Quoting: CD282
What's the attraction with Hutton? You could get a better goalie in free agency for less.
Otherwise, this is a fantastic team and a Cup contender for sure.
It's more Thompson I'm after. I think there's a worthwhile reclamation project there. I don't think Khaira can be dumped without taking some sort of money back with how tight budgets are going to be.
Holland has a thing for older goalies: I'm sold that he's targetting either Howard or bringing Smith back. Hutton's just a compromise where Khaira can be dumped simultaneously.
Quoting: Timmah007
Looks good. I’m not into the sens deal would prefer to keep russell for the final year of his deal as a depth guy but overall I like what you’ve done good job.
Playing Russell means taking icetime away from two young defenders that are already likely better than Kris. It means not getting enough games in for Lagesson to qualify him for expansion.
Jones' ability to play his off side allows the three young defenders to work as a rotation. There's no room for Russell without keeping Bouchard in the AHL. Winning the Alexis lottery means that the Oilers are in win-now mode for the next 3 seasons while he's still on his ELC.
Quoting: Timmah007
I would not buy out Neal tho try retaining 1.9 on his deal that puts him under 4 million and as a pp specialist brings decent value. Buyout adds term to dead cap.
Does that lineup need a power play specialist? Where would Neal even fit on the power play given the setup I've shown?
I don't think a trade involving a retained Neal that Edmonton wins exists. Again, cap is tight right now, and there should be enough progression to the cap such that by year 4 this team won't notice the dead hit from his buyout.
Quoting: Nhl_oilers
Yup. McDavid and Lafreniere.. I hope that happens for really life. It looks good though! Buyout wouldn’t be my first option, for Neal but if needed then I would do it. I would rather try and trade him.
See above.
Keeping Neal likely means dumping Chiasson and running a 22-man roster: given that he's French as well and could help Alexis adjust, I think Chiasson should stay. He provides just as much power play value as Neal does anyways.