Fixes from a Rivals Perspective

Équipe: 2019-20 Oilers d'Edmonton

Date de création initiale: 8 mai 2019

Publié: 8 mai 2019

Mode - plafond salarial: Basique

The Oilers are a tire fire, plain and simple. Chiarelli's cap and asset management were atrocious and now this team is left with too much money tied up in replacement level players and not a lot of help coming up through the system. Nicholson brings in his pal Holland to attempt to clean up this mess, but I'm not sure how successful he will be as his cap management in Detroit was also quite poor. At least there shouldn't be any horrible trades where the Oilers give up an MVP calibre forward for a #3 defenseman, or a #1B center (Barzal) for an AHL'er.

They undoubtedly have one of the best offensive duos in the game, one other second line forward, a group of expensive and frankly borderline replacement level bottom 6 forwards, a few mid-paring defensemen, and an overpaid platoon level starting goalie. Key needs include attempting to move out some of their dead weight and begin drafting and developing the support players on their roster rather than overpaying FA's to come play there. The poor development of their prospects as well as not finding players outside of the top few picks is the main reason why they are no good.

Here's a Flames fan's perspective as to the way forward to make the Oilers respectable again.

RFA's
Rieder - Signs elsewhere given Nicholson's comments about him. No value in moving his rights as he was goal-less in over 60 straight games.
Khaira - He is re-signed as a third line checking forward and elects for a one year deal to attempt to earn big raise on his next deal.
Rattie - Given a last chance one year NHL contract. If he can't crack Edmonton's roster and have a reasonably successful season I think he is done as an NHL'er.
Puljujarvi - Struggled to make an impact on his entry level deal but serves to highlight the Oilers inability to properly develop their draft picks. He's resigned to a two year bridge deal and given every opportunity to succeed at the NHL level by a the new coach who understands that his development is key to Edmonton's long term success.
Gambardella - Qualified
Larkin - Not qualified
Norell - Not qualified
Starett -
Vesel - Not qualified

UFA's
Chiasson - Had a career year and I expect the Oilers to want to keep him around; however, they can't over extend themselves for bottom six wingers like they normally do. They offer him a 2 x 1.95M contract but he gets a better offer elsewhere.
Gravel - Unsigned and left to UFA pool
Petrovic - Unsigned and left to UFA pool
Stolarz - Unsigned and left to UFA pool
Malone - Unsigned and left to UFA pool
Russel, P. - Unsigned and left to UFA pool
All others played no NHL games last season and are also left to the UFA pool.

Dzingel - A good age to target as a UFA signing as he stands a better chance of living up the his contract than some others signed on July 1. Oilers can't swing for the fences (Duchene / Panarin / Karlsson) due to cap space and the small market factor but should be able to get a solid middle 6 forward out of free agency.
McElhinney - Edmonton offers him the combination of a high salary and the best chance to continue to get games as he splits time with Koskinen.
Ennis - A quick, solid bottom 6 player that can play all three forward positions.
Stralman - A steady puck moving defense man who can mentor some of the up and coming RHD in the Oilers system.


Trades
Details / comments in each trade individually. I don't think Russel waives his no movement clause as he farms in Alberta in the off season so I've assumed they move Sekera even though I think he could bounce back a bit after his injuries.

Revisions
Re-signed Starett to start in the AHL, buried Manning, and went with a cheaper platoon goal tending option (McElhinney over Varlamov) to open up money for another forward and defenceman (decent puck mover in Stralman) in case the young players ( Jones / Bear) are not yet ready. I think that is as much as practical to do in one off season as the team will have issues attracting FA's and has little cap space to play with. The lineup is still missing top 6 right wings and therefore relying on a bounce back season from Eriksson and the development/breakout of Puljajarvi. The roster also still lacks a top defense man.

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