Why the Oilers should steer clear of Rasmus Ristolainen

The Edmonton Oilers’ addition of Paul Coffey back onto their coaching staff is a clear signal that they do not trust their blueline.

It really is as simple as that. If they thought that the current group of six defensemen were playing at a capable level, then they wouldn’t have made this change.

I also think it’s a sign that more changes are likely going to be coming.

I spoke with NHL Insider David Pagnotta from The Fourth Period on Monday’s edition of Oilersnation Everyday and asked him about Coffey’s reintroduction to the Oilers bench and what it could mean for their trade deadline plans.

“He’s back there, and he’s going to help out,” said Pagnotta. “The guys listen to him so to have that calibre of guy behind the bench certainly is meaningful to some degree but you still need to have the pieces in place that can execute whatever the game plan is and I don’t think they believe they have the full pieces in place right now so I expect them to address is at some over these next 11 days leading up to the deadline.”

Again, it is clear that this is not going to be the only thing that the Oilers do when it comes to trying to fix their blueline.

“If they can find an Ekholm-esque defenseman, that’s what they’d like to do,” added Pagnotta. “A rugged, stay-at-home guy who can hold the fort in their own zone.”

Could Rasmus Ristolainen, whom the Oilers have reportedly checked in on, be that guy? He certainly fits that description as a player whose identity is more based on the defensive side of the puck but I personally would be hesitant to acquire him if I was the Oilers. He has struggled with consistency over the last few years and his contract is relatively substantial.

He has one more year on a contract that carries a $5.1 million AAV. Even if the Flyers were to take back Andrew Mangiapane in the deal, it would be hard for the Oilers to make it work and I’m not sure I love having Ristolainen at that price tag for next season.

“I think they’ve inquired,” said Pagnotta. “I think there’s been a conversation and Ristolainen is available. Philly has put a pretty decent price tag on him and I don’t think the Oilers can match it. They like him, they like the type of player he is, but I don’t think he’s a fit there based on what Philly is looking to acquire if they move him”

That is music to my ears.

Do I think Ristolainen would be an upgrade to the Oilers blueline? Yes.

Is he a significant enough upgrade that it’s worth parting ways with one of the few quality prospects that they have or potentially a first round pick? Not in my opinion.

His on-ice numbers on the Flyers are pretty unremarkable this season. This obviously isn’t a player who you are going to look to produce offense, but the Flyers are -6 at five-on-five when he is on the ice and +2 when he is off.

His penalty kill numbers are good, so he has that going for him, but the inconsistency at five-on-five really worries me.

I think there are players who can make a similar impact on the Oilers’ blueline who could be acquired for less and come with less financial commitment than Ristolainen does.

That’s not to say that I’m totally against trading a first-round pick for a defenseman but for that to happen, they need to have a much higher ceiling than Ristolainen does or they need to come in at a very low cap hit.

I really like some options on the market like Zach Whitecloud, Nick Perbix, or maybe even someone like Johnathan Kovacevic if the Devils were to make him available, although that seems unlikely.

Ristolainen is not a top-pairing defenceman, he is a decent top-four option and a guy who probably shouldn’t be the best defenceman on his pairing. That should take him out of the conversation for the Oilers considering the rumoured asking price.

Even a guy like Trevor Van Riemsdyk in Washington could be a very good addition and like the other names I mentioned above, wont cost you as much as Ristolainen both in terms of cap space and assets.

The Oilers are not in a position both financially and in terms of assets to meet the high asking price that the Flyers have set for Ristolainen, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be going out and trying to add a strong, top-four defenceman.