The Edmonton Oilers have been busy this offseason as they gear up for an additional Stanley Cup run. Their additions of Jeff Skinner and Viktor Arvidsson in free company and Ty Emberson in a commerce make them one of many strongest contenders heading towards the brand new marketing campaign. With Cody Ceci’s and Philip Broberg’s departures in two separate strikes, the suitable aspect of the Oilers’ blue line doesn’t look as deep as final season. Whereas Emberson is a strong improve on Ceci, they may profit from bringing in one other right-shot defender to fill out the third-pairing, or at the very least create inside competitors between Josh Brown, and Troy Stecher, amongst others.
Associated: Oilers’ GM Bowman Credit Kris Knoblauch for Ty Emberson Perception
In a current article, Kurt Leavins of the Edmonton Journal shed some gentle on a possible match for the Oilers heading into camp, as they’ve been rumoured to be trying to find a defender so as to add on an expert tryout contract (PTO.) As hinted at by The Hockey Writers’ Jim Parsons in his NHL Rumors column, Travis Dermott is somebody they’ve regarded into.
‘It’s extra seemingly that we might see the likes of Travis Dermott. Sure, he’s a lefty however comfortably performs each side. He was coached by (anticipate it) Kris Knoblauch in Erie and was represented prior to now by Jeff Jackson. There’s a split-squad sport with the Flames on the twenty-third. They are going to want 12 D-men for that. Hmmm.
supply – ‘The Leon Draisaitl signing simply one other instance of The Katz Benefit working for the Edmonton Oilers: 9 Issues’ – Kurt Leavins – Edmonton Journal – 09/08/2024
Dermott has hung out with the Vancouver Canucks, Toronto Maple Leafs, and most just lately, the Arizona Coyotes. The 27-year-old left-shot defender performed 50 video games final season scoring two targets and including 5 assists for seven factors. All through his profession, he has scored 16 targets and added 46 assists for 62 factors by means of 329 video games. His connection to Knoblauch and Jackson makes him an attractive free agent, and he has performed each side in his profession, making him a probably strong third-pairing man alongside Brett Kulak.
Oilers Want Defensive-Minded Addition, Dermott Matches The Invoice
Oilers followers have typically criticized the crew’s capacity to play constant defensive hockey over the previous few seasons. Whereas final season was a powerful displaying in each sense and there have been no actual weaknesses, it’s powerful to foretell whether or not they’ll have the ability to discover energy of their defensive zone with the pairings they’ve this season. Whereas Mattias Ekholm and Evan Bouchard are one of many strongest pairings within the NHL, it will get worrisome after that. The second pairing is tentatively listed as Darnell Nurse and Emberson, who might work effectively collectively, however Emberson’s lack of expertise is a priority.
It doesn’t get any higher after that. Whereas Kulak has confirmed himself to be a secure bottom-pairing defender all through his profession, who his companion finally ends up being this season is up within the air. Stecher and Brown each have an opportunity to steal that spot and battle on a nightly foundation, however it might make extra sense to maintain the lineup as constant as potential. Bringing in Dermott would enable for that to occur, and contemplating he already has a relationship constructed with the top coach, he would seemingly be snug as quickly as he will get into the lineup.
Including Dermott, a defensive-minded participant, could be the proper companion for Kulak. It’s not that Kulak wants a stronger companion to raise his sport, however the two collectively might turn into a powerful shutdown pairing. The opposite good thing about bringing in Dermott is that it might seemingly solely price the Oilers $775,000 to signal him to a one-year contract. Dermott has waited this lengthy for a deal, so signing on the league minimal looks like a powerful chance for him.
The Oilers ought to make their intentions clear within the subsequent week or so; whether or not it’s by camp invitations, a commerce, or one other free agent signing, there needs to be extra readability quickly. Both manner, I might anticipate the Oilers to usher in a defender who has shot at cracking the opening-night roster, and Dermott suits the invoice.