January 9, 2025 | 1:00pm ET
TheFourthPeriod.com

OILERS OPEN TO ALL OPTIONS ON DEFENCE

Oilers GM Stan Bowman

It is no secret the Edmonton Oilers want to add to their blueline this season, as TFP and other outlets have reported this earlier in the campaign. The type of defenceman they add between now and the March 7 trade deadline, though, is up in the air.

Oilers GM Stan Bowman and his management and scouting staff met this week to evaluate their team and put together lists of targets they may pursue ahead of the deadline, specifically on defence.

On Thursday afternoon’s “Early Trading” segment on TSN, Pierre LeBrun reported the Oilers are open to adding a defenceman regardless of shooting hand and are not necessarily focused on a shutdown rearguard versus a mobile defender.

“There’s probably a recognition that there’s a lack of depth (on defence) if they do start to run into injuries as the season goes on,” LeBrun said. “There was chatter in those meetings this week; they’ve put together a list of names in terms of the D market and the idea is to upgrade the blueline, if possible.

“It’s early in the process. Stan Bowman, I’m told, has just really started to make calls around the league now to gauge the market.”

There are several defencemen the Oilers are interested in and may pursue, including Montreal’s David Savard, Pittsburgh’s Marcus Pettersson, Anaheim’s Brian Dumoulin, and Columbus’ Ivan Provorov, all of whom currently rank on the TFP Trade Watch List.

LeBrun noted the Oilers “can be flexible” as to which type of defenceman they acquire this season, and with some salary cap space, are expected to add at some point.

“The Oilers are casting a wide net as they start to make their calls on the D market,” LeBrun said. “They’re looking at everything.”