{"id":461227,"date":"2026-02-17T20:56:15","date_gmt":"2026-02-17T20:56:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/461227\/"},"modified":"2026-02-17T20:56:15","modified_gmt":"2026-02-17T20:56:15","slug":"3-right-shot-defensemen-the-oilers-could-target-in-a-trade","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/461227\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Right-Shot Defensemen the Oilers Could Target in a Trade"},"content":{"rendered":"

Edmonton Oilers fans are well aware of the team\u2019s recent shift in plans<\/a> ahead of the March 6 trade deadline. Rather than prioritizing a top-nine forward, the focus has turned to the blue line in hopes of adding an impactful piece to help address their defensive issues.<\/p>\n

The obstacles in doing so have been well documented. Limited cap space and a lack of premium assets won\u2019t make things easy. That said, GM Stan Bowman does have a solid enough collection of draft picks and some prospects at his disposal, so there will be an expectation that he finds a way to navigate around those challenges.<\/p>\n

While any meaningful addition to the defense corps would be significant, what the Oilers need most is a right-shot defenseman capable of handling top-four minutes if necessary. That\u2019s one of the hardest positions to fill in today\u2019s NHL, but there are a few solid, affordable options Edmonton could realistically pursue.<\/p>\n

So, let\u2019s take a look at three of them.<\/p>\n

The New York Rangers\u2019 retool has put almost everyone in play on the trade market, and a disappointing 2025-26 season has seen Braden Schneider surface in the rumor mill<\/a> as a part of it. Some may hesitate because of that, but few players have found much success in New York this year, and at just 24 years old, Schneider could be well worth taking a chance on.<\/p>\n

His first few seasons with the Rangers had many believing he could develop into a dependable second-pairing option, and the sample size of good has been far larger than the bad. Schneider is a strong skater who brings an element of physicality and edge to his game \u2014 a combination the Oilers could certainly use on the right side of their blue line.<\/p>\n

\"BradenBraden Schneider trade Oilers<\/p>\n

At a manageable $2.2 million cap hit, Stan Bowman wouldn\u2019t have to stress about fitting him into the salary cap picture, and Edmonton would own his RFA rights at season\u2019s end. GM Chris Drury<\/a> would want something of substance in return, but the Oilers should have enough assets \u2014 whether it\u2019s a draft pick, a pick plus a prospect, or multiple picks \u2014 to be in the mix.<\/p>\n

There have been conflicting reports<\/a> on whether the Oilers are in fact interested in Brandon Carlo, and while his time in Toronto has been far from ideal, that could create the right opportunity for Edmonton to pounce and buy somewhat low.<\/p>\n

Injuries and an overall struggle to find a fit have plagued Carlo as a Maple Leaf \u2014 not to mention the haul GM Brad Treliving gave up to get him, which only makes it look worse<\/a>. That said, the numbers don\u2019t appear nearly as poor as the eye test might sometimes suggest, and this time one year ago, Carlo would have been a dream acquisition for the Oilers\u2019 blue line.<\/p>\n

Fast forward to now, and he\u2019s still at a very reasonable $3.485 million cap hit with term \u2014 Boston retaining 15% of his $4.1 million salary \u2014 and would likely come at much less of a cost than at any point in recent years. It\u2019s a move that makes more sense than ever before.<\/p>\n

As soon as Zach Whitecloud was traded from Vegas to Calgary as part of the return package for Rasmus Andersson<\/a>, reports immediately suggested<\/a> that GM Craig Conroy<\/a> and the Flames were receiving calls about whether they\u2019d be willing to flip him again before the deadline.<\/p>\n

The Oilers are quite familiar with the 29-year-old thanks to their battles with the Golden Knights over the years. He\u2019s ideally a No. 5 or 6 defenseman, though depending on how the pairings shake out, he\u2019s capable of spending time in the top four, and has plenty of experience making deep playoff runs, including winning a Stanley Cup in 2022-23.<\/p>\n

Whitecloud\u2019s $2.75 million cap hit through 2027-28 is what makes him such an attractive trade chip for contending teams<\/a> like Edmonton. While it\u2019s certainly possible they would have to pay a \u201cBattle of Alberta\u201d tax to acquire him, the price should still fall within their spending range.<\/p>\n

Next: Analyst Pinpoints What Makes Auston Matthews Different from Connor McDavid<\/a><\/p>\n

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