Ty Emberson’s Impactful First Year with the Edmonton Oilers Proves He’s More Than Just a Depth Defenseman in 2024-25

When the Edmonton Oilers acquired Ty Emberson ahead of the 2024-25 season, expectations were modest. A former third-round pick of the Arizona Coyotes back in 2018, Emberson wasn’t projected to be a game-changer. Yet, through a combination of consistent play, physicality, and timely execution, the 24-year-old defenseman carved out a surprisingly vital role in one of the NHL’s most dynamic lineups. His first full NHL season as an Oiler offered a compelling look at a young blueliner ready to step into bigger responsibilities on a Stanley Cup-contending roster.

Emberson arrived in Edmonton after a brief stint with the San Jose Sharks organization, where he showed glimpses of his potential. But it wasn’t until his move to the Oilers that the defenseman was truly given the space—and trust—to grow into a reliable bottom-pairing contributor. While his numbers didn’t leap off the stat sheet, they told the story of a player who did the little things right: strong in his own zone, clean exits, effective penalty killing, and the occasional flash of offensive upside.

Over the course of the season, Emberson appeared in 61 regular-season games, recording 3 goals and 11 assists for 14 points. But more telling than his offensive output was his plus-minus rating of +12 and his average ice time, which hovered around 17:30 per game. He wasn’t a liability, which is saying a lot for a young defenseman trying to cement a role in the NHL.

Part of what stood out most about Emberson was his composure. Whether he was paired with a veteran like Brett Kulak or thrown into higher-leverage minutes when injuries hit the Oilers’ blue line, Emberson rarely looked out of place. His gap control improved markedly throughout the season, and he showed an uncanny ability to read plays, break up rushes, and initiate transitions. In many ways, he played a “quiet” game—the kind that often goes unnoticed but earns the trust of coaches and teammates alike.

Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch was quick to acknowledge Emberson’s maturity on the ice. “Ty’s the kind of player who doesn’t need the spotlight,” Knoblauch said in a February postgame interview. “He keeps things simple, makes smart decisions, and brings a steadiness we really value. He’s not flashy, but he’s dependable.”

That dependability proved critical during a stretch of the season when Edmonton’s defensive corps was besieged by injuries. Emberson was thrust into a larger role and responded with poise, often taking shifts against top-six forwards and holding his own. His Corsi and expected goals-for metrics remained respectable, even under increased pressure, indicating that his style of play translated well regardless of opposition quality.

What also stood out was Emberson’s physical edge. He finished the regular season with 86 hits and 62 blocked shots, frequently putting his body on the line. He’s not the kind of enforcer who racks up penalty minutes or engages in unnecessary scrums, but he’s more than willing to battle along the boards, clear the crease, and play with an edge when needed. In a blue line unit that features high-skill defenders like Evan Bouchard and Darnell Nurse, Emberson’s grittiness added much-needed balance.

His season wasn’t without challenges. There were moments—particularly early on—when positioning issues or miscommunications led to costly turnovers. But what separated Emberson from other young defensemen was how quickly he learned from those mistakes. By midseason, it was clear he was thinking the game faster, trusting his instincts, and playing with more authority. The learning curve in the NHL is steep, but Emberson showed a remarkable ability to flatten it through hard work and coachability.

Statistically, Emberson didn’t reinvent the wheel. But hockey is a game of context, and in the context of Edmonton’s high-powered, fast-paced system, his ability to play a controlled, stabilizing brand of hockey was invaluable. In the playoffs, that quality became even more important.

In the 2025 postseason, Emberson played in 15 of Edmonton’s 19 playoff games, registering 2 points and a +4 rating. More than the numbers, it was his reliability that shone through. When the game tightened and physicality increased, Emberson didn’t flinch. He embraced the grind of playoff hockey, delivering hits, blocking shots, and keeping his game simple. He wasn’t the reason the Oilers advanced deep, but he certainly wasn’t a weak link—and in the crucible of playoff hockey, that’s high praise for a first-year player.

Veteran defenseman Mattias Ekholm, a mentor figure on the team, had high praise for Emberson’s development. “Ty doesn’t try to be someone he’s not. He knows his role and plays it extremely well. That kind of self-awareness, especially at this stage of his career, is rare.”

So where does that leave Ty Emberson heading into the 2025-26 season? For the Oilers, it means they’ve unearthed a dependable third-pair defenseman who might still have untapped potential. He’s signed through next season at a team-friendly cap hit, which only increases his value for a franchise trying to maximize its championship window while managing salary constraints.

There’s also the matter of growth. Emberson may not project to be a top-pair defender, but if he continues on this trajectory, he could develop into a second-pair shutdown option—especially with the right partner. His puck-moving has improved, and there were moments late in the season where he jumped into the rush with confidence. With another offseason of training and experience under his belt, there’s no reason to think he can’t push for an expanded role.

For fans, Emberson’s emergence has been one of the more pleasant surprises of the season. Amid all the star power—McDavid’s artistry, Draisaitl’s brute elegance, Bouchard’s booming point shot—it’s players like Emberson who often go under the radar but help championship teams find balance. In many ways, he’s emblematic of what the Oilers have been trying to build: a team that’s not just top-heavy, but deep, resilient, and adaptable.

The analytics community has also taken notice. While not a darling by any advanced metric, Emberson’s WAR (Wins Above Replacement) was solid, and his defensive impact—especially in high-danger areas—was measurable. He didn’t just survive his minutes; he often won them. And that’s no small feat for someone playing the toughest position in the game at a high level for the first time.

In the grand scheme, Ty Emberson’s first season with the Edmonton Oilers won’t make highlight reels or dominate headlines. But for those paying attention, it was a season defined by growth, intelligence, and quiet excellence. He proved he belongs in the NHL—and more importantly, that he can be trusted in big moments.

For a franchise eyeing its first Stanley Cup since 1990, finding players like Emberson—who do the unglamorous work with consistency and humility—is crucial. He may not be the flashiest name on the roster, but his contributions mattered. And if this season was any indication, Ty Emberson is just getting started.

The Oilers will head into next season with championship aspirations once again, and Ty Emberson will almost certainly be a key piece of that puzzle. He may never wear a letter on his jersey or lead the team in scoring, but he’s earned something just as valuable—trust. And in the NHL, trust is the currency of ice time.