Simpleton
Joined: Jun. 2017
Posts: 1,365
Likes: 502
At this point the 2-4 year outlook for goaltending is what concerns me most about the Oilers. There are more than enough solid prospects who are either ready now, or will soon be ready to fill the depth positions at the NHL level. The emergence of Ryan McLeod contributes to an improved bottom six forward group, Tyler Benson will get his shot to do the same this fall. Apparently Dylan Holloway should get some NHL time this year, and both he and Rafael Lavoie should be contributing a the NHL level by some point in the 2022/23 season. Those latter two have potential to be top-six players for the Oilers, and their presence may just push Zack Kassian and Derek Ryan down the depth chart and severly limit opportunities for 13th and 14th forwards like Vesey, Shore, and Barbanov.
Barring remarkable performances in 2021/22, neither JP nor Yamamoto have earned what you are projecting. If those are their salary demands, I expect Holland will trade Yamamoto because the Oilers have a number of undersized, aggressive, skill forward prospects. Perhaps a Yamamoto trade will address the goaltending question in Edmonton? Or, maybe it will bring in an asset that provides Tippett with a third line that is a strong scoring threat? Maybe it brings a different look to the Oiler blue line? In any case, Tippett can mix and match with McDavid, Draisaitl, RNH, Hyman, JP, Foegel, Holloway, and Lavoie in the top six.