Salary Cap Woes

Team: 2022-23 Edmonton Oilers

Initial Creation Date: Mar. 26, 2022

Published: Mar. 26, 2022

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

2022 NHL Entry Draft:
#32 (via COL): (RD) Ryan Chesley (USNTDP, USDP)
#53 (via WAS): (RD) Tristan Luneau (Gatineau, QMJHL)
#73 (via DET): (RC) Ryan Greene (Green Bay, USHL)
#82 (via DAL) (G) Tyler Brennan (Prince George, WHL)
#177: (RW) Maddox Fleming (Sioux Falls, USHL)
#211 (via LAK): (RD) Frantisek Nemec (Brno, Czechia)

Thanks to @BruinsFan35 for the rankings (https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1RzNMz5ZHa26mgLprz-fbn1V5_JOUAc94GrZrpz9suW4/edit?usp=sharing)
Draft pick values here (https://bluebulletreport.com/2020/10/05/2020-nhl-draft-rankings/)

I'm really looking at this draft as a "spare parts" draft for the Oilers as they've more than assembled enough pieces to flush out the majority of a long-term core. I really liked the work BruinsFan did with his rankings and based on my own knowledge of the inner workings of the Oilers, I didn't find myself needing to stray from his rankings very much. Back-to-back RHD seems like odd philosophy but adds quantity to an organizational position of weakness after a few drafts that focused more on forwards than defencemen at the high-end of the draft. A lot of the moving-back philosophy is built around Ken Holland being on the record of liking having six selections per draft. I think this gives him a fair bit to work with here and meets that quota. I think this draft, the Oilers - and the league in general - won't see a lot of Russian talent selected due to the issues surrounding geopolitics.

I think there are a few NCAA, CHL, and European FA signings that will accompany the Oilers into the offseason as there's very little for the AHL squad over the next few seasons. I'd anticipate a centerman and a goalie at the very least. I've identified:

(G) Gustavs Grigals (Alaska-Fairbanks, NCAA)
(RC) Taro Jentzsch (Iserlohn, DEL) [NHLe: 15.315]
(LD) Kasper Larsen (Mississauga, OHL) [NHLe: 9.115]

as some money-puck finds that an organization may want to add to its prospect pool. All three men are currently U23 and bring some size to their respective positions. AHL depth signings may push Grigals to the ECHL for some time but I'm not worried about that.

In terms of the regular season, I think issues pertaining to the salary cap are going to pigeonhole Edmonton into minimal upgrades over the summer. Stable goaltending is still beyond the horizon: I don't like most of the trade options and Edmonton lacks the pocketbook for the free agent market. Ken Holland has been adamant about "his group" and I think his design is still to move forward with most of what he's put together. However, I do think this roster would be more poised to add at the deadline and that under Jay Woodcroft's direction would probably stand firm as one of the top-4 teams in the Western Conference.

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