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The Oilers have to make some more moves

With the Sekera signing, the Oilers have to make another move.

Harry How/Getty Images

This morning, the Oilers made the move to sign Andrej Sekera to a 6 year, $33 million deal effectively making him the best defenceman the team has. This move I am a huge fan of. Chiarelli went out and got the best defenceman in the Free Agent market and immediately improved our defence.

When we look at the nine potential players the Oilers could have in the lineup this season, it's apparent that something has to give.

Name

Age

Years remaining

Cap Hit



Andrej Sekera

29

6

$5.5 mil

Nikita Nikitin

29

1

$4.5 mil

Justin Schultz

24

RFA

N/A

Mark Fayne

28

3

$3.625 mil

Andrew Ference

36

2

$3.25 mil

Eric Gryba

27

1

$1.25 mil

Oscar Klefbom

21

1

$894 166

Darnell Nurse

20

3

$863 333

Griffin Rienhart

21

2

$863 333

This afternoon, TSN's Ryan Rishaug was on TSN's Free Agent Frenzy show where he talked about the Oilers having to make another move on our backend. Which one of these is not like the others? In my opinion, the Oilers need to find a way to move out one of Nikita Nikitin or Andrew Ference.

After passing on the buyout window that closed yesterday, we will now have to look to the trade market to move out one (or more) of the bodies that take up the 9 players who have a chance to make it on the Oilers roster next year. Who knows, maybe Justin Schultz could be one of the players on the move.

This is nothing besides myself spitballing, but I wonder if the Oilers could pluck a defenceman out from Nashville. Barrett Jackman just signed for two years there, giving them an eighth defenceman who can play in the NHL. Again, nothing more than spitballing but could the Oilers make a move to get Seth Jones? He would certainly provide a giant upgrade to the Oilers blueline.