The Edmonton Oilers entered the season with a fairly clear idea of what they might eventually need to add through the trade market. General manager Stan Bowman has openly discussed Edmonton’s interest in finding a right-shot centre who can kill penalties, win faceoffs and handle difficult matchups.
Two games into the season, however, the Oilers may have other problems to consider. Edmonton followed a 6-5 overtime loss to the Vancouver Canucks with a wild 9-7 victory Thursday night. That gives the Oilers 14 goals scored through two games, but they’ve also surrendered 12 in regulation. The offence clearly hasn’t been the early concern.
If the defensive and goaltending problems continue, Bowman may eventually have to reconsider where Edmonton’s trade assets are best spent.
Oilers Have Been Searching for a Specific Type of Centre
The Oilers’ interest in strengthening the middle isn’t new. Bowman acknowledged during the offseason that Edmonton had spent considerable time looking at right-shot centres. “You’d love to find that guy.”
Bowman described the ideal target as a right-handed centre who is strong on faceoffs, can skate, play physically and match up against opposing stars. He also acknowledged that finding someone with every one of those attributes is extremely difficult. That’s why Edmonton has continued to be connected to centres on the trade market. But does that remain the organization’s biggest need?
Goaltending Has Quickly Become a Concern
Two games shouldn’t determine Edmonton’s trade strategy, but the early returns in goal haven’t been encouraging. After Tristan Jarry struggled in the opener, Devon Levi surrendered seven goals Thursday. Edmonton woke up Friday with a league-worst .711 team save percentage. Jarry had a .739 save percentage through his first appearance, while Levi sat at .682.
Mike Babcock isn’t panicking yet. “If it wasn’t this early, I might be [worried].” Babcock instead emphasized getting back to work and doing a better job protecting his goaltenders. That’s the appropriate approach after two games. Edmonton acquired Levi because management believes there is significant upside in the 24-year-old, with Bowman previously pointing toward his sustained AHL success as evidence he could be ready for a larger NHL opportunity.
Still, if the goaltending remains near the bottom of the NHL several weeks from now, Bowman may have little choice but to explore the market.
Edmonton’s Defence Deserves Just as Much Attention
Changing goaltenders wouldn’t automatically solve everything. Edmonton’s defensive structure has been inconsistent, and Thursday’s game was the clearest example. The Oilers built an 8-2 lead before allowing Vancouver to pull within 8-6 less than eight minutes into the third period.
Connor McDavid saw positives in Edmonton’s opening 40 minutes. “That 40 minutes we have to replicate night in and night out.” Edmonton worked back defensively, managed the puck and overwhelmed Vancouver for much of that stretch. The inability to maintain that structure, however, turned a blowout into a game that suddenly required a ninth Oilers goal.
That makes evaluating the goaltending even more complicated. How much is poor netminding, and how much is the environment Edmonton is creating in front of its goalies?
Bowman Doesn’t Need to Make a Trade Yet
The worst thing Edmonton could do is react to two chaotic games by making a desperation trade. The Oilers have time to determine whether their early defensive issues are simply growing pains under Babcock’s new system or evidence of a larger roster problem. They also need a bigger sample from Jarry and Levi before determining whether another goaltender is necessary.
But the conversation surrounding Edmonton’s trade needs may already be changing. A right-shot centre could still make the Oilers better. But if Edmonton continues scoring five, six or nine goals and still struggles to win comfortably, Bowman’s eventual priority might become obvious. The first few weeks of the season could determine whether Edmonton’s next significant trade targets a centre, a defenceman or someone who can stop the puck.
Next: McDavid Starts New Tradition, And Newest Oiler Rewarded After Team Escapes with 9-7 Win
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