Ty Emberson of the Oilers struggling with a minor adjustment in Edmonton

Ty Emberson’s transition from San Jose to Edmonton has proven to be a significant adjustment, with the defenseman struggling to find his footing early in the 2024-25 season. When the Oilers traded Cody Ceci to get Emberson from the San Jose Sharks, the hope was that he would be an under-the-radar acquisition. He hasn’t quite settled in, and there’s growing concern that the intensity of Edmonton’s hockey-crazy market might be a bit overwhelming for the 23-year-old.

Elliotte Friedman raised the issue in her recent 32 Thoughts column. He pointed to comments from Los Angeles Kings defenseman Kyle Burroughs, who was Emberson’s teammate last season in San Jose. Burroughs said, “I told him to relax and make a good first pass. He’ll get 15 more points with that.” It was seemingly simple advice, but it’s not always so easy to do under the spotlight he’s playing for the Oilers.

Although Edmonton is not a giant city like New York or Dallas, the hockey fans are passionate. And often, they are not always patients. Burroughs acknowledged that the switch from the quieter market of San Jose to the intense scrutiny in Edmonton could be tough on Emberson.

“Ty has never seen anything like this,” Burroughs noted, referring to the heightened expectations and constant pressure that comes with playing for a Canadian team. Coming from Wisconsin and playing in smaller markets, a hockey obsessed city like Edmonton is a different animal. It’s completely new to Emberson.

Emberson will figure things out with the Oilers

Burroughs and Friedman discussed Emberson’s situation, noting that patience may be needed as the young defenseman acclimates to life in Edmonton. It’s only been seven games and with the team as a whole not playing well, that adds a different kind of pressure that, while separate, is probably tied together.