The Edmonton Oilers are in search of a top-four defenseman early in the season, following the departure of Philip Broberg to the St. Louis Blues. New General Manager Stan Bowman is facing challenges in strengthening the team's defense after failing to match the offer sheet for Broberg, who was seen as a key player.

With defensive struggles evident, especially after a recent loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Oilers are exploring trade options, including players like Connor Murphy and Ivan Provorov. The mishandling of Broberg's development is now a point of contention as the team looks for solutions to bolster their defense.