Former Edmonton Oilers prospect defenseman Michael Kesselring could be on the move this summer, as he is a restricted free agent with the Buffalo Sabres and was a healthy scratch during the playoffs. The 6-foot-4 right-handed blueliner, drafted by the Oilers in 2018, has struggled to find consistent playing time in Buffalo, making him a potential target for his former team.
Insider Speculation
Hockey insider Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet recently highlighted Kesselring's situation on the Oilers Now podcast. "I got to tell you, Michael Kesselring can't get in the lineup. That's going to be an interesting name in free agency, I think," Friedman said. Host Bob Stauffer agreed, suggesting that if the Oilers cannot re-sign Connor Murphy, they might pursue Kesselring. "Oh, yeah. If certain guys can't get signed as the right shot, he might be a target," Stauffer noted.
Kesselring's Season in Buffalo
Kesselring played only 34 regular-season games last year due to injuries, recording just two points. He appeared in only one playoff game. At Buffalo's year-end press conference, Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekalainen addressed Kesselring's future. "I think we have lots of belief in his ability. A great skater, big guy, right-handed defenseman. We've seen the potential he has," Kekalainen said. However, he acknowledged the tough competition on Buffalo's blue line, which includes Rasmus Dahlin, Mattias Samuelsson, Owen Power, and Bowen Byram. "If you come from a situation where you might have had top-four minutes, expecting to get top-four minutes here, it's tough competition. You might have to adjust your style of play and be a reliable five-six defenseman instead of a top-four guy," he added.
Opportunity in Edmonton
The Oilers have a need for right-handed defensemen, especially if Connor Murphy departs in free agency. With Evan Bouchard, Murphy, and Kesselring, Edmonton could offer Kesselring a clearer path to more ice time. Ty Emberson and Alec Regula would provide depth as the seventh and eighth defensemen, respectively. Kesselring's work ethic has been praised by Kekalainen, who noted that he often stayed late in the gym to stay ready. If Kesselring seeks a larger role, Edmonton could be an ideal destination.
