Team: 2022-23 Edmonton Oilers

Initial Creation Date: May 7, 2022

Published: May 7, 2022

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

I'm taking the conservative approach and assuming Calgary beats Edmonton in Game 7 of the Pacific final.

2022 NHL Entry Draft:

Three-way deal between Dallas, Detroit, and Edmonton: Dallas is going to be in major need of a puck-moving rearguard and Detroit has a want for improved draft stock and a one-year stopgap in net as they await the arrival of their next wave of prospects. Barrie has become a luxury Edmonton cannot continue to afford. I would think all three clubs walk away happy: the Stars don't lose anything substantial in the trade and don't have to take on Barrie's full cap hit in year one, Detroit sees no real change to their overall cap structure and takes back the #22 pick, and Edmonton walks away with 5 futures and $4.5M in cap space.

#50 (via DAL) - (RD) Sam Rinzel (Chaska High, USHS)
#52 (via WAS) - (LC) Filip Bystedt (Linkoping, J20 Nationell)
#128 (via COL) - (RW) Vinzenz Rohrer (Ottawa, OHL)
#150 - (G) Nick Malik (KooKoo, Liiga)
#182 - (RD) Jack Sparkes (St. Michaels, OJHL)
#214 - (RC) Brayden Schuurman (Victoria, WHL)

I believe the Oilers' draft needs to be RD, G, C, LD, and wingers (in descending priority) and ultimately decided to stick with the BPA as per @BruinsFan35 and his wonderful work with this year's draft class.

I'm not expecting the offseason to be overly flashy as the Oilers are still severely limited by cap space even after offloading Barrie. A strong second round against the Flames shows progress and I believe it buys the Oilers more time. Kassian is dumped on the Blackhawks in what I think to be a relatively savvy deal for both sides. Klefbom is moved to a team that could use his LTIR status such that Edmonton can accrue cap space.

Holland's current priority needs to be extending Kane, Puljujarvi, and Yamamoto all while finding the means to pry Kuemper out of Colorado. The three forwards have fit so well this season that building upon it should be a focus. Kuemper can only become a reality if Smith retires which I think is already highly likely. The injury history is getting concerning and a strong run allows him to go out "on top". I don't think Keith retires nor does he need/want to. By kicking the Puljujarvi can down the road one year (the math works so long as Bouchard signs a long-term deal at/around Keith's current cap hit) and squeezing Yamamoto, the Oilers can accommodate all four pieces. Kuemper is either $5.5M/5y or $6M/4y, whichever he'd prefer. Edmonton will have to flip or walk from Kuzmenko at the end of the year (sound slike that's his plan anyways) and Foegele becomes the next cap casualty.

At the end of the day it's the league's-best offense with a very inexperienced blueline and what should be phenomenal goaltending. It's enough to call them contenders, especially if they find a way to add a guy like Sanheim or Graves at the deadline.

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