First Look at Overhaulin

Team: 2021-22 Edmonton Oilers

Initial Creation Date: May 24, 2021

Published: May 27, 2021

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

The purpose of this exercise is to establish the framework going into the off-season, i.e., before any significant roster moves are made except for the expansion draft. (I don't count the obvious move of signing at least one quality free-agent LW like Brandon Saad or Blake Coleman as anything less than a given.)

Assumptions for this exercise:

1. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins decides to go to a contender like Minnesota or Florida.

2. Sadly, Oscar Klefbom cannot continue his hockey career.

Despite Edmonton's first-round exit, this is essentially a good team. The foundation for a contender is there. From the roster shown here, many moves are possible, including signing a top-6 LW and perhaps picking up Linus Ullmark or Chris Driedger in free agency. There is already plenty of cap room for such moves and by other cuts (Neal, Kassian, Koskinen) the Oilers can make further acquisitions. As far as trade targets go, Jake DeBrusk and Jared McCann are possibilities, and Tampa is probably interested in getting rid of a left-handed forward or two.

For those who keep trading James Neal to Seattle with Edmonton's 2021 or 2022 first-round draft pick as a cost-cutting move, please note that he's on this roster at full boat and the Oilers still have $7.5 million in cap space with three extra minimum-contract players. And his buy-out is $1,916,667 for each of four years. So stop it.

Some trade scenarios:

Ethan Bear for Jake DeBrusk (+/-): not my idea, so probably a good one

Ethan Bear for Lawson Crouse: my idea, so probably not a great one

Mikko Koskinen anywhere for a fifth (draft pick or Scotch): everyone's idea

Once again, this is just a starting point. That bottom-6 was exposed by Winnipeg and some impact players are going to have t be brought in. And the defense is a year away from being solid.

1.

2.