Insider Report: Oilers eyeing two defensemen on trade market

Two options: cheap or expensive. Do they go big or do they make a tweak?

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 6 years ago
Insider Report: Oilers eyeing two defensemen on trade market
Keystone Press

Edmonton Journal reporter and Edmonton Oilers insider Jim Matheson released a juicy bit of information earlier this week when he reported that the Oilers are eyeing Vegas Golden Knights defensemen Jon Merrill and Jason Garrison.

It’s no secret that Vegas GM George McPhee is looking to offload a defender or two for the right price, as the team is currently carrying nine blue liners on its active roster. It’s likely that either player could be had for a draft pick or “lower end” prospect, but also worth noting that Merrill and Garrison fill very different needs and, as such, would likely have different price tags.


Merrill, as pointed out by Matheson, is a typical stay at home defenseman. Chances are he could be acquired on the cheap and then buried in the lineup once Andrej Sekera finally makes his return to the lineup. As for Garrison, he’s more of a PP specialist with a BOMB of a point shot. He’s adept in his own end as well, so expect the Oilers to pay a premium if they want to acquire the veteran.

What do you think? Would either of these players help the Oilers out in the long run? After dropping four straight and getting off to such a sluggish start, maybe it’s worth sacrificing the long-term gain for short-term results?

Source: Jim Matheson