Without the top 6 on the ice, the Edmonton Oilers are basically a tire fire. I removed the top 3 scorers from every NHL team, and tried to see where they would rank in GF% (basically to measure the quality of depth). The Edmonton Oilers rank 28th in GF% with just 37.5%, only ahead of Anaheim, Philadelphia, and Chicago. The depth needs to be fixed.
RNH needs an extension. His 5v5 production hasn't been great this season, but most of that is a lack of shooting luck. RNH has been a good finisher in seasons past, so it's unusual to see him at a 3.00 xGF/60 but only at a 2.39 GF/60. I don't think he gets a raise from his previous contract, I would give him $6M, and up to $7M if he threatened to enter free agency.
For Yamamoto, he's also been having a disappointing season compared to 2019-20 where he was almost PPG with no 5v5 points (His 5v5 P/60 ranked 3rd in the NHL last season, behind Malkin and Panarin). He probably gets a bridge deal, similar to the contract Teravainen got before his long-term contract. $3M x 2.
Kulikov has looked quite good as an Oiler, and his on-ice stats with the Oilers and the Devils have been decent. As a 3LD, there are worse options.
Adam Larsson has been great this season. I would resign him. However, I would also be cautious about his back problems. He shouldn't get more than 2 years and if he asks for more, let him walk and sign someone like David Savard.
I see a lot of people overreacting with Koskinen and buying him out. It feels like recency bias, and a lot of people are forgetting the good stretch he's had before the stinker. With only 1 year left on that contract, I would keep him as a 1B/backup goalie, because he's been quite good in that role.
I bought out Neal, because he has no place on the team and it's only $1.9M against the cap if he was bought out instead of the $4.6M if he was in the AHL.
Blake Coleman would be a fantastic fit with McDavid. He's great defensively, due to his forechecking abilities. IMO, the best McDavid is a McDavid with the puck on his stick/in the offensive zone.
I signed Alex Wennberg as the 3C. He's a good and young player that scores more than he allows against, basically what we need.
For goaltending, I would sign 27 year old Linus Ullmark. He has somehow looked decent (0.917 SV%) behind the tire fire that is Buffalo. Also, I can't imagine he would resign in Buffalo.
Rest of the cap space to be used for deadline moves (if there's a mid-season problem that needs to be fixed)
McDavid, Connor
$250,000)
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