March 7, 2022 by Heavy Hockey Network

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Who do you think are some realistic trade targets on defence for the Oilers?

Kirk Morris (@kmwrites1)
Honestly, I’d focus on the right side. Scott Mayfield and Mark Pysyk would be very useful options at a low cost. Imagine Niemelainen and Mayfield as a third pairing?

Mike Dirsa (@MikeDirsa)
I’m a fan of going after Jakob Chychrun. If you’re going to make a move to improve the defence than go after a player that will help improve the defence.

Surveyor Brett (@Bluchanski)
The Edmonton Oilers are just going to call up Dylan Holloway & activate Josh Archibald off IR. That’s just like making a deadline acquisition, isn’t it? end sarcasm

Spencer Pomoty (@SPProspects)
The left side is pretty clogged up at the moment, my main focus is getting a defense first right-handed defenseman. Damon Severson has great two-way numbers and is at the top of my list, money would need to be worked out, but if you can do it he is locked in for the next two years. Cheaper options would be Scott Mayfield, Justin Braun, and Mark Pysyk.

Josh Boulton (@ToughCallPod)
I don’t know enough about contracts to know who’s realistic, but if we could have one defence who’s just out there to hit and be a wrecking ball that would be fun.

Ryan Lotsberg (@lotsryan)
The Oilers aren’t in a position to be giving up many assets of quality. They can’t trade the 2022 2nd or 3rd round picks because they’re tied up in the conditions of the Duncan Keith trade. We’re looking at a cheap rental from a non-playoff team. It’d be nice to get a shut down guy that can play either side and that has playoff experience. Andy Greene from the Islanders is a great fit. He’s 39, but he has played a big role on the Islanders teams that went to the conference finals in each of the last two seasons.

Michael Hebert (@Oilerslive)
On defence we’ve definitely got more defensive capability on the left side and perhaps a little too much offensive D presence on the right side. With Barrie going down in the Chicago game, that opens up another space on the right hand side. The challenge is cap space and what you need to give up. I’d love to see Ben Chiarot (Montreal) obviously, but maybe more realistic would be Mark Pysyk (Buffalo) or could we see Josh Manson (Anaheim) find his way to play for his father.

How would you approach the goaltending situation right now? Would you ride Mikko Koskinen until he falters or keep alternating between Mike Smith and Koskinen?

Kirk Morris (@kmwrites1)
Right now, Smith is a blatant tire fire…send him down to the A and bring up Stuart Skinner. There’s not much time left before the trade deadline and other teams will be throwing anchors rather than life preservers. Most teams will be taking Koskinen in exchange for another tender, NOBODY would touch Mike Smith with a ten foot pole right this minute.

Mike Dirsa (@MikeDirsa)
Koskinen right now is the hot hand, he deserves more starts than Smith right now.

Surveyor Brett (@Bluchanski)
Call up Skinner and send down Mike Smith. Make sure you do it over zoom because he’s a battler and very scary and might get mad.

Spencer Pomoty (@SPProspects)
Personally I would have Stuart Skinner up here getting in some games so you have somewhat of an idea of what you have in him going into the trade deadline or even the offseason (Same situation as Evan Bouchard last year). But at this point you have to continue to rotate Mike Smith and Mikko Koskinen. Koskinen can’t handle a massive load and Smith needs his game back before the playoffs. I’d play Koskinen and Skinner if it were me.

Josh Boulton (@toughcallpod)
I’m a big believer in the old “next man up” mentality. You don’t owe anybody anything. If you have someone who’s hot, ride them. If you have someone who’s feeding off that new challenge and now has a sudden motivation to earn that spot back, you’ll know when to give him another chance. I’d go with Koskinen until that happens.

Ryan Lotsberg (@lotsryan)
This is about knowing your players. We know that Mikko Koskinen is at his best when his workload is limited. We also know that Mike Smith isn’t playing his best. Neither one is a true workhorse in 2022, and neither one should be treated like one. Koskinen should be getting most of the starts, but not more than two in a row.

Michael Hebert (@Oilerslive)
It’s hard to argue against a hot goalie. I think Woodcroft has to play Koskinen until he shows some signs that the load is too much. Mike Smith is battling and could be deployed in situations that will give him the most success, but I’d definitely shelter him for a bit. I still question whether he was brought back too early. One thing I might do is put Smith in against Calgary, that’s a game you know he’ll be motivated to win.

How much responsibility can Ryan McLeod bear with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins out of the lineup? Do the Oilers have options?

Kirk Morris (@kmwrites1)
I see McLeod as a very versatile player…he can literally play on any line, he has the speed to run with McDavid, Drai and is showing increased confidence with his puck control. Second unit PP and PK time I’d throw him into the mix, like I said, very versatile! These type of players are invaluable to an organization from a depth perspective.

Mike Dirsa (@MikeDirsa)
McLeod is developing into a capable third line center and right now he’s the best option for the role. If he falters a little Derek Ryan and Devin Shore can give him some temporary relief.

Surveyor Brett (@Bluchanski)
Ryan McLeod is missing teeth & everyone knows that means you can handle almost anything. I say he does it.

Spencer Pomoty (@SPProspects)
Ryan McLeod is molding into a great third line center. He is one of the Oilers most defensively responsible players and can transition the puck at an elite level. I think you can trust him with the same role Nuge was playing before the injury, other than that there aren’t many options. I could trust him with increased penalty killing time as well.

Josh Boulton (@toughcallpod)
Ryan McLeod is ready for responsibility. He’s got the speed, and the mental drive right now. When Nugent-Hopkins returns he should obviously resume his usual role, but again with that next man up mentality I’m quite comfortable with who we have should Nugent-Hopkins, or anyone else for that matter require some time away.

Ryan Lotsberg (@lotsryan)
I feel that the best role for McLeod right now is 3C. The Oilers need a 3C that can reliably not get outscored and outchanced every night, and that can occasionally chip in with a goal here or there. That’s McLeod.

Michael Hebert (@Oilerslive)
Unfortunately the Oilers don’t have many options that can accomplish what they’re ultimately trying to achieve, which is three lines that have the capability to carry the play in the offensive zone. Thankfully McLeod has stepped in beautifully. I’m sure it helps that there is an NHL pedigree in the family. However fans will need to be patient, with increased responsibility there are going to be nights where he’s less productive than other nights, the team will have to weather those moments.