Insider Reports Oilers Holding Front Office Meetings, Trade Talks Heating Up
Photo credit: Shaughn Butts - Postmedia
The Edmonton Oilers are expected to make a trade for an impact defenceman this season at the deadline, and new reports from Pierre LeBrun revealed that the Oilers front office is gearing up with meetings and phone calls.
Earlier this year, Stan Bowman revealed his plan to evaluate the Oilers for the first half of the season, then begin to enact their trade plans.
Nearing the halfway point of the season now, insider Pierre LeBrun has revealed that the Oilers front office and scouting staff held meetings this week to determine their top trade targets, but left the meetings feeling flexible.
»The Oilers front office held pro scouting meetings . . . There was chatter in their meetings this week. They put together a list of names in terms of the D market, and the idea is to upgrade the blue line if possible.
- Pierre LeBrun
- Pierre LeBrun
LeBrun also repeated the recent theory floating among Oilers fans that the team may not need a top four defenceman.
The Oilers defence has performed better than expected this year, especially with the quality play from Darnell Nurse and Brett Kulak. Because of this, the Oilers don't seem to be fixated on one target, but are flexible in what they can add.
»Theyre not going out and looking at the D market for a very specific type of player. The Oilers are casting a wide net.
- Pierre LeBrun
- Pierre LeBrun
At practice today, the Oilers experiment with some different defence pairs. It is likely that whoever the Oilers acquire in trade, they'll be replacing Troy Stecher - who is only averaging 13:14 of ice time per game so far January.
Edmonton Oilers casting wide net for defence upgrade
Although LeBrun hinted that the Oilers may end up only acquiring a depth defenceman, it makes sense that they'll at least trade for an upgrade on Troy Stecher.
Another factor that will be affecting the Oilers trade deadline plans is the Four Nations faceoff. Trade activity may happen sooner than usual this year, and the Oilers are trying to stay ahead of the curve.
With the right addition to the blue line, this Oilers team would be an even more complete version of the squad that made Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final last season. Hopefully, their deadline deal gives them the boost to put them over the top.
| POLL | ||
JANVIER 9 | 133 ANSWERS Insider Reports Oilers Holding Front Office Meetings, Trade Talks Heating Up Do you think the Edmonton Oilers will make a trade before the Four Nations Faceoff break? | ||
| Yes | 50 | 37.6 % |
| No | 83 | 62.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
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