Seattle Kraken defender Adam Larsson could be the missing piece of the Oilers' defence.

Edmonton Oilers fans are hoping for a deeper playoff run in 2023-24. Team management is also looking to go further, which is why there are so many rumors around top-4 right handed defencemen. One defender who should merit serious consideration to acquire is former Oiler, Adam Larsson.

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The Oilers could use a defender like Larsson. He plays a tough and rugged defensive style in his own end. He can chip in offensively and is very familiar with most of the team and the city of Edmonton. After two seasons away from the Oilers, it's time to bring him back.

Larsson's Affordable Contract

Larsson is entering the third year of his four-year deal with a $4-million cap hit. The last two years of this deal have a modified no trade clause, where Larsson gives a list of 10 teams he doesn't want to be traded to. With them being favorites to win the Stanley Cup, I would imagine that the Oilers would not be on Larsson's no trade list.

Depending on the assets that the Oilers move to acquire Larsson, there may be retained salary involved. Warren Foegele and Kailer Yamamoto are rumored to be the main trade bait for the Oilers. Both players should appeal to the Seattle Kraken and fit into their forecheck-heavy defensive game. If the package is Yamamoto plus a draft pick or prospect-the Kraken would have to retain around $1-million. Otherwise the Oilers would need to make a separate deal to have the money make sense.

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Cody Ceci could also go the other way to the Kraken. With about a $750,000 difference in salary this trade could be one-for-one. Because of the role that Larsson has played on the Kraken, I imagine they would need a sweetener added. Either the 2024 1st round pick, a top prospect (like Xavier Bourgault) or even Foegele could be enough to seal the deal.

Larsson's Underrated Offensive Game

In Larsson's two years with the Kraken he has achieved a career high in points-first with 25 points in 2021-22, and then 33 points in 2022-23. He's always had a blistering slap shot from the point that can catch the opposition off-guard. He's been shooting more since arriving in Seattle, averaging 1.7 and 1.5 shots on goal per game. For the Oilers the most he averaged was 1.5 in 2017-18 and 1.4 in 2018-19. 

This past season he played 1415 minutes with Vince Dunn. Larsson was the defensive anchor for the pairing while Dunn was able to rover around the offensive zone to create scoring chances. According to Natural Stat Trick this pairing was first in the league in offensive zone starts with 245. The next two pairings on the list are from the Carolina Hurricanes-Brady Skjei & Brett Pesce and Jaccob Slavin & Brent Burns.

Larsson Is Nasty In His Own End.

Anyone who watched the Oilers know that Larsson defends his own end very well. He's not afraid to cross check and shove guys around who get into his goalie's crease. He displays the same toughness along the boards. He's not the best at breaking the puck out of his own end so having someone with those skills is paramount to his on ice success. Pairing him with either Brett Kulak or Philip Broberg with a lot of offensive zone starts would be a recipe for success for the Oilers.

While we can speculate about the on ice product, there are many off ice factors that impact decisions. The Oilers were willing to extend Larsson, but instead he became the Kraken's pick from them and immediately signed a four-year deal. It's said that he was informed of his Father's cardiac arrest while at Oilers' practice. His Father was in Edmonton when this tragic event occurred. If there is any reason that Larsson doesn't accept a trade to the Oilers, it's because of the memories of this tragic event.

The Oilers would have a vastly improved defence corps with Larsson in the fold. If he has the Oilers on his no-trade list or not remains to be seen. Until that is revealed, he will continue to enjoy another great year in Seattle.