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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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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.

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