The summer/offseason of 2021 is going to be huge for the Oilers, as they have a decent amount of cap space coming available, Seattle expansion looming and some of their prospects will be cementing their spot on the fulltime NHL roster.
As you may note the 2 most important signings will be Nugent-Hopkins and Yamamoto. Second to them I would suggest Kahun and Haas are the next most important internal signings needed.
Yamamoto $3,100,000 x 2 Yrs: Contract Comps Victor Olofsson & Jacub Vrana
Nugent-Hopkins $6,500,000 x 6 Yrs: Contract Comps Brendan Gallahger & Brayden Schenn
Kahun $1,800,000 x 2 Yrs: Contract Comps Jack Roslovic & Anthony Duclair
Haas $1,650,000 x 2Yrs: Contracts Comps Kyle Turris and Eric Haula
Externally the biggest need for Edmonton has to be Goaltending. It was an issue this summer but was not addressed in the manner most fans felt necessary. The crop of UFA goaltenders for the 2021/2022 offseason is very strong and contains some names such as: Rask, Binnington, Anderson, Grubauer, Mrazek and Driedger.
Additionally with Expansion Looming and Team Protection limits there may be some trade option available as well with names such as: Petersen, Talbot, Stalock, Allen, Desmith, Campbell, Demko, Holtby, and Dreidger (IF signed by FLA)
My ideal route is to sign someone rather than trade for one, sadly EDM does have a lot of expendable draft picks nor can the be trading away prospects. Based on the UFA list I expect many to resign with their respective clubs with the exception of Dreidger. FLA already has Bobrovsky signed ($10M AAV) and probably are not looking to add another chunk of money to their goaltending duo. With that said EDM could trade for his signing rights and maybe move out a Kassian in the process?
BIG FISH UFA:
Brandon Saad $5,000,000 x 5Yrs Physical and can play with skill while chipping in offensively. (Look at how well he has done so far in COL)
Dreidger $3,500,000 x 3 Yrs: Contract Comps Tristan Jarry & Phillip Grubauer
Rounding out the Roster:
Joel Armia $2,750,000 x 1 Yr / Could be the odd man out in MTL with their depth on the right side
Travis Hamonic $1,500,000 x 1Yr / Depth Defenseman, low cost, can play physical hockey and won't block future prospects
Depending on how this season goes, Edmonton may look to Buyout James Neal. Not because he is totally ineffective but because it frees up over $3,000,000 dollars in cap space. As for Barrie, if the season goes well, he will likely command $5.5-$6.5 million per and I do not see that as a option for Edmonton. There is a natural successor there in Bouchard and players like Nurse, Bear, Puljujarvi, Lagesson and Jones are going to be looking for raises at the end of the 2022 season. With that being said IF the ask from Barrie is $4.0 -$5.0 million per on a long term deal I would sign that deal because having 3 guys on the right side that can move the puck up ice to McDavid and Draisaitl is a great thing, even if they are the most physical hard nosed players.
I truly feel with a couple tweeks on offense and internal growth defensively the Oilers will be a contending playoff team. However IF they do not improve their goaltending tandem it will be all for not.
It’s nice that Florida has Levi and Knight in the pipeline but they will take awhile to graduate from the AHL. Can Florida entrust this current version of Bobvrosky to carry them without a solid backup?
It’s nice that Florida has Levi and Knight in the pipeline but they will take awhile to graduate from the AHL. Can Florida entrust this current version of Bobvrosky to carry them without a solid backup?
Agreed, like many others was I a tad confused when they signed Bob and drafted Knight in the same summer but it appears to be the right play. It will let their two young guys develop properly.
That being said I don't believe FLA / Quenneville has faith in Bob at this point but you've gotta think as a budget team they wont be willing to break the bank but instead bargain bin shop for a back up G
I don't know anything about Driedger but if he is really worth $3.5M then I can't see Fla keeping him..
How did Turris and Russell end up on LTIR?
That Saad deal is about 2 years longer thna I'd like it to be but I like the player
Dislike the Hamonic deal and I think there needs to be more/different addition(s) to the Defence than this especially considering Klefbom's injury history and potential career ending situation
Overall though I like your direction. Leaves some cap space and if Driedger is what you believe he is I think that is a typical Holland Goaltending move..
I don't know anything about Driedger but if he is really worth $3.5M then I can't see Fla keeping him..
How did Turris and Russell end up on LTIR?
That Saad deal is about 2 years longer thna I'd like it to be but I like the player
Dislike the Hamonic deal and I think there needs to be more/different addition(s) to the Defence than this especially considering Klefbom's injury history and potential career ending situation
Overall though I like your direction. Leaves some cap space and if Driedger is what you believe he is I think that is a typical Holland Goaltending move..
How did Turris and Russell end up on LTIR?
I have a feeling Russell will be dealt this offseason or retire.
As for Turris he almost certainly will be dealt unless he turns things around.
I just did not create trades for them cause you end up with fans/trolls of those teams commenting "NEVER" or other annoying stuff That Saad deal is about 2 years longer thna I'd like it to be but I like the player
Me as well and I've had this conversation with people about resigning Barrie. Its the unfortunate trade off that lowers the 27+ yr old UFAs cap hit. On a 3yr deal Saad's asking price would start with a 7 i bet. Dislike the Hamonic deal and I think there needs to be more/different addition(s) to the Defence than this especially considering Klefbom's injury history and potential career ending situation
Fair enough, there are a few other UFA RSD that are available this summer such as: Tyson Barrie, Dougie Hamilton, David Savard CBJ and Mark Pysyk DAL. If Klefbom is truly out next season you're very right and they would need to explore more names than the bargain bin name i suggested.