New Edmonton Oilers GM Peter Chiarelli will continue to reshape his roster once the NHL's free agency period officially opens at noon.
After adding Connor McDavid via the draft and Cam Talbot and Griffin Reinhart via trade, Chiarelli has now reportedly set his sights on adding another blueliner to his lineup.
The Oilers, according to TSN's NHL Insider Bob McKenzie, are focusing their efforts at the outset of the NHL's 2015-16 free agency period on former Carolina Hurricane and Los Angeles Kings Andrej Sekera.
"EDM is targeting a top UFA defenseman today and the Oilers are believed to be a leading contender for Andrej Sekera," McKenzie tweeted early Wednesday.
Sekera, 29, has now been in the NHL for nine seasons. A former third-round pick of the Buffalo Sabres, Sekera spent seven seasons in upstate New York before joining the Hurricanes as a free agent prior to the 2013-14 season.
That year, Sekera posted career-highs in several statistical categories, including goals (11), assists (33), points (44), shots on goal (142), power play goals (4), power play assists (11) and ice time (23:41).
He fell back to earth somewhat last year as the entire Carolina franchise struggled through a frustrating and injury-plagued season. He was eventually dealt to the Kings just prior to the 2015 NHL trade deadline in exchange for a conditional first-round pick and prospect Roland McKeown.
Reports in recent days have suggested that the Kings wanted to keep Sekera, especially considering Slava Voynov's NHL future remains cloudy, but depending on the asking price, that could be difficult, even with the new-found cap space from the Mike Richards termination.
Sekera just completed a four-year, $11 million deal which carried an average annual value of $2.75 million.
UPDATE, 12:45: Oilers ink Sekera to six-year deal.
Sekera done to EDM. six years, $5.5M AAV and a no-move clause.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 1, 2015
