The Edmonton Oilers have been active in reshaping their defensive lineup through recent transactions, including not matching offer sheets for restricted free agents and making trades that promise to redefine their strategy on the blue line.
In a notable shift, the Oilers chose not to match the St. Louis Blues’ offer sheets for Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg, freeing them up this past August.
Broberg, who was projected to potentially fill the Oilers’ critical second-pairing right-defence slot beside Darnell Nurse, found a new home with the Blues. This vacancy arose as Cody Ceci, who typically occupied that position and faced considerable struggles, was traded to the San Jose Sharks along with a 2025 third-round pick for defenseman Ty Emberson shortly after.
Emerson joins the Oilers after a stint with the Sharks, where he showed promise as a defensively capable player, despite a limited 30-game NBA stint marked by injuries. With an eye on internal talent, the Oilers will likely evaluate whether Emberson’s defensive strengths can complement Nurse’s game, despite potential weaknesses in exit strategies—a gap in Nurse’s performance noted in previous seasons.
The Oilers’ defensive depth includes seasoned player Troy Stecher, who was re-signed on July 1 after an injury setback. Having featured in a handful of games last season, Stecher brings extensive NHL experience, albeit with concerns about his ability to handle top-four responsibilities, especially in zone entries—a known deficiency when paired with Nurse.
Additionally, prospects within the organization, though not immediate top-four material, might add depth. Philip Kemp and Max Wanner could see NHL playtime, akin to Vincent Desharnais’ trajectory, bolstering the third-pairing options.
From a strategic viewpoint, despite excellent synergy between Mattias Ekholm and Evan Bouchard, shuffling could be necessary to achieve a more balanced defense scheme. To possibly solidify the second pairing with Nurse, options could include repositioning Brett Kulak to right-defence or even exploring an Ekholm-Nurse tandem.
Trade markets may hold a key for the Oilers, with potential targets like Dante Fabbro from Nashville, given his puck-moving prowess and ability to supplement the defensive gaps faced by the Oilers. Rasmus Andersson and Will Borgen also emerge as candidates, though the former presents high-cost risks due to the provincial rivalry and the latter’s modest impact figures.
As the Oilers navigate the cap space provided by these changes—potentially reaching around $7 million at the trade deadline—their strategy seems inclined towards evaluating internal options like Emberson and Stecher before committing to a trade. This gradual approach will allow more cap flexibility and a clearer picture of market possibilities as the season progresses.
The Oilers’ ongoing adjustments underline a strategic pivot intended to address persistent gaps, with an ultimate aim to solidify their defensive ranks as they anticipate playoff contention.
