Team: 2019-20 Edmonton Oilers

Initial Creation Date: Jul. 22, 2019

Published: Jul. 22, 2019

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Now that Neal has been acquired, what's next for the Oilers? My last post called the trade a few hours before it actually took place (I thought a nonconditional 5th would force it through, but a conditional 3rd works too). I also had a trade involving Puljujarvi, but this time I'll choose to keep him.

Holland came out saying that he likes 1.5 Mil in cap space, and that he's saving about 1 mil for Smith's bonus. The rest of that money was pumped all into a 1 Year show-me contract to Puljujarvi. The problem is: where does he play? As i see things currently, I think they are gonna try to put McDavid and Neal together to inflate the latter's value as high as possible. As for the LW, I think Nygard gets the chance here; he's fast and can give an option for McDavid on the rush. To me, that means we can run Draisaitl as 2C and RNH as 3C, which opens up the issue of "who is playing left wing?" Chiasson is the one with the most experience at the position (of our right wingers) and plays best with RNH, so he slots in at 3LW. That means that Archibald can round out the line. While Kassian could play with Draisaitl on the 2nd line, I see him more as a fourth liner. That leaves the 2RW spot wide open for Puljujarvi to prove his worth. Granlund can slot in on the LW in order to give him room to make mistakes as well. Seems like the best move to increase his value. That leaves the 4C and 4LW spots open. Unless there's a series of crazy events (i.e. Benson, Nygard, Granlund, Cave, Haas, and Gagner forcing him out of the lineup in some fashion), Khaira should be the 4LW. That leaves the 4C position open for: Cave, Gagner, and Haas. I gave it to Haas since if he doesn't get it, he's going back to Europe and we lose the asset.

Although we could use another top 6 forward, i think the biggest area of issue is the second pair RHD. I really dont want to slot in Russell or Jones in that spot (being that they are lefties), and I don't think Benning can play in that role. That leaves Persson, but having him jump straight there is a huge stretch when he probably ends up as a 7th D. This leads me to the Russell trade. Looking at my options, the only real fits were Pateryn in Minnesota, Pysyk in Florida, and Martinez in LA. While being the most unlikely team-wise, i think its the best fit for both teams. LA has little to no LHD that can play 2nd pairing minutes, and they could use all the picks and prospects they can get. While Martinez is an upgrade on Russell, I can't see a 2nd rounder being in this trade, which leaves me with either a player or a 4th going back as a sweetner. I chose Berglund, as he is the highest draft prospect on the list that isnt from 2019, but you could swap this out with Cairns if you think he's better. As for Russell's NMC, I think Holland and Tippett tell him straight up that he is gonna be a 7th dman for this team because Jones is ready. Between the press box and top 4 minutes, I know what I'd choose.

Finally I signed Vanek to a PTO. He can compete with Nygard for a spot in the lineup. Whether he actually signs is up in the air, however ill throw it out there.