The Edmonton Oilers have continued to struggle this season. While they have shown hints of brilliance, the side appears to be a shadow of the team that made it to the Stanley Cup Finals in back-to-back years. But things are looking to change.
The Oilers are finally looking like they have found their game, and with the return of right-winger Zach Hyman closing in, things are looking better than ever. However, one insider believes that Hyman’s return could put a 25-year-old D-man on the trade block.
What Changes Are the Oilers Likely To Make To Accommodate Zach Hyman’s Return?
The Oilers have struggled in the absence of Hyman, who has remained on the shelf since he got injured in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals against the Dallas Stars. However, with his return imminent, experts believe the Oilers will be making some significant changes.
While Troy Stecher has remained a top name in trade rumors concerning Edmonton, recent reports suggest that Ty Emberson might also find himself being traded. Insider Frank Seravalli also believes that the defenseman might be a name the Oilers would be willing to let go.
On the latest episode of B/R Open Ice, he gave his take on the matter. He mentioned, “Now there was some talk over the weekend about the potentiality of moving Troy Stretcher. One name that I would throw out there as well is Ty Emerson.”
Seravalli continued, “Yes, the Oilers did sign Emerson to an extension. Yes, he was a nice piece that they had picked up from the Sharks in the Cody Ceci trade. A nice sort of stopgap player.” But he warned that when it came to moving the needle, Emerson wasn’t the player the Oilers would root for.
Instead, he mentioned Alec Regula as the kind of player that Edmonton would like to keep in their lineup. He pointed out how different the team looked with Jake Walman playing from a puck-moving perspective. Seravalli noted that if it were his decision, he would keep Stecher over Emerson.
According to him, Stetcher is the perfect sixth defenseman for the Oilers. He continued, “He truly is the league’s perfect 6 or 7 because he’s low maintenance. He comes in and plays like a pro every time, and he makes basically the league minimum on the salary cap.”
With the Oilers burdened with some pretty heavy deals for the likes of Leon Draisaitl, Connor McDavid, and Evan Bouchard, Servalli believes that it’s great for the franchise to save every Dollar they can. “So I would move Emerson first,” he added.
“I think he’s a nice player. I don’t think he’s a have-to-have player, and I actually think the Oilers could find some value for him on the trade market,” Seravalli explained. However, whether they want to move Stetcher as well is something we need to explore.