Équipe: 2021-22 Oilers d'Edmonton

Date de création initiale: 17 mars 2021

Publié: 17 mars 2021

Mode - plafond salarial: Basique

Doubling down on two unpopular opinions: Holloway and McLeod take the extra year in the AHL and Koskinen remains as the backup. The idea for the ELC players at the very least is to push both the Condors and Oilers to playoff berths. Winning cultures in both clubs is part of the formula to building long-term success.

Savoie should probably play another season in the NCAA. I'd rather he get bigger minutes on that stage than 3rd line minutes in the AHL. Rodrigue's had a rough year in the AHL and I want Konovalov and Skinner to duke it out for the backup role next season, thus Olivier takes to the ECHL to pump his numbers. Holland needs to do everything possible to get Blumel out of his Czech contract and into Bakersfield's lineup next season. The kid is money.

Detroit trade helps maximize draft capital: the upcoming draft is going to be wild and the second round is apt to have more talent in it than years prior. The Oilers have a lot of their high-end positions covered already; the trick now is finding the intersection between quality and quantity. Draft pick values suggest Edmonton could pull more out of this trade, Red Wings fans soil themselves at the thought of it. The Oilers likely won't do something similar in 2021, as scouting should return to normal and the player Edmonton will have access to should be far more valuable than a pair of mid-seconds. In the meantime, look for Edmonton to scalp a few NCAA free agents to fill the void created by having moved picks.

Didn't make a ton of sense to bring in a Dubnyk or Elliot for a season to back up Merzlikins when Edmonton already has a better goaltender (over the past few seasons) on an expiring deal. No sense in jacking the price up on Elvis either just for Columbus to unnecessarily eat salary. If Edmonton upgrades the pick to a 1st, I want more coming back from Columbus; I'd prefer to take a cap dump in and around the $2M mark to balance the value. The Neal trade is just to spare Edmonton a buyout without costing the Devils much of anything. Could be any team, but if New Jersey wants to take a step forward, Neal's at least a veteran presence with powerplay utility and doesn't break their bank.

I'm assuming Klefbom isn't ready to start the season but would be able to return by the New Year (ish). Dumping Turris and burying Russell affords Edmonton all they need to activate Klefbom (Lagesson the likely scratch) and would *really* bolster their blueline for a considerable playoff run. I could see Holland wanting to upgrade on Kahun for a run, but the remainder of the roster is as strong as I've personally ever seen. I'm projecting Khaira to take a deal lower than his qualifying offer and for Edmonton to do the smart thing and walk away from Barrie. Krejci might be a long-shot but I value his experience, handedness, and position. If the man wants $5M, I'd give it to him.

Strong goaltending probably results in Edmonton winning the Pacific and punching their ticket to the WCF. A seven-game series against a very deep Avalanche would be must-see hockey.

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