Insider Suggests New Oilers Defense Trade Targets

caleb kerney

Wed, Oct 30, 2024, 5:06 p.m.·3 min read

EDMONTON -- You are only as strong as your weakest link.

Right now, the Edmonton Oilers' weakest link is an astronomically low shooting percentage and penalty kill success rate. Despite these facts, one thing is certain: They are in a better position than they were one year ago.

What luck.

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Sporting a 4-5-1 record with nine points, they are four points ahead of the 2-7-1 record they had after 10 games last season.

They say you should never rest on your laurels and word is that the Oilers are "aggressively" searching the trade market. But wait, there's more.

Now, Elliotte Friedman made his usual appearance on Oilers Now. Host Bob Stauffer asked the insider if there were any defensemen available who could help the Oilers. He listed four by name.

Cam Fowler

The first he mentioned was Anaheim Ducks veteran Cam Fowler. The 32-year-old blueliner has played in 983 games, logging just over 23 minutes a night over that entire span.

"He's not a right-hand shot, but (Cam) Fowler is the one guy who's out there," Friedman revealed. "Although I understand it's pretty quiet right now."

A month and a half ago, it was reported that Fowler and the Ducks were conversing about his future. Both sides reportedly understood that the conversation could lead to a trade.

Connor Murphy

Two Chicago Blackhawks defenders came up in the conversation, Connor Murphy and another who is more surprising.

"There were a lot of teams that were interested in Murphy," Friedman referring to speculation from last season. Unfortunately, for inquiring teams, Murphy had his season shortened due to injury, and no trade materialized.

But with the acquisitions of Alec Martinez and TJ Brodie, the Blackhawks could afford to spare a defender to a team like the Oilers.

Matt Benning

Another name briefly mentioned is one that Oilers fans should recognize, Matt Benning.

The now 30-year-old right-handed defender would be an interesting target for the Oilers to pursue. Benning spent four years with the Oilers to launch his NHL career, but since then, he has made a pitstop with the Nashville Predators before landing with the San Jose Sharks.

Matt Benning.<p>Stan Szeto-Imagn Images</p> — Matt Benning.
Stan Szeto-Imagn Images

For the last two years, he logged 19:47 and 18:29 minutes a night. After 10 games this year, that number has fallen dramatically to 13 minutes.

Seth Jones

Finally, this was one name-drop that I frankly, did not see coming.

"Another one is Seth Jones, but I don't know how on earth they could make that work," Friedman said.

Seth Jones.<p>Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images</p> — Seth Jones.
Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

The tricky thing would be working around that hefty $9.5 million contract along with his pesky no-movement clause. If he waived and a third team was involved in eating 50 percent of his salary (after the Ducks retain 50 percent off the top), something like this could happen.

Despite the Utah Hockey Club acquiring talent to help their defense, it's too early to tell if a trade is in the cards for the Oilers.

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