Fixing The Problems – Part Two

Yesterday we kicked off the series with a look at the Edmonton Oilers forward situation. Which players could help the team next season at the forward position, who should go, who should stay, and who should be targeted. If you missed it, you can read it here: http://www.theoilersrig.com/2013/12/fixing-problems-part-one/

Today, we are going to do the same thing, but with the defense…

Day Two, Defense:

There aren’t any great defenders on the Edmonton Oilers roster, but there are certainly some good ones and ones that are NHL level players. Both Andrew Ference and Jeff Petry are top-four options, while Justin Schultz is a good third pairing and PP option.The current depth chart is as follows:

Andrew Ference – Jeff Petry

Nick Schultz – Justin Schultz

Anton Belov – Philip Larsen

Corey Potter

Untouchables?:

Against what some might say, yes there are some. Jeff Petry is a good young defender who can handle top-four minutes and move the puck well. He’s a guy you need to keep around. Andrew Ference is a good leader and strong veteran presence, and also provides tough play and a good option at the four spot. I’d argue Justin Schultz, who is still developing, is in this group too

Hit The Road Jack:

It’s quite easy to see which Oilers defenders will be gone. Nick Schultz will likely be traded at the deadline, but if not he certainly won’t be re-signed, opening $3.5 M in cap space. Corey Potter likely won’t be brought back either, and I doubt Philip Larsen has earned another contract with the squad. Anton Belov is on the fence, and he too could be let go.

Needs:

Where do we begin here…Well the Oilers need a top-pairing defender in the worst way possible, so let’s start there. The team also needs a second-pairing option for next season, and will need another third pairing defender. That’s nearly a need at half the position. There’s a lot of work to be done, but there are some solid options to be found for these holes.

Apply Here!:

Top-Pairing Option: There are three UFA’s that fit this description. Dan Boyle in San Jose is an elite puck-mover, but at his age there is next to no shot either side is interested. Andrei Markov could be an option, but at age 34 he’s seen his best days, and will likely be looking at a contender or the KHL.

Last free agent option is Dion Phaneuf. IF Dion hits the open-market, he is easily my top choice. He can play 25 minutes a night, play the PK, play the PP, is solid defensively and can carry lesser players with him. He’s physical too, and would bring some much needed size to the blue-line. That said, it sounds like the Leafs will re-sign their captain and this won’t be a realistic option.

More likely than not, the Oilers are going to have to trade for this defender. Christian Ehrhoff in Buffalo is my top trade option. He’s signed to a decent contract, is still in his prime, can handle top-pairing minutes, isn’t a liability, and fits the mobile defenseman mold that Dallas Eakins likes. It’ll probably cost Sam Gagner and a draft pick/prospect, and I’d make that deal.

Brian Campbell in Florida is another option. He’s arguably the most underrated option in the game right now, handles top-pairing minutes with ease, and is a very good puck-mover. Both Campbell and Ehrhoff are veterans that fill a huge hole, and would be well worth the projected asking price. I’d start by offering Gagner and Marincin to each team and see what happens.

Second-Pairing Option: Let’s say the Oilers deal Gagner and Marincin to Buffalo for Ehrhoff. Now Edmonton will need to dip into the free agent market for that second pairing option. I could see Andrej Meszaros, a solid puck-mover in desperate need of a change, being a target. He’d be looking for a fresh start and fits the mold of player Eakins and MacT seem to like and want. He’s only 28 as well.

Pens defender Brooks Orpik could be an option as well. He’s a solid shut-down defender and would add size and physical play to the blue-line. I’d be shocked if he hit the open however. Other options include former Oiler Matt Greene, who could be an option thanks to MacT, and Dan Girardi, who brings a really good shut-down game to the table. I’ll go out on a limb and suggest that it’ll be Meszaros coming to Edmonton as a free agent.

Third-Pairing Option: The Oilers have draft picks Oscar Klefbom and Darnell Nurse in the system, but it’s sounding like both need another year of development, and that isn’t a bad thing. Don’t rush these guys! Klefbom is struggling a bit in the AHL, while Nurse is still working on a few things at the OHL level. I’d suggest letting them develop, but must admit that Nurse is a legit option for the roster.

I could see the Oilers going to route of adding a veteran on a one or two year deal to buy their prospects some time. Veteran Cory Sarich could be an option, as could Jets’ defender Mark Stuart, who is a serviceable third pairing option. I’ll suggest a one year deal with the veteran Sarich, who brings a physical element to the third pairing.

So What Now:

Well the Edmonton Oilers defense, in the here and now, is terrible. This isn’t an NHL unit at all, and needs a lot of work. Adding three new players to the mix will improve the unit, especially considering one of them is a legit top-pairing option, and another one is a legit NHL top-four defender.

This is the part of the team that badly needs work. The defense, and the defensive system as well, simply isn’t good enough and needs to be changed. After trading for Ehrhoff and signing two other players to change up the unit, this is what we are working with…

Christian Ehrhoff – Jeff Petry

Andrew Ference – Andrej Meszaros

Cory Sarich – Justin Schultz

Taylor Fedun

Tomorrow, we conclude the series with a look at goaltending.