Edmonton Oilers' top targets for trade targets on defence this offseason
With the free agency dust settling, the Edmonton Oilers are actively searching for ways to strengthen their defense after focusing primarily on forwards.
Currently slightly over budget, the Oilers face a challenging salary cap situation, needing clever maneuvers to facilitate any new signings.
At $354K over the salary cap, the Oilers' financial tightrope is a cause for concern. Key decisions loom with RFAs Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway awaiting contracts. To alleviate cap pressure, potential moves could involve trading Brett Kulak, Cody Ceci, or Evander Kane, each of whom could offer some relief. Among these, Cody Ceci appears the most likely candidate for a move, potentially freeing up essential cap space for the Oilers to secure their free agents.
In their quest for a defensive upgrade, the Oilers might need to consider additional trades, especially if they aim to retain Kulak. Evander Kane emerges as another trade possibility to generate the necessary cap room. The trade market does present some intriguing options, with names like Colton Parayko, Dante Fabbro, and Timothy Liljegren being floated as suitable fits from St. Louis, Nashville, and Toronto, respectively.
While the trade route seems promising, the free agent market appears less likely to offer a substantial upgrade. Available defenders such as Tyson Barrie, Johnny Klingberg, Ryan Suter, Marco Scandella, and Justin Schwartz might not provide the enhancement the Oilers need. The requirement for an upgraded defense becomes even more pronounced considering last season's challenges when key players like Ekholm and Bouchard were absent, and goaltender Stuart Skinner's performance was less than stellar.
With limited conventional options, Oilers President Jeff Jackson might have to pull an unexpected move to strengthen the team's defense. Known for his bold decisions, Jackson's next steps could be crucial in assembling a well-rounded team ready to compete at the highest level.
The Oilers' strategy and Jackson's next moves will be pivotal in determining whether the team can address its defensive lapses and replicate their previous successes. As the situation evolves, all eyes will be on how the Oilers navigate this complex puzzle of financial constraints and roster needs.
| POLL | ||
Who should the Oilers sign to strengthen their defense in 2019�20? | ||
| Sign a free agent defence | 17 | 19.5 % |
| Trade for a defence | 49 | 56.3 % |
| Don't need anything, run it back | 14 | 16.1 % |
| See Results | 7 | 8 % |
| List of polls | ||
