The Nashville Predators took a chance at the 2024 trade deadline and decided not to move Alexandre Carrier even though there was interest. Nashville ended up making the playoffs and Carrier was one of the bright spots for the Predators in the first round. Without a contract, it looks like Carrier could be headed to free agency as the 27-year-old is a UFA. At worst for the Predators, he was seen as their own rental, but there are some younger d-men on the rise and trying to break into the NHL in full time roles. Carrier is arguably more effective than many of the defensemen the Predators currently have signed, but the problem is that he's without a contract and players like Luke Schenn and Dante Fabbro are not. If and possibly when Carrier hits the open market on July 1, there is one team that should be at the forefront in trying to sign him. That team is one of the Stanley Cup Final teams in the Edmonton Oilers. CARRIER FITS OILERS' NEEDS WELL The Oilers were one of the teams mentioned in trade rumors if Carrier was going to be moved before the trade deadline this year. The right side of the Oilers' defense is far worse than the left side and Carrier, being a right shot, is capable of playing on the second or third pairing. Edmonton is desperately searching for a defenseman who can play with Darnell Nurse as it has been on repeated display that Cody Ceci is not that partner. The Oilers went back to that pairing once again in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final and the first two goals of the game were scored against that pairing at 5-on-5. Though Ceci has one year left on his deal in Edmonton, there is no way the Oilers don't dump his contract somewhere or buy him out. Vincent Desharnais, the other right-shot defenseman, has now been a healthy scratch in favor of Philip Broberg and Desharnais is a UFA after this season. Nashville Predators defenseman Alexandre Carrier speaks to the media following the conclusion of the 2023-24 season. While I expect either Brett Kulak or Broberg to move over and play the right side, this leaves a spot for Carrier who won't be expensive, but also won't be dirt cheap. Carrier can do it at both ends of the ice and may be the answer to stabilizing Nurse on the second pairing for the Oilers. That is the weak spot on Edmonton's back-end and the playoff performance by Carrier just showed that he can step up and make an impact when the games matter most. At 5-on-5 during the regular season, Carrier had a Fenwick For %, Corsi For %, Shots For %, Goals %, expected Goals %, and High Danger Chances For % of at least 51% and a Scoring Chances For % and High Danger Goals For % of at least 50%. The Oilers don't necessarily have any top defensive prospects pushing for spots in the NHL immediately, so they have to fill their needs elsewhere. Something has to be done on the back-end for Edmonton and Carrier feels like one of, if not the best option for his value that the Oilers can bring in. RECENT PREDATORS NEWS Juuse Saros' Camp Potentially Waiting for Shesterkin Deal Before Signing With Predators [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/latest-news/juuse-saros-camp-potentially-waiting-for-shesterkin-deal-before-signing-with-predators] Should the Predators Really Re-Sign Jason Zucker? [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/latest-news/should-the-predators-really-re-sign-jason-zucker] Podcast: Juuse Saros Trade Rumors, NHL Draft Primer & Stanley Cup Final Preview [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/podcasts/podcast-juuse-saros-trade-rumors-nhl-draft-primer-stanley-cup-final-preview] Nashville Predators' First Offseason Trade Could Come at the Draft [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/latest-news/nashville-predators-first-offseason-trade-could-come-at-the-draft]
