Team: 2022-23 Edmonton Oilers

Initial Creation Date: Apr. 4, 2022

Published: Apr. 4, 2022

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Edmonton is at a crossroads, many of my previous AGM's have been about how to play the next few seasons as GM of the Oilers, and how important it will be for KH to get creative and create cap space in order to keep this group together (a select few of the group).

Here are a few ideas (some creative, some less so):

1. Mike Smith Retires / LTIR - at this point Koskinen has supplanted him as the starter and despite the 2nd year on his deal I cannot see him back next season, so either he retires, goes on LTIR or is dealt to AZ with picks to join the seniors tour.

Solution: Retires

2. Tyson Barrie Trade - Despite what every Leafs fan says Barrie has value and is a tradeable asset. Now EDM could either deal him for picks creating $4.5M in space or they could trade him, in a hockey trade, for an area of need. Sadly I don't see too many teams looking to deal a RHD for a different RHD, so the most likely outcome is traded for picks.

Solution: Traded to SEA for Pick & Player

3. Kassian Trade or Buyout - Unless something drastically changes between now and the end of the season it is hard to imagine any team giving up assets to land Kassian and his $3.2M cap hit. So in order to move him a pick will need to be added in order to facilitate a trade (Possible AZ deal) or if the asset required is to steep of price a Buyout is also an option (creates $2.4m in space this upcoming season & $1.2m in the following ) but this also costs EDM roughly $1m in space for 2024 & 2025.

Solution: Traded w/ assets to BUF for Player

4. Duncan Keith Trade, Buyout or Retire/LTIR - Moving Keith seems unlikely as he has a NMC and a desire to stay in western Canada, Buyout only creates a $1m in space this season and a penalty of $500k next so its upside is minimal, retirement/LTIR would provide the space however Keith doesn't seem like a player who will hang them up willingly especially if EDM makes a playoff run. I don't see anything happening with Keith however it is an option.

Solution: Nothing

5. Warren Foegele Trade - Depending on where Foegele lands on the depth chart and $2.75m is expensive 4th Liner, IF needed could flip him for picks and space. Don't let the acquisition cost be a deterrent if it means keeping JP & Yam long term.

Solution: Traded to CBJ for Picks

Holland won't do all 5 and in fact I have put them in order of likelihood (perhaps could flip 4 & 5) , but for him to create enough space to resign JP, Yam, Mcloed, Kane & a Goalie to tandem with Skinner he will need to complete 4 of 5.

The JP & Yam extensions depending on the lengths will determine the extent of how much space he will need to create. I would prefer to see them go long term on both players however bridge deals do buy them time. With that being said it could turn into another Nurse situation with the player getting paid after being bridged twice.

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