The Edmonton Oilers have a roster of excellent players. From captain Connor McDavid to Leon Draisaitl and goaltender Stuart Skinner, the team is characterized by a solid work ethic, high-end skill, and a positive attitude.
However, the team may have a problem on their hands. The performance of the new acquisition, Atro Leppanen, could force management to make drastic decisions in the near future.
Atro Leppanen Has Had an Impressive Camp For the Oilers
GettyAtro Leppanen could force the Edmonton Oilers to make a trade.
Atro Leppanen, 26, signed with the Oilers on April 13, 2025, as a European free agent. The 6-foot, 183 lb left-handed defender agreed to a one-year $975,000 entry-level contract.
Since then, he has done nothing but put his best foot forward. On Tuesday night’s game against the Winnipeg Jets on September 23, Leppanen showcased more of his talents. He recorded an assist, a shot, one block, and three hits in 19:24 playing alongside Ty Emberson.
But this shouldn’t be a surprising result for the defender who just led the Liiga in scoring. His 63 points in 60 points is the most of any blueliner to ever play in the Liiga. The next highest is 53 points.
Oilers Now podcast host and Oilers Insider, Bob Stauffer, has been impressed by the European defender so far this preseason.
“The 26-year-old led the Finnish League in scoring last season. He is smart and processes the game quickly,” Stauffer wrote in a social media post. “Can make plays under duress and reads and reacts well with top-end players.”
After the morning skate on September 24th, head coach Kris Knoblauch spoke with the media about Leppanen. Specifically, he addressed what he’s liked so far from the 26-year-old.
“His playmaking. Being able to make those slick little passes, slipping them under a forechecker’s stick,” Knoblauch said on Wednesday. “Or spinning off a guy to break the puck out. I think he’s still getting used to the smaller ice area…But, I think for just coming over here, he’s putting in a pretty strong showing.”
Which Oilers’ Defender is on the Outside Looking in?
GettyDarnell Nurse celebrates a goal.
With Leppanen in the fold, the Oilers are stacked on the left side of their blueline. The Oilers currently have Darnell Nurse, Mattias Ekholm, Jake Walman, and Brett Kulak before factoring in the newcomer.
There have been discussions surrounding Walman, and progress is being made regarding an extension. Nurse has a massive contract and is not willing to waive his NTC. Ekholm’s deal is up at the end of the season, as is Kulak’s. If Leppanen keeps impressing as the regular season gets closer, who will get the short end of the stick?
Over the summer, Stauffer teased some contract extensions while also hinting that one defender “has a decision to make.”
“Kulak will probably have a decision to make,” Stauffer said on his July 28th show. “Does he go to market after his performance the past couple of years in the playoffs, or does he stay here?”
He can up his game at any point in time, which will make him an enticing option at the trade deadline. If he extends with the Oilers before then, another trade will need to happen, or Leppanen will have to start the season in the AHL.
However, having Leppanen on the Oilers’ third-pairing would make more sense than Kulak. This is especially true when you factor in the almost $2 million in salary cap savings that this move would create.
One way or another, the Oilers have a tough decision to make on their blueline. They cannot take it lightly.
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