3 Right-Shot Defensemen Listed As Oilers' Trade Targets

New York Rangers defenseman Braden Schneider

There are disputed reports about what the Edmonton Oilers are targeting as we get closer to the March 6th trade deadline. Defensive troubles are obvious. But are they or are they not focusing on adding a defenseman?

Or will they simply bring back defense coach (and legendary Oilers D) Paul Coffey?

If they do ultimately hit the trade market looking for a blueliner, a right-shot d-man is their most pressing need. Preferably one that can serve in the top four when necessary.

Jackson Weber of NHL Trade Talk has proposed three reasonably-priced (by cap hit) targets:

Braden Schneider, New York Rangers, cap hit: $2.2M, UFA

After Vincent Trocheck, Schneider is one of the names most often cited as a Rangers trade candidate as the team goes into sell-off, "retool" mode. Schneider, 24, was a first-round pick of the Rangers in 2020 (19th overall). But his disappointing season, marked by declining offense (11 points) and a plus/minus rating that is a career-worst -15, has made him a likely name to go.

The physicality is still there, however, as he's handed out 123 hits thus far through 57 games, and as Weber notes, this is something the Oilers "could certainly use on the right side of their blue line."

Zach Whitecloud, Calgary Flames, cap hit: $2.75M, 2 more yrs

The dependable, shutdown veteran defenseman was immediately a candidate to be flipped by the Calgary Flames after they acquired him from the Vegas Golden Knights in the Rasmus Andersson trade. He's well-suited to a playoff-type game and proved it in the Knights' 2023 Stanley Cup run, posting an elite +14 rating in 22 games.

However, trades between Calgary and Edmonton are few and far between, so this could be a difficult get for the Oilers.

Brandon Carlo, Toronto Maple Leafs, cap hit: $3.48M, 1 more yr.

While Oliver Ekman-Larsson's name has been floated as a potential Oilers' target, Carlo's right-shot makes him a more likely focus (and probably more affordable, from a trade return perspective).

And because he's a bit of a distressed asset, having a difficult season in Toronto, the price could be even more reasonable, and "It’s a move that makes more sense than ever before," writes Weber.

Despite all this, hockey insider Frank Seravalli recently noted that his intel tells him the Oilers "haven’t really spent a ton of time looking at defense" and that they're hoping to improve on the blueline from within.

We think that Oilers fans would be quick to disagree with that plan.