Spencer Stastney traded to Penguins as Oilers land Filip Hallander

The Pittsburgh Penguins moved quickly to adjust their blue line on Wednesday afternoon, acquiring defenceman Spencer Stastney from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for forward Filip Hallander. The one-for-one deal sends two players with NHL experience to new organizations early in the schedule.

Stastney, a 26-year-old left-shot defenceman, had not yet dressed for the Oilers this season. Last year he appeared in 66 regular-season games split between Edmonton and the Nashville Predators, who originally drafted him in the fifth round in 2018. The Oilers brought him in during the 2023-24 campaign, paying a 2027 third-round pick to acquire his rights.

The Illinois native recorded 10 points last season on two goals and eight assists. Before turning pro with Nashville, he played four seasons of college hockey at the University of Notre Dame. His current contract carries a $1.525 million cap hit and is set to expire at the end of this season, after which he can become an unrestricted free agent.

Penguins address shortage of left-handed defencemen

In Pittsburgh, Stastney fills a clear positional need. The Penguins’ current six-man blue line features four right-handed defencemen and only two lefties, Declan Carlile and Samuel Girard. Off-season addition Trevor van Riemsdyk has been skating on his off side to help balance the pairings.

Adding another left-shot option should give the coaching staff more flexibility to build natural pairs and reduce the burden on righties playing their weak side. Depending on where Stastney slots in, he could stabilize the third pair or allow for wider adjustments throughout the defence group.

Oilers gain forward depth with in-form Hallander

For Edmonton, the move brings in a 26-year-old forward with a solid track record at lower levels and a promising start to this season. Through two games, Hallander has produced one goal and two assists, pushing his career NHL totals to two goals and five assists for seven points in 18 games spread across four seasons.

Hallander first came to North America in 2021 and put together two productive AHL campaigns in the Penguins’ system. He then returned to Timra IK in the Swedish Hockey League, where he collected 53 points in 51 games in 2024-25, before rejoining the Pittsburgh organization last season.

By making this swap, the Oilers convert blue-line depth into an in-form forward who has shown he can produce both in Europe and early this year in North America. The Penguins, meanwhile, are banking on Stastney to help rebalance their defence and provide immediate support on the left side as the season gets underway.