The Edmonton Oilers could look for an upgrade on the blueline during the season. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Aaron Ekblad [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA4NzcyNjQzMzg4NjYyOTU3/usatsi_23542126_168400847_lowres.jpg] Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Aaron Ekblad Longtime Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad has occasionally surfaced [https://thehockeynews.com/news/trade-speculation-still-swirls-about-panthers-defenseman-aaron-ekblad] in this summer's NHL trade rumor mill. Much of the speculation is based on the 28-year-old's eligibility for UFA status next July, suggesting Panthers GM Bill Zito could peddle him this season rather than risk losing him to free agency. The Hockey News' David Dwork cited some recent media-generated rumors [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/if-indulging-in-aaron-ekblad-trade-rumors-first-understand-how-panthers-build-roster] linking Ekblad to the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs. However, he pointed out that the suggested trade proposals don't account for how Zito built the Panthers. Dwork believes any players received for Ekblad must fit seamlessly into coach Paul Maurice's systems. They must also be hardworking character players who would be welcomed into the Panthers' tight-knit roster. The off-season departure of Brandon Montour means Ekblad could be logging top-pairing right-side minutes on their blueline this season. Trading him now would further deplete their right-side depth. Expect Ekblad to play out this season with the defending Stanley Cup champions. Speaking of defensemen, the Edmonton Oilers' blueline lost some veteran depth after trading Cody Ceci last weekend to the San Jose Sharks for the inexperienced Ty Emberson. They suffered another blow by not matching the St. Louis Blues' offer sheet to Philip Broberg. The Score's Josh Wegman believes [https://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/3057300/answering-5-questions-after-oilers-decline-to-match-blues-offer-sheets] the Oilers must add a top-four defenseman (preferably a right-handed one) before the March 2025 trade deadline. Wegman suggested the Seattle Kraken's Adam Larsson and Will Borden, the Montreal Canadiens' David Savard and the Detroit Red Wings' Jeff Petry as right-shot rental possibilities, pointing out Larsson and Petry are former Oilers. He also mentioned left-shot options, such as Jakob Chychrun of the Washington Capitals, Marcus Pettersson of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Ivan Provorov of the Columbus Blue Jackets. Wegman proposed the Oilers should also consider adding a defenseman with term remaining on their contracts, such as Montreal's Mike Matheson, San Jose's Mario Ferraro, Radko Gudas of the Anaheim Ducks or Connor Murphy of the Chicago Blackhawks. That's unlikely since the Oilers need all the cap space they can get next season to re-sign Leon Draisaitl and Evan Bouchard. Speaking of Ceci, Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal suspects [https://x.com/jimmathesonnhl/status/1825649405804032390] he won't be with the Sharks for long this season. He believes the rebuilding club will trade the pending UFA to a playoff contender at the March 2025 trade deadline. Get the latest news and trending stories right to your inbox by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here [https://info.thehockeynews.com/mail/microsites/951/1/gTeQVf?_gl=1*ustlbj*_ga*NjkyMzUxMy4xNjYzNjIwMzQ3*_ga_PK63FB1PME*MTcxMzUwOTExNi40NDguMS4xNzEzNTA5MjA5LjU5LjAuMA..]. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or by visiting our forum [https://thehockeynews.rtb.io/THNHOME/posts].
