The Edmonton Oilers will be an interesting team to watch this offseason. After being knocked out in the first round of the playoffs by the Anaheim Ducks, it would not be surprising in the slightest if the Oilers look to make multiple changes to their roster this summer.
The Oilers have several areas on their roster that could use improvement. Among them is the right side of their blueline, and this will especially be the case if they are unable to re-sign pending unrestricted free agent (UFA) Connor Murphy. Yet, even if Murphy stays put, it would not be particularly surprising if the Oilers still brought in another right-shot defenseman this offseason.
Due to this, the Oilers have now been urged to strike a deal for a defenseman they already know well from the Buffalo Sabres.
Oilers Urged to Bring Sabres Defenseman Michael Kesselring Back to Edmonton
In a recent article for the Edmonton Sun, Jim Matheson urged the Oilers to try to swing a trade for Buffalo Sabres defenseman Michael Kesselring.
“The Oilers should be trying to bring back right-shot defenceman Mike Kesselring, the former Edmonton farmhand who was blocked in their depth chart and sent to Arizona for centre Nick Bjugstad in 2023. The 6-foot-5 Kesselring, 26, traded to the Sabres last June along with Josh Doan for JJ Peterka, isn’t playing for Buffalo in the playoffs,” Matheson wrote. “Word is Kesselring isn’t happy sitting.”
The Oilers acquiring Kesselring from the Sabres would make for an interesting story. This is because the right-shot defenseman was originally drafted by the Oilers with the 146th overall pick of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. However, he never played a game for the Oilers and instead kicked off his NHL career with the Arizona Coyotes.
While Kesselring was traded by Edmonton before he began his NHL career, the 26-year-old would now have the potential to be a strong addition to their roster. When looking at the Oilers’ roster, Kesselring could slot nicely on their bottom pairing. However, he could even compete for a spot on Edmonton’s second pairing if he bounced back from the change of scenery.
Kesselring recorded just two assists in 34 games this season with the Sabres. Yet, his past success indicates that he could turn things around next season. Just last season with the Utah Mammoth, he set career highs with seven goals, 22 assists, and 29 points. He also had five goals and 21 points in 65 games with Arizona in 2023-24, which was his breakout year. Thus, he could be an interesting blueliner for the Oilers to buy low on.
Oilers Need to Bring In a New Defenseman This Summer
Whether it’s Kesselring or another player, it is clear that the Oilers need to add another right-shot defenseman this summer. A few other trade candidates who could make sense for the Oilers to pursue include Rasmus Ristolainen, Colton Parayko, Braden Schneider, and Zach Whitecloud. Darren Raddysh, Jacob Trouba, John Carlson, and Radko Gudas are among this year’s top pending UFA defensemen.
Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see if the Oilers try to land Kesselring this summer from the Sabres. The possibility of him being moved by Buffalo is there.
Oilers Urged to Swing Trade for 6-Foot-5 Sabres Defenseman