Fixing the Oilers - A Roadmap

Team: 2019-20 Edmonton Oilers

Initial Creation Date: Dec. 26, 2019

Published: Dec. 26, 2019

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Look the Oilers aren't actually all that far off. They have a depth problem and are missing two pieces and a long term goalie. They spend too much on the depth they have and don't have a development system that can churn out players like Toronto, San Jose, and Tampa can to supplement the bottom 6 providing a surprising amount of value while costing pennies. With a few smart moves I honestly think the Oilers could be good.

1) Don't overpay your depth. Kassian is playing well. He was overpaid before and is now playing up to the contract. Do not give him a significant raise. He should not be making more than 3@2.5 ish.

2) Develop your players. Once your core is locked up, you need to supplement them with cheap players who can actually add value to your 3rd and 4th lines. You need to be churning out 3 players like this every 2 years (some years you get 2, others just 1). They are cheap, replaceable, and add energy and other developed value to your lineup. Look at Toronto for a minute. Trevor Moore is a young Hyman esq player locked up for 2 years at 775k. He can play anywhere in the lineup, is one of the hardest working players on the team, pk's, and will generally make life hard for the other team. Engval does much of the same. You need those players to supplement you depth, not UFAs who cost 2-4x as much. Your development system has sucked for awhile now. Fire everyone and get an all new team in focused on strong development.

3) trade for undervalued players who are being moved for various reasons. You need a long term 3C, get a guy like Turris who will provide some value for you there.

4) roster construction is important. McDavid will play well with whoever he is with, so you can skimp a bit on his linemates. AA seems to be aailable and Kappy looks like the odd one out in TOR. Both are stupid quick and can easily keep up with McDavid, both are talented young players, and Kappy Pk's. Cheap middle 6 players with skill (who are actually middle 6 players on a contender) can play with McDavid, and can be locked up to a mid term contract.

5) Make a stacked 2nd line. Put drai with RNH and find a very good TWF to supplement them. I mean VERY good. Do not cheap out. Look for a Mark Stone type. Ideally you'd develop one as they aren't often available, but that is where I'd go looking to really spend on this roster. Where you might find one... You got me there. Look hard at all possibilities. Maye the Wild are still looking to move Zucker? He is pretty underrated and would fit well on that 2nd line.

6) D wise you need a true #1 Dman, or in lieu get as many top 4 Dman as possible. Bouchard is your best bet (I don't see Broberg as being more than a top 4 Dman) and have them specialise for certain roles. PP guy, shut down pair, minute muchers etc. If you cannot get a true #1Dman, you MUST have 5 guys who are top 4 Dmen, or at least have two of those 5 being 2nd pair guys at worst.

7) Goalies. Koskinen has been better than we thought, but he is a placeholder goalie. Whe n you have a guy like that, you need to have a young guy who is getting ready to step into the net withing 2-3 years as a long term option. He doesn't need to be Carter Hart, but he needs to stop more pucks than would be expected to go in, even only marginally so.

In terms of what I did in this AGM, I sort of followed what this would look like, but it isn't ideal by any means.
I honestly think AA and Kappy should be top targets for this organisation, possibly Connor Brown from OTT as well.
Smith is a good little things guy, but not the high end 2RW you really need. Seriously. SPEND. That is a huge need depth wise.
After that it is kind of undervalued guys you can get for cheap/UFA. Don't overpay (especially UFA).

The most important part: Model your development system after the Bolts/Leafs. It doesn't matter how good your prospects are if you don't develop them properly (See NYR). That development will be key to making this work under the cap and effectively.

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