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Edmonton Oilers reportedly seeking top four defensemen following Philip Broberg and Cody Ceci loss: Reports
Last season, the Edmonton Oilers reached the Stanley Cup finals as their roster proved competitive. Despite losing in the Stanley Cup finals Game 7 by one goal, fans and the team have shown faith in their team and superstar captain Connor McDavid.
They are ready for another run to make the Stanley Cup theirs. But things have got a little out of hand for the Oilers this offseason.
The Oilers are now looking to fill gaps in their defense. The team lost Cody Ceci to the San Jose Sharks, Vincent Desharnais to the Vancouver Canucks and Philip Broberg to the St. Louis Blues through an offer sheet.
With these key departures, the Oilers are seeking a top-four defenseman. General manager Stan Bowman is looking for a second-pairing right defenseman, ideally with a short-term contract.
Bob Stauffer from Oilers Now mentioned that the team might be scouting for trades during the Penticton tournament.
"Great to see the @EdmontonOilers key Management people and HC Kris Knoblauch all in Penticton. Fully expect the Oilers to be in the market for a 2nd pairing RD...at some point... Preferably with a little term left...," Stauffer posted on X.
The Oilers are also interested in veteran defensemen like Mark Giordano and Kevin Shattenkirk. These players could offer experience, but might only be short-term fixes.
If the Edmonton Oilers cannot make a trade, they are hopeful about Ty Emberson, acquired in the trade involving Ceci.
Emberson has shown promise, and coach Kris Knoblauch is familiar with him. The Oilers aim to add a reliable defenseman as they prepare for another strong playoff run.
Edmonton Oilers' consistent efforts to win the Stanley Cup.
Since 2008, the Edmonton Oilers have consistently spent up to the salary cap. Despite these efforts, including high-profile signings and expensive buyouts, they have struggled to win the Stanley Cup.
This offseason, the Oilers faced big changes. The St. Louis Blues' offer sheets for Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg led to their departures.
Before that, under CEO Jeff Jackson, they made more cautious, short-term signings, like Jeff Skinner and Viktor Arvidsson. These deals added $10 million to the 2024-25 cap, which contributed to the team losing Broberg and Holloway.
Comparing Skinner to Holloway, the former's one-year, $3 million deal seems better. Skinner is expected to perform well with top centers like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Holloway, while promising, may not match Skinner’s immediate impact.
The Edmonton Oilers should now focus on finding affordable, young players who can grow with the team. They have cap space and should use it wisely, avoiding big trades unless absolutely necessary.
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