Edmonton earlier this week), likely aided the negotiations.
Jason Dickinson, 30, is a 6-foot-2 center with 549 NHL games under his belt. Although not a right-shot like Lazar, Dickinson offers a similar style, excelling in faceoffs and penalty killing while bringing valuable physicality. His offensive output peaked during his first season with Chicago, including 22 goals and 35 points, but has since declined to more modest totals over the past two campaigns.
Despite diminished scoring, Dickinson’s role as a reliable, defensive-minded center—often on the ice during critical late-game situations—aligns with Edmonton’s immediate needs. The Oilers already possess elite offensive talent, so Dickinson’s value lies in his ability to contribute defensively and on special teams, which could be vital for a deep playoff push.
Young Prospects and Organizational Depth Considerations
With Lazar sidelined, Edmonton’s organizational depth at the bottom-six center spot is thin. The Oilers’ AHL affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors, features prospects Isaac Howard and Quinn Hutson who are more offensively focused, lacking Dickinson’s defensive specialization. Adding Dickinson would provide a well-rounded veteran presence to complement these prospects and shore up the forward group’s depth.
Next Steps and Potential Impact of the Trade
Although the full trade details remain to be finalized, it is evident that Edmonton is committed to reinforcing its roster for a playoff run by acquiring a versatile, experienced center. If Colton Dach’s inclusion is confirmed, it signals Edmonton’s intent to inject youth and physicality alongside veteran steadiness. The conditional draft picks and salary arrangements indicate a complex negotiation, balancing immediate roster upgrades with future assets.
This trade marks a strategic effort by Stan Bowman to blend young potential with experienced players, setting up the Oilers to contend deeper into the postseason. Monitoring how Dach fits into Edmonton’s system and how Dickinson recovers his form in a new environment will be crucial in assessing the trade’s ultimate success.
The #SJSharks now own Edmonton's 2026 first-round pick unprotected to complete the Jake Walman trade:
It had previously been top-12 protected, unless Edmonton moved its 2027 1st, which is now going to Chicago (top-12 protected) in the Jason Dickinson deal.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) March 5, 2026
Colton Dach is another part of this trade conversation to Edmonton https://t.co/P83l7gTM2b
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) March 5, 2026
Blackhawks would be retaining 50 percent on Dickinson in this trade. There’s also another player going to Edmonton.
The Blackhawks would get Mangiapane and a 1st RD pick in ‘27 (protected) https://t.co/AQqpLv6wyf— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) March 5, 2026
Edmonton and Chicago are discussing another move
This one would send Jason Dickinson to the Oilers. We will see how it turns out
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) March 5, 2026
Lazar will be out up to four weeks via Knoblauch.
If he goes to LTIR they could recall one of Hamblin or Jarventie, who are on league minimum like Lazar.
— Jason Gregor (@JasonGregor) March 4, 2026
Another deal pending player waiver of his no-trade clause, here is the framework of what's been discussed:
To #LetsGoOilers:
C Jason Dickinson
another pieceTo #Blackhawks:
F Andrew Mangiapane
Conditional pick— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) March 5, 2026
Can report Blackhawks retaining 50% of Dickinson salary.
Can confirm @frank_seravalli's reporting that there is another piece to the deal beyond Mangiapane and Dickinson, coming to EDM.— Mark Spector🇨🇦🇺🇦 (@SportsnetSpec) March 5, 2026
