Why so glum about the defence of the Edmonton Oilers? I mean, I get it. I see the reasons. But things aren’t nearly so bad as they’ve been in years past. And there are a few big reasons to hope, especially with a few developments during the pre-season.
The downcast talk of many fans of the Edmonton Oilers regarding the team’s defensive group has to do with a few obvious issues.
First, there’s the uncertainty around Darnell Nurse. Will he start to play smart, consistent, physical and effective defensive hockey while moving the puck with certainty? Can he use his great size, speed, agility and strength to morph into something of a Jay Bouwmeester-type defender? He was trending in this direction before he signed his big contract but seems to have lost the plot.
Second, there’s the departure of Philip Broberg. It was unexpected to lose such a big, fast and promising defender, it was a gut punch to Edmonton’s hopes this year, and there’s no obvious replacement for the role he was expected to take at Nurse’s side, the same one he filled effectively in the Stanley Cup Final.
Third, there’s the loss of stalwart defenders Cody Ceci and Vincent Desharnais, who played solid hockey for the Oilers for much of the 2023-24 season, in particular on the penalty kill. Who will bring the steady defensive effort they supplied?
Finally, there’s the iffy play of incoming Josh Brown, a big tough veteran d-man who was expected to take the play of Desharnais at half the price. But in preseason at least Brown has struggled to make a pass and his reads have been iffy as ell. There’s also the fear that the team will force things and stick with him, even as he’s now leaking Grade A shots against.
I get all that. These are valid concerns. I share them.
Why then do I have high hopes? First off, I can’t recall the Oilers having such a great top-pairing on defence since Chris Pronger led the team in the 2006 playoffs, teaming at times with Jason Smith and at other times with Jaroslav Spacek, if I recall correctly.
The last time Edmonton has had such an outstanding twosome as Evan Bouchard and Mattias Ekholm in the top pairing for a full season was in 1987 when current Oilers coach Paul Coffey teamed up with Charlie Huddy.
It should not be underestimated what it means to have two such brilliant players as Bouchard and Ekholm in the top pair. They will not only devour heavy minutes against tough competition, they’ll help the Oilers get the best of that competition.
Both took their games to a new level in the playoffs, Bouchard in terms of his defensive play, Ekholm in terms of his offensive play. Bouchard started to defend with extra sharpness, reading and shutting down slot plays, covering off the danger man sneaking in, using his size and reach to gain superior defensive position, and constantly beating forecheckers with his excellent puck handling and out-of-this-world stretch passes. Ekholm was always a solid physical defender but his passing game reached new heights last year. He was slinging that puck like Cal Ripken Jr. gunning down runners at first base.
If Edmonton gets in trouble this year, Bouchard and Ekholm will be there to put out the fire. That’s huge for a team. And it makes it that much easier for every other d-man on the team to succeed. The supporting cast won’t be called upon to turn the tide, just keep their own heads above water.
Then there’s Nurse. Sure, he struggled last year as the season went on. He made bad decisions, leaked Grade A shots and goals against. But he’s gone through lengthy streaks many months long of solid defensive play combined with decent puck moving. He’s a proud leader on this team. He’s got a good shot at figuring out his game and coming on strong once again.
Brett Kulak has also excelled three straight years in the playoffs for the Oilers. He’s a big, fast and agile defender who is a sound positional defender and decent puck mover. He’s as good a fifth d-man as an NHL team can rightly hope to employ. If only he was a right shot he’d be perfect at Nurse’s side. But he’ll lead the third-paring and lead it well.
That leave two big holes on the right side, with no Broberg, Ceci or Desharnais to fill them, and Brown looking like he’s a super iffy bet as well. But I’m more confident now than I was before the pre-season that Edmonton will find players to fill those roles.
Healthy again, Troy Stecher has had a good run of pre-season games. He’s super smart, agile and defensively sound. Yes, he’s small but he battles hard and moves the puck adroitly. He’ll at least be a solid third-pairing d-man.
Ty Emberson has looked sound as well. He’s got OK size, OK speed, OK puck moving and he appears to be a super smart player. He reads the game well. Is that enough for him to keep and hold a job by Nurse’s side? It just might be. He’s a steady player, just as Ceci was, and he’s much cheaper than Ceci.
Finally, the Oilers could still sign Travis Dermott, who is in the Kulak-style, a strong skater, sound positional defender and decent puck-mover. He’ll be good to have around as insurance in case of injury.
Indeed, if there is injury, the Oilers are well-stocked as both Ben Gleason and Phil Kemp looked like they could hold their own on an NHL third-paring, with Cam Dineen and Connor Carrick not far behind.
Yes, Edmonton may well be one solid right shot d-man short of a full load here, but they’re locked and loaded with that excellent top pairing. As long as Bouchard and Ekholm stay healthy, and so long as Nurse finds a way to recover his game, I’m not worried.
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