As the 2020-21 NHL season draws closer we’re set to hear the rumblings and rumors increase in volume. The Edmonton Oilers aren’t exempt from such speculative fictions as they need to make some moves before their campaign starts due to having a few extra forwards and apparently a need for another defenceman…
Edmonton Oilers play-by-play colorman Bob Stauffer recently said on his Twitter account that he wouldn’t be surprised if the club signed a left-handed defenceman to come in and battle for the #6/#7 spot on Edmonton’s defence.
Interesting to note, he specifically said a “veteran” meaning someone who’s played more than 75 games in the NHL.
Far be it for me to argue such a minute detail, but since when is a player considered a veteran at 75 games? Usually, that’s a first, second, or third-year player…
I just thought that was a unique way to describe someone. Anyway…
So, who could that be? Obviously, if the Oilers are signing this individual outright, they really want him, or else why not just PTO the guy? And the other thing is, Edmonton has Darnell Nurse, Caleb Jones, Kris Russell, William Lagesson, and Theodor Lennstrom slated to play next season, why would they be looking to add one more left-shot blueliner to that group?
Regardless, here are a few options to chew on until the news is announced. The fancies (courtesy of Natural Stat Trick)included are from last season and they are in the relative form since I’m interested to see how the players performed “relative” to their teammates.
Slater Koekkoek – 26yrs old – Last played for the Chicago Blackhawks. You know, the team that eliminated the Oilers from the play-ins last summer… He had 4pts in 9 playoff games for what it’s worth. He’s young, coachable, and can play both sides of the ice comfortably.
GF%/60: 5.36
Pts/60: 0.95
Kevin Connauton – 30yrs old – Is a local lad. I believe his father might be an attorney in Edmonton if I’m not mistaken. After putting up a career-high 21pts three years ago, Connauton has been plagued by injuries since. When he is healthy, he’s a very serviceable two-way puck-moving defender though.
GF%/60: -0.88
Pts/60: 0.4
Connauton only played four games last year. So reading into his stats from that season would be useless. I used the year prior where he suited up for 50 games.
Jonathan Ericsson – 36yrs old – This is more a shot in the dark than anything, but could Ken Holland reach back into his past and give an old friend one more shot at the NHL? He’s a rugged stay-at-home defender that might be a good partner to a young swift-skating puck-mover on the right side.
GF%/60: -10.81
Pts/60: 0.4
Ericsson had the same problem as Connauton. He only played 18 games, so his fancies for that campaign shouldn’t be used. We’ll go with the 2018-19 stats for him too.
Michael Del Zotto – 30yrs old – MDZ has played on four teams in the past five seasons and hasn’t put up more than 20pts in a season since 2017-17, but that said, he’s still a good skater and he can still move the puck well.
GF%/60: 13.90
Pts/60: 1.02
Andy Greene – 38yrs old – I know. I know. He’s most likely signing with the Islanders or maybe the Devils, but it’s getting late in the day here. Vets like Greene want to know where they’re playing and the Isles are dragging their asses getting Barzal under contract and that tells me that there’s a chance Greene won’t be signing there. This would be a decent player for the Oilers to sign as there’s obviously still gas left in the tank given he suited up for 21 games in the playoffs/play-ins last summer and he’d be a fine mentor for the young players on the team.
GF%/60: 4.60 (NJ) 6.51 (NYI)
Pts/60: 0.57 (NJ) 0.84 (NYI)
Keep in mind, Greene only had 10 regular-season games with the Isles when you read those stats.
I have no idea who Edmonton could be bringing in but if it’s a left-shot defender, one of the names above could very well be the man.
Who do you think it will be? Let us know in the comments below!
