The Edmonton Oilers’ search for a defensive upgrade, particularly on the right side, is about to heat up, and plenty of names are already floating around as potential targets.
Given their salary cap constraints and limited future assets, a cheap and not too costly right-handed defenseman who can handle second-pairing duties if necessary would be the ideal addition for GM Stan Bowman. Those won’t be easy to find. However, one analyst wonders whether the Oilers could circle back on a player they actually drafted back in 2018.
When breaking down what Edmonton needs to do before the March 6 trade deadline, Craig Button listed several names he believes they should target — one being a former sixth-round pick (164th overall) of their own in Michael Kesselring.
Button said, h/t Jim Matheson:
“You know who might be another fit for the Oilers? Kesselring. I don’t know if they could get him back, but that might be another option.”
The 26-year-old Kesselring is a pending RFA in the second and final year of the two-year, $2.8 million extension he signed with the Mammoth in 2024. He’s tallied one point (one assist), 19 hits, and 32 blocks in 24 games to start his first season with Buffalo following this summer’s trade from Utah.
Others That Make Sense for Michael Kesselring
While a reunion with Kesselring would make a lot of sense for Edmonton, there could be plenty of other suitors capable of outbidding them — if he’s even available.
Michael Kesselring Sabres rumors
The Boston Bruins, Dallas Stars, Detroit Red Wings, Ottawa Senators, and San Jose Sharks are all in need of help on the right side of their respective blue lines and would undoubtedly have interest in such an affordable option, making just $1.4 million in 2025-26.
Buffalo probably won’t want to trade the 6’5″, 215-pound defenseman, especially given their lack of right-handed options on the back end. That said, Kesselring has battled through an injury-riddled season so far, and even when healthy, has had a pretty limited workload, averaging just 14:05 minutes per game.
Because of that, if a team comes to the table with a strong offer, it’s something new GM Jarmo Kekalainen would likely consider. It can’t be forgotten that he only recently inherited this roster; it was Kevyn Adams who orchestrated the deal to acquire Kesselring and Josh Doan in exchange for JJ Peterka back in June.
While the Doan part of the return for Peterka has worked out tremendously for the Sabres so far, Kesselring’s transition hasn’t been as smooth — and no matter what, Buffalo will have a decision to make with him as an RFA this offseason.
Next: Former GM Suggests the Oilers Pursue a Multi-Player Trade with Blackhawks
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