The Edmonton Oilers will likely be moving D Jeff Petry within the next week, meaning that the team will have to add two top-four defenders before next season begins. The Oilers have been linked to New York Islanders’ defender and Edmonton native Johnny Boychuk, but he only fills one of the holes, specifically on the right side. What about other right-handed options? Is it Boychuk or bust?
Not necessarily, as another big named option on the right-side seemingly has shaken free. The Columbus Blue Jackets are having a tough season, and are now looking to move defender James Wisniewski, who is currently 31 years old and the team’s best defender.
The rumors were fired up on Monday night by Jackets’ beat writer Aaron Portzline, who tweeted the following:
@Aportzline: Heard from two different sources tonight that
#CBJ are shopping D James Wisniewski around the#NHL, trying to move before Monday’s deadline.
To me, this makes absolutely no sense. Wisniewski was easily Columbus’ best defender a season ago, and has kept that up so far this year. Yes, he has a large contract that pays him $5.5 M per year for two more seasons, but he’s worth the contract.
Wisniewski is only 31 years old, still in the prime of his career, and has okay size. No, he isn’t huge, standing in at 5’11” and 203 pounds, but he is willing to play a big man’s game, and his size has never been an issue for him.
Wisniewski is an offensive defender who moves the puck really, really well. He’s got a bomb of a shot, and can play the point on a power-play with ease. He’s a solid skater, and The Hockey News says he is best for an up-tempo team, something Edmonton seemingly wants to be.
Wisniewski is also described as aggressive and physical, but he does lack the reach that dominating physical defenders have. It’s part of his game, but it is certainly not the forte of it. Wisniewski isn’t a bad player defensively either, but he is prone to lacking discipline positionally according to THN.
What we have here, is a legit top-four NHL defender in his prime who is signed to a fair contract for two more seasons, and who fits the mold of what Edmonton wants to do. He’s a great offensive defender who can put up points and help the power-play, and he’s a solid enough defensive-defender to be an upgrade on just about everyone else on this unit. Let’s be honest here, he would be the Oil’s best defender.
His HERO chart, which can be found over at the Own The Puck blog, shows him as a top-pairing defender in many categories, while in others he comes up as a top-four defender.
Will The Oilers Be Interested?
I’m not sure if Edmonton will be interested, but they absolutely should be interested in trading for James Wisniewski. He is a proven top-four defender that is actually an upgrade on Jeff Petry, and he would improve the current defensive group. His style is a perfect fit with what Edmonton has right now, and the price may not be as dear as the price for other defenders.
The Oilers also have Scott Howson, who signed Wisniewski in Columbus, on board as a member of the management team, so Wisniewski would know the group a bit while the management team would certainly have the book on the player. That is never a bad thing.
What would it cost? I’m honestly not sure, but I could see a package including D Martin Marincin, Pittsburgh’s 1st round pick and a roster forward having some appeal to the Blue Jackets. Will it happen? I have no clue.
Listen, if Edmonton is serious about winning in 2015-16, then they should call the Blue Jackets and see if they can snag James Wisniewski. He’d be a great fit on this defense, and would instantly take over as the number one of the group. This, this would be a bold move.
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