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Oilers Could Look To Trade Defenseman

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In today’s episode of 32 Thoughts, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet raised an intriguing point: The Edmonton Oilers have a glut on the backend, and the team could look to move someone out. With Jake Walman returning from injured reserve, the Oilers have eight defensemen worthy of NHL minutes, and more in the AHL who are viable call up options.  

Although fans may speculate on a bigger move, having locked up the likes of Walman and Mattias Ekholm for the future, a fairly less ground-breaking deal could be in order. Ty Emberson, Alec Regula, and Troy Stecher stand as an abundance of depth right handed blueliners, and perhaps, one of them could be on the way out at some point. 

If the Oilers emphasize size and youth, Stecher, 31, could be worth monitoring as a possible trade candidate especially with an expiring contract. However, at a sub-$1MM cap hit, the veteran brings real value from the right side and can fill in anywhere in the lineup when needed. Meanwhile, Emberson, at just 25, comes in at $1.3MM through next season, still affordable, but a name which has floated around in the past. Acquired from San Jose in the Cody Ceci deal, Emberson has been a solid performer, bringing some needed youth to their defense corps. However, if the Oilers seek to bring in a contributing player rather than a more minute return, it may come at the cost of the Wisconsin native. 

Finally, Regula is currently on injured reserve, but pending return, could be a trade option simply as he has made the least impact with Edmonton of the bunch. The 25-year-old was claimed off waivers last season, and did not play due to injury, but has skated in two games so far. All things considered, Regula is likely a step behind Stecher and Emberson in the organization, unless the team values his size and sees the former standout Red Wings prospect as a developmental project. GM Stan Bowman seems to like the former Blackhawk, especially as he earned a two-year two-way deal last summer despite not playing at all in the organization. 

The Oilers have two veterans with ample NHL experience playing in AHL Bakersfield, Cam Dineen and Josh Brown, both capable players if called upon. Therefore, with all of this in mind, it will be interesting to see what Bowman does when Regula returns, and if the team could seek a forward in return for one of their extra defensemen. 

Injury Notes: Gostisbehere, McCann, Liljegren

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This afternoon, Carolina Head Coach Rod Brind’Amour told Michael Russo of The Athletic that the team believes Shayne Gostisbehere’s injury is not serious, and that he remains with the team on their trip west. 

The offensive defenseman has been off to a dynamite start so far, with 7 points in just 5 games. Just two days ago, Gostisbehere left in the Canes’ win over Los Angeles due to a lower-body-injury. 

Despite the good news, Gostisbehere will be absent tonight vs Vegas, as Charles-Alexis Legault is expected to make his NHL debut. The 6’4” defenseman was drafted in the fifth round of the 2023 draft by Carolina, turning pro last season with AHL Chicago, where he was a steady presence in 63 games for the Wolves. 

Elsewhere across the league:

  • The Seattle Kraken announced earlier today that key forward Jared McCann would not play in tonight’s game at Philadelphia, due to a lower-body-injury. It is expected that the 29-year-old will be day-to-day, thankfully not worse as Seattle is currently missing Kaapo Kakko, Frederick Gaudreau, and Ryker Evans due to injury. In McCann’s place, top prospect Berkly Catton has made his NHL debut.
  • Max Miller, San Jose’s beat reporter, noted earlier today that defenseman Timothy Liljegren returned to the ice as a normal participant. The Swede remains on the team’s injured reserve, having been placed last week with an upper-body injury, however, he seems to be ramping up for a return on Thursday as the Sharks travel to take on the Rangers. 

East Notes: Rangers, Mikkola, Malenstyn

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Earlier today, Rangers Head Coach Mike Sullivan told Mollie Walker of the New York Post that Vincent Trocheck is still not skating. Although they sit in the middle of the pack at .500, it has not been the smoothest of starts for New York, in a year where the group faces real pressure to turn the corner from a turbulent 2024-25. 

Trocheck appeared in the Rangers’ first two games before being injured vs Buffalo. Earlier it had been announced that the forward is week-to-week. Despite now being 32, Trocheck has been very reliable, being an 82-game player in his first three seasons in New York. Now the team hopes to have their vital center back soon. 

More injury news has come out of New York, as Colin Stephenson of Newsday confirmed that Noah Laba left tonight’s game vs Minnesota after taking a puck to the face. The rookie forward was helped off the ice, however, Stephenson went on to update that Laba has returned to the game. 

Elsewhere across the league:

  • David Dwork of The Hockey News noted earlier today that Panthers defenseman Niko Mikkola has returned to practice. Mikkola left Saturday’s game in Buffalo with an upper-body injury. The wear-and-tear of back to back Stanley Cups is certainly a possibility this year, for a Panthers group which has lost four straight games, already sorely missing Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk. Thankfully Mikkola appears ready to help the team get back on track.
  • The Buffalo Sabres announced today that forward Beck Malenstyn will be absent for the next few days due to a personal matter. The team did not elaborate, however, Head Coach Lindy Ruff’s comments suggest it is likely due to paternity leave. 26-year-old Josh Dunne, an organizational depth forward, has drawn into the Sabres lineup in place of Malenstyn. 

NHL Wants $2 Billion Expansion Fee

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In today’s episode of The FAN Hockey Show, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet discussed the NHL’s possible expansion, noting that the league wants a “large number”, around $2 Billion. 

Despite many recent rumblings of further expansion in the league, perhaps such a staggering amount will slow the roll somewhat. In the last few months it has been a hot topic. Atlanta has been brought up continuously, along with Arizona, Houston, and even Austin, Texas. 

Given all the change in the last several years, even the most hardcore NHL fans back in the mid 2010s would be stunned to see the Golden Knights, Kraken, and Mammoth in existence. And while the idea of the league surpassing 32 teams is questionable, there is no denying that expansion has done tremendous things for the development of the sport as a whole. From California, to Florida, Dallas, Nashville, Vegas, and all the others, youth hockey hotbeds emerge as a result of the NHL coming to town, and it is hard to ignore. 

Interestingly, just four years ago, the Seattle Kraken paid an expansion fee of $650 million, along with the Golden Knights’ $500 million in 2016. Clearly, if the NHL is going to go even further on expansion, it will only be to the most serious suitors who are willing to pay an exorbitant amount. 

Friedman’s comments suggest that a possible league expansion is further away than it may seem. While it is a very exciting concept for fans of untapped and deserving markets, the NHL having the most teams of any major North American professional sports league is a debatable concept, especially if they were to return to a city which has already had an NHL franchise come and go. 

Predators Confident Amidst Improved Start

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Ryan Kennedy of The Hockey News wrote earlier today on how Nashville has turned the page, and there is a feeling of fresh air in the organization. Although they lost to Toronto last night, in a small sample size, there are signs the group has rounded a corner, and that Head Coach Andrew Brunette’s adjustments could prove effective. At this point he, along with members of the team, are tired of talking about last season’s failure and are looking ahead. 

When GM Barry Trotz took over for icon David Poile, it appeared that the organization was finally set to do a full rebuild. Trotz picked up an assortment of veterans headlined by Ryan O’Reilly, who were mainly expected to lead through the team’s dog days. Brunette, Trotz’s former player, who scored the team’s first goal in franchise history, was brought in as head coach. 

Instead, in 2023-24 Nashville surprised everybody, and although they were defeated in the first round of the playoffs by Vancouver, it appeared the core may not be done. Likely motivated to give stalwarts such as Roman Josi and Filip Forsberg one more shot, Trotz stunned the hockey world, signing Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, and Brady Skjei in free agency. 

As glamorous as the signings were, Trotz lost key role players in Kiefer Sherwood and Jason Zucker, both who have proven their value with their new clubs. And as we all know, the big signings did not translate. Nashville got off to a brutal start to 2024-25 and never clawed their way out of the hole. Trotz made questionable moves such as waiving defenseman Dante Fabbro, who immediately revitalized his career in Columbus. It was a brutal season all around. 

The struggles rewarded the Preds with the #5 pick in the draft, which was sorely needed, considering that the last time the team had picked in the top 10 was Seth Jones in 2013. While the streak is impressive, it’s equally incriminating, showing the organization’s long time stuck in the middle. Trotz fell for the well-rounded game of Brady Martin, passing on potentially higher offensive upside players. So far Martin has made a great impression; however he is expected to return to the OHL soon, as the team looks to properly develop the young center. 

Trotz also went for a less-flashy offseason this time around, and so far, the team is off to a good start. Juuse Saros looks the part, while the team’s defense corps look improved, with Nick Perbix playing well, along with the emergence of a more under-the-radar prospect in Adam Wilsby. As Kennedy noted, the team has a more balanced scoring attack as well. Nashville is caught in a brutal division, but with the way the roster is constructed, a turnaround is in their best interest, even if modest. 

For as long as Saros, Josi, and Forsberg are on the team, perhaps Nashville has no choice but to push for contention. Three games in, there’s a long way to go, but the group looks rejuvenated and they hope to prove doubters wrong. 

Evening Notes: Red Wings, Motte, Matheson

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In today’s episode of The DFO Rundown, David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period speculated that the Red Wings have been looking for offense, especially down the middle, and could be looking to move defensemen to make it happen. The Wings have top prospect Nate Danielson in the fold, however he is out indefinitely, after making a strong case to make the team. Detroit’s search for another top forward is nothing new, however, given that they are forced to lean on their young defensemen, trading one of them seems unlikely. Pagnotta affirmed this, noting that Travis Hamonic or Erik Gustafsson could be candidates, but their value is limited at this point.

One such young Red Wing defenseman that likely should be untouchable is Axel Sandin-Pellikka. In an article shared by NHL.com columnist Nick Cotsonika today, which was written by NHL.com’s Adam Kimelman, the electric Swede is off to an impressive start, averaging 21 minutes a night. His three NHL games have already surpassed his AHL total, two with Grand Rapids last season, but the 20-year-old appears up to the challenge. 

Elsewhere across the league:

  • Journeyman Tyler Motte has been signed to a professional tryout with the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers, as announced by the team. Motte, 30, was unable to secure an NHL contract after being released from the Panthers in training camp. Originally drafted 121st overall by Chicago in 2013, the Michigan native carved out 455 games in the NHL, not appearing in the AHL since 2017-18. Now, Motte will look to earn a role with Charlotte in a bid to extend his career. 
  • In yesterday’s edition of Insider Trading, TSN’s Pierre Lebrun mentioned that Mike Matheson is at the forefront for Montreal. Given all their activity from Noah Dobson to Lane Hutson, Matheson was put off a bit, however now the team will look to lock up the pending UFA. Lebrun said that Matheson is interested in the possibility, but that he does not want a short-term deal. The 31-year-old took a step back last season after a 62-point explosion in 2023-24, but Montreal should expect a raise from his current $4.8MM value, as much as $7MM according to AFP Analytics. 

Injury Notes: Klingberg, Liljegren, Lindholm

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A trio of Swedish defensemen have been banged up, but are not expected to miss much time. First, out of San Jose, Sheng Peng of NBC Sports California updated earlier today that John Klingberg and Timothy Liljegren are out day-to-day, and are questionable for Friday, when the Sharks go to Utah. Both players were hurt last night, as San Jose was drubbed by Carolina, although each played high minutes. Liljegren is considered upper-body, which aligns with when he appeared shaken up after going down hard in an attempt to pin a Hurricane along the boards. 

Peng also added a key note, that fortunately, given that it was listed as lower-body, Klingberg’s ailment is not related to his ongoing hip trouble. For now, the Sharks could turn to Vincent Desharnais to make his season debut, along with the more intriguing young Shakir Mukhamadullin, who posted two assists in his only game this season. 

Elsewhere across the league:

  • Bruins Head Coach Marco Sturm recently told Belle Fraser, Multimedia Producer of the team, that Hampus Lindholm is also day-to-day, but is expected to resume skating tomorrow. The veteran enjoyed a major career resurgence in Boston in 2022-23, but unfortunately has been chasing it since, especially with an injury riddled 2024-25. Thankfully, Lindholm has managed to skate in two games for Boston so far, as he looks to get back on track and hope to help lead the team back to the playoffs come spring. 

Sabres Could Scratch Jiri Kulich

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Oct. 15: The message has evidently been received for Kulich, who will be in the lineup tonight after all, Ruff told reporters this morning. “If you really want to know, he’s playing,” Ruff told Rachel Lenzi of The Buffalo News. “I want to see his response tonight.”

Oct. 14: In yet another brutal start for the Buffalo Sabres, who are 0-3, young forward Jiri Kulich has caught blame from Head Coach Lindy Ruff and could be scratched, as mentioned by the Times Herald’s Bill Hoppe earlier today.

The 21-year-old forward has had a rough go of it so far this season, with no points in three games and a -4 rating. As Ruff told Hoppe, Kulich “hasn’t been good enough”, noting that his skating has not been at the level it was last year. In practice today, Kulich was seen with Jordan Greenway and Mason Geertsen. As Hoppe wrote, it is not exactly a promising sign for the youngster in advance of tomorrow’s game vs Ottawa. 

Despite the struggles and dissatisfaction from his coach, Kulich has not played less than 16 minutes a night so far in each of the club’s games. Although sheltering a young former first-round pick who doesn’t appear ready is not necessarily the wrong move, Ruff’s comments are interesting, throwing such blame at Kulich when the team has scored just two goals all season. Thankfully, Zach Benson is expected back tomorrow; however, with Josh Norris out long-term, it has been a terrible start for the Sabres. With the Senators set to move forward without their injured star captain Brady Tkachuk, tomorrow’s game will be a huge opportunity for Buffalo to finally get into the win column. 

Many eyes will turn to stars such as Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin to lead Buffalo out of the hole they find themselves in, but unfortunately, without Norris, it will be an uphill battle. If they prove unable to do so, at some point, it may be time to look at the team’s deeper issues than a player such as Kulich’s performance, and major changes could be on the horizon. 

Adin Hill Leaves Game Due To Injury

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A rough sequence from tonight’s game in Calgary has dealt a blow to the Golden Knights. Vegas’ starting goaltender Adin Hill left after the first period due to a lower body injury, as noted by Jesse Granger of The Athletic.

First, Hill appeared shaken up due to a shot that knocked his mask off, but in the following scrum, the 29-year-old seemed bothered by a lower body ailment as well. Akira Schmid took the crease to start the second period for the Golden Knights.

As mentioned by Granger, Carter Hart will become eligible to sign with a team tomorrow, but will not be able to play until December. The Knights have been speculated as a possible fit in the past, and while the hope is certainly that Hill will not be sidelined for long, it will be interesting to follow what comes next.

Matvei Michkov Seeing Fewer Minutes In Slow Start

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Having yet to record a point in the Flyers’ first three games, Kevin Kurz of The Athletic wrote earlier today on Matvei Michkov’s early season struggles. The ultra-talented Russian has been lightly benched at times by new Head Coach Rick Tocchet. Although this may raise some eyebrows, there are reasons for this outside of his play alone, as noted by Kurz. 

Philadelphia broke into the win column yesterday, pulling away late from the defending champion Panthers. While such a triumph could be encouraging, it is key to mention that Florida opted to start backup goalie Daniil Tarasov. As the Flyers sit at a bit of a crossroads this season, trying to etch a new identity with a roster that finally offers real youth, the 20-year-old Russian is their biggest piece for the future. Michkov led all rookies in goals in 2024-2025, with an impressive 63 points, all during a bit of a tumultuous season for the Black and Orange. 

Therefore, a scoreless first three games for Michkov isn’t ideal, along with falling ice time, down to 14:26. Interestingly, fellow young Russian Nikita Grebenkin appeared in Michkov’s place on a line with Sean Couturier and Travis Konecny in crunch time vs Florida. However, Tocchet emphasized that the swap was primarily to reward Grebenkin, who has made an impression so far. 

Additionally, there are other factors which have worked against Michkov, painting a picture perhaps a bit misleading. Tocchet mentioned that he has been getting up to speed from an ankle ailment over the summer, along with the fact that the Flyers have been highly penalized, often keeping their young star off the ice. Finally, Tocchet is wanting to implement an approach of balancing up-and-down the lineup, as the club searches for their identity. Philadelphia has made it clear that they will move into the future still leaning into their gritty playing style as always, but they will need to ensure it does not stunt the development of a potential offensive superstar. 

With all of this in mind, Tocchet’s utilization of Michkov will be interesting to monitor, but just three games in, it is still too soon to sound the alarms. With Michkov’s ability, it is likely just a matter of time. 

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