EDM next year

Team: 2024-25 Edmonton Oilers

Initial Creation Date: Jan. 30, 2024

Published: Feb. 14, 2024

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Given what we've seen from the combination of Draisaitl, McLeod, & Foegele, I strongly consider committing some money to Foegele. He fits into the team identity: play fast & create a lot of chances. He also strikes me as the kind of player that will come into his own in his late-20s (ala Hyman). I allocated 4mil to be within range of most potential options for this spot with Foegele likely getting less (~3.5mil) and Debrusk likely getting more (~4.5mil).

Brodzinski was captain for Knoblauch in Hartford and strikes me as a perfect option to help ease Holloway into C. He has enough skill to make plays with Holloway & Kane and can win FOs. Seems like a great option that NYR may not be able to afford.

Signing Robinson is my attempt to find a new Foegele for the bottom-6. He plays hard & generates chances at a decent clip. With a better 4C, he'd be a great fit for the next year or two. Lavoie (higher-event & physical) & Silfverberg (super low-event & PK) would swap out of the line based off need and fit.

Returning with pretty much the same D corps except Broberg takes over for Kulak. Gleason and Kemp are tasked with pushing Broberg and Desharnais for minutes and likely generate some good internal competition.

DeSmith strikes me as the near-ideal fit to backup Skinner. He's a veteran with extensive experience in the role while also having played well/consistently enough when the need has arisen. VAN's cap crunch and desire to see what Silovs can do, the fit seems just right for DeSmith in EDM. Alternatively, I'd be open to seeing what Rodrigue can do in a backup role given his progress in Bakersfield & have also re-signed Pickard (or similar) for depth at the position.

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