The Edmonton Oilers have made it clear they’re gunning for another deep playoff run, but after a tough 7-3 loss to the Minnesota Wild, it’s also clear they’ve got some issues to address-especially on the defensive side of the puck.
Goaltender Tristan Jarry didn’t mince words following the loss, pointing to breakdowns in front of him as a key reason for the team’s struggles. “It’s tough,” Jarry said.
“I think the chances that we are giving up, some of the shots, they’re tough. A lot of Grade As, a lot of breakdowns, it’s tough to really think about your game at this point.
I think it’s the whole team.”
That’s not just a goalie venting after a rough night-it’s a message. And whether it’s aimed at the locker room or the front office, it hits the same: something needs to change defensively if the Oilers want to stay in the contender conversation.
Jarry wasn’t brought in to be a miracle worker. He’s supposed to be the final piece in a well-built defensive structure, not the guy bailing water out of a sinking ship.
So what’s next? With the Olympic break looming and the trade deadline on the other side, Edmonton is in a position where they have to decide if this current group can get them over the hump-or if reinforcements are needed. And according to insider Elliotte Friedman, there might already be a name on their radar: Brandon Carlo.
Carlo, now with the Toronto Maple Leafs after being dealt from Boston last March, is a big-bodied, right-shot defenseman who brings a shutdown presence. The Bruins shipped him to Toronto in a deal that netted them Fraser Minten and a first-round pick-a trade that’s looking better by the day for Boston. But now, with the Leafs reportedly open to selling at the deadline, Carlo could be back on the move.
Friedman floated the idea on his 32 Thoughts podcast, noting that Jarry’s comments may spark internal conversations in Edmonton. “I’m curious to see how the Oilers react to Jarry saying that,” Friedman said.
“It’s not a coach saying this anymore; it’s the goalie we just went out and got. How does that resonate in their room?
Do they get mad or do they say, ‘Wait a sec, this isn’t a coach, this is our peer’? It’s interesting too because I heard some talk that they might be interested in a guy like Brandon Carlo.”
That’s a lot to chew on. Carlo would certainly bring the kind of defensive stability the Oilers are lacking.
He’s not flashy, but he’s reliable, physical, and knows how to play heavy minutes against top competition. He’s the kind of player who can help calm things down in front of the net-something Jarry would no doubt appreciate.
The big question is whether the Oilers are willing to pay the price. Toronto gave up a solid package to get Carlo, and while they may not demand the same return, they’re not going to give him away either. But if Edmonton believes they’re one piece away from truly contending again, it might be time to push the chips in.
The Oilers are still the reigning kings of the Western Conference, but the road back to the Stanley Cup Final is more crowded than ever. Vegas, Colorado, Dallas-they’re all in the mix.
Standing pat might mean falling behind. But adding a piece like Carlo?
That could be the kind of move that tips the scales.
We’ll see if Jarry’s comments light a fire under the front office. One thing’s for sure: the Oilers know what they need. Now it’s just a matter of whether they go out and get it.