The Edmonton Oilers headed into the 2021 NHL Draft with six selections. Without a pick in the second or third rounds, the team acquired forwards Andreas Athanasiou and Ryan Kuffner from the Detroit Red Wings. They sent back veteran Sam Ganger and a 2020 and 2021 second-round pick. In addition to this, general manager Ken Holland lost his original 3rd round choice in the deal for winger James Neal. Tied to a draft pick condition in the trade, the pick would be transferred if Neal scored 21 goals or more and veteran Milan Lucic scored ten or fewer goals than Neal during the 2019-20 season.