Reading about potential trades between NHL teams is a lot like standing in a crowded grocery line and having to stare at the latest tabloids for ten minutes—magazines claiming Brad Pitt was abducted by aliens and returned after fostering children on another world. Some of these stories are just that silly: clickbait designed to fascinate, shock, or provoke.

The latest rumor about Alex DeBrincat heading to the Edmonton Oilers falls squarely into this category, and I couldn’t resist breaking down why it makes so little sense.

Reason One: The Oilers Don’t Need Another Forward

Edmonton’s forward group is already stacked, with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl anchoring a potent top six. Adding DeBrincat—a skilled scorer but undersized and light on playoff experience—doesn’t address any urgent roster need. If the Oilers were truly looking to improve, a top-four defenseman would be far more logical than adding another forward.

Reason Two: The Oilers’ Cost vs. Return Doesn’t Make Sense

According to the proposed deal, to acquire DeBrincat, the Oilers would have to give up a key piece of their defensive core, such as Mattias Ekholm, as well as future draft picks. Pure silliness. That’s far too steep a cost for a 27-year-old forward whose offensive style (but little else) doesn’t fit Edmonton’s current roster needs. 

From a salary cap perspective, this lopsided trade sucks too much in assets from the Oilers. They don’t benefit from getting DeBrincat. Plus, Ekholm is a solid fixture on the team’s blue line. Why even consider moving him?

Reason Three: The Red Wings Aren’t Motivated to Trade Him

Detroit clearly values DeBrincat playing alongside (the also undersized) Patrick Kane. But they also have younger defensive prospects waiting in the wings. There’s little incentive for them to take on a 35-year-old veteran or give up a top offensive asset, especially in a deal that doesn’t markedly improve their own team.

The Bottom Line for the Oilers and the Red Wings

In short, the DeBrincat-to-Oilers rumor checks off none of the logical boxes. Fans and analysts alike should be treating it as one of the silliest trade ideas of the week—clickbait rather than a realistic scenario.

Related: 3 Ways Craig Berube Is Changing the Maple Leafs’ DNA