Edmonton Oilers Eye Game-Changing Blue Line Trade, Says NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman

The Edmonton Oilers' 2024-25 season is off to a far more turbulent start than many projected, and it's fair to say the fanbase and analysts alike are concerned about where the weaknesses of this team lie, especially on the back end. While the Oilers' offense has indeed proven to be as razor-sharp as ever, the results on the ice have exposed some serious struggles on their blue line. In an attempt to try and rectify those issues, word is that General Manager Stan Bowman is wasting little time. According to insider Elliotte Friedman, Bowman has been aggressively chasing a high-end, top-four defenseman to improve the Oilers' blue line, which is an indication that the team is committed to making a significant upgrade on defense.

A few names that have been tossed around as possible options for the Oilers include the Anaheim Ducks' Cam Fowler, Connor Murphy of the Chicago Blackhawks, and Matt Benning, who was recently traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Of course, the Oilers' search for defensive reinforcements got a new, intriguing name across their radar. Each of those players presents different skill sets that can cure different ills on defense, but this newest target might be the most impactful addition yet if the Oilers can make it work financially.

Acquiring Seth Jones, who stands with the Blackhawks, would be a game-changer for the Oilers' blue line. Adding him to Darnell Nurse would make for an imposing top pairing in Edmonton, but his hefty $9.5 million salary cap hit being locked in through the 2029-30 season creates a major obstacle. Given how tight the Oilers are against the cap, acquiring Jones flat-out isn't realistic without some major monetary maneuvering. Others have hypothesized that it would be a three-team deal involving the consumption of a portion of his salary, at the expense of future draft picks, a gamble of the highest order that could have serious implications for the long term.

What really adds another dimension to the speculation is the linkage between Bowman and Jones. The GM in Chicago of the Blackhawks when Jones signed his massive contract, Bowman does have a real vested interest in the player's success and might be motivated to reunite with him in Edmonton. Very well could be the Oilers take a lesser-priced but solid option such as Fowler or Rasmus Andersson. These players will not offer the elite talent Jones does, but they may bring some of the consistency and ability this team needs dearly on defense without creating a cap crisis.

Ultimately, how Stan Bowman navigates this critical decision will be telling. If he chooses to pursue Seth Jones, it means the Oilers intend to go all-in on a championship push, regardless of long-term risks. Conversely, a move trading for a player like Cam Fowler or Rasmus Andersson might result in a more measured improvement of their defense. With the Oilers Nation holding their collective breath, rest assured that Bowman's next move will play an extremely important role in shaping their path not only this season but for many seasons beyond.