The Edmonton Oilers have been coping with rather a lot over the previous week. After the St. Louis Blues determined to tender supply sheets to ahead Dylan Holloway and defenceman Philip Broberg, they’d seven days to determine whether or not to match the affords or allow them to stroll. Holloway was supplied a two-year deal at $2.2 million yearly whereas Broberg was supplied a two-year deal at $4.5 million per season. On Tuesday morning, the Oilers introduced their determination to not match both contract and allowed each gamers to affix the Blues. To some followers’ dismay, the Oilers seemingly discovered each of their replacements in separate trades with the San Jose Sharks and Vancouver Canucks.
Associated: Ty Emberson: Every part to Know About Oilers’ New Acquisition
First, the Oilers acquired ahead Vasily Podkolzin from the Canucks in alternate for a fourth-round choose, which was seemingly the alternative for Holloway. Within the second deal, the Oilers traded Cody Ceci and a third-round choose to the Sharks in alternate for Ty Emberson, who gave the impression to be the Broberg alternative. Whereas the Podkolzin deal was strong because the Oilers didn’t have to surrender a lot for a participant with a number of potential, the Emberson deal is one which followers ought to take discover of as a possible steal. Whereas issues grew in regards to the general depth of the defensive group, Emberson is an improve for the highest 4 and has made the defensive lineup stronger heading into the 2024-25 marketing campaign.
Whereas Ceci added a robust veteran presence off the ice, it typically didn’t translate to strong play on the ice. His lack of defensive power made it robust for the teaching employees to belief him in clutch eventualities and worrying conditions, however he was saved round as somebody who may assist increase morale. Buying and selling him to the Sharks offers him a much-needed recent begin on a rebuilding crew and if he bounces again, he may get flipped on the 2025 Commerce Deadline to a contender and have one other shot at profitable a Stanley Cup in a depth function.
Emberson is the polar reverse of Ceci, and it confirmed throughout a troublesome season with the Sharks. On the last-place crew within the NHL, he confirmed by way of as a strong stay-at-home defender who may play an excellent quantity of minutes on a nightly foundation. His shot-blocking capacity, IQ on the breakout, and skill to win puck battles within the defensive zone make him an attractive addition to the Oilers’ blue line, and he needs to be the right accomplice for Darnell Nurse.
The one draw back of Emberson is his lack of offensive manufacturing. Nevertheless, the Oilers have been trying to purchase a defender who makes a speciality of defensive play and is a reliable participant on the penalty kill and in late-game eventualities to maintain the puck out of the online, and Emberson suits the invoice. It’s robust to financial institution on Emberson being a stud as quickly because the season will get going, however all indicators level to him being a diamond within the tough that the Oilers took full benefit of at a low worth.
Dropping Ceci & Broberg Means Open Spot at Coaching Camp
Whereas Emberson, Evan Bouchard, Mattias Ekholm, Nurse, and Brett Kulak have their spots on the opening night time roster assured, there’s an open spot up for grabs at coaching camp. The losses of Ceci and Broberg imply that there’s a gap, and whoever has one of the best camp may begin the season within the NHL. Josh Brown, Beau Akey, Troy Stecher, Max Wanner, Phil Kemp, and Ben Gleason all have an opportunity to crack the opening-night lineup and solidify themselves as a bottom-pairing defender. Whereas it’s secure to imagine one in every of Brown or Stecher will win the ultimate roster spot, there isn’t any assure.
Even when the Oilers don’t discover it themselves, the Blues’ supply sheets to Holloway and Broberg made the crew higher, because it compelled them into buying and selling Ceci which improves their roster in itself, however getting Emberson in return was a pleasing shock that improves the crew. On the finish of the day, they’ve set themselves up properly to run it again for the brand new marketing campaign, and followers needs to be assured of their possibilities to win their first Stanley Cup since 1990.
