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3 Possible Trade Targets for the Oilers on Defense

By Michael Golden

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 27: Carson Soucy #28 of the Seattle Kraken looks on during the first period of the preseason game against the Calgary Flames at Climate Pledge Arena on September 27, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 27: Carson Soucy #28 of the Seattle Kraken looks on during the first period of the preseason game against the Calgary Flames at Climate Pledge Arena on September 27, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) /
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Jakob Chychrun #6, Edmonton Oilers
Jakob Chychrun #6, Edmonton Oilers Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Jakob Chychrun

Jakob Chychrun is definitely the biggest name out of Edmonton’s rumored trade targets on defense and I think it would be a decent add. Chychrun is a 24-year-old top-4 defenseman who is under contract until 2025 on a pretty solid deal of just $4.6m AAV.

While his offensive numbers dipped last season on a horrible Arizona Coyotes team, Chychrun still had a positive impact on the defensive side of the game both at 5v5 and on the penalty kill. He also proved in 2020-21 that he has serious offensive upside, as he put up 18 goals and 41 points in just 56 games.

Making a Chychrun trade isn’t as much of a no-brainer as it seems on the surface, however. Due to Edmonton’s cap situation, they would need to trade multiple forwards or Tyson Barrie in order to make the money work.

Chychrun would be a big upgrade to the top 4, but trading Barrie for a left defenseman would leave the Oilers short a man on the right side, forcing them to play Niemelainen or Murray on their opposite side.

There are definitely some logistics to sort out with this one, but having Nurse, Chychrun, and Kulak on the left side would no doubt give them a much more reliable group.

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