Quoting: Cbzblaze
If you noticed, I don't have klefbom on LTIR. If he's healthy the D is good. If he can't play there's 4 million to add a quality dman.
Everyone is ****ting on Bear these days. Young D go through ups and downs. It's part of their natural progression. He's a better player than he showed this year. I have him on the 1st pair because thats where he's going to play if Barrie isn't resigned. Larsson doesn't pair well with nurse and Bouchard will have to play his way up the lineup.
Koekkoek is ideally suited for bottom pair but can fill in temporarily.
Barrie signed a cheap 1 yr deal and it's gonna get him paid. Someone like galchenyuk might take advantage of being able to play with McDavid or drai to revive his career.
Just because someone makes more money doesn't mean they have to play higher in the lineup. Different guys have different skillets.
McLeod will be sucessfull on whichever line he centers. 2nd, 3rd or 4th. Guy can skate and he works hard.
"IF" is a big risk to take on a team with Mcdavid and Drai. Klefbom when healthy but that was a while ago..
Bear is a decent young defensemen but is no where near a top pairing guy yet. He can't replicate Barrie's offensive numbers and is no better defensively. The method you have made moves is just wishful thinking rather than making changes for the better.
Obviously we aren't getting Barrie at the same value anymore..but why not pay him more to stay? He fit well with our group and you wouldn't need to rush Bear into a role he isn't suited for. As for Galchenyuk his career has partly been revived in Toronto..still a gamble on the Oilers banking on him to be a top 6 caliber player again.
Again lots of wishful thinking giving players bigger roles than they are suited. Oilers should be in a playoff threat but with these moves we would barely be a playoff team.
Agree with the salary comment. But if you are signing two UFA's for the same position why would you get someone cheap for your top 6 role and pay someone 3x more to be on your 3rd line?? Literally makes no sense I'd rather spend more on a dependable top 6 winger.
Mcleod is great but don't bury him on the 4th line. You are essentially setting him up for failure in such a limited checking role.