Edmonton Oilers' site editor Caleb Kerney talks about Cody Ceci & Brett Kulak's need to improve limiting high danger chances against their goaltenders. Yesterday, we discussed [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/analysis/oilers-projected-forward-lines-based-on-captains-skate] the Edmonton Oilers [https://puckpedia.com/team/edmonton-oilers]' projected forward lines based on last week's captain's skate. Now, for the second edition of this two-part series, let's dive into the defensive pairings that we saw during the practice. TOP PAIRING: NURSE & BOUCHARD During the captain's skate, we saw Darnell Nurse [https://puckpedia.com/player/darnell-nurse] and Evan Bouchard [https://puckpedia.com/player/evan-bouchard] link up on the top pairing. Nurse has been the team's number-one defenseman for multiple seasons, and that is expected to carry over to 2022-23. Meanwhile, Bouchard showed during the playoffs that he has elite potential [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/opinion/oilers-bouchard-poised-for-best-offensive-season-for-defender-since-paul-coffey], and he will be aiming to build off it in 2023-24. Darnell Nurse [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTk4NjA5ODQ4Mjg2MzI0NjQ3/usatsi_20337677_168401874_lowres.jpg] Darnell Nurse If utilized during the regular season, this defensive pairing would be interesting to see. Both of these defensemen have the potential to put up at least 45-point campaigns this season. However, with Bouchard specifically being an offensive defenseman, I do wonder if the better fit would be continuing to pair him with the defensively responsible Mattias Ekholm [https://puckpedia.com/player/mattias-ekholm]. They worked beautifully together [https://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/2709782] last season. SECOND PAIRING: EKHOLM & BROBERG Speaking of Ekholm, we interestingly saw him work with young defenseman Philip Broberg [https://puckpedia.com/player/philip-broberg]. The 2023-24 season is a crucial one for Broberg [https://www.prohockeyrumors.com/2023/09/latest-on-philip-broberg.html], as the 2019 eighth-overall pick is looking to prove that he can reach his full potential. At this point in his career, he has yet to take that big step. Perhaps playing with a grizzled veteran like Ekholm could be the jolt he needs to do that. Related: Underrated Oiler Makes a Surprising Appearance at the Biosteel NHL Camp [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/news/underrated-oiler-makes-a-surprising-appearance-at-the-biosteel-nhl-camp] Ekholm has shown since joining the Oilers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/] that he can make the players around him perform better, so I like the idea of this potential pairing. We also should not overlook that they are both from Sweden. This added element could make Ekholm a great mentor for Broberg moving forward. THIRD PAIRING: BRETT KULAK & CODY CECI Brett Kulak [https://puckpedia.com/player/brett-kulak] and Cody Ceci [https://puckpedia.com/player/cody-ceci] were seen working together as a possible third pairing. Truthfully, this duo has the potential to be a strong bottom pairing. Kulak's two-way game is underrated but quite effective. Meanwhile, Ceci might benefit from taking a smaller bottom-pairing role instead of playing top-four minutes. Brett Kulak [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTk4NDAzMzc2MDU1MDY4NTAx/usatsi_20539064_168401874_lowres.jpg] Brett Kulak Overall, this pairing would have the potential to provide reliable defensive play while the Oilers' top guns get their rest. Vincent Desharnais [https://puckpedia.com/player/vincent-desharnais] could also swap in occasionally on this pairing, but he will primarily serve as the club's seventh defenseman. Related: Oilers Unlikely to Trade Defenseman, Insider Says [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/news/oilers-unlikely-to-trade-defenseman-insider-says] Nevertheless, we saw some interesting combos at the Oilers' captain's skate [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/news/oilers-are-all-smiles-at-first-captains-skate]. We will need to wait and see if these end up being the pairings that they use on opening night from here. Related: Former Oilers Who Are Still Free Agents [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/analysis/former-oilers-who-are-still-free-agents] Related: Oilers' Skinner & Campbell Tandem Could Be One of NHL's Bests in 2023-24 [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/opinion/oilers-skinner-campbell-tandem-could-be-one-of-nhls-bests-in-2023-24] Related: Oilers' PTOs Are Players Fans Should Root For [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/opinion/oilers-ptos-are-players-fans-should-root-for]
