Trading away a perennial 50-point RHD for far less than he's worth isn't helping this team. If you have to move him, at least get fair value back.

Sitting Holloway in the press box and bringing up Skinner and Niemelainen to play minor roles doesn't turn this team into a contender, sorry. It's basically what they've got today. Where's the improvement coming from?

Do you think Barry is worth more? I dare to disagree with you. Barry is generally a good seasoned defenseman and with the right set up, he gives the puck movement and needs a solid homebody defensive partner. But excuse me, he has a contract for 4.5 million, this is not small money, and without paying a salary, this is only the third round, these are the realities.

Sorry, but next season Niemelainen and Skinner are definitely not ready to take big minutes in the team, next season for them is a period of proving that they are legitimate NHL players, that's obvious. And there is nothing shameful, given their youth. Nurse also did not play in the first pair of defense at the beginning of his career.
I think Holloway next season will be connected to the base gradually and this is adequate so as not to overload him and give him a gradual but sure development.

Here's the past 5 seasons scoring for defensemen:

NHL.com

Please show me where I can find a top-20 defenseman who is 30 or less for $4.5M or less.

Barrie's contract is a steal.

You literally built the exact same team and you underpayed pulijarvi.

I never said Skinner and Niemelainen should be taking in larger roles, where did you get that from? I'm just pointing out that these are the only changes you've made, so please explain how this makes the Oilers a "contender".

I like trading Barrie, but let Koskinen go.. Kane probably goes too unless he signs for cheap. We could use that 5M for a goalie, or a defence man. Of course if he wants 2-3M, then we may sign him, but not 5M. I was thinking of getting Reimer if Smith retires. He’s a good veteran goalie making 2.25M for next year. That could help us with the cap, and improve. We can get a goalie with term, or sign one long term the year after. If Kulak doesn’t work out, I was thinking of getting Braun as I’m not sure if Manson would come. If Kulak works out, then Holland will sign him, if not I wouldn’t mind seeing a defensive defence man on the team! On the offence, Holloway comes up for sure. If not, we can find another player to get. If we have some leftover money we can upgrade the offence, if not, then maybe we can move Kassian and get his 3.2M to use for depth. I don’t mind our offence as is honestly, even if we don’t have Kane as Holloway will most likely take his spot.

As long as you don't find a goalie, you will not be contender.
Skinner as not prove anything to be a back up. Koskinen can't be a 1st.

As for Barry, after looking at all the NHL teams, I realized that there is a market for Barry of at least four teams. These are Seattle, Columbus, Dallas and Winnipeg. But the most obvious and closest to a real deal is Seattle, firstly they are in dire need of an experienced attacking defender with a right grip, secondly they are not pinned down by the ceiling, thirdly they have a lot of draft picks, and fourthly it is near his home.

Not a steal.

So getting rid Tyson Barrie and underpaying players makes you a contender?

I think we should part ways with Barry this offseason, simply because it's time for our young quarterback prospects. My opinion is that we can only give Barry for the third round without withholding salary, and this is quite good given the depth of the 2023 draft, if we get a second round it will be good luck.

Pulyujärvi signed for only two years, so three million is adequate, you will see exactly this contract will be this summer.

I like our team, point gains are possible. This squad is capable of winning the cup.

I agree trading Barrie is beneficial… I don’t know, I’m torn on the value. I agree with both of you. One says it’s not enough, one says it is. I could see him going for a third, but I could also see him going for a second. The market is way too high for defence man… it may die down in the off-season, but it was unbelievably high! If someone wants to pay a second for him, then by all means, trade him. If not, then I would take what we can get, take that 4.5M then get some upgrades.

There's an error in their algorithms. Here's the raw data:

Past 3 years even strength production: 28th in the league
2019-20 TOI vs Elites: 5th on his team
2020-21 TOI vs Elites: 2nd on his team
2021-22 TOI vs Elites: 4th on his team

How does 28th in the league = 20th percentile?
How does regular top-4 minutes = 19th percentile?

Your chart purports to use puckiq.com as a source but doesn't actually agree with that source. Ignore it.

Whether you look at stats from this year, past 3 years or historically, Barrie's closest comp is John Klingberg. Please explain why Barrie has little value and Klingberg is highly sought after.

I would like to add. Of course, performance is good, but for a defender this is not the main thing. It's worth noting that although Barry was the top scoring defenseman in the 20-21 season, he didn't get a single vote for the Norris Trophy, so I don't think that's an accident. To take another example, everyone admires Makar, a great skater, and in my opinion this is essentially a winger on defense, and if we talk about choosing a defender for my team, I would rather prefer Manson to be a tough defender than Makar. But this is a digression from the discussion, just thoughts out loud. And about Barry, if we leave him next year it will be more to the detriment of the team than to the good. Because we need to gradually connect the Berglund, Darne, Kemp, Kesserling avenues. And finding Barry in the third pair will be a stopper for the development of these prospects.

Koskinen, mind you, is definitely growing professionally, I consider him an excellent decision for the next two years in tandem with Skinner. Let them play 50 to 50, in this mode Koskinen will show his best hockey and for Skinner this is the best option for development.

I'm guessing Smith will actually retire this summer. Therefore, he is placed on the list of long-term injuries.
Kane has definitely had a big impact on the team. It costs good money, I think it will ask for 5 million no less and the term. I think we need it, it gives the much-needed physicality to the attack. I consider him responsible, if someone thinks that he is a lazy person and a joker, then this is a delusion. The man is 30 years old, and after the scandals that follow him, he absolutely wants to get his last contract and calmly win it back without any problems. This man loves his little daughter very much, and therefore his priorities in life have changed, and he has become much more serious.

If we talk about which of the expensive players to leave Barry or Kassian, I think Kassian is still useful for the team, I think he should be left.

Barrie (not Barry) isn't great defensively which is why he didn't get considered for the Norris. Everyone knows this. If he was good defensively he'd be making at least double his current $4.5M salary. Interestingly, he almost always outscores his opponents, so he's not useless defensively.

I mean, if he was useless he wouldn't be 45th in ES TOI over the past 3 seasons, would he? Professional coaches are smarter than that.

I rather a better starter, as Koskinen is a backup. Reimer, Skinner would be good for next season, then we can grab a good guy long term the year after. Reimer will be able to help Skinner way more than Koskinen will, as he has more experience too. It’s just something to think about… but yah, we should make some upgrades somewhere. Thanks for being nice… it’s been a while since I’ve had a discussion with a oilers fan that would respect my opinion, and not shove theirs down my throat.

Barrie isn’t as good all around as Klingberg… but yah, I don’t know what to tell you except that Klingberg is better. Klingberg they can sign to whatever they want, and for Barrie you can’t.