Today a new quote from Edmonton Oilers GM Stan Bowman has revealed what he believes the team's biggest needs are heading into the trade deadline. After a report surfaced yesterday that the <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/edmonton-oilers/nhl-insider-reveals-one-of-the-edmonton-oilers-biggest-needs-will-not-be-addressed-at-the-trade-deadline' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Edmonton Oilers would not prioritize adding a goaltender</a> at the deadline fans were left to wonder what the front office had planned. Today that plan for the deadline became more clear as GM Stan Bowman sat down for an interview with insider Pierre LeBrun to discuss the upcoming deadline and what to expect. During their conversation, Bowman confirmed that the Oilers will be aggressive at the trade deadline and have a pair of clear needs that will become a priority to upgrade. <h3>Stan Bowman Confirms The Oilers Trade Plans Ahead Of The Deadline</h3> When asked to discuss his thoughts on the deadline Bowman was surprisingly open and honest with his intentions for potential additions. <a href='https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6121964/2025/02/07/oilers-trade-deadline-stan-bowman/?source=emp_shared_article' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>LeBrun opened the interview</a> by asking Bowman what the team's biggest needs are and Bowman admitted that the Oilers need to add depth on defense, particularly on the left side. Depth-wise, I think we're going to add a defenseman it's probably going to be a lefty, we've got a lot of righties right now, Bowman said. Despite adding John Klingberg in free agency recently Bowman still sees defense as his number one priority with everything else well below that. Bowman also doubled down on the fact that the Oilers do not see goaltending as a priority confirming they have the utmost confidence in their current duo. Finally, Bowman spoke about the possible need for an upgrade at the center ice position. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/PierreVLeBrun/status/1887924866063716822'> </a></blockquote></div> After moving on from Ryan McLeod in the offseason the Oilers have struggled to find a third line center. Add in the fact that in close playoff games the Oilers like to put McDavid and Draisaitl together on a line their need for a center becomes that much more apparent. Now that the Oilers have a solid plan for the trade deadline they need to get to work on adding their preferred targets before other teams scoop them up. As more information is provided on the Oilers trade deadline plans and the execution of those plans we will pass the latest news along to you.