Just a few months ago, it sounded like the NHL’s salary cap was going to jump from the current $71,4 million ceiling. Most reports had the cap jumping around $3 million, meaning that teams could spend around $74 million on players for the 2016-17 season.
That would have been a huge help to teams like the Columbus Blue Jackets, Chicago Blackhawks, St. Louis Blues and Los Angeles Kings, all of whom are in cap hell currently. According to the NHL on Monday, however, that is no longer the case.
NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly told reporters that he expects the salary cap to “remain relatively flat” for the 2016-17 season. Unless the NHLPA decides to step in and use their 5% escalator, we are likely looking at $71.4 million being the ceiling yet again.
That means trouble for some teams.
The Oilers Cap Situation:
As per General Fanager, the Oilers are currently committed to spending $60,234,499 for the 2016-17 season. This includes 13 signed forwards, six defenders and two goaltenders. The Oilers could add two depth players (one D and one F) and be all set for next season. Coming close to the cap is not an issue.
However, we suspect that Edmonton will add at least two or three pieces this off-season. They will have at least $11 million to make those additions, which should be plenty.
We should also account for a major contract or two going out the door. Benoit Pouliot’s $4,000,000 ticket has been rumored to be on the block, while both Jordan Eberle and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins ($6,000,000 AAV a piece) have been in trade rumors as well.
The Oilers are going to be one of the few teams in the NHL with double digit millions to spend AND a full roster already signed. They are in prime position to help someone else out and take on a bad contract that could still help them.
Teams In Trouble:
There are various teams around the NHL that are going to be in cap trouble and can help the Edmonton Oilers this off-season. While there are more teams in trouble than this, the teams below have assets that Peter Chiarelli will find appealing. At least I think so….
Columbus Blue Jackets: The Jackets made a blockbuster deal this past season, acquiring Seth Jones from Nashville for Ryan Johansen. Well, the Jackets have to re-sign Jones this summer and they are in cap hell. The Jackets are already committed to spending over $68 million for 2016-17, leaving them less than $3 million to re-sign Jones.
The Oilers could offer-sheet the RHD and gain a very valuable asset while absolutely crippling Columbus’ future. F’s Cam Atkinson and Matt Calvert could be appealing options via trade for the Oil, as both have multi-year deals with some money attached to them.
St. Louis Blues: The Blues are only committed to $58,214,582 for 2016-17, but they only have seven forwards under contract. Three of those forward spots will be occupied by large contracts. RFA Jaden Schwartz and UFA David Backes will both command AT LEAST $5,000,000 per, so that shoots the total up to around $68 million.
The Blues may be forced to let UFA Troy Brouwer walk this July. As I mentioned here, he would be an appealing option for the Oilers. F Patrik Berglund and D Kevin Shattenkirk (UFA in 2017) will both appeal to the Oilers and could shake free due to the cap issues in St. Louis.
Los Angeles Kings: The Kings have just over $66 million committed but still need to re-sign Milan Lucic and add a top-four defender this off-season. They will need to shed salary. Dustin Brown will most likely shake free, but his contract is so bad that I wouldn’t bother with him unless he was a UFA via a buyout. That’s a real possibility and I’d imagine Edmonton would be interested if he hit the free market.
The Kings may be a team that adds a young player whose deal expires soon, like Tanner Pearson, to a veteran asset like Marian Gaborik in order to lose cap. I think the Oilers could benefit from a trade like that.
New York Rangers: The Rangers need to lose cap and they may be willing to move Rick Nash to do it. The veteran goal scorer is expected to be at full health in time for 2016-17 and only has two years left on his contract. His cap hit of $7,800,000 is a big ticket, but he can still play at a VERY high level.
If the rumors of Nail Yakupov and a 2nd are even remotely close to true, the Oilers stand to benefit in a very, very big way.
Pending RFA Kevin Hayes is a player likely to be squeezed out of New York as well who could really fit in Edmonton.
Chicago Blackhawks: The Hawks will be up against the cap and still need to add pieces. Andrew Shaw, a pending UFA C who shoots right, could shake loose and would be a prime target for the Oilers. Veteran D Brent Seabrook and his massive deal are likely on the block as well, but that would be a major anchor in the long-term.
Closing Argument:
The above teams will not solve Edmonton’s biggest needs, but they could all help in other areas. None of those teams have a top-pairing defender to move, but a Rick Nash or Tanner Pearson or Patrik Berglund could really help Edmonton out in a big way.
If the Oilers are able to pry a Tyson Barrie, Justin Faulk or Sami Vatanen from somewhere else for major assets, they will need to look for discounted additions elsewhere. Turning to a cap-strapped team and taking some money off of their hands may be the perfect way to do it.
A lot of teams will be having headaches over the current state of the salary cap. The Edmonton Oilers? They’ll be doing back flips.
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