Team: 2018-19 Edmonton Oilers

Initial Creation Date: Feb. 5, 2018

Published: Feb. 5, 2018

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

At the draft:
#3 - Filip Zadina (LW)
#37 - Calen Addison (RD)
#48 (via CBJ) - Cameron Hillis (C)

Again, another revision of my typical 2018-19 AGM. I've ran tankathon a lot more frequently and the Oilers land on taking Zadina a lot more than they don't. If they take him, the top-9 forwards are effectively figured out. Filppula is a poor man's Grabner, and I genuinely see the team making a big pitch to Riley Nash to anchor the 4C spot.

Jan Rutta as the #4 D - since the Oilers no longer get Jordan Schmaltz via Maroon - is the only piece of this team that I'm not big on. I wanted someone more reliable on a cheap-ish 2 year deal there but he was the only fit.

Instead of moving Caggiula+ for another pick, I've opted to toss him on a 2-way deal. He may still be a useful NHL player to this organization after figuring his game out in the AHL for a season or two. This is one of many moves to improve organizational depth of this team, in an attempt to make it look less criminal.

The two big challenges for this team this season will be:
1. Bolstering the D for a meaningful playoff run
2. Moving Sekera at the year

The Oilers could have their 1st and 2nd Rounders up for grabs if the right dman comes along, and it's my personal belief that they would require an upgrade to push guys like Rutta and Benning down the depth chart in order to compete for a Cup. Sekera and his limited NTC after this season complicate things for the next expansion draft in 2020; he needs to be moved to free up a protection spot and a bit of salary. Retain if need be.