Big Deals

Team: 2020-21 Edmonton Oilers

Initial Creation Date: Jun. 30, 2020

Published: Sep. 22, 2020

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

WPG Deal
- Oilers free cap space, don't risk losing RNH and Larsson for nothing, get a very solid 3rd line C in Copp, and get 12th overall pick (allowing them to use other to move Russell).
-WPG gets exactly what they need: 2nd line centre and a top 4 RHD. I expect them to take advantage of their window with Wheeler aging and Laine due for a raise after next season. This is all dependent if Little's injury is deemed long term that they need a replacement. It is a risk that both RNH and Larsson are UFA, and they are giving up 12th overall in a deep draft but I think this move brings them into contender territory.

LAK deal
Feels weird trading AA immediately, but most reports out of EDM are signaling he will be dealt before they need to qualify him.
- Oilers use the 14th overall pick to get Russell's $4M off their hands, exchange AA for player with similar skill set but lower ceiling in Iafallo and receive a 2nd rounder in return. Iafallo should be able to contribute in the top 6 (who can't with 97 and 29 lol) and has a low cap hit. They are giving up quite a bit here for a UFA but I assume LAK will be one of the few teams accepting cap dumps so the price will be high.
- AA has a very high ceiling if he gets more consistency in his game, the 14th overall pick will also field a very strong player. LAK could definitely win this deal at the end of the day.

These moves do create quite a bit of flexibility for the Oilers in free agency. They got over $16M for a top 6 winger, top 4 D and starting goalie. Hoffman and McDavid would be fun to see, must be careful of term considering he's already 30. Think Shattenkirk fits in well, he's impressed me this playofff, I wasn't too sure on the value of considering his age and injury history (Demelo is another guy who could get around $4M). Markstrom would be ideal, but Oilers won't be able to afford if the prices gets too high. Maybe sign Holtby for cheaper and free up money for Hall or Barrie?

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