Yesterday saw the first phase of Peter Chiarelli’s defensive plan take action. Edmonton stunned the hockey world and traded Taylor Hall for Adam Larsson. It was a shocking move, but the deed is done and we need to focus on what comes next for the Oil.
Let’s take Hall out of the equation for the sake of this exercise, okay? Yesterday, Chiarelli started the defensive overhaul by adding a young (23 years old) top-four defender who can play on the right side and eat up about 22 minutes a night. That’s a pretty damned big deal.
Larsson is not a number one defender in the NHL, hell he might not even be a number two. Todd Cordell, who is a very smart hockey guy, loves the player and Lowetide got a scouting report from him that paints the newest Oiler in a good light.
The shorthanded look at this is that the Oilers acquired a top-four, right shot blue liner to play with Oscar Klefbom. They got a player who is an exceptional puck mover, who has more offense to give, who suppresses shots against and who defends very well.
If I had to project the depth chart for the defensive group right now, it would go as follows:
Oscar Klefbom – Adam Larsson
Andrej Sekera – TBA
Darnell Nurse – Brandon Davidson
TBA
As you can clearly see from here, the Oilers have work to do on the back-end still. The team needs a number seven defender and badly needs another top-four defensive option. In this scenario, Mark Fayne also needs to be moved. I’d suggest that the other top-four rearguard is someone who can move the puck but also play a big role on the powerplay.
The Rumblings:
There are many in the hockey community who believe that this is just the beginning for Peter Chiarelli. Bob Stauffer, Bob McKenzie and Darren Dreger all chimed in on Wednesday afternoon.
McKenzie: “I don’t believe for a moment the #Oilers are finished the reconstruction of their blueline.”
— Chris Nichols (@NicholsOnHockey) June 30, 2016
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Dreger: “I’m not sure that they’re done moving out bodies here from a forward perspective.” #Oilers
— Chris Nichols (@NicholsOnHockey) June 29, 2016
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Going to be tough to see @hallsy04 go. Wish him best of luck in NJ. Adam Larsson gives Oil 22 min/game right D. Chiarelli NOT done IMO!
— Bob Stauffer (@Bob_Stauffer) June 29, 2016
Tyler, also known as @akaRCN on Twitter, mentioned that Stauffer brought up bringing in a PP D and that signing Jason Demers is now less likely.
Stauffer has said the Larsson trade makes a Demers signing less likely, but that Oil will likely had another PP D…
— Tyler (@akaRCN) June 29, 2016
So, to recap, those who are most connected do not think that the Oilers are done reshaping their defensive group at this point. We also have an idea for a potential target as well. The team will be looking for a defender who can move the puck and be a point man on the top powerplay unit. Those guys don’t come easily, or cheap, however.
The Options:
The Oilers had Jason Demers in on Tuesday for a visit, but he didn’t see much powerplay time in Dallas and likely isn’t an option for this role. That being said, I still wouldn’t rule out him signing with the Oilers and some other pieces getting moved. Unlikely, but they had him in on a visit, they are interested.
Cam Fowler and Kevin Shattenkirk both expected to be traded on draft weekend, but both remained with their current reams. Fowler is a left shot defender, but he is a better all around player than Shattenkirk. Could the Oilers parlay Benoit Pouliot and something else, say Nail Yakupov, for Fowler?
Shattenkirk, meanwhile, is due for a new deal next summer and is likely to get a very good contract where ever he ends up. The Oilers could use this player, he’s a tremendous puck mover and one of the best powerplay QB’s in the entire NHL. That said, I have my doubts that he would re-sign with the organization following the 2016-17 season.
Would you trade Jordan Eberle for an extended Shattenkirk? I certainly would.
Tyson Barrie in Colorado is another option, but he may cost the Oilers Ryan Nugent-Hopkins in a trade. Are Oiler fans prepared to move RNH just days after Taylor Hall? Is Peter Chiarelli prepared to do that? I have my doubts on both fronts. That said, Barrie would be a terrific addition for the Oilers.
Other options include Torey Krug (offer sheet), Dennis Wideman (trade), Dan Boyle (UFA) and Matt Dumba (trade).
The Oilers are not done rebuilding their defensive group folks. The team made a bold move to acquire Adam Larsson, but Peter Chiarelli is still on the lookout for help. Next up appears to be a player who can help a powerplay that struggled last season.
Interesting times.
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