{"id":469276,"date":"2026-02-24T07:29:28","date_gmt":"2026-02-24T07:29:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/469276\/"},"modified":"2026-02-24T07:29:28","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T07:29:28","slug":"analyst-floats-sabres-defenseman-as-trade-target-for-the-oilers-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/469276\/","title":{"rendered":"Analyst Floats Sabres Defenseman as Trade Target for the Oilers"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Edmonton Oilers\u2019 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.<\/p>\n

Given their salary cap constraints and limited future assets, a cheap and not too costly right-handed defenseman<\/a> who can handle second-pairing duties if necessary would be the ideal addition for GM Stan Bowman. Those won\u2019t be easy to find. However, one analyst wonders whether the Oilers could circle back on a player they actually drafted back in 2018.<\/p>\n

When breaking down what Edmonton needs to do before the March 6 trade deadline, Craig Button listed several names he believes they should target \u2014 one being a former sixth-round pick (164th overall) of their own in Michael Kesselring<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Button said<\/a>, h\/t Jim Matheson:<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know who might be another fit for the Oilers? Kesselring. I don\u2019t know if they could get him back, but that might be another option.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u2019s tallied one point (one assist), 19 hits, and 32 blocks in 24 games to start his first season with Buffalo following this summer\u2019s trade from Utah.<\/p>\n

Others That Make Sense for Michael Kesselring<\/p>\n

While a reunion with Kesselring would make a lot of sense for Edmonton, there could be plenty of other suitors capable of outbidding them \u2014 if he\u2019s even available.<\/p>\n

\"MichaelMichael Kesselring Sabres rumors<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Buffalo probably won\u2019t want to trade the 6\u20195\u2033, 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.<\/p>\n

Because of that, if a team comes to the table with a strong offer, it\u2019s something new GM Jarmo Kekalainen<\/a> would likely consider. It can\u2019t be forgotten that he only recently inherited this roster; it was Kevyn Adams<\/a> who orchestrated the deal to acquire Kesselring and Josh Doan<\/a> in exchange for JJ Peterka<\/a> back in June.<\/p>\n

While the Doan part of the return for Peterka has worked out tremendously for the Sabres so far<\/a>, Kesselring\u2019s transition hasn\u2019t been as smooth \u2014 and no matter what, Buffalo will have a decision to make with him as an RFA this offseason.<\/p>\n

Next: Former GM Suggests the Oilers Pursue a Multi-Player Trade with Blackhawks<\/a><\/p>\n

\tDiscover more from NHL Trade Talk<\/p>\n

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