Five Potential Trade Targets for Edmonton Oilers on Defence
Photo credit: The Hockey News
The Edmonton Oilers are in clear need of another defenceman before the playoffs begin, and one Oilers analyst has begun taking a look at potential options.
Tyler Yaremchuck of Oilers Nation took a look at veteran free agents on expiring teams this season to find candidates likely to be traded. The top players available that may be fits for the Oilers are expected to be Henri Jokiharju, Jan Rutta, David Savard, and William Borgen.
Jokiharju is the best player of the group, a 25 year old right shot defender with 351 career games played. He's consistently been a player relied upon in Buffalo from a young age, and last year even posted a +14 rating on a brutal Sabres team. He's not an overly physical player, but could have the ability to make passes to the Oilers forwards and take advantage of that strength.
Rutta, Savard, and Borgen are older players and much more physical defenceman, if the Oilers decide they need that element on their blue line. Savard may be the best available of this group, but the Habs may be reluctant to move the leader in the locker room. Rutta and Borgen may be likely to be moved, but are just depth physical defenders. The Oilers still have Josh Brown in the minors for exactly that.
All defenceman are veterans on value contracts expiring this season, although there could be more expensive and less likely options such as a reunion with Jeff Petry. There's also the chance the Oilers are scouting defenceman Timothy Liljegren from the Toronto Maple Leafs, who was just placed on the trade block. The 25 year old right shot defender has played 196 career games with great analytics, and could be an option for the longer term.
While some analysts have suggested the Oilers should make an impact trade to improve their defence early this season, it may be best for the team to wait and see all options that become available throughout the year. There are some quality players currently listed as trade candidates, but none feel like a home run selection to improve the blue line for a Stanley Cup run. It will be an important trade for the Oilers this year, and they need to make sure they get it right.
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