Now that the oilers signed Jones and sent Lagesson down, its clear who’s being viewed by the management as part of the oilers future, and who’s a trade piece at the deadline. Oilers have too many nice d prospects, Lagesson will be a solid top 6 guy in the future but the oilers don’t need him.
Russell or Larsson must be moved with Bouchard and Broberg coming up in the next 2 years, but Larsson is far too valuable to the team defensively to get rid of, even if it’s for a decent winger. Russell’s cap hit is identical to Larsson yet doesn’t always play like a 4m$ defensive defenseman. The oilers will miss him- but it’s for a greater good! Before I didn’t think anyone would be willing to take on Russell cap hit, but it doesn’t have term anymore, and Martinez who is in a similar situation with the same cap hit, is garnering interest from around the league, so it’s clear that Russell could move if the oilers needed him to.
Next, there’s the obvious issue of Jesse Puljujarvi. Holland will wait it out and be patient, trading him at or near the draft, likely for a 2nd/late late 1st, or a winger.
I think the oilers will be relatively confident in Koskinen’s abilities, but don’t have a deep enough goalie prospect pool to be confident that they’ll have a good goalie in 2/3 years. Wouldn’t be surprised if they trade down and grab a goalie at the draft, or grab Askarov if he falls to the oilers in the draft (that’s not happening)
Oilers probably extend nugent-Hopkins aswell halfway through the season, for no more than 6 mil/year, and give yamamoto somewhere under 4 for 3 years as a longer bridge. Kassian gets a 4 years x 3 mil contract, fair for both sides, a bit under what’s rumoured right now. After that, the oilers extend the bottom 6 forwards who have been working so far for them, and some who are happy to take league minimum. The oilers elect to go long term with Bear, who they’ve seen enough of and know he’ll be a great two-way d man on their 2nd/3rd pairing for years to come. Salary might be a bit low for bear here honestly, but this is assuming players will take less to continue being a playoff team. This applies to nurse too, even though personally I don’t think he’s worth over 4.5 mil.
Oh yeah, then there’s the callups. I’ve heard from multiple scouts that there’s 0 chance Benson and Bouchard don’t make it out of camp next year. Both top young players in the AHL at their respective positions, Bouchard leading AHL rookie D men in goals, Benson was 2nd in AHL rookie of the year voting last year.
Kreider makes tons of sense for the oilers, but they need to make sure they aren’t getting another lucic here. Max term 4 years, max $ 6 mil.
If kreider was looking for that kind of deal he would already be sign by the Rangers. And he already stated that he don’t want to play for a canadian team. That bob mackenzie that mention that a few weeks ago. Zach kassian will be looking for a major raise.
If kreider was looking for that kind of deal he would already be sign by the Rangers. And he already stated that he don’t want to play for a canadian team. That bob mackenzie that mention that a few weeks ago. Zach kassian will be looking for a major raise.
Must’ve missed that, Kassian is a guy who’s stated he’ll take less to stay with Mcdavid and the oilers
If kreider was looking for that kind of deal he would already be sign by the Rangers. And he already stated that he don’t want to play for a canadian team. That bob mackenzie that mention that a few weeks ago. Zach kassian will be looking for a major raise.
Reports are Kassian is signing 3.25 for 4 long years
Not sure why keeping Chiasson. Neal wouldnt be satisfied of being on the 4th line. Nuge would not be a 3rd center, switch him with benson. Make Foegle center if you really need.
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