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What to Expect for the Edmonton Oilers in 2023?

By Gabriel Candido |
Jun 6, 2022; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Colorado Avalanche forward Gabriel Landeskog (92) scores against Edmonton Oilers goaltender Mike Smith (41), defenseman Darnell Nurse (25) and defenseman Cody Ceci (5) during the third period in game four of the Western Conference Final of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Walter Tychnowicz-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 6, 2022; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Colorado Avalanche forward Gabriel Landeskog (92) scores against Edmonton Oilers goaltender Mike Smith (41), defenseman Darnell Nurse (25) and defenseman Cody Ceci (5) during the third period in game four of the Western Conference Final of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Walter Tychnowicz-USA TODAY Sports
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Let’s head back to this time in 2021. The Edmonton Oilers were losing to the New Jersey Devils on New Year’s Eve in the OT after suffering the tying goal with 32 seconds to the end of the match. That loss made the Oilers 3-7-1 in the month of December, with a playoff spot and Dave Tippett’s job at risk.

After that, a new year came but the same problems remained in Edmonton. Another negative record (5-6-0) in the month and it looked like we wouldn’t see any playoff action if changes weren’t made.

But then two major changes happened. First, Evander Kane went to the Oilers with the NHL minimum salary and with the expectation he wouldn’t be the same person he was in San José. And he just excelled in Edmonton. Scoring 13 goals in 15 playoff games, he was playing at his best, focusing only on the ice and not getting one headline that wasn’t about how great he was playing.

The other change, and the main one, was changing Dave Tippett for Jay Woodcroft as the head coach. With great work in the AHL in Bakersfield, but with no prior NHL experience in the position, he completely changed the Edmonton Oilers, getting this team to the best run since 2006, reaching the Western Conference Finals.

EDMONTON, CANADA – DECEMBER 7: Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers tries to get away from Jakob Chychrun #6 of the Arizona Coyotes. (Photo by Lawrence Scott/Getty Images)
EDMONTON, CANADA – DECEMBER 7: Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers tries to get away from Jakob Chychrun #6 of the Arizona Coyotes. (Photo by Lawrence Scott/Getty Images) /

Coming back to the present, we are again at the end of the calendar year and the Edmonton Oilers are again fighting to get into a spot in the playoff zone. No coaching changes will be made this time, so the team has to rely on trading for new players. Especially defensemen. Right now, the Oilers don’t have the defensive strength to get on where they were last year, and with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl in their prime, they don’t figure as cup contenders.

But who could be the one who changes the season as Kane and Woodcroft did?

Jakob Chychrun

Chychrun is a player that a lot of teams have an interest in and with reason. Being 24 years old, he already proved to be an elite defenseman on a team like the Arizona Coyotes. And the Coyotes are willing to trade him, and for sure, with an AAV of 4.6M, one team will make a move to get him.

With an excellent defensive way of playing and some offensive help, he would fit perfectly on the left side of the Edmonton Oilers defense and be the help that Darnell Nurse needs. As Brett Kulak isn’t at his best such as last year, Chychrun can be the answer to the Oilers getting even further in the playoffs this year. But his price is something that will probably hold the Oilers staff from doing it.

To be clearer, it’s very unlikely that Chychrun will be wearing blue and orange anytime soon. , the Coyotes were asking for two A-level prospects and a first-round pick from teams at last season’s deadline. That asking price was believed to have dropped during the preseason.

But with his return, he already has 17 points in 18 games (4-13), and his trade price will improve with it. The Oilers believe involving a prospect player like Philip Broberg is a risk, but at best he will become what Chychrun is today, and that isn’t certain to happen. The only prospect the Oilers shouldn’t get into this conversation is Dylan Holloway, but any other must be at least considered because Chychrun has the potential to make the Edmonton Oilers fight again with these defensive lines, we can’t even start to think about getting far on the playoffs.

Oct 20, 2018; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Nashville Predators defensemen Mattias Ekholm (14) avoids a check from Edmonton Oilers forward Jujhar Khaira (16). Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 20, 2018; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Nashville Predators defensemen Mattias Ekholm (14) avoids a check from Edmonton Oilers forward Jujhar Khaira (16). Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports /

Mattias Ekholm

Another player who could improve the left defensive side is the Swedish Mattias Ekholm. Being 32, he’s almost ten years older than Chychrun and has a bigger paycheck too, with 6.25M AAV until 2026. Ekholm has played his entire career in Nashville so far and has 11 points (2-9) on 33 games this season.

Ekholm would make the team better for sure, but with Chychrun as an option, he shouldn’t be the first choice, because the Predators wouldn’t sell him cheap as well. Players like Warren Foegele (2.75M AAV), Tyson Barrie (4.5M AAV), and even Jesse Puljujarvi (3M AAV) could be involved to help with cap reasons as well.

Apr 24, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov (44) skates the puck out from behind the net in the second period against the Edmonton Oilers at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gaelen Morse-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 24, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov (44) skates the puck out from behind the net in the second period against the Edmonton Oilers at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gaelen Morse-USA TODAY Sports /

Vladislav Gavrikov

A name that recently was talked about by the Edmonton Oilers having some interest is Vladislav Gavrikov, from the Columbus Blue Jackets. Such as the last two, he is a left defenseman who will be a UFA at the end of this season, so paying something to the Blue Jackets for half of a season wouldn’t be such a smart move, and the Oilers need to win now.

Gavrikov is 27 years old and like Ekholm, played his whole career in only one team. He has 9 points (2-7) on 34 games in a team that is currently at the bottom of the league. As the other two, he would for sure improve the defense and could be used for cap reasons as well, but with Chychrun and Ekholm on the table, he shouldn’t be the first option.

But for sure he would be a better option compared to names like Joel Edmundson and Erik Karlsson. The first wouldn’t improve the Edmonton Oilers defense and wouldn’t change the scenario he has right now with Nurse and Kulak. The second one is for sure a great player, but the Oilers don’t need a defenseman who has an offensive presence. At this moment, Karlsson is the leader on points among defensemen by a mile, with 50 on only 37 games (13-37), and the Oilers need a defenseman who gets his best at the defensive side. And Karlsson also has a contract of 11.5M AAV until 2027.

Edmonton Oilers Moving Forward

One thing is sure, with the team we are looking at right now, the Edmonton Oilers will be fighting for the playoffs until the end of the regular season with teams like the Seattle Kraken and the Los Angeles Kings. And it’s hard to think a team has to go through it with the two best players on their primes. THE TIME TO WIN IS NOW!

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