Former Oiler Says Edmonton Could Replace Three Players With One Montreal Canadiens Trade Target

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Liam McCormick
November 29, 2024 (1:49 PM)

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The Edmonton Oilers will be trading for a defenceman this season, and former Oiler Luke Gazdic believes the best target for the team will be Montreal Canadiens defender Mike Matheson.

On a recent radio hit, Gazdic said that Matheson could perfectly fill a role of an all-around fixer in the Oilers blueline, which is currently been mashed together with depth players.

»I think they have about three they're trying to have probably three guys do the job of one right now and that's nothing against Ty Emberson, Travis Dermott, and Josh Brown, who just came up, but they're trying to find a guy to do that and it just looks like there extending it to multiple guys.»
- Luke Gazdic

Mike Matheson is a 30 year old left shot defenceman that's played 567 career NHL games with the Florida Panthers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Montreal Canadiens.

Despite being a left shot, which isn't what the Oilers need, Matheson does have experience playing both sides of the ice.

Matheson's premium asset as per scouting reports is his ability to move the puck, which isn't exactly what the Oilers need.

Defence coach Paul Coffey often stresses his defenceman to make quality plays to the Oilers forwards, which is their greatest strength.

NHL insider Frank Seravalli has also mentioned Matheson as a potential fit for the Oilers, although they haven't reportedly shown interest to Montreal yet.

Interestingly, Matheson checks all the boxes of Bob Stauffer's most recent report that the Oilers could be seeking an off-the-radar defenceman.

Stauffer specifically mentioned a left shot puck moving defenceman that can play both sides, and has term left on his contract. That would describe Matheson to a tee.

Recently, NHL insider Frank Seravalli reported that the Oilers could get antsy to make a trade in the next 7-10 days if they don't create some separation in the standings.

Matheson could be a great target for the Edmonton Oilers available right now, an exits possible they make a move earlier in the season to help them finish as high in the standings as possible.