Team: 2021-22 Edmonton Oilers

Initial Creation Date: Mar. 6, 2021

Published: Mar. 6, 2021

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Quick notes:
- This defence isn't great on paper. Unless Bear plays like a legit top 2 dman it stacks up badly against any contender. There's no solution in free agency, trade is the only way to upgrade our RD. Signing Savard instead of Larsson is barely an upgrade, if at all. I don't see a big trade happening

- I don't want to commit to a multi year solution on McD's wing. Skill doesn't mean much if the fit isn't there. We don't want to risk another bad long term contract

- Having a 3C that can carry the 3rd line to a positive +/- is important. A net positive 3rd line would win us a lot of games. Spend on a top-tier 3C if the money is there, not another attempt at saving money like signing Turris. Danault wins draws and plays a great 2 way game

- A 1B like Driedger would work if we're close to the cap, or the bonified starters are taken already. Grubauer and Binnington are likely Holland's targets if the money is there

- Glendening is a much needed right handed faceoff/penalty kill specialist. He's almost 70% in the faceoff circle, #1 in the league this year. Perfect 4C option. Drai takes way too many draws currently, and our bottom 6 is under 50% FOW

- Laggy - Larsson is a great shutdown pair. Extend Laggy to a long term deal if he keeps playing well this year

- The extra $4.7mill in cap space could easily go to bolstering the bottom 6 but I figured I'd leave it as is to show how much flexibility we have if Neal retires or is dumped somehow. If we sign a guy like Hyman to a $4.5mill, one year deal on the 3rd line that would great. A 3rd line of Holloway - Danault - Hyman, for example, might be the best 3rd line in the league. (Nuge - Drai - Yamo is easily the best 2nd line). If we were to trade for a top pair shutdown RD we likely spend $3-4mill on a 3C and don't resign Larsson

- If Neal doesn't retire due to Covid side effects, or any other reason, I'd be willing to move him with Jones. Benson and 1st to Seattle if that's what it takes. This team could contend for a cup if Goaltending shows up and Bouch + Bear grow their game

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