Shoring up the defense: Oilers' strategy in the face of key departures
With Cody Ceci traded away and Philip Broberg claimed off an offer sheet, the Edmonton Oilers face a glaring challenge: reinforcing a depleted defense ahead of the upcoming season.
The quest for a top-four right-handed defenseman becomes critical as the Oilers aim to address this vulnerability via trade, particularly during the early part of the season and up to the trade deadline.
Analyst Allan Mitchell of the Athletic has highlighted several candidates that could potentially bolster the Oilers' backline. High on this list is Artem Zub, a 28-year-old stalwart from the Ottawa Senators. Zub, under contract for three more years at a $4.6M annual cap hit, offers more than just a short-term fix. His performance in a top-pairing role, particularly in a shutdown capacity on a struggling Senators team, underscores his value. Notably, he managed to maintain a +5 rating last season, despite the team's overall struggles, amassing 25 points across 69 games.
Justin Barron from the Montreal Canadiens represents another intriguing option. The 22-year-old defenseman, a former first-round pick, has accumulated promising stats over 94 NHL games. Despite being relegated to the third pairing, Barron's potential as a two-way player makes him an appealing target for the Oilers, who may see an opportunity to unlock his capabilities further.
Henri Jokiharju, formerly of the Buffalo Sabres, is also on Mitchell's radar. The 25-year-old has demonstrated significant upside, even on a struggling Sabres squad, and is set to become a restricted free agent after this season. His current $3.5M salary could make him an affordable yet effective addition.
The optimal target, however, might be out of reach. Rasmus Andersson of the Calgary Flames is considered by Mitchell and others as the prime candidate for the Oilers. His ability to handle top-pairing responsibilities and his reasonable $4.5M salary for the next two seasons make him highly desirable. However, the inter-city rivalry complicates potential negotiations, as past interest in Chris Tanev has shown, with the Flames reluctant to make deals with Edmonton.
As the Oilers prepare for the season, these trade targets represent vital opportunities to strengthen their defense. The team's ability to secure one of these players could be pivotal in their quest to contend for the Stanley Cup, addressing their most pressing need on the second pairing and potentially setting the stage for a successful campaign.
All player stats and salary information: PuckPedia
| POLL | ||
This season, who should the Oilers trade for on defense? | ||
| Rasmus Andersson | 18 | 50 % |
| Artem Zub | 2 | 5.6 % |
| Henri Jokiharju | 2 | 5.6 % |
| Other/ See Results | 14 | 38.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
