The Edmonton Oilers are well into the NHL regular season schedule and still tinkering with the defensive pairings.
Head coach Kris Knoblauch and his staff are trying to make things work with the current defensive group, and having some success with unique deployments.
There’s a good chance general manager Stan Bowman will be shopping for a veteran blue liner who can play the tough minutes at or near the trade deadline on March 7, 2025.
It’s never too early to have a look at what might be available. Since the Oilers’ needs are specific — a righty who can play second-pairing minutes — we can be laser-focused in our search for solutions.
Here are five players who are qualified and could be available:
Henri Jokiharju, Buffalo Sabres
If the Sabres are out of playoff contention at the trade deadline, pending unrestricted free agent Jokiharju will be a hot trade property across the NHL.
He is young (25), inexpensive ($3.1 million on an expiring contract) and effective against elite competition according to PuckIQ. He offers a range of skills that could be an ideal fit for the second pairing with Darnell Nurse.
This season, he is facing elite competition 37 percent of the time, one of the highest numbers in the league so far. In those minutes, he owns a 56 percent Dangerous Fenwick percentage. That’s top drawer.
The price will be dear, and there’s no guarantee Jokiharju will be available — the Sabres would be wise to sign him to an extension before the vultures circle. But if he is, Jokiharju is close to a perfect fit for Edmonton.
Artem Zub, Ottawa Senators
One of the key components for a Senators team trying desperately to make the playoffs, Zub has missed some time this season due to a concussion. When healthy, he is a fine two-way defender with size and puck-moving ability.
Puck IQ loves Zub because he’s played enormous minutes against elites since he was a rookie. At 29, and with a cap hit of $4.6 million over the next three years, Zub is in the wheelhouse for the Oilers as a possible acquisition.
It’s unlikely he’ll be available, but new general manager Steve Staios may want to make a splash at the deadline if his team is out of contention. Edmonton may not have the assets for a deal of this kind, but Bowman would be aggressive if he came available. All prospects and draft picks under Edmonton control would be in play.
Alexandre Carrier, Nashville Predators
Carrier would have special appeal for Bowman at the deadline.
Carrier, 28, is a quality veteran who cut his teeth defensively playing alongside current Oilers defensive ace Mattias Ekholm when he was in Nashville. The two men played almost 1,500 minutes together at five-on-five in Ekholm’s final three seasons with the Predators, outscoring opponents at a 59 percent share.
Nashville’s management may regret trading Ekholm, and may be gun-shy about dealing Carrier, who has grown into a key component.
The numbers are good and have been for years, although early days this season have been a struggle versus elites.
Still, between existing chemistry and a $3.75 million AAV, adding Carrier at the deadline could pay huge dividends for Edmonton.
Rasmus Andersson, Calgary Flames
If it was purely a case of a hockey trade, Andersson would be the top name on this list.
For Flames general manager Craig Conroy, trading Andersson to Edmonton could be a career-ending move. The provincial rivalry between Calgary and Edmonton is such that a Stanley Cup in Edmonton with contributions from Andersson could have severe impact on Conroy’s reputation in the southern city.
As a possible trade option for Edmonton, Andersson is something close to ideal. He is a fine two-way defender with legit offence, a long track record of success versus elites and an agitating style that would be effective on a real contender.
For Bowman, the price would be dear, more than any other team would have to pay. For Conroy, it’s an easy no for a valuable player who is a perfect fit for the Oilers. No matter the offer.
Justin Barron, Montreal Canadiens
Every time I write about possible acquisitions for RH defence for the Oilers, Barron shows up as a worthy option.
He is young, unproven, and might not replace Ty Emberson as “the future” on right defence, but in his young career Barron has shown well against top lines.
He is 22, has played only 101 NHL games and is currently injured, but there’s a player here. Puck IQ tracked him as a plus player a year ago, delivering 50. 5 percent Dangerous Fenwick (9.5 percent above average relative to his Canadiens teammates) and playing against the league’s best about 30 percent of the time.
That’s exceptional for a young player just finding his way in the NHL.
Bottom line
The Oilers have time, and it’s a good idea to allow the pool of possible talent available to increase over a long season.
There aren’t many players who qualify for the specific needs of this team. In fact, the lack of righthanded defencemen who can play second-pairing minutes and might be available is so weak this year that Cody Ceci, whom the Oilers just traded away, has a good chance to make another version of this list in mid-February.
Knoblauch is trying some innovative deployment currently, and the Oilers are winning more games. That buys time.
If Bowman goes to market at the deadline, and can find a way to pry any of these names away, Edmonton will be in a better position than it is today.
(Top photo of Henri Jokiharju and Alexandre Carrier: Alexander Hassenstein and Bruce Bennett / Getty Images)
