Five Thoughts On The Edmonton Oilers Offseason Moves
By Jim Lynch
2. The defence definitely looks different.
Duncan Keith and Cody Ceci were the only two additions to the defence this offseason, but it is more the subtractions that are interesting to see. The team said goodby to Adam Larsson, Ethan Bear, and Caleb Jones. Those three guys were not little faces on the blue line either. Those were three of the team’s best defenders and were poised to be taking on big roles in the future.
Matching those three subtractions with Keith, Ceci, and Bouchard now in the lineup all year might not be a good comparison. I think a lot of this defence hinges on how good Keith can be this year. Chicago was moved quickly to give up their top defenceman, and now if he comes into Edmonton and plays great that is a big addition to the team, but if he struggles than Edmonton might not be going on a playoff run after all.
The defence is an interesting spot right now, but the thing that keeps sitting in the back of my mind when I see the blue line is the fact that Darnell Nurse still does not have a contract extension keeping him in Edmonton. The team needs to get that done soon.