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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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SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 01: John Klingberg #3 of the Anaheim Ducks skates against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center on November 01, 2022 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 01: John Klingberg #3 of the Anaheim Ducks skates against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center on November 01, 2022 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

John Klingberg

Reports came out a while back that the Oilers had been kicking tires on John Klingberg prior to the start of the season, and were willing to deal Tyson Barrie and draft picks in order to acquire him with salary retained.

While the deal never came to fruition, it was speculated by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Freidman on the 32 Thoughts podcast that the Oilers may circle back to Klingberg before the season’s end.

Out of these three potential trade targets, this one makes the least sense to me, to be honest. Klingberg is yet another offense-first D-man; replacing Barrie with him wouldn’t solve the core issue.

Klingberg has had a disastrous start to the season with the Anaheim Ducks, registering just 2 points at 5v5 through 12 games. Klingberg and Kulikov are the most-scored-on defense pair in the NHL so far this season at even strength, having been outscored by the opposition 12-6.

The Oilers don’t need a powerplay quarterback and they don’t need an offensive D-man. They need help with the penalty kill and with 5v5 defense. I personally don’t see a fit with this player.

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