The Edmonton Oilers have been dealt another tough blow. Forward Mattias Janmark is expected to be out long-term with what the team has described as a “chronic” injury that requires rest. He is likely headed to long-term injured reserve (LTIR), a move that would provide Edmonton with some much-needed cap relief but also leave a hole in the lineup.
With Janmark sidelined, trade speculation is already picking up, involving a Maple Leafs defenseman.
Maple Leafs D-Man Linked to Oilers
Head coach Kris Knoblauch didn’t offer any other details about Janmark’s condition. The veteran forward dressed in Wednesday’s 6-5 loss to the Anaheim Ducks but logged just 2:30 of ice time, with his final shift coming late in the first period, a clear sign something wasn’t right.
With Janmark now sidelined, Edmonton appears to be shifting its focus toward the blue line.
According to NHL insider Frank Seravalli, the Oilers have identified two defensemen as potential trade targets: Justin Faulk of the St. Louis Blues and Oliver Ekman-Larsson of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Seravalli reported: “Both bring a big skating element and the key is that they play potentially on the right side, Faulk in particular stands out. He is someone that could bring in totally different element to Edmonton blue line.”
It’s a notable shift in strategy. Earlier reports suggested they were targeting a scoring winger with size. But with Paul Coffey back in the mix, efforts to get Tristan Jarry on track, ongoing defensive concerns, and now Janmark out, the priority has clearly moved to bolstering the blue line.
Ekman-Larsson, a two-way defenseman, has 35 points this season for Toronto and is in the second year of a four-year, $14 million contract. If the Maple Leafs’ playoff hopes continue to fade following back-to-back losses after the Olympic break, he could become a realistic trade option.
Faulk, meanwhile, has 32 points for St. Louis and is in Year 7 of his seven-year, $45.5 million deal. His right-shot presence and ability to log big minutes could make him especially attractive to Edmonton.
“I think that impact that Mattias Ekholm had in 2023 with his acquisition, those are the names that could stand out that could have a very similar impact on Edmonton backend,” Seravalli added.
Janmark, in the second year of his three-year, $4.35 million contract, has one goal and eight points in 43 games this season. While not a major offensive contributor, he has been valued for his defensive reliability during Edmonton’s back-to-back runs to the Stanley Cup Final.
It’s unclear whether his current injury is related to the undisclosed issue that sidelined him earlier this year. For now, the Oilers responded to the adversity with an emphatic 8-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings and will next face the San Jose Sharks on Saturday.
