General Manager Peter Chiarelli quickly put his stamp on this Edmonton Oilers team, cleaning out the club’s scouting staff and pulling the trigger on some draft day trades.
The Oilers boast one of the most impressive crops of young forwards we’ve ever seen, but any hope of turning things around in Edmonton starts with building around the skill of Jordan Eberle, Taylor Hall, Connor McDavid, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Nail Yakupov.
Even with the additions of Griffin Reinhart and Eric Gryba at the draft, Chiarelli should be looking to add a veteran defenceman capable of handling some first-pairing minutes.
Here’s a look at five potential unrestricted free agent targets for the Edmonton Oilers.
Andrej Sekera – Defence
2014-15 Team: Carolina Hurricanes and Los Angeles Kings
Andrej Sekera won’t put up the offensive totals of a guy like Mike Green, but he’s a much better option in terms of defensive ability.
The 29-year-old Slovakian might see his price tag rise thanks to this year’s thin crop of options, but he could be worth whatever it takes for the Oilers. Edmonton desperately needs some semblance of a top pairing and Sekera could represent half of that equation.
Cody Franson – Defence
2014-15 Team: Toronto Maple Leafs and Nashville Predators
Cody Franson was in the middle of his best offensive season before a trade landed him back in Nashville with the club who drafted him 79th overall in 2005.
Franson finished with seven goals and 36 points in 78 games. He offers a lot of what you can get with Sekera, but with more offensive upside. He’s also younger at 27 years old.
Christian Ehrhoff – Defence
2014-15 Team: Pittsburgh Penguins
Christian Ehrhoff’s agent Rick Curran has said his client is seeking a shot at Stanley Cup with a contending team. The Oilers are still a long way away from contending, but Ehrhoff would certainly help them get closer.
Given the Oilers history of overpaying for free agents, perhaps there’s a chance they could land Ehrhoff by offering more term than other potential suitors.
If Chiarelli is going to spend on defence, then Sekera or Franson may make the most sense. Ehrhoff could be a nice fallback plan as an underrated, puck-moving defenceman.
Francois Beauchemin – Defence
2014-15 Team: Anaheim Ducks
Francois Beauchemin seems to get better with age. The problem is that he’s 35 years old.
The Oilers are more likely to contend in 2-3 years than they are in 2015-16. It’s unlikely a 38-year-old Beauchemin is the same top-pairing guy in 2017 or 2018 that you’re paying him to be next season.
He’s good. Very good. But it’s only going to work if Chiarelli can get creative with the term/value.
The Ducks will attempt to retain his services, but it’s far from a certainty he’ll re-up in Anaheim.
Eric Fehr – Centre
2014-15 Team: Washington Capitals
Defence should be priority for Chiarelli and Co., but a versatile forward like Eric Fehr would be an excellent addition to the Oilers’ bottom six forward group.
He can score and he’s a big, rugged player who keeps the puck moving in the right direction.
Derek Roy – Centre
2014-15 Team: Nashville Predators and Edmonton Oilers
Derek Roy bounced back from a terrible run with the Nashville Predators last season. He totalled 11 goals and 22 points in 46 games and drew praise for the chemistry he formed with Yakupov.
Re-signing Roy is hardly a best case scenario for the Oilers, but if they fail to haul in a solid bottom six piece like Fehr or the Senators’ Erik Condra, then Roy could make sense on a one-year deal at a considerable discount.
