Following an ugly loss to the Los Angeles Kings, the Edmonton Oilers are getting quite a bit of attention. Barely holding down the second Wild Card spot in a playoff race, there’s still time, but there’s a sense that something is not right with this team. The chemistry is off, or there’s a feeling this roster doesn’t have the right mix. Some in Oil Country are starting to push the panic button.
According to Pierre LeBrun, GM Ken Holland isn’t in that group of those who believe the sky is falling, but he is starting to work the phones in an attempt to get a lay of the land when it comes to possibly adding another blueliner. The Oilers’ defense seems to be the big problem and the veteran GM knows it.
LeBrun reports that Holland has checked in with “every selling team you can think of with a defenseman potentially up for grabs.” He specifically mentions calls to Arizona about Jakob Chychrun, and to Montreal about Joel Edmundson. It was his TSN partner Darren Dreger that noted Holland has also checked in with the Minnesota Wild about Matt Dumba.
Matt Dumba Is a Relatively New Name Linked to the Oilers
There have been loose connections with the Oilers and Wild in the past, specifically when it comes to Dumba. That said, nothing concrete. This is really the first time this season his name has been tossed out there, all while rumors have persisted that Chychrun and Edmundson might be on Holland’s radar. But, when you look at all three options, Dumba makes some sense for the Oilers, especially when you consider his contract and the situation the Wild are in.
A right-shot defenseman who can score and eat big minutes (averages 21:37 per game), his game has dropped off over the past couple of seasons. He’s certainly not an ideal fit but he does offer experience and a chance for the Oilers to even out their pairings a bit better than they are currently deployed.
The Wild and Oilers Make Sense as Trade Partners
Dumba is a pending UFA, therefore he’s a rental, should the Oilers not talk with him about a contract following a potential trade. He’s a cap hit of $6 million, but the Wild have just over $7.3 million cap space to work with. They are one of the few teams not in an LTIR situation and that benefits the Oilers.
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The question becomes the asking price and the Wild’s willingness to retain salary. Dreger reports the price would be high for Dumba, as it is for other…
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