Team: 2023-24 Edmonton Oilers

Initial Creation Date: Feb. 26, 2024

Published: Feb. 27, 2024

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Note: I understand its highly unlikely for all of these moves to go through. But this would be my perfect roster for the Oilers after TDL.

RNH - McDavid - Hyman
Let's stop experimenting and put the line with the most chemistry with McDavid back together shall we? Hyman is the perfect person to play with McDavid due to his ability to drive the net, and RNH provides some good two way play when McDavid is gassed and dogs it back defensively.

McLeod - Draisaitl - P. Kane
People need to recognize that when McLeod was playing with Draisaitl early in the year, he essentially was McDavid-lite in terms of speed. Draisaitl needs someone with speed and another player that either gets open for his passes or can get him the puck. Guentzel has been one name that could fit this description, but if the Wings are selling I see Kane as a better, cheaper (no cap retention) option.

E.Kane - Henrique - Perry
I wanna go on record to say two things. One: I honestly don't think the Ducks trade provides anything meaningful to this team if its the only trade they do. Two: Id much rather Foegele than E. Kane tbh but the latter is much harder to move. Either way, you get a line with some snarl that can put the puck in the net. Worst case at least they hit everything that moves.

Janmark - Ryan - Brown - Gagner - Carrick
Of these five you'll have your fourth line. I don't see anyone in the top 9 being scratched unless there's injuries. As for the 4th line, I think Janmark gets a spot mainly due to being the best natural LW. Ryan and Brown get nods due to their PK ability. Gagner will pitch in depth scoring. Carrick is an unknown for me, but if they trade for him im assuming he's at least on the roster. As for Holloway, I think if you have to send down a forward, you send down the youngest so he can play in Bakersfield.

Ekholm - Bouchard
Duh. Don't mess with our best d-pair.

Nurse - Walker
Hopefully giving Nurse a new d-partner will help him play better. Ceci is fine, but hopefully this works even better.

Kulak - Ceci - Desharnais
Putting Ceci on the 3rd pair should make this one of the best 3rd pairs in the playoffs considering the money spent on the two. Desharnais as the 7th d also allows everyone in the d-core to actually get some rest from time to time. Broberg can also be a call up option should the team need it.

Skinner - Pickard
I don't think this is the best case scenairo for the playoffs. But if Skinner can stay hot for 4 series then i think it doesnt matter who the backup is. I'd love to go out and get someone like Fleury, but I don't think the Oilers are in the market for a goalie at this time.

As for the trades:

Walker for a 1st seems like it would be enough. If you dont get him though, you just call up Broberg and keep the pairs the same as they have been. Not a huge deal either way.

Kane i am just seeing as a cheaper version of the Guentzel trade, considering you dont have to retain salary. I love Foegele but he's gotta go to make the money work. Then you get former first rounder Bourgault and a 3rd for your troubles. Maybe a 2nd would make the value more even?

As for the Ducks, they get the first because they are eating all of Campbell's contract and retaining on Henrique. Lavoie is a great young goal scorer that can play in the Top 6 one day. And Campbell could regain his mojo in a market with no pressure to win like ANA.

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