After battling his whole career, could the Oilers look to trade Davidson?
By Zach Laing
7 years ago
(Photo Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sport)
On Saturday night’s Sportsnet broadcast, Elliotte Friedman suggested there could be “some interest” in Oilers defenceman Brandon Davidson.
Just two weeks ago, Matt Henderson threw around the idea of the Oilers trading Brandon Davidson. Now, two weeks later, Friedman is suggesting similar notions. Jonathan Willis also broke this down last night.
“The Oilers don’t want to lose [Davidson] for nothing. I think there’s some interest in him,” Friedman said Saturday on Hockey Night in Canada. “And especially since they have to sign the likes of McDavid, Draisaitl and Russell in the next little while.
“I think there’s going to be some talk around Davidson’s name.”
Brandon Davidson, Warrior.
Brandon Davidson is a rare item. Drafted in the 6th round of the 2010 Entry Draft by the Oilers, the former captain of the Regina Pats signed his first pro deal with the team on May 31, 2012.
Battling was never something Davidson wasn’t used to, as he had to fight to get into the Pats lineup after not being selected in the WHL Bantam Draft.
That rang true as during a routine medical exam in his first pro season a tumour was discovered on Davidson’s testicles. It turned out to be cancerous.
After immediate surgery, Davidson underwent draining chemotherapy treatments following his November 2012 diagnosis. Davidson returned later that season, playing 11 games with the Stockton Thunder in the ECHL before joining then Oilers affiliate Oklahoma City Barons for their drive to the end of the season and the subsequent 17-game playoff run.
That year, he was named the winner of the Fred T. Hunt Memorial Award as the AHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of sportsmanship, determination and dedication to hockey.
Davidson spent two more seasons with the Barons, before joining the Oilers towards the end of the 2014-2015 season. Last year, Davidson found a full-time role with the club playing in 51 games scoring 11 points.
This season however, Davidson has missed the majority of the season due to injury. Now, Davidson could be one of the players that the Vegas Golden Knights opt to select in this years expansion draft.
Davidson has been one of the only defencemen that the Oilers have actually been able to develop into an NHL caliber player. One of the other most notable defenders the Oilers developed was Jeff Petry, who the Oilers traded to the Montreal Canadiens.
Both Henderson and Willis’ articles above talk about potential moves the Oilers could make surrounding Davidson and the implications that follow.
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