Fansided

5 moves the Oilers can make to get back to the playoffs

By Derek Grochowski

EDMONTON, AB - APRIL 7: Players of the Edmonton Oilers salute the crowed following the game against the Vancouver Canucks on April 7, 2018 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images)
EDMONTON, AB - APRIL 7: Players of the Edmonton Oilers salute the crowed following the game against the Vancouver Canucks on April 7, 2018 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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EDMONTON, AB – JANUARY 25: Oscar Klefbom #77 of the Edmonton Oilers warms up prior to the game against the Calgary Flames on January 25, 2017 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images)
EDMONTON, AB – JANUARY 25: Oscar Klefbom #77 of the Edmonton Oilers warms up prior to the game against the Calgary Flames on January 25, 2017 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images) /

2. Fix the Defense

The Oilers defense has been a sore spot for a long time. The current group of defensemen is decent, but there is no clear No. 1 franchise blue-liner. Some thought Darnell Nurse would be that player; he is good, but not a No. 1. Oscar Klefbom was brought along slowly and has not quite lived up to his potential. Other than those two, it is a lot of spare parts on that blue line. Kris Russell is a good bottom-pair defenseman, but he is making $4,000,000 a year. Matt Benning is young but does not have a very high ceiling, and Andrej Sekera is not getting any better at the age of 31.

As far as improvements go, the Oilers find themselves in a tough position. The Oilers could use some right-handed defensemen. The free agency list this offseason has two high end right-hand options and some decent lower end options. At the top of the list would be John Carlson from the Washington Capitals. He will be getting a major contract and there will be a lot of competition for him. Mike Green would be an interesting option, cost a little less and boost the offense. Moving into the lower end of the talent pool, Andrej Sustr and Luke Schenn should be options worth exploring.

The Oilers are not going anywhere if they do not add a defenseman or two this offseason. If they want to explore trading the 10th overall pick, they could target the right-handed defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen. He has played almost 350 games for the Buffalo Sabres and picked up 151 points. It is hard to get an accurate assessment of him because he has played on the worst team in the league since breaking into the lineup and is just 23 years old. Giving him a second chance in Edmonton could be just what he needs.

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