Simpleton
Joined: Jun. 2017
Posts: 1,365
Likes: 502
Holland doesn't have a lot of money to play with. He seems to have done a fine job signing Puljujarvi and Turris, and those were his top priorities. J.P.'s term was a bit of a surprise, and his salary in keeping with what many expected. The AAV allocated to Turris might turn out to represent outstanding value for a 3C. Still both contracts erode cap space and so there is less money left to get Bear under contract, find another NHL goaltender, and perhaps add some veteran defence to shore up the unit in Klefbom's absence. The top-tier goalies were out of Edmonton's price range, and are probably not exactly what the Oilers absolutely need. It would have been nice to bring in a true starting goalie, but a solid veteran to share the load with Koskinen is probably going to have to be good enough. Evidently, $3.9M x 2 was enough for Crawford to go to a rebuilding team, so I wonder whether that was too rich for the Oilers. If not, then perhaps Holland should go for the throat and offer Chiasson (50% retained) to Vegas in exchange for Fluery (50% retained) and next year's 2nd round pick. That gives him a proven goaltender with two years remaining under contract. Vegas need cap space and apparently nobody is willing to help them out with their current ask. The hit to Edmonton is an AAV increase of $2,425,000 this season, and $3,500,000 next season, but they get a second round pick back. Vegas clears $2,425,000 in AAV this year, and $3,500,000 next year, and they give up one of their two 2021 2nd round picks; they can try to flip Chiasson for a draft pick, and clear additional space for this coming season. Even better, offer Khaira, rather than Chiasson.