Yahoo Sports Oilers Make Curious Waiver Claim On Big Defender
The Oilers are adding some size on the back end.
They announced today that they've claimed right-handed defenceman Alec Regula off waivers from the Boston Bruins. The 24-year-old Regula has 22 career NHL games under his belt, most recently in 2022-23 with the Chicago Blackhawks.
The #Oilers have claimed defenceman Alec Regula off waivers from Boston. The right-shot blueliner, selected 67th overall by Detroit in 2018, has appeared in 22 career @NHL games with one goal. pic.twitter.com/zX9uaDcIci
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) December 11, 2024
Regula has a slight connection to Oilers GM Stan Bowman from his days in Chicago. Originally a third-round pick of the Detroit Red Wings, Bowman acquired Regula from Detroit in exchange for Brendan Perlini in 2019.
He's picked up just one goal in 22 NHL games across three seasons, all with Chicago. He was sent to Boston as part of the return for Taylor Hall in 2023, and spent all of last season with the Providence Bruins.
The 6'4" Regula's best asset is his size and reach, though he's been known to provide a little offence at the AHL level with three consecutive 20-point seasons despite never playing more than 55 games. He's been held back by lacklustre mobility, which may only be exacerbated by the knee injury that's kept him out all of this year.
Alec Regula is a rangy, right shot D who has reach and play-making ability.
Coming off a knee injury.
Previously played 22 games for Chicago.
Had 4-22-26/55GP/+36 with Providence (AHL) last season. https://t.co/TxsvyGX3D3— Bob Stauffer (@Bob_Stauffer) December 11, 2024
It's a bit of a surprise to see the Oilers place a claim on a depth defenceman like Regula, as they already have seven defencemen on the roster, plus Josh Brown on an NHL contract in Bakersfield.
Odds are, he'll report to Bakersfield and join an already righty-heavy blueline. The Oilers have already traded away two AHL lefties this year in Ben Gleason and Noel Hofenmayer, and brought in another righty in Ronnie Attard. This makes Regula a slightly awkward fit, especially since he shares his best asset -- his size -- with Brown.
That means it's possible Regula replaces the smaller, left-handed Travis Dermott as the Oilers' seventh defenceman, though we'll have to wait and see on that front.
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