i'd say dump gagner. youll save either 1.3M with a buyout or save 3M via a trade for a bag of pucks. There are many 4th line options within the organization and from FA that will be at least 2M cheaper and right now the Oil need to focus on moving pieces that will give them an overall better cap position not only for this coming up year but, also for the years to come. Cap stability is a key priority when you have an anchor like lucic still on the books.

If cap stability is our goal then we need to stay away from buyouts. We could simply let his contract run out this year and as he's proven since his return to EDM, he's serviceable in a bottom 6 role.

On the trade side, I wanted to make this realistic and I'm not sure I know any team who's willing to take on this much salary. You might say Ottawa but I think their goal is to just hit the minimum which is why I dumped Manning instead of Gagner.

I would say try and move gagner to ottawa then. Since Manning is buried, he's only costing edmonton around a million for one more year and 3.1M in savings would provide a lot more financial flexibility for this year which is critical as this year is most likely going to revolve around stabilizing the cap and getting depth wingers for cheap

Would Eakin and Haula not warrant a better return than a future 2nd and a 3rd. One is a solid 3rd line C who is good on the PK and the other has averaged better than 0.5 P/G the last 2 years when not injured?

Edit:

Love the stacked AHL team though. No idea why more teams don't do this to build a strong winning culture with young players. Pays huge dividends - see Tampa.

Big feeling Jones makes the NHL

I hope he doesn't this year. But if one of the top 6 get injured or not playing well, he or Lagesson should be the first call up and get playing time over the 7th D.

Samorukov and Bouchard have both been showing that youre damn close to NHL ready as well. Should be interesting