Joined: Apr. 2017
Posts: 345
Likes: 234
While I think it’s a decent depth add, I wonder why a R-shot Dman wasn’t signed instead? In terms of their 23-man, the Oilers are much deeper (5 now not incl Sekera) in the L than on the R (2 in total). Of course are only 12 R-shot DMen left who were on NHL contracts last season and available as UFAs as opposed to 22 L-shot DMen (according to this site) and other than Kevin Bieksa, none played 24+ games last season in the NHL, so that doesn’t leave much. They could have signed Cody Franson (who has offensive upside and good peripherals) but is too slow for today’s NHL, or Ryan Sproul, I suppose. They played 23 and 16 games respectively. Anyone else would not have served the purpose of adding veteran depth to allow their D prospects time to develop properly.