Well, a shoe has finally dropped. Edmonton Oilers GM Peter Chiarelli has made a move to try and shore up the defense a little bit while the Oilers wait for Oscar Klefbom and Andrej Sekera to return from the IR
According to the venerable Bob McKenzie, the Oilers have traded D Chris Wideman and a third-round pick to Florida for D Alex Petrovic. Petrovic’s cap hit is $1.95M. He’s slated to become a UFA at season’s end.
— Daniel Nugent-Bowman (@DNBsports) December 30, 2018
The Oilers have had Petrovic on their radar for a long time now. I think Chiarelli probably overpaid for Petrovic but he had to get rid of a roster player as it was.
The Edmonton native wasn’t getting a lot of traction in Florida this season but I’m glad to have him on the roster as he’s a definite improvement on Matt Benning.
One thing I like is that his contract is off the books at the end of the year. That will be very helpful next summer.
I would not be surprised one bit if Benning’s time is coming to a close with the Oilers now. Not only because he hasn’t been playing well this year but because Edmonton need to clear his contract off the books before Sekera is activated. If I recall correctly, they’re near $2 million into Sekera’s IR cushion. They could also move any other player who makes around that much or more as well, meaning Kassian, Spooner, or Caggiula.
Petrovic is a right shot, 26-year-old Edmonton product.
Career high of 17 points (2G, 15A) in ‘15-16. More grit than offense, for sure…just one point in 26 games this year.
Could pair nicely with Benning/Jones on the third pair when everyone’s healthy 🤷🏻♂️
— Brenden Escott (@BrendenEscott) December 30, 2018
Petro is a tough SOB and plays a very honest game. I would say his game is limited offensively though and I’m weary of his puck moving ability. Ken Hitchcock will like him though as he’s got an industrious work ethic.
Chris Wideman, we hardly knew ya. I would’ve like to have seen him in some more adventageous deployment but it is what it is. He didn’t fit into what Hitchcock was doing here and that’s too bad. Perhaps he’ll have more luck with the Panthers.
https://twitter.com/AdamsOnHockey/status/1079452228514004992
I tend to agree here with Mr.Adams. The defense will look very nice once it’s all put together.
NOW to tend to the forwards…
