The Edmonton Oilers head into the 2024-25 season with just one objective: profitable the Stanley Cup. That is inside attain for the franchise, not solely as a result of they made it to Recreation 7 of the Stanley Cup Last final season, but additionally as a result of they didn’t lose any core items this offseason. Whereas the core stays intact, so much is using on this season, and the group’s lack of defensive depth and expertise will doubtless be pricey.
Few Defensive Prospects
On the present Oilers roster, there are simply two defensemen below 29 years previous: Evan Bouchard and Ty Emberson. Bouchard is a borderline top-10 defenseman within the NHL, and Emberson is on his option to turning into a strong second-pairing, defensive defenseman. Nonetheless, outdoors of the 2 24-year-olds, the Oilers’ protection is ageing, and there may be minimal expertise within the prospect pool in line to fill in.
The Oilers’ high defensive prospect is Beau Akey, a right-shot defenseman who was chosen within the second spherical of the 2023 Draft. He suffered a season-ending shoulder damage 14 video games into final season whereas taking part in for the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and had 4 targets and 9 factors in these video games.
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Akey has begun skating once more, however his path to the NHL is unclear. Not solely is he right-handed, similar to Bouchard and Emberson, however he’s simply 19 years previous. There’s motive to imagine he’ll develop right into a top-four defenseman. Nonetheless, he might want to recuperate shortly and elevate his offensive recreation to make a considerable affect within the NHL anytime quickly.
The Oilers acquired Paul Fischer from the Blues following the Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg provide sheets, and he, too, might have an effect on the crew sooner or later. Fischer is a 19-year-old defenseman, chosen by the Blues with the 138th choose within the 2023 NHL Draft. He had 16 factors (two targets and 14 assists) in 34 video games with Notre Dame final season. He is a superb skater and tasks to succeed in the NHL ahead of the everyday fifth-round prospect.
Fischer’s path to the NHL will probably be a bit simpler given the Oilers’ lack of youth and expertise on the left facet of the protection, however that doesn’t imply it is going to be straightforward. He stands simply 6-foot-1, so he should be taught to make use of his body as soon as on the skilled degree. He may also be preventing for a roster spot on the Oilers, a Stanley Cup contender, so a few of his positioning and turnover points which can be tolerable in faculty can’t persist as soon as within the NHL. Similar to Akey, Fischer tasks to change into an NHL defenseman, however he’s unlikely to be the distinction maker on the crew’s blue line.
Outdoors of Akey and Fischer, the Oilers haven’t any defensive prospects projected to change into NHLers. For the reason that number of Broberg within the first spherical of the 2019 Draft, the Oilers have chosen a defenseman within the high 180 twice: Akey, 56th general in 2023, and Luca Munzenberger, ninetieth general in 2021. Munzenberger struggled on the College of Vermont’s blueline final season, and at 21 years previous, there may be little motive to imagine he’ll make the NHL.
Ageing NHL Protection Core
The Oilers missing defensive prospects is one factor, however having an ageing protection core is one other. Outdoors of Bouchard and Emberson, the crew has Mattias Ekholm (34), Darnell Nurse (29), Brett Kulak (30), Josh Brown (30), and Troy Stecher (30). Contemplating Ekholm is one of the best, and oldest, of the bunch, there may be main concern relating to the blueline’s future. And whereas Nurse might rebound, returning to his prior kind is unlikely.
Age wouldn’t be a difficulty for the Oilers in the event that they considered this season as their solely alternative. With Connor McDavid below contract for 2 extra seasons, doubtless extra, and Leon Draisaitl now below contract for the subsequent 9 seasons, the crew’s window has expanded. This isn’t to say they need to not go all-in this season, however there must be some deal with the long run. What occurs if Ekholm regresses? Or when he doubtless retires in just a few seasons? Certain, a commerce could possibly be made to herald a younger defenseman, however wouldn’t these property be higher used so as to add a extra confirmed, substantial veteran piece at a commerce deadline?
The Oilers had a chaotic offseason, so getting into the season with some query marks is comprehensible. The crew weathered the chaos fairly properly, permitting them to enter the season as Stanley Cup favorites. They should handle the ageing protection core sooner quite than later in the event that they need to preserve success through the McDavid period. Because it stands, it’s unlikely that the six defensemen beginning in Recreation 1 of the common season would be the similar six on the ice through the playoffs.
