Top NHL insider confirms Oilers are making calls on multiple trades

Defenseman Alec Regula was placed on the IR Sunday with an undisclosed injury, adding to the several players already out with injury.

The 25-year-old Regula was claimed off waivers last season, and did not play, also due to injury, and has only been used in limited action so far this season. Expect him to be one of the first to be moved.

Some of the regulars on the IR, however, will be returning to the lineup soon, including Zach Hyman, Jake Walman, and Mattias Janmark. Edmonton's roster situation will become even more precarious once everyone is healthy, as Edmonton will need to clear space to remain compliant with the 23-man limit.

Some of the options Edmonton is considering, according to analyst Frank Seravalli, is to trade Ty Emberson and Mattias Janmark. Emberson's cap hit is $1.3M and Janmark's $1.45M, which would help the Oilers clear space closer to the trade deadline, as well as remain compliant with the NHL roster limit.

The 32-year-old Janmark has a limited no-trade clause, though Edmonton would reportedly be open to moving him in the right deal, according to reports.

There have also been reports that Troy Stecher could be packaged in a trade-deal, though the Oilers seem to like him in Walman's absence, playing with Darnell Nurse on the team's second D-pairing.

The Oilers also have two veterans with plenty of NHL experience playing in Bakersfield. Cam Dineen and Josh Brown are both capable players if called upon.

It will be interesting to see what GM Stan Bowman does when Regula and Walman eventually return to action, possibly seeking scoring depth for one of their extra defensemen.