Oilers could turn to a controversial player to resolve blue line issue

With apologies for once again bringing up the Oilers' quest for blue line help -- specifically a right-shot defenceman -- it's the result of a perfect storm. In other words, the media being on the look out for stories during the offseason, combined with the Oilers always being one of the more popular NHL teams when it comes to receiving attention.

In any event, most hockey fans are well aware that the Oilers need to strengthen their rear guard after losing Philip Broberg and Cody Ceci, and at a reasonable price. This is why potential options mentioned, include a PTO for someone such as Tyson Barrie, or a trade.

In respect of the latter, The Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli believes the Oilers are considering a significant trade to boost their defence. Giving due credit to the Edmonton Journal's David Staples, Seravalli made his comments during an appearance earlier this week on Oilers Now.

A polarising option

However, what really peaked our interest, was the hockey insider's suggestion that the Oilers should consider Tony DeAnglo. He's only 28 and is a free agent who, as per AFP Analytics, is projected to come at a reasonable price of just over $1,753 million x two years. (And probably even less now, given we're effectively a month away from training camps beginning around the NHL.)

In addition, DeAnglo is the right-shot defenceman the Oilers desire, while being a smooth skater and offensively talented. So what's the issue?

Well, pure and simple, the 2014 19th overall draft pick has a reputation for having a temper and dealing with issues both on and off the ice over the years. As Seravalli said: "Have there been some skirmishes that have popped up over the course of a career? Did he gain notoriety for his Twitter account? Those things are all true. Some of them are true. Some of them have become legend."

These skirmishes have involved clashes with his own teammates, including physical. This aside, DeAnglo's lack of size and defensive limitations, make you have to wonder if he really is someone the Oilers should consider?

However, Seravalli isn't going to put his reputation on the line by bringing up just anybody for the sake of it. As far as he's concerned, DeAnglo is a better bet than Barrie, along with the likes of Justin Schultz and Kevin Shattenkirk who have also been mentioned as free agents for the Oilers to consider.

Not the Oilers' first rodeo with controversial characters

Regardless, it's not as if the Oilers don't have a recent history of giving controversial and polarising players second chances. We are of course talking about Evander Kane and Corey Perry specifically.

You would like to think DeAngelo has finally started to mature as he approaches 30. Plus, his potential as a 50-point D-man alongside -- we assume -- Darnell Nurse, is extremely enticing, with 210 points in 371 career regular season games.

For anyone still concerned about the Sewell, New Jersey native's temper, he knows he's in the last chance saloon in respect of opportunities around the NHL. Do you really see him wanting to upset the apple cart if he's playing with the likes of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, especially as this would be his best chance to win a Stanley Cup?

There will be those pointing to DeAngelo's lacklustre 2023-24 season, which included appearing in just 31 games and averaging a career low 14:20 of ice time. However when it came to crunch time, the Carolina Hurricanes played him in nine of their 11 playoff games, with him averaging 17:03 per contest.

Overall, we're extremely intrigued by the possibilities DeAngelo presents, with the positives outweighing the negatives. Whether or not this actually materialises into anything is another matter all together, but Stan Bowman and the rest of the Oilers front office owe it to themselves to seriously consider giving him a chance.

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