The Oilers traded Cody Ceci to the Sharks on Sunday.
This move seemed like they were getting ready to match the Blues’ offer for Philip Broberg. But then, they let both Broberg and Dylan Holloway go to St. Louis, freeing up cap space but also weakening their defense.
Tyson Barrie, 33, has fit well with the Oilers in the past. He played on their top power-play unit from 2020-21 until he was traded to Nashville in the middle of the 2022-23 season. While he didn’t score much in Nashville, he had a great run in Edmonton with 25 goals and 132 points over three seasons. Now that Evan Bouchard has taken his spot as top power-play quarterback, it’s uncertain if Barrie can return to his old form.
Justin Schultz joined the Oilers back in 2012 as a top NCAA free agent. He spent four seasons with them but never became the star offensive defenseman many hoped he’d be. His best season was in 2013-14 with 11 goals and 33 points . After being traded to Pittsburgh in 2016, he found success and helped win two Stanley Cups. Schultz has since been a solid two-way defender for Pittsburgh, Washington, and Seattle.
Veteran Defensemen’s Journeys:
Kevin Shattenkirk, now 35, has always played for U.S.-based teams and even turned down a trade to Edmonton back in 2016 when he was at his peak with St. Louis Blues. He won a Stanley Cup with Tampa Bay Lightning in 2020 and has also played for Colorado Avalanche, Washington Capitals, New York Rangers, Anaheim Ducks, and Boston Bruins during his long career.
Last spring, the Oilers made it all the way to the Stanley Cup Final against Florida Panthers but lost Game 7 by a score of 2-1 after coming back from a three-game deficit. Both Broberg and Ceci were key players during this playoff run; Ceci missed just one game while playing alongside Darnell Nurse.
Fans might think this is an interesting twist—letting go of young talent while making room under salary cap constraints—but it’s hard not to wonder about future defensive strength.
What do you think about these changes?
