The Edmonton Oilers made some adjustments over the offseason and appear poised to make it again to the Stanley Cup Closing this season. One among their largest strikes was buying and selling Cody Ceci and a third-round draft decide to the San Jose Sharks for Ty Emberson, who is anticipated to play alongside Darnell Nurse on the second defensive pairing, no less than to start out the 2024-25 marketing campaign.
Whereas Emberson isn’t a confirmed star on the NHL stage, his brief stint with the Sharks final season showcased some defensive ability that the Oilers might make the most of in the event that they place him in a shutdown function and shelter him with a veteran like Nurse. Whereas there are excessive expectations for Emberson, the Oilers have made it clear they may work with him in hopes of turning his potential into stardom.
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In a latest section on Oilers Now, trusted pundit Frank Seravalli praised Emberson and referred to as him a possible breakout candidate. Nonetheless, he may need apprehensive some followers when he spoke about his contract scenario. Emberson is a pending unrestricted free agent (UFA) and if he pans out, he could possibly be in search of a increase. If that’s the case, Seravalli drew a comparability to Chicago Blackhawk Alex Vlasic.
Vlasic’s large six-year deal price $4.6 million yearly kicks on this season. Whereas he hasn’t established himself as a top-four defender within the NHL, the Blackhawks took a danger and paid their potential future stud what they imagine he might change into slightly than his present worth in hopes he continues bettering.
There are some positives and negatives in happening that route with Emberson. It might be an enormous danger to place that a lot cash into an unproven defender whereas they’re contending. Emberson has already proven indicators of being a strong defender on the NHL stage, however the Oilers might run the danger of overpaying a participant who would possibly decline or not pan out in addition to they’d hope. Alternatively, they could possibly be rewarded with cash being saved down the road if he elevates his recreation and stabilizes the Oilers’ defensive depth.
Emberson & Vlasic Appear Like Honest Contract Comparable
Vlasic has a bit extra NHL expertise with 97 video games below his belt with three targets and 19 factors, which comes out to a 0.19 points-per-game common. Emberson, however, has 30 video games of expertise with one purpose and 10 factors, which comes out to a 0.33 points-per-game common. Whereas neither of them has been praised for his or her offensive capacity, their defensive video games are equally sturdy, giving them each an edge over their teammates to stay within the lineup.
Emberson goes from the Sharks, who had been useless final within the NHL final season, to the Oilers, who had been one win away from profitable their sixth Stanley Cup in franchise historical past. Some followers have questioned whether or not it’s sensible to place a participant with minimal expertise within the top-four defensive rotation whereas they push for a championship, but when they’ll make it to the Closing with a defensive legal responsibility in Ceci on the blue line, they’ll do it with a much less skilled participant.
Fortunately, the Oilers have a full season to see how Emberson performs, analyze how he matches, and decide on his future with the staff. He has been arrange for fulfillment coming into the brand new marketing campaign, however it’s as much as him to discover a approach to show to followers, his teammates, and administration that he’s worthy of sticking round long-term. On the finish of the day, a choice must come, however that’s not one thing they should concentrate on simply but.
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