NHL insider Elliotte Friedman links the Edmonton Oilers to several superstar defensemen

NHL insider Elliotte Friedman stated that the Oilers are looking for defensive help, and one of their main targets is superstar defenseman Seth Jones of Chicago.

Sports insider Elliotte Friedman recently named a few defensemen the Edmonton Oilers could look to in their attempt to stabilize their defense. The Oilers really aren't suffering from just poor defense these days. Their shooting percentage has dropped and their penalty kill is as terrible as it's ever been. However, the Oilers have positioned themselves in a better spot than last year, which should be pretty encouraging despite needed improvements with some solid ground to improve from.

They are certainly looking at trade routes to improve their roster, according to Friedman, and they are in search of more dependable defenders. During his appearance on 'Oilers Now', host Bob Stauffer asked Friedman to name some of the defensemen that might actually be available to help the Oilers this season. Friedman named a few interesting ones to start with Anaheim Ducks veteran Cam Fowler. With 983 games played and an average of over 23 minutes of ice time per game, Fowler would indeed bring stability and experience to the Oilers' blue line. Word is, Fowler and the Ducks have discussed his future, which leaves the door open for a potential trade.

Of course, that said, the Chicago Blackhawks might offer some viable defensive options to the Oilers as well. One such name that has been discussed is Connor Murphy, but a couple of more surprising ones are out there, too. With the addition of both Alec Martinez and TJ Brodie this offseason, the Blackhawks now have a ton of depth on the blue line and might be more apt to move Murphy. According to Friedman, the Blackhawks might be willing to deal one of their defensemen, a move that would provide the Edmonton Oilers with a very capable asset without depleting their roster or moving one of their forwards.

The final surprise name was Friedman listing Seth Jones of the Chicago Blackhawks. Very talented, he has loads of experience and has a $9.5 million contract with a no-movement clause. If Edmonton were serious about adding Jones, it would likely take some maneuvering, perhaps with the help of a third team retaining a portion of his salary. If it comes to structuring around salary retention in a deal, there is little doubt that the addition of Jones would bolster the Oilers' defensive lineup.

The Oilers are taking promising strides from last year, but further defensive improvements could lock in a higher standing. It is unclear whether any of those players mentioned will materialize into a deal, but Edmonton's continued searching via the trade market is the first step in their commitment to addressing the most glaring weaknesses and moving along as a more competitive team.

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