The Edmonton Oilers are looking to replace three out of the seven defensemen who were part of their Stanley Cup Final team, specifically seeking a right-handed puck-mover to partner with Darnell Nurse on the second-pairing. Philip Broberg, Cody Ceci, and Vincent Desharnais are out, but the team is reportedly considering several big-name defensemen. According to NHL insider Frank Seravalli, the Oilers are exploring options including Justin Schultz, Tyson Barrie, and Kevin Shattenkirk.
Seravalli has previously reported accurately on Oilers-related matters, so his current report carries significant weight. Although these players have established reputations, their recent performances haven’t matched up, which is why they are now unrestricted free agents. Among them, Barrie, who had 19 points in 41 games for Nashville last season, might be a strong candidate due to his familiarity with Edmonton and his previous partnership with Nurse.
Another intriguing option is Tony DeAngelo, a younger player at 28, who had a disappointing season with Carolina but has shown strong performances in the past. Travis Dermott, a left-shot defenseman with connections to Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch, is also being considered.
Newcomer Ty Emberson, who had a higher points-per-60-minute rate last season than some of the more established names, could be a contender as well. The Oilers’ management, including GM Ken Holland, will have to decide whether to bring in a familiar face like Barrie or take a chance on a fresh candidate.
