Cap-Strapped Youth Movement

Team: 2022-23 Edmonton Oilers

Initial Creation Date: Jul. 28, 2022

Published: Jul. 29, 2022

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

A few notes:

I don't think Kessel signs in Canada ever again so I don't think he winds up in Edmonton. Rodrigues is going to cost too much for a roster than can barely afford itself. I think this gives Bourgault a genuine shot through the onset of the season.

The Oilers cannot afford to go into next season with LTIR overages: the $6.4M they would need to clear prior to the start of the season would require that McLeod and Yamamoto remain unsigned until day 1 of the season. Because Yamamoto is heading for arbitration, he'll be a UFA in August if no deal is reached by the arbitrator. Paper-transactioning Bourgault, Broberg, and Holloway does not make up for the difference in cap hits. As both the Klefbom and Smith deals are insured (as far as I'm aware), Arizona should have an appetite for them as they would only need to pay approximately $1.25M in real dollars for a $6.5M cap hit. Benson and Lavoie get fresh starts and Edmonton should be able to recoup a small asset a year out in exchange. Edmonton gaining the ability to accrue cap space will help come the deadline.

That asset is then parlayed to the Ducks to take Foegele for a profit. Cap space is expensive, but there's no sense in throwing away high-end assets for an otherwise properly functional NHL player.

I think Malone makes the full-time roster as he's one of Woodcroft's go-to guys and I actually believe he'll wind up a player-coach as part of Woody's staff as early as the New Year. He and Shore have essentially the same toolkits but one is cheaper and maintains a long-term working relationship with the coach.

Only real target the Oilers need come the deadline is a better RHD to replace Barrie with. Early targets look to be Dumba, Peeke, and Severson, with Severson being the most likely but probably requiring a third team to take Barrie.

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