Rumor: Oilers taking a run at Green?

It’s no secret that the Edmonton Oilers have been searching for a capable right-shot defenseman for some time now. Outside of Adam Larsson and Matthew Benning all of the team’s defenders are left-handed, leading to speculation that general manager Peter Chiarelli may look to acquire a right-handed defender at some point this offseason. 

Enter Detroit Red Wings defenseman Mike Green.In his latest article for The Hockey Writers, Oilers insider Jim Parsons analyzes the fit between Green and the Oilers and makes the case for his addition in Edmonton. Green, who is entering the final year of his three-year deal with the Red Wings, is just 31-years-old and should have at least two, maybe three, goods seasons of hockey left in him. Parsons makes the argument that he could be a good fit at least until the injured Andrej Sekera returns from injury. What then? Well, depending on his trade value he could be moved at the deadline, or his addition could make someone else expendable.

While Green may not be the offensive dynamo he was when he was patrolling the blue line with the Washington Capitals earlier in his career, his 14 goals and 36 points in 72 games last season are nothing to sneeze at. Could he inject some much needed offense and improve the Oilers’ transition game in 2017-18?