Oilers Still Searching For Top Defenceman

[Larry Fisher]

Not sure if this made it here already, but figured I would share my latest on the Oilers defence and their desire to still land a true No. 1 to anchor the blue-line: http://thehockeywriters.com/oilers-still-searching-for-top-defenceman/

It's a longer read, mostly just my musings, running through the league as to who might be available or of interest to the Oilers.

Your thoughts?

Click to read more...

 

[McDeathbyCheerios*]

Pietrangelo a Hamilton clone? Other way around...

 

[oXo Cube]

What are you on about? We just signed Schultz to his extension.

#futurenorriswinner

 

[LTIR]

The biggest give away that the Oilers are searching for a top pairing Dman was when Chiarelli pencilled in Sekera as "the Linchpin on the 2nd pairing"

If Sekera is on the 2nd pairing then someone better than him must be linchpinning the top pairing.. Cant possibly be anyone one the current roster. Also, If he was happy with his defense he wouldnt have taken Schultz to arbitration since there was no need to buyout anyone.

Something is in the works I am sure.

 

[McDeathbyCheerios*]

The biggest give away that the Oilers are searching for a top pairing Dman was when Chiarelli pencilled in Sekera as "the Linchpin on the 2nd pairing"

If Sekera is on the 2nd pairing then someone better than him must be linchpinning the top pairing.. Cant possibly be anyone one the current roster. Also, If he was happy with his defense he wouldnt have taken Schultz to arbitration since there was no need to buyout anyone.

Something is in the works I am sure.

Possibly a trade for a left d with the intention of playing Klefbom on the right with Sekera?

 

[tiger_80]

If that's true, I'd imagine Draisaitl, Nurse, Yakupov, Eberle and 1st in 2016 are all on the table. But who would trade top pairing d-man at this point? Maybe NYR will move Yandle or Girardi, but other than that I don't see any givers.

 

[McDeathbyCheerios*]

If that's true, I'd imagine Draisaitl, Nurse, Yakupov, Eberle and 1st in 2016 are all on the table.

Take out Drai and Nurse and you are probably right

 

[McOvechking]

The biggest give away that the Oilers are searching for a top pairing Dman was when Chiarelli pencilled in Sekera as "the Linchpin on the 2nd pairing"

If Sekera is on the 2nd pairing then someone better than him must be linchpinning the top pairing.. Cant possibly be anyone one the current roster. Also, If he was happy with his defense he wouldnt have taken Schultz to arbitration since there was no need to buyout anyone.

Something is in the works I am sure.

If that's true, I'd imagine Draisaitl, Nurse, Yakupov, Eberle and 1st in 2016 are all on the table. But who would trade top pairing d-man at this point? Maybe NYR will move Yandle or Girardi, but other than that I don't see any givers.

I definitely agree. Chiarelli is still wanting to make a huge splash with our defense.

 

[tiger_80]

Take out Drai and Nurse and you are probably right

Why? RNH and MacDavid are ahead of Draisaitl and depending on what is coming back this may not be a bad move. Nurse I am not sure is on the table, but his the best d prospect and I'd imagine anybody moving a top pairing defenseman would want a good prospect in return.

I am hoping for something like Eberle+1st+B prospect (Simpson, Musil, Davidson). Or something smaller like Eberle for Yandle straight up.

 

[McDeathbyCheerios*]

Why? RNH and MacDavid are ahead of Draisaitl and depending on what is coming back this may not be a bad move. Nurse I am not sure is on the table, but his the best d prospect and I'd imagine anybody moving a top pairing defenseman would want a good prospect in return.

I am hoping for something like Eberle+1st+B prospect (Simpson, Musil, Davidson). Or something smaller like Eberle for Yandle straight up.

Moving Eberle destroys our right side. You can't move him unless Yak actually shows he can play in the top 6.

And we keep Drai and move him to left wing as we have 0 decent left wing prospects so when Pouliot ages Drai takes over

 

[Eirhead*]

With the blue-chip LD prospects we have in the system, you gotta think Ference is a name to consider for buy-out. It would complete the reboot. Add 1 more RD to make us more or less 4D deep on each side.

 

[Supermassive]

Buy out Nikitin, sign Ehrhoff.
Summer complete.

 

[ivanthebad*]

Moving Eberle destroys our right side. You can't move him unless Yak actually shows he can play in the top 6.

And we keep Drai and move him to left wing as we have 0 decent left wing prospects so when Pouliot ages Drai takes over

For every trade move there is going to a hole left but another filled, just depends on what is deamed most important. The Oilers are not going to be the most perfect balanced team. Look at Chi, the had players come through their system and play well in those spots. I don't think Saad was considered a 1st liner last year? Tuevarninen will become a 2nd liner this year.

If we trade Ebs and fill that Top D role with say Burns, the Oilers are equally or better than not having it filled and keeping Ebs

 

[Tryamkin]

How would Edmonton fans feel about something based on Edler? Thoughts? Proposals?

 

[Seedling]

How would Edmonton fans feel about something based on Edler? Thoughts? Proposals?

He smells of Canuck.

 

[Supermassive]

How would Edmonton fans feel about something based on Edler? Thoughts? Proposals?

I don't think Chiarelli is interested in giving up any assets in order to acquire a dman.

 

[Larry Fisher]

Yeah, I don't really see Edler as an option. The Canucks are trending younger and he's a big part of their future now that he bounced back once Torts left town. Hamhuis is the next Canucks defenceman to be moved and he's a good all-around guy, but smaller and older and nothing flashy. Wouldn't top the list, but wouldn't completely discount him either.

Appreciate the feedback and glad to see I'm not the only one who believes Chiarelli is still going after that big fish for the blue-line.

 

[ChaoticOrange]

Yeah, I don't really see Edler as an option. The Canucks are trending younger and he's a big part of their future now that he bounced back once Torts left town. Hamhuis is the next Canucks defenceman to be moved and he's a good all-around guy, but smaller and older and nothing flashy. Wouldn't top the list, but wouldn't completely discount him either.

Appreciate the feedback and glad to see I'm not the only one who believes Chiarelli is still going after that big fish for the blue-line.

We'll know better by the end of the day Sunday, I think.

 

[SerbianEagle]

You don't necessarily need a true #1 if you have a few #2/#3 types. Look at the Carolina cup team in 2006. Oilers had Pronger, they didn't have a true #1 dman yet still won.

Granted, Oilers bad luck helped but...

If Oilers can sign Ehrhoff or Franson, I think the d can be considered patched up without giving up a roster player, and you take your chances. During the season, who knows who will become available and for how much. If need be, you look then.

 

[DreamTheatre]

Really good article. Thanks for posting