Tag: Pierre LeBrun

LeBrun: Oilers Still Looking at Edmundson

Published on by JD Lagrange3 Comments

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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LeBrun: Edmundson a Good Fit for Oilers

Published on by JD Lagrange4 Comments

Back on November 25th, we published an article stating that the Montreal Canadiens and Edmonton Oilers seem like good trade partners. Back then, you will recall, we mentioned that veteran defenseman Joel Edmundson would be a great fit on the left side of the Oilers’ defense. Now, NHL Insider Pierre LeBrun confirms that indeed, the Oilers are keeping a close eye on the Canadiens’ big defenseman.

In the segment Insider Trading on TSN on Thursday, LeBrun said that the Oilers will be buyers by trade deadline and that they are looking for help on defense. The Insider added that he knows that the Oilers’ brass have discussed John Klingberg and Joel Edmundson, amongst a long list of defensemen they’re keeping an eye on.

Admittedly, the two are quite different defensemen, Klingberg being right-handed and with more offensive upside. He also has a full no-trade clause but starting on January 1st, he must provide a list of 10 teams to which he can be traded to. We don’t know if the Oilers will be on that list. In 24 games this season, the 30 year-old has 10 points while averaging 22:24 of ice time per game. His $7 million cap hit is substantial however, and the Oilers are tight against the cap. Klingberg is also scheduled to become UFA at the end of the season.

Edmundson is different, being a strictly defensive defenseman, a leader and a Stanley Cup winner. He is also much more physical, an aspect the Oilers are seeking throughout their line-up for the playoffs. LeBrun did add that the Canadiens are not looking at trading Edmundson but with their depth on the left side of the defense, he could be expandable. The 29 year-old rearguard has one more year remaining after this season, with a cap hit of only $3.5 million. He has a modified no-trade clause where he must submit a 10 teams no-trade list.

As the Oilers are tight against the cap, and considering that they already have Cody Ceci, Tyson Barrie and Evan Bouchard on the right side, Edmundson might be a better fit as he would immediately become the second pairing defenseman behind Darnell Nurse, ahead of Brent Kulak.

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