The Edmonton Oilers are running out of options, as they are now six days away from the draft. As each day goes by, it seems another right-handed defenseman is off the trade market, making things even more difficult. It’s as if the entire league is one big game, and the Oilers don’t know how to play.
Earlier Saturday, the Anaheim Ducks re-signed Sami Vatanen to a four-year contract, where he will likely earn around $5 million per season. He will likely not be moving after that, and now, the Oilers should start scratching their heads. The list of RHD no longer available on the trade market is… frightening. In fact, it’s grown much bigger.
Off the table: Travis Hamonic, Tyson Barrie, Sami Vatanen, Justin Faulk and P.K. Subban
However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that everything is over. The Oilers still have the ability to make proposed trades, and surely if the offer is good enough (which the Oilers have the pieces and potential to do), they might get someone listening. Obviously, they’re not getting Vatanen, and Barrie is said to be staying. Hamonic won’t move, because the Islanders are loyal enough to except his rescinded request and keep him where he wants to be.
When it comes to Subban and Faulk, I think the Oilers can come back and do some negotiating. Chiarelli has tricks up his sleeve, and the Canadiens and the Hurricanes alike may have pieces that the Oilers left.
Still possibly on the table: Kevin Shattenkirk
Despite the naysayers that claim Shattenkirk is a limited target to Eastern Conference teams, I strongly believe that this is an option Chiarelli is highly considering. Shattenkirk is said to be on the block and has one year remaining on his contract is an excellent right-handed defenseman with the ability to quarterback a power-play while also getting physical and blocking a lot of shots. He would be perfect for Edmonton, and that being said, the Oilers should target him.
At this point, Chiarelli needs to do something, or all of his options will be gone by the time he’s finished blinking.
Moving Down
This seems like an option that will most likely occur. The Oilers supposedly hold a lot of value in the fourth-overall pick, wanting either a Subban or Shea Weber in exchange, but with time and options moving out, the Oilers may have to just go through with a move they reportedly already turned down: swapping the pick for a lower pick and another pick.
This way, the Oilers will have options when it comes to defensemen. They may be able to draft Jacob Chychrun or Mikhail Sergachev, or even go for someone like Dante Fabbro. No matter what way they put it, the Oilers could take an elite defenseman with the potential to be a number one. However, they must keep in mind that this may bring forward the problem of putting too much pressure on a young guy who still needs to develop, thus, creating another situation a-la Nail Yakupov.
Offer Sheets
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The Oilers do have the ability to submit offer sheets. For those who don’t know how offer sheets work, they are offers from outside teams given to restricted free agents. However, as David Staples pointed out, they may have to do this as well as move down in the draft.
When you look at some of the available RHD who are restricted free agents, there is quite a list. First off, the Oilers could try to offer sheet Seth Jones, who was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets this past season and was rumored to be a target of the Oilers earlier on. In fact, the team recently signed his younger brother, Caleb, to an entry-level deal in April.
There’s one defensive option that the Oilers could also offer sheet, and that is Arizona Coyotes defenseman Michael Stone. He is a 6-foot-3, 210-pound right-handed defender who is also an excellent puck-mover who could truly help strengthen the Oilers corps, and he is a restricted free agent. The Coyotes are also rumored to have made offers to the Oilers for the fourth-overall pick, and he could be a piece on the move if the Oilers desire (look what Arizona did with Alex Goligoski).
The Oilers could also go for another Ducks defenseman in Hampus Lindholm, or even try to offer sheet Barrie, but it would be a long shot, and Lindholm is left-handed. That does not exactly fix the Oilers’ problems.
Build the rest of the corps with free agent signings
The Oilers can head to free agency and pick up some names available. Jason Demers is a great second-pairing, right-handed defender who would definitely strengthen the blue line. Right-handed defensemen like UFAs Ben Lovejoy and Steve Oleksy are two options that would be great for the third-pairing, or even just as extra men.
Next: Edmonton Oilers Reportedly Reject Coyotes Offer
Unfortunately, Chiarelli is going to have to make a decision – and quick. He is running out of time, as are the right-handed options still left on the market.