Team: 2024-25 Edmonton Oilers

Initial Creation Date: May 17, 2024

Published: May 17, 2024

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

This team was built with the upcoming contract extensions for Draisaitl and Bouchard in mind. There are definitely better options available (like Tanev) than those I signed here, but as I said, I'm thinking a few seasons ahead.

Trades:

>Ehlers - I think this is a fair price. I looked through his other trades here, and this is roughly the average price.
>Kulak - He's having a great season, but we just need the cap space, and Broberg can easily handle his role.
>Kane - It might seem like there's some hate towards him, but he still had 24-19-43 in 77 games this season and (so far) 3-3-6 in 10 playoff games. And that's playing almost half the season with an injury (allegedly a hernia).
>Ceci - He's bad. If I were a GM, I wouldn't give up even a 7th-round pick for him. But GMs just like defensemen who play 19 minutes a game. We'll definitely get a 4th-round pick for him.

UFAs/RFAs:

>Mantha - With his injuries, it's a bit of a risk. But with tight cap space, you have to take risks (like this year with Brown). He's a two-way forward with the potential to be very productive (for the 3rd line). I'm not sure about his AAV.
>Carrier - I think he's a great upgrade over Ceci. In Nashville, he played the 3rd most minutes and was up against the opponent's best players. He would take similar money, and Nurse would finally have a capable partner.
>Desharnais - He handles his role well and can step into the 2nd pairing if needed.
>Brossoit - Quality backup. If Skinner falls apart again in the playoffs, we have a better chance with him than with Pickard.
>Holloway - He needs to play. In the playoffs, he literally flies on the ice. The points will come.
>Lavoie - He's big and a scorer. The 3rd line in this composition could be productive, plus Mantha and McLeod defend excellently.

The 4th line is very subjective. IMO Janmark is overhated. His xGA/60 is among the best in the league, and he also plays on the penalty kill. Perry is just Perry. He hasn't had a great playoff run so far, but I still believe in him, and I think he's a quality depth player. Ryan is solid defensively and can occasionally score a goal. But as I said, it's subjective, and the line could easily look different.

After the season, Ehlers' and Brossoit's (and others) contracts will expire, and Neal's buyout will also disappear. This will provide enough space to sign Draisaitl and Bouchard.

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