The injuries too Mike Matheson and Joel Edmundson opened the door to young players who otherwise would not have made their NHL debuts so early.

Whether it be Xhekaj, Kovacevic Where harristhere is a good chance that two of these guys will start the season at Laval if everyone is healthy.

That means at some point they will come back to the game and there will be big decisions to be made. Especially if the offspring continue to impress.

As reported Jim Parsons For The Hockey Writers, the possibility of trading with Joel Edmundson in Edmonton would make a lot of sense.

The team plays with 11 forwards and 7 defenders most nights and cycles through several defenders to try and find the right combination of defensive pairings, but it was a real problem in all four games of the season preventing teams from repeating to shoot at their goalies. Sooner or later the question will be: how long can the Oilers allow that many shots before it costs them points overall?

-Jim Parsons

The Oilers need a top-four defenseman with a defensive streak, and Edmundson would bring them just that.

The question is what the Oilers could offer KentHughes because leaving him with no choice but to agree to let his hulking 29-year-old defender go?

One hope and one choice in the hope run + Cap Dump?

It may be too early for such a transaction, but if the Canadiens’ youngsters continue to assert themselves and the Oilers continue to give up so many shots and scoring chances, it’s certain that the two DGs will engage in talks.