Oilers Target Less “Sexy” Trade, Release Statement on McDavid

TSN’s Pierre LeBrun was asked about the trade deadline plans for the Edmonton Oilers after the team added defenseman John Klingberg via free agency. “There’s a chance they add another piece to their blue line, Gino” LeBrun said. “I don’t think it’s going to be terribly sexy, that depends on injuries and how things play out between now and March 7.”

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LeBrun believes the Oilers will target a depth defender. “Right now, I think they like their seven guys, maybe a little more depth. Think penalty killing.”

LeBrun admitted that the Oilers’ penalty kill has been in the top five since November. They like what they have there but they’re going to be looking at depth pieces. “They want to have another long playoff run, and another body on the back end in more of a shutdown role is the kind of thing they’re looking at between now and March 7.”

LeBrun didn’t go into detail about who that player might be, but he has mentioned David Savard’s name in the past and there will likely be a name or two that pops up over the next few weeks that isn’t available now.

Oilers Release Statement on McDavid’s Suspension

In other Oilers news, the organization released a statement on the Connor McDavid suspension. They wrote on their official website:

“The Oilers organization is disappointed and we share in our fans’ frustration over the three-game suspension of our captain Connor McDavid. We support him through this process and the organization and our fans look forward to having him back in the lineup vs. Seattle next week.”

Chris Johnston of TSN said the Oilers had no intention to appeal the suspension. They clearly don’t agree with the decision and their statement proves as much. However, suspensions of this length need to go to the commissioner and Gary Bettman doesn’t need an arbitrator to help rule on it. He rarely, if ever, changes an NHL DoPS decision.

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