A good problem to have in the NHL is still a problem. For the Edmonton Oilers, the imminent return of key players like Jake Walman and Zach Hyman from injury is forcing management into a difficult roster crunch, and it appears defenseman Ty Emberson could become the odd man out.
According to reporting from Oilers insider David Staples, the organization has a clear “pecking order” for moves to free up roster spots. Waiver-exempt forward Isaac Howard is the easy first move, followed by placing Curtis Lazar on waivers. However, the team is hesitant to expose promising center Noah Philp to the waiver wire, fearing another club would snatch him up. This is where the situation gets complicated and points directly toward the trade market. With the team needing to clear space on the blue line, Emberson’s name is a logical one to surface in trade discussions.
Analyzing the “Pecking Order” for an Oilers Trade
So, why Emberson? At 25, he is a capable, right-shot defenseman on a cost-effective contract, which is precisely the type of player that draws interest from other GMs around the league. While he has been a serviceable depth player for Edmonton, the defensive corps is getting crowded. With the return of Walman and the presence of Alec Regula, retaining Emberson may be a luxury the Oilers can’t afford, especially when they could potentially recoup an asset for him.
From my perspective, trading Emberson makes strategic sense. Rather than risk losing a player like Philp for nothing on waivers, General Manager Stan Bowman can proactively move Emberson for a mid-round draft pick or a prospect who doesn’t require an immediate roster spot. This maneuver would solve the immediate logjam, preserve organizational depth at center, and add a future asset. While losing a reliable defenseman is never ideal, it’s the kind of difficult, proactive decision that contending teams must make to stay flexible in a hard-cap league. Keep a close eye on this situation; a move could happen sooner rather than later.
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The post Edmonton Oilers Face Tough Roster Decision: Is Ty Emberson the Odd Man Out? appeared first on NHL Trade Rumors.
