The Edmonton Oilers made a roster adjustment on Friday, assigning veteran defenceman Riley Stillman to their American Hockey League affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors. The move coincides with the imminent return of blueliner Jake Walman to the NHL lineup.
Roster Shuffle on the Blue Line
Stillman, who joined the Oilers earlier this season, provided steady, defensive-minded play during his stint. However, with Walman now skating fully with the team at practice, the organization opted to send Stillman down to ensure he continues to receive regular playing time. Walman, 29, has been sidelined with an injury, and his return is seen as a key step in stabilizing Edmonton's defensive pairings.
In related lineup news, forward Andrew Mangiapane will be a healthy scratch for tonight's game against the Los Angeles Kings. Mangiapane has been the subject of trade speculation as the NHL's deadline approaches.
Searching for the Right Fit on Defence
The Oilers' coaching staff continues to experiment with their defensive combinations, particularly in their top four. Both Alec Regula and Spencer Stastney have received opportunities to play alongside Darnell Nurse but have faced challenges against elite competition. For now, they are considered better suited for third-pairing minutes.
Tonight against the Kings, the Oilers will give Ty Emberson a look beside Nurse. Stepping into a top-four role represents a significant test for any defenceman, and the Oilers are hopeful Emberson can seize the opportunity.
Facing a Depleted Kings Squad
The Oilers host a banged-up Los Angeles team that is expected to be without several key forwards. Anze Kopitar, Joel Armia, and Trevor Moore are all likely out of the lineup. Veteran Corey Perry is also absent due to a family illness.
Edmonton may hold a speed advantage in the matchup. According to data from NHL Edge compiled by Puckalytics, the average top speed of the 18 Oilers players expected to dress is 22.6 miles per hour (36.4 km/h). For the 16 Kings players from their last game, the average was 21.7 miles per hour (34.9 km/h). This edge could be a factor as the Oilers look to exploit transition play.
The ultimate goal for the Oilers is to have a fully healthy top-four defence corps of Evan Bouchard, Mattias Ekholm, Jake Walman, and Darnell Nurse. The reassignment of Stillman is a procedural step toward achieving that balance as the team pushes for playoff positioning.
