You know Campbell has three more years left on his contract after this season, right? That coincides with Michkov's ELC which we should be making the most of for its whole duration. What a burden that would be for only a pick in the high 20s, which doesn't even consistently produce everyday NHLers.

There is nowhere for Atkinson in Raleigh

26-27 is michkov's first year he could theoretically come over without any contractual obligation to SKA, so it would be the final year of campbell's deal

i agree that year 1 wiith michkov should be year 1 of cup contention, but it isn't a terrible idea to do this. the farther down the road is the more likely it is to be used as a trade piece

I wouldn't be wholeheartedly opposed if there was a better return. Like a much better return. There is basically no place in this league for Campbell's contract and we aren't gonna create one for only a high first.

I mean yeah but also cap is going up so by the end of it the contract will be closer to like 2 mill or dead cap

this is the exact conversation that leadership should be having... imo, its worth targeting 1sts in 2025/2026 because those ELCs will coincide with Michkov. Campbell contract is horrible, no way around it... but realistically, if the cap rises and PHI isnt really contending until 2026/27, does it matter? If Hart is out of NHL, we'd have the space for an overpaid goalie

draft picks aren't good for just players on elc's when michkov comes over, they can easily be used for trade assets to potentially trade any bad contract if needed (ristolainen/campbell/etc.)

not to mention, it's not impossible that campbell turns back into a serviceable goalie (although not likely), especially if he's on a good defensive team

Oilers are interested in Walker. But the reason we are interested is cause we assume with his sparse history of performance that he would come cheap. At a 1st round pick for him as a rental, there’s no way Oilers touch that. Not with him being undersized and having zero playoff experience.

If it’s a 1st the Oilers won’t want him. Tops we will pay is a 2nd and 4th, and even then that stretching it and only in the scenario that there will be a bidding war.

I can live with most of these deals, Atkinson isn't going to Carolina. I think he could get moved for a conditional 3rd and becomes a 2nd. I don't think Jiricek gets traded. As for Campbell, I think it would require a better return and Peterson has to go back to EDM. I think Campbell is much more capable of backing up Errson.

I agree that a 1st is too much but holland has done dumber things

Holland gets a bad rap but his deal as an Oilers GM has been mostly good.

Everyone laughed at paying Caleb Jones + 3rd for 2 years of Duncan Kieth. No one laughed when people realized Kieth was still good, that Jones was a nothing prospect, and the Hawks took on 3 years od bad cap as the result of that deal due to Keith’s retirement.

People called Ekholm trade an overpay; now looking like a complete steal as he’s one half of the best defensive pair in the League. Barrie who preds took on, has his value plummet immediately. And the 1st round pick prospect included is now busting.

Then there’s the signings, people called Hyman an overpay and now he’s the best UFA signing in Oilers history and it’s not even really close.

Kane signing turned out well too when people said it was too risky to take him on. Nuge signing amazing as he put up a 100 pts last year for a 5M.