The Edmonton Oilers have refrained from making any trades as the deadline approaches, but it’s anticipated they’ll become more active soon. With recent trades involving Chris Tanev to the Dallas Stars and Ilya Lyubushkin to the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Oilers need to explore other options for defense if they aim to reinforce their blue line. Despite prominent defensemen like Noah Hanifin, Zach Bogosian, and Joel Edmundson still available, the Oilers have the opportunity to upgrade their defensive depth. However, recent indications suggest their focus may be shifting towards acquiring forwards to enhance their scoring potential for a postseason push.
One player linked to the Oilers is Nic Dowd from the Washington Capitals, whose name has surfaced frequently in trade speculations this season. Jeff Marek of Sportsnet and Elliotte Friedman have both connected Dowd to the Oilers. While the exact asking price remains unclear, the Capitals are expected to be sellers, potentially making Dowd available. His defensive capabilities make him an attractive option to bolster the Oilers’ bottom six forward group.
The Oilers have also been linked to another Capitals forward, Anthony Mantha, though the likelihood of acquiring him seems lower due to the cost of his contract. Dowd, on the other hand, presents a more affordable option with term left on his deal, which could make him appealing to the Oilers. Their willingness to pay a significant price for a non-rental player, as demonstrated in acquiring Mattias Ekholm last season, suggests they are seriously considering Dowd.
Dowd, a 33-year-old right-shot forward from Huntsville, Alabama, was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in 2009. He has a background in various hockey leagues, including the North American Hockey League (NAHL), the United States Hockey League (USHL), and NCAA Division I with St. Cloud State University. Since transitioning to professional hockey, Dowd has primarily played in the NHL, demonstrating his defensive prowess and versatility.
In his NHL career spanning various teams, Dowd has showcased his defensive abilities and contributed modestly offensively. With the Capitals this season, he has tallied respectable numbers, further solidifying his value as a defensive-minded centerman.
The Oilers, who have faced defensive challenges this season, could benefit from Dowd’s defensive acumen, especially in crucial moments and on the penalty kill.
The Oilers are scheduled to play against the Seattle Kraken on Saturday, March 2, aiming to build on their recent overtime victory against the St. Louis Blues. Securing Dowd before the trade deadline could strengthen their roster for the postseason while leaving room for additional moves to further bolster the team.