Oilers New Trade Acquisition Was the Right Call
One trade that the Edmonton Oilers made this off season was without a doubt a huge slam dunk.
Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images - Oilers New Trade Acquisition Was the Right CallEDMONTON -- Winning a trade can be difficult for some general managers.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWf2vG-IOio[/embed]
The Edmonton Oilers haven't always had success in the trade department. Peter Chiarelli specifically was heavily criticized for his trade track record.
For the new management team, securing a win with a trade like this was huge. That trade was Cody Ceci and a third round pick for Ty Emberson.
Emberson brings a lot of different attributes to the table. The 6-foot-2 and 193 lbs right-handed defender is only 24-years-old. But there are three big reasons for Oilers fans to be excited about this deal.
Emberson Has Kris Knoblauch Connection
The biggest (and most obvious) reason to be excited about the acquisition of Emberson is his connection to the Oilers head coach, Kris Knoblauch. He was coached by Knoblauch in 2022-23 while playing for the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack.
A personal connection to Knoblauch is a blessing that comes with responsibility. Connor Brown and Warren Foegele were two players last season to experience that. Both players found roles that made them effective players on the team. Knoblauch, and the rest of the coaching staff, worked together with them to make that happen.
Emberson Could Be Special Teams Asset
Emberson won't be replacing anyone on the power play anytime soon. However, with the departure of Vincent Desharnais and Ceci, two spots have opened up on the penalty kill. One person who could fill a role there is Emberson.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pT89G4cAhFE[/embed]
During last year's campaign with the Sharks, Emberson averaged 1:06 on the penalty kill. This isn't enough to guarantee that he gets a spot on that special teams unit. However, Knoblauch believes he is in consideration to do so.
When speaking with Bob Stauffer last week on Oilers Now, Knoblauch talked about the hole they have on their penalty kill. He had this to say about Emberson, "we'll definitely need somebody to step up and Ty Emberson is a great candidate to get some of that responsibility."
Emberson is Not Afraid to be Physical
Desharnais brought a lot of physicality to his role as a third pairing defender. He finished fourth on the entire Oilers team in hits last season, with 135 hits. The only players who threw their bodies around more were Mattias Ekholm, Darnell Nurse and Evander Kane.
With Emberson coming into the fold, there is no reason for concern. Last year with the Sharks he was credited with 94 hits. He only played 30 games in 2023-24. He was ranked sixth on the team in hits behind Fabian Zetterlund, Mario Ferraro, Nikita Okhotiuk, Luke Kunin and Kyle Burroughs.
He might not be the big second pairing upgrade that Oilers fans want him to be. But there is no denying that the Oilers trading for him was the right call for the organization.
Bookmark The Hockey News Edmonton Oilers team site to never miss news, interviews or any other updates on the Oilers.