Oilers become contenders

What about McElhinny as backup. He has a .917 SV% but will cost about 1 million more than what you have

Eberle cant compete when the going gets tough in the NHL. 4 years of Simmonds is probably a year or two too long but he is an improvement

I was thinking him, but couldn't fit under cap. With the Lucic, Sekera and Russell contracts on the books, there's only so much that can be done!

Regarding Eberle; does the "the NHL is getting faster and more skilled" argument suffice as a rebuttal? While the West / Pacific is still a bigger, heavier group of teams, those players/teams are getting older and slower. With the NHL quickly changing towards a fast paced game, Eberle still has some years ahead where he will likely put up some good points. He's only one season out of being a perennial 50 point player. Further, take into account that if he plays on the top line, McDavid would take some of the puck carrying load off of him, and shift some focus away from him allowing the space necessary to put up points. Eberle and McDavid also had really good chemistry (with the exception of the playoffs when Eberle was awful).

Regarding Simmonds; agreed on the term, but that's what happens when you go after a UFA... you either over pay, pay for too long, or a combination of the two. I think on the second line, with a passer like Drai, he'll be able to put up some good points (specifically goals). Beyond his skill, I think that Simmonds is a good "locker room" player to have (warning... this was one of the intangibles that Lucic was supposed to bring... Granted, I think Simmonds is actually talented vs. Lucic).