Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers must feel like they are in a bad dream. They rallied from 32nd in the league last season to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals and lose in Game 7. The issues from last season were gone, and they felt like they were contenders entering the 2024-25 season. However, they sit tied for 27th through seven games with the Chicago Blackhawks and Canadiens.
The Blackhawks and Canadiens are rebuilding organizations, so they're the last two teams with which the Oilers want to be tied. The Oilers' defense has almost looked as bad as the Canadiens' this season, and they need a big, physical defenseman after Vincent Desharnais' departure. Xhekaj won't be a player who elevates the Oilers back to the Stanley Cup Final, but he'd be a better piece than some of the options they currently have.