LeBrun: Oilers Still Looking at Edmundson

According to NHL Insider Pierre LeBrun, the Edmonton Oilers are aggressively scouting the market for help on the blue line. At this point, they are feeling the price of defensemen that might be available from now until the March 3rd trade deadline. In this group, LeBrun mentioned that Joel Edmundson, Jakob Chychrun and Matt Dumb are on the Oilers’ target list. However, the asking price for them is currently too high for Oilers’ GM Ken Holland’s liking.

Aside from the fact that they play defense, those three have quite different styles, as is their age and contractual situation.

As we know, Edmundson is a big, physical, shutdown defenseman who will kill penalties and play big minutes. Due to missing training camp, the 6-foot 5-inches, 227 lbs had a rough start to the season but he has been playing better lately. He is a perfect partner for a more offensive-minded defenseman, as we saw with Jeff Petry. The 29 year old has another year left to his contract at a team-friendly $3.5 million cap hit, with a modified no-trade clause, and he must submit a 10 team no trade list.

Dumba is a right-handed physical defenseman who can put some points on the board. The 28 year-old is, however, a pending UFA at the end of the season and the Wild might feel like they won’t be able or perhaps unwilling to keep him. He carries a cap hit of $6 million and he has a modified no-trade clause, also with a 10 team no trade list.

Chychrun is a 24 year old defenseman with a bomb of a shot from the point. He’s a good skater and puck mover. Right now, he has no trade protection but starting next season, he has a modified no-trade clause where he too must submit a 10 team no trade list. He has two years left to his current contract, with a cap hit of $4.6 million. He has been on the market for a long time but the Coyotes are demanding a king’s ransom for him.

Just about every defenseman potentially available has been rumoured with the Oilers but Edmundson is one constant.

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