Oilers acquire Paul Fischer, 2028 third-round pick from Blues for future considerations

Another move between two Western Conference foes.

On Tuesday, the St. Louis Blues traded defenseman Paul Fischer and a 2028 third-round pick to the Edmonton Oilers for future considerations.

It was the second official transaction of the day between the two clubs, as the Oilers revealed they would not match the Blues’ offer sheets for defenseman Philip Broberg and forward Dylan Holloway. In that deal, Edmonton received St. Louis’ second and third-round picks in the 2025 NHL Draft.

Fischer is currently an unsigned blueliner, as the Oilers merely receive his signing rights, as he never put pen to paper with the Blues. The 19-year-old was taken by the Blues in the fifth round, 138th overall, of the 2023 draft. This past season, he embarked on his freshman campaign at the University of Notre Dame, scoring two goals and 14 assists for 16 points in 34 games, including a plus/minus of -3. He is expected to play at least one more season in South Bend.

The River Forest, Illinois native built up his credentials as a member of the U.S. National Team Development Program. In two seasons with the program based out of Plymouth, Michigan, Fischer totaled 16 goals and 41 assists in 173 games across both international competition and United States Hockey League play. He was also part of the American squad that took home gold at the 2023 IIHF Men’s Under-18 World Championship.

A steady presence on the back end, Fishcer’s strengths lie in his ability to slow down the other team’s attack. At a stocky 6-foot-1 and 201 pounds, he uses his physical play to fend off the opposition’s rush. His skillset earned him a spot on the U.S. roster at this summer’s World Junior Summer Showcase, and is a prospect to be added to the U.S. National Junior Team.

As a result of the trade, the Oilers have two picks in the third round in 2028.