When I return to Edmonton from Montreal, I can’t help but feel that we’ve received more questions than answers about the Oilers over the past 48 hours. I’ll get there in a second.
First, the experience of covering my first NHL Draft was amazing. Fans of the Canadians brought the noise the first night and the city was bought a lot. I know I’ve already written a bit about it, but I just wanted to say once again that the city and the league hosted an extraordinary event. The amount of drama we had one night also helped us.
In addition to selecting Reid Schaefer 32nd overall, the Oilers made a change on draft day, moving Zack Kassian and his contract to the Arizona Coyotes. In my opinion, a slight overpayment, but a trade that the Oilers certainly had to do. It’s worth giving up a couple of draft selections to avoid a purchase.
They also had $ 5.5 million of maximum space on their lap when it became known that 39-year-old defender Duncan Keith called it a race. There were many rumors that this would be the case during the days leading up to the draft, and while the extra $ 5.5 million is fantastic, the Oilers will have to go and sign one or two left-backs.
Announcement – Continue reading below
This is the first big question: What will the defense be like next season?
This is how things are now:
- Nurse Darnell – Cody Ceci
- Philip Broberg – Evan Bouchard
- Markus Niemalainen – Tyson Barrie
It’s not a blue line capable of winning the Stanley Cup. I really think there will be an agreement between Brett Kulak and the Oilers. Its $ 2.5 million demand is very reasonable and worked very well. He and Tyson Barrie could make a very good third couple, but that brings me to my second question: why aren’t they still trying to move Tyson Barrie?
Listen, I like the player, but it can’t be argued that he has overpaid for what the Oilers need from him. In fact, I think its real value is close to $ 4.5 million, but it’s a defense that moves the record that brings a lot of value to the power game. The Oilers have a younger, cheaper version of Evan Bouchard. I think not only do they have to re-sign Brett Kulak, but they also have to switch to Barrie and use some of the cover savings to find a more reliable defensive player for their third partner.
Announcement – Continue reading below
Honestly, I think regardless of whether they move or not, they need another veteran defense. An option I really like: Mark Pysyk.
Finding out the blue line is crucial, but it’s not the biggest question that needs to be answered. This would be: Who will be the starting goalkeeper for this team next season?
While we haven’t necessarily gotten an answer to this question, I think we can connect a few points.
First, we already saw a lot of movement. Georgiev left for Colorado, Husso landed in Detroit, and Fleury returned to Minnesota.
There are two high-end UFA options in Jack Campbell and Stanley Cup champion Darcy Kuemper. There are many reports that say the capitals of Washington are very interested in Kuemper. They handed out Vitek Vanecek in New Jersey and opened a venue. Would they really do that if they didn’t have a good idea of their chances of signing Kuemper?
I think Campbell is the most likely choice for Edmonton. It’s not me as a privileged person or anything for him, but that’s where he seems to be going. According to reports, the Oilers have been very interested in Campbell for a while and these rumors are legitimate.
Announcement – Continue reading below
However, there are two things that can change that. First, there are reports that Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas will meet face-to-face with Campbell early next week. If the Leafs are willing to pay the market value, that could hurt the Oilers ’chances of signing Campbell.
The other thing is the availability of Cam Talbot. Wild GM Bill Guerin seemed adamant that he wasn’t going to move Talbot, but they are a team with a very limited cap. If they can get a cheaper, but still reliable, backup for Fleury and move Talbot’s $ 3.6 million maximum hit, they could have some money to spend on free agency.
Ken Holland should go make a move for Talbot. It has been incredibly consistent with the Wild and would be cheaper than the options available at the free agency. This could give the Oilers more money to bolster their advanced group, which is the next question there is.
Which strikers will the Oilers prioritize?
I don’t think giving Evander Kane a multi-year deal worth about $ 7 million isn’t the best route for this team. It’s probably worth it if you consider just his ice play, but I wish the Oilers had a chance to sign Claude Giroux first. If you can get Giroux, who is a more versatile player, for about $ 5 million with a two- or three-year contract, you may have enough money to add a piece like Dylan Strome as well.
The Oilers will always find ways to produce when Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are on the ice. Giroux would still give them another elite teammate and of course they still have Zach Hyman and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Kailer Yamamoto should come back too. These six names would give the Oilers a very good top six and, as I said, pivoting from Kane to Giroux on this stage saves them some money.
Announcement – Continue reading below
Adding a piece like Strome with these savings could give Oilers even more depth of score, which they need. Regardless of whether it’s Strome playing in the third line with Ryan McLeod or someone in the top six who is being pushed down, I think the Oilers are a deeper and better team with a Giroux / Strome tandem compared to just making a big hit with Kane.
Speaking of strikers, will the Oilers move to Warren Foegele or Jesse Puljujarvi?
We know they are trying to move Puljujarvi, but they failed to reach an agreement in the draft. That really doesn’t mean much considering they didn’t plan on leaving it just for a draft selection, but it was still surprising that no agreement was reached. I really thought it would happen.
That could happen and while they will remain in Puljujarvi from the striker group, the deal will likely add a young striker to their squad.
Earlier this week on Oilers Now, Bob Stauffer said the Oilers hadn’t finished changing their salary and could still change a player who earned more than $ 2.5 million. This is where Warren Foegele comes in.
Announcement – Continue reading below
He didn’t make a great first season with the Oilers. He struggled to produce an offense constantly and did not constantly play with the physique. These were two things he did to Carolina and that’s why the Oilers not only moved him to Ethan Bear, but gave him a three-year extension.
But I wouldn’t move it. I should rather move Barrie. I think changing a player like Foegele after a year out is not a smart deal. I think they should see if this year can go back and if not, you can continue next summer.
I’ll end with that: a small group of hypothetically funny strikers for the Oilers next season.
- Hyman – McDavid – Giroux
- Nugent-Hopkins – Draisaitl – Yamamoto
- Strome – McLeod – Puljujarvi / Replacement
- Foegele – Ryan – Shore
If Holloway breaks the team, that means there’s even more depth. They could turn Hyman upside down and make everyone fall a little. There is a possibility that the Oilers could build a group of very deep strikers this offseason.
Lots of questions and next week we will finally have answers.
Announcement – Continue reading below