As the NHL pauses for the Olympics, the Edmonton Oilers face increasing pressure to strengthen their defense. With Paul Coffey rejoining the coaching staff and rumors circulating about adding a defenceman at the trade deadline, the team appears set on addressing its defensive challenges. However, there is speculation about whether solutions might come from within the current roster, particularly regarding the Oilers defense pairing changes involving Evan Bouchard and Mattias Ekholm.
Assessing the Stability of Bouchard and Ekholm’s Partnership
The idea of separating the long-standing defensive duo of Bouchard and Ekholm initially seems unlikely given their proven effectiveness. Ekholm’s presence has been crucial in Bouchard’s development, helping him transition into a leading player. Together, they have been perhaps the Oilers’ strongest defense pairing this season, often supporting star forward Connor McDavid.
Bouchard’s offensive skills are essential for advancing the puck and creating scoring opportunities, benefits amplified when playing alongside McDavid. Nonetheless, the consideration to break up this pair stems not from any drop in performance but from the desire to explore whether reshuffling the defense could lead to improved overall results. Ekholm’s advancing age and recent injuries raise the possibility of easing his workload to prolong his effectiveness, especially as he was not selected for Sweden’s Olympic team.
Examining the Possibility of Pairing Nurse and Bouchard
There is growing evidence that Bouchard can succeed away from Ekholm. Last season, he performed well skating alongside Brett Kulak, and this campaign has shown promising results when paired with Darnell Nurse. Although their combined ice time remains limited, the Bouchard-Nurse partnership has consistently delivered solid numbers.
According to moneypuck.com, among Oilers defense pairs with a minimum of 50 minutes played, Bouchard and Nurse rank second in expected goals percentage, with Nurse and Ekholm leading that metric. These two pairings provide viable alternatives should the team decide to split their most reliable blueline duo.
It is worth noting that Nurse’s success has not been consistent with every partner; his pairing with Jake Walman, for example, has been disappointing. This underperformance could be part of the motivation behind considering a shakeup in the defensive pairs.
Challenges Surrounding Jake Walman’s Role on Defense
Jake Walman has struggled to establish his game this season, partly hindered by injuries. There is concern that the decision by GM Stan Bowman to extend Walman’s contract may not pay off as hoped. Despite these obstacles, the Oilers are tasked with finding an ideal defensive partner for Walman to better utilize his skills.
Walman has not consistently produced strong results with any teammate, including Ekholm, though limited playing time and injury provide some context. The Oilers possess four capable defencemen but are still searching for two reliable, well-synced pairings.
Given Nurse’s apparent chemistry with both Bouchard and Ekholm, an option could be to align Walman with one of these two veterans to spark improved performance. Ekholm seems a natural fit for Walman, yet Bouchard’s frequent deployment with McDavid’s line could also influence pairing decisions.
Possible Strategies to Enhance Oilers’ Defensive Pairings
The Oilers could maintain their current defensive structure, hoping the Olympic break allows Walman to regroup and find better form alongside Nurse. This approach relies on optimism and the potential benefits of rest and coaching adjustments.
Alternatively, adjustments to the top four defenders could involve pairing Walman with Ekholm, leveraging Ekholm’s veteran presence to support and potentially elevate Walman’s game. This might require one player operating on an off-side, which has shown limited success so far but could improve with more time together. This arrangement would pair Nurse and Bouchard to sustain competitive balance across defensive pairs.
Another intriguing option is to form two unbalanced but strategically complementary units. Walman could be matched with Bouchard to create a more offensively focused duo, benefiting from the protective ice time behind McDavid’s line. Meanwhile, Nurse and Ekholm could form a more defensive, shutdown pairing. Nurse’s role often attracts criticism for perceived shortcomings, but combining him with a defensively reliable Ekholm could maximize their strengths.
The final alternative involves acquiring an additional defenseman to upgrade the group. Such a move might allow Bouchard and Ekholm to remain paired, while the team figures out suitable combinations beneath them. However, acquiring a high-quality, right-handed defenceman at a reasonable cost is challenging, forcing the Oilers to weigh trade asset management against roster needs. No guarantees exist that the ideal candidate will be available at the deadline.
Implications of Defensive Pairing Changes for the Oilers’ Season
Ultimately, the Oilers control the manner in which they deploy the players on their roster. With a demanding schedule awaiting once NHL play resumes, the team must quickly gain momentum despite a history of slow starts.
The limited games before the trade deadline present an opportunity to experiment with defensive alignments, even if it means taking the unconventional step of dividing their most reliable pairing. How the Oilers manage these decisions could influence their defensive stability and overall competitiveness as the season progresses.
