Oilers In On Johnny Oduya?

Last week, I wrote a piece titled “Is Peter Chiarelli Done” that basically looked at the Brent Seabrook rumors that flared up last week thanks to Bob Stauffer of Oilers Now.

On Monday’s edition of the show, Stauffer again got people talking, but this time did not mention the Hawks’ star blue-liner. Instead, he kept it simple, saying that “Again, I don’t think the Oilers are done” and mentioned that fans should keep an eye on Cody Franson and the Johnny Oduya situation.

He also talked about seeing what transpires in the next three or four days, basically, by the end of the week. That is worth noting, my friends.

Johnny Oduya:

I wrote about Oduya on Monday morning when I touched on the five best UFA options remaining for Edmonton. I also touched on him for off-season targets, and basically my sentiment in both pieces was the same.

I like the player, I think Johnny Oduya is a good NHL defender and that he still has two or three solid seasons left. He showed some signs of slowing down this past season, but was still effective in a big role on a great hockey team. That, my friends, counts for something.

He’s not the best puck-mover, but he’s good enough at it and he’s a solid shut-down defender at the NHL level. He’s a good second pairing player, that’s what he is at this point.

Would I sign Oduya? You betcha, but it wouldn’t be for more than, say, two seasons. Remember, he’ll be 34 this fall.

Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal basically confirmed for us that the Oilers are showing interest in the UFA defender.

@NHLbyMatty: If Edm is interested in Oduya, and I’m sure they are, then for sure they must be buying out Nikitin if they sign the Hawks’ D.#oilers

Really, there should be no surprise here. Edmonton is still a top-four defender away from having a solid hockey team, and adding should still be the priority. If anything, this was just confirmation that Chiarelli is still working, looking to improve his hockey club.

Another note? Nikita Nikitin is frequently getting mentioned as a buy-out candidate for when the second window opens at some point this month. We’ve talked about it before (here) and it only makes sense. There is some real smoke with this thought process.

@NHLbyMatty: I’m hearing Oduya’s age (34 in October) and long-term contract isn’t appealing to Edm with Ference already 36 on back-end.#oilers

Again, it makes sense. Oduya on a long-term contract would simply be a mistake for the Oilers. If he is willing to come for two seasons at around $3 million per, then fine. Anything more? Focus in on Cody Franson or Christian Ehrhoff.

It’s good to see Peter Chiarelli still working to improve this team. He’s done a lot of good this off-season, but still needs to put some finishing touches on this roster. Adding a top-four defender, currently, is priority number one.