GM Stan Bowman is, in my opinion, a creative figure in the world of the NHL. He will move accordingly and work hard to shake things up for his team. His top priority is trying to make a move for the ages and create more cap space to complement the team's needs.
After observing three weeks of action in the NHL, it seems that Bowman is keeping the situation of pulling the trigger under wraps during this time. Part of this may be that he wants it to be a surprise, or that if the deal does fall through, there will not be any distractions for the team.
The top priority is a second-pairing defenceman to play with Darnell Nurse, and complement his game in tight situations during contests. From what has been observed around the league, defencemen are being shopped, and other GMs in the NHL are making moves accordingly.
Keeping the three top defensemen for the Oilers is another priority. Regardless of their contract situations, Evan Bouchard, Mattias Elholm, and Nurse are important because of the effort they have put into the team in general.
When you examine the Toronto Maple Leafs, GM Brad Treliving has assembled a deep defensive lineup with a wealth of talent. This pool of players could provide potential options for the Oilers' GM, offering an opportunity to make a significant trade for a quality defenseman.
While no specific player stands out immediately, the Maple Leafs do have several strong options that could appeal to the Oilers. Both teams possess the assets to negotiate a mutually beneficial deal, which is encouraging. Defencemen like Simon Benoit or Conor Timmons could be among the Oilers' options to consider.
Alec Martinez - Chicago Blackhawks
Seth Jones may not be an option because of the size of this contract, but Alex Martinez is a prime candidate who would complement the defensive roster and give Nurse added comfort to defend. Martinez would also be flexible enough to play alongside the other defencemen on the Oilers' team.
Alec Martinez is a seasoned defenseman who has played in the NHL since 2009-10 and will bring resilience to the Oiles lineup. He has extensive playoff experience that includes helping the Vegas Golden Knights reach the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season.
Martinez's presence would be felt right away and give the team an added level of grit to the game, from a defensive perspective. He is a solid defender who knows how to play the game and has a good hockey IQ. Playing with the likes of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl would give him a genuine shot to add a fourth Stanley Cup championship to his resume.
Brian Dumoulin - Anaheim Ducks
Brian Dumoulin is another defenceman with ample playoff experience and a good knowledge of defending and playing the game accordingly. His presence would give a good boost to the Oilers lineup.
Dumoulin is also flexible in being able to play in either of the top two pairings, giving the team an improved chance to win games, especially in the post-season. He is a talented defenceman who has played with the likes of Sidney Crosby, Evangi Malkin, and Kris Letang.
Adding Dumoulin would provide the Oilers with a well-rounded defenseman to strengthen their roster. With solid stats and a Stanley Cup Championship under his belt, he would bring the grit and skill the Oilers need on the blue line. Under the guidance of assistant coach Paul Coffey, Dumoulin would likely fit in comfortably and make an immediate impact.
EIther of these players could provide the Oilers with the stability and added "X-factor" needed to build a playoff-ready defensive lineup. By enhancing their pairings, the team would have a stronger chance of closing out games consistently and competing at a higher level in the postseason.