Oilers - A Plan Of Some Sort

Team: 2019-20 Edmonton Oilers

Initial Creation Date: Apr. 25, 2019

Published: Apr. 25, 2019

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Step 1 - Lucic: Oilers have to move on. They can continue paying for this mistake for a few more years, or they can do what it takes to unload him and start the healing process.

Step 2 - Nugent-Hopkins: I think he can bring in two decent wingers. The plan is to acquire 2 players in the 40-50 point range, and turn them into 60-70 point players on McDavid or Draisaitl's wings.
(Note: I picked Montreal because I know they have the cap space and wingers to spare. Other options/teams can be looked into.)

Step 3 - Braun: I'm not exactly sure how much it would take, but options are somewhat slim without moving this year's 1st and more. Personally, I think Edmonton should pay a higher price to acquire someone better. More options may present themselves as teams start making roster decisions for next season. At least consider this a placeholder until other possibilities open up.

Step 4 - Offload Gagner, Manning, and/or Russell, if at all possible. Cheaper replacements can be found in the UFA market. That would free up around $10M extra. Retain if necessary on Gagner and Manning. Even moving half their cap is a win.

Step 5 - Using the $10-20M freed up by these moves, target one of the UFA wingers that can be signed with term. (Skinner or Nyquist for example.)
The remainder goes to plugging holes on a short term basis. Bottom 6'ers with good work ethic and two-way ability preferred, on 1-2 year deals to fill the roster.

I'm showing around $10M remaining, not counting scratches and retaining half on Gagner/Manning (total retention is close enough to the cost of burying them in the minors anyway). That can be used to upgrade the players signed to fill the holes and possibly pick up a solid backup.
(Note: I didn't address Edmonton's goaltending, because they've already made their decision in the crease. You have to give Koskinen the season, with a better team in front of him, to see if that was the right decision.)

Step 6 - Prospects will fight to push guys out of the lineup, and they will start on the 3rd line if they do. No more McDavid ticket until you're tall enough for the ride.

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