Which Oilers defenceman will play second pair with Darnell Nurse for season opener

Spector feels the Oilers will lean towards a veteran player after the departure of Cody Ceci to the San Jose Sharks and the loss of Philip Broberg to an offer sheet from the St Louis Blues. He states that Troy Stecher will be the likely candidate as he is a right-handed shot defenseman with a plethora of NHL experience as he has played 494 games.

Stecher is an undrafted player who began his career in 2016 with the Vancouver Canucks. He's also had stops with the Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, two stints with the Arizona Coyotes, the Calgary Flames and the Oilers last year.

Spector also feels that Ty Emberson who was traded to the Oilers for Cody Ceci will likely have a look at the position as he is a right-handed shot as well a little larger than Stecher. Emberson appears to be unlikely to be the long-term solution at this time due to the fact he's only had 30 NHL games within his career.

Some have suggested including Frank Seravalli of the daily face off that a trade may be imminent between the Oilers and another party in the search for a veteran defenseman. It remains to be seen on whether Jeff Jackson and Stan Bowman can find a suitor just prior to the season beginning but it's likely this will be their main trading need as the season begins and likely could be filled prior to the playoffs.

Source : Sportsnet