Edmonton Oilers could explore options for their defense in the Eastern Conference
The Edmonton Oilers are heading into the season with a pressing need for a top-four defenseman after having some difficulties defensively.
While the Oilers would like a right-handed defenseman, their availability options may push them to consider left-shot players like Marcus Pettersson from the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal recently named Pettersson as a potential trade target after reports that contract negotiations between the Penguins and the 28-year-old Swedish defenseman have not gone well. Marcus Pettersson is in the final year of a $4.025 million contract, bringing 454 games of NHL experience and a solid two-way presence.
Although his offensive production has never been his primary asset, he posted career highs last season with four goals and 30 points with an impressive +28 rating on a Pittsburgh Penguins team that missed the playoffs.
Adding Marcus Pettersson would likely necessitate some defensive adjustments and potentially moving Darnell Nurse or Brett Kulak to their off-side to accommodate him in the lineup. The Oilers have experimented with Darnell Nurse on the right side in the past but the results were not that good.
This move would be the Oilers' opportunity to help their defensive core ahead of a playoff run and if no right-shot defensemen become available then Marcus Pettersson could make him the best alternative. For Edmonton Oilers blue line there was improvements that are clearly needed and this addition could provide the stability and depth required for a postseason push.
Source: Edmonton Journal
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| POLL | ||
Would you trade for Marcus Pettersson if you were the Edmonton Oilers GM? | ||
| Yes | 98 | 53.8 % |
| No | 84 | 46.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
