When the season started, it was already clear that three defenders would have a key role to play with the Tricolore and that they would have to work hard. Veterans David Savard, Joel Edmundson and Michael Matheson would become mentors for the youngsters and irreplaceable players in the short and medium term. That all changed quickly. Edmundson and Matheson were injured for the start of the season and had to wait their turn before returning to action, and it was the youngsters who held the fort. Arber Xhekaj, Jordan Harris and Kaiden Guhle did very well in their absence. Matheson played his first good game against Edmonton on Saturday night. However, there is some concern about Edmundson. Indeed, the giant-sized defenceman is even getting some pretty harsh criticism for sending him to the stands in favour of the young Harris, who has been left out of the lineup pretty regularly, lately. This is where it gets interesting. What if Kent Hughes is tempted to part with his veteran defenceman? According to Brian Wilde, a journalist who covers the Habs, three of his colleagues in Edmonton have confirmed that number 44 is exactly the kind of player the Oilers are looking for. <q> I know three good reporters in Edmonton who say Joel Edmundson could be a target for their blue line. I'm currently looking to talk to a fourth who is fairly reliable on these matters. No idea what Kent Hughes will ask for in return, but it's a realistic scenario. They need grit out there and Edmundson has a good contract. - Brian Wilde</q> <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/BWildeMTL/status/1599570466477207552?t=OrfzmEFumeCJ9uLmOWYgGg&s=19'> </a></blockquote></div> The Oilers are currently in fourth place in the Pacific Division, so they're in the mix to make the playoffs. We know their offense is devastating, but they also allow a lot of goals. A defenseman like Edmundson could definitely add to that.