This team has cap problems. But lucky for them they have incredible center depth (if they choose to play them that way). All they really need is wingers. And that just happens to be hockey's most plentiful resource. Just find some cheap guys who can skate fast to play with Mcdavid and he can make them 20 goal scorers, easily.
Key to Oilers Offseason IMO is not going to be moving bad contracts (only because I think they are unmovable, see Lucic), the key is going to be finding cheap guys who can skate.
They might be able to move Sekera, which would help.
Best option for getting rid of Lucic is send him to LTIR somehow. Develop some "rare disease" or something.
Breakdown
1) 9.8 million in cap space before starting...
2) team needs: 3 forwards and a goalie (just to dress a full roster), realistically needs: backup goalie, 3-4 decent wingers who can score to play with Mcdiddly and Drat.
3) assuming Bouchard and Yamamoto and other good prospects don't make the team next year as Holland likes developing young players in the minors before making NHL. See Detroit's last 20 years.
Moves
1) 3rd year makes Chiasson stay. I think he'll test FA market but no one willing to offer him 3 years outside of EDM. He's a good fit, fair contract assuming he can score 20 again.
2) Buyout for Manning, might be able to trade him, doubt it tho.
3) Re-signed Khaira, cheap option in the bottom 6.
4) Traded Puljujarvi, this seems to be almost a guarantee, trade a guy who may or may not become a good NHL'er for, you guessed it, a cheap, fast winger.
5) Signed Ennis, Hagelin, and Pirri because they can skate, and Ennis and Pirri can score.
6) Signed Elliotte, need a goalie who can play atleast 20 games. Think Mcelhenney and Mrazek both resign in Carolina, Lehner in NYI, and can't afford Bob, Miller stays in ANA, Elliotte really all that's left. Could try trade for someone else.
I know I likely signed many of those UFA's above their value, but at this point I think that's what it will take to bring guys to EDM.
- 0.4 in cap space with 3 scratches. Could just carry two to be cap compliant. boy would it be nice if they could get rid of Lucic tho.
I think all this team really needs to be able to compete is: luck with injuries, not bad when healthy but very very limited depth. and Goal tending is the biggest question mark. If they could find a better option than Elliotte would be ideal.
If they stay healthy and get competent, average goal tending this team can likely compete for a wildcard spot. They'll go as far as Drat and Mcdiddly can carry them.
Feel like 5.3 million is huge waste of cap when used on Hagelin and Chiasson. Could pay Donskoi or Dzingel (3-4.25M) then add a top AHL scorer like Carr, Barber or Poturalski for near league min
Would you be willing to throw the Ducks something in a Rowney for Manning trade? We need a few D-men, and it would save you buying him out. Something like Manning+3rd for Rowney+4th? Good depth winger that's cheaper than Brown
I saw the title and instantly thought of Erik Haula. Ed could toss a pick and a prospect to Vegas to make that happen and the Knights would probably listen.
Chiasson should be on a 1yr show-me deal before committing to 3years; minimal minutes on McD's line.
We know he can score with McDavid, but can he help provide steady secondary scoring when he's somewhere else in the lineup?
Chiasson should be on a 1yr show-me deal before committing to 3years; minimal minutes on McD's line.
We know he can score with McDavid, but can he help provide steady secondary scoring when he's somewhere else in the lineup?
He gets three years because I don't think any less than that will make him want to stay in Edmonton. There will be interest in him.
If he wants to take his chances someplace else that's fine too, sick of the Oilers overpaying after 1 good showing.
Thing is, he wont have a McDavid or a Draisaitl to help pad his stats.
Nor will he have a PP unit consisting of McD, Drai, Nuge and Klefbom (eventually Bouchard down the road 2020+).
If he wants to take his chances someplace else that's fine too, sick of the Oilers overpaying after 1 good showing.
Thing is, he wont have a McDavid or a Draisaitl to help pad his stats.
Nor will he have a PP unit consisting of McD, Drai, Nuge and Klefbom (eventually Bouchard down the road 2020+).
So on a team who had 4 20+ goal scorers you're going to lose one, and not add anyone else? How does that make sense. This team already has trouble scoring goals outside of its big 3
So on a team who had 4 20+ goal scorers you're going to lose one, and not add anyone else? How does that make sense. This team already has trouble scoring goals outside of its big 3
Never did I say we stand pat. I said to sign him at the right price.
If he wants more than what would be comfortable for the Oilers moving forward (cap issues), then good on him for betting on himself.
I believe the right choice would be a 1 year show-me @ $1.8m, AND playing not on McD's wing so to get a better idea of what his value is (product of McDavid vs legitimate breakout season).
As you said, the team is short on secondary scoring. Chiasson needs to prove he can score without being on the 1st line before we commit to big $$$.
Never did I say we stand pat. I said to sign him at the right price.
If he wants more than what would be comfortable for the Oilers moving forward (cap issues), then good on him for betting on himself.
I believe the right choice would be a 1 year show-me @ $1.8m, AND playing not on McD's wing so to get a better idea of what his value is (product of McDavid vs legitimate breakout season).
As you said, the team is short on secondary scoring. Chiasson needs to prove he can score without being on the 1st line before we commit to big $$$.
I don't disagree with you. Other then the fact that other teams will offer him 2+ so what would make him stay in EDM? especially if you tell him he's not playing with Mcdiddles? I'm not saying he's worth 2.8 X 3. I'm saying that's what I think it would take to keep him.
Lots of guys could score 20 if given that much McDavid time and 1PP time.
That's fair, agreed. Question is who is available and who can the Oilers afford? And the answer is there really isn't much better options available for less than 2.8 I already signed some of them.
I don't disagree with you. Other then the fact that other teams will offer him 2+ so what would make him stay in EDM? especially if you tell him he's not playing with Mcdiddles? I'm not saying he's worth 2.8 X 3. I'm saying that's what I think it would take to keep him.
I see your point, but after year in year out of overpaying after 1 good season (see Horcoff, Penner) I just don't want them to make that mistake.
After all, it's up to the player to decide. Does 200k really matter that much if it means playing top6 + pp1 or pp2, vs bot6 + no pp.
And it's just for 1 year anyway.
If he succeeds, sign him up 3yr 3m. If he doesnt, bye!
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