Draft weekend has come and gone in the NHL, and the Oilers have made their first big trade and first big signing of the off-season. Gone is Jordan Eberle in exchange for Ryan Strome, and locked up is Kris Russell on a four-year contract that will pay him $4 million per season.
Peter Chiarelli made two massive decisions last week regarding this roster, and regardless of what you think about either move, we can all agree that those two transactions will go a long way towards deciding what type of season these Oilers have.
Is the club done this off-season? Peter Chiarelli very well may have done all of his work already, but here’s to hoping that isn’t the case. This team still isn’t fully balanced and there are still holes that could sink this roster when it is time to hit the ice come October 4th.
Later today, qualifying offers are due for all RFA’s, and teams can now start talking to all pending UFA’s. On Saturday, the market will open and we’ll see many useful players switch jerseys.
What do the Oilers need to accomplish during the free agent period? Let’s take a look at the shopping list.
The List:
1.) Sign Connor McDavid: It sounds like we could hear about a contract as early as Saturday, when Connor is first eligible to sign. Darren Dreger brought up $14 million per year as the first ask for McDavid, but I’d wager we see this deal come in around $11.5-$12 million per season. Very much worth it.
2.) Sign Leon Draisaitl: Wouldn’t be surprised if Drai’s deal was rolled out right alongside Connor’s at some point in the next two weeks. He’ll get a big raise, likely in the $7-$8 million per season range. Like McDavid, very much worth it.
3.) Address second-pairing RHD: the Oilers re-signed Kris Russell to a four-year extension on Friday, and he played in this spot last season. When Andrej Sekera is healthy, this is Russell’s spot on the depth chart. Far from ideal to me, but this spot appears full.
4.) Add a 3rd line center or top six RW: Ryan Strome came over in the Jordan Eberle deal, and he can play both center and right wing. He more than likely fills this spot on the depth chart come October.
5.) Figure out the Mark Fayne/Benoit Pouliot situations: Nothing yet here, but rumors about acquiring Dion Phaneuf could open up a chance to move one or both of these contracts to Ottawa. The most likely outcome? Fayne back in Bakersfield this season with Pouliot in the bottom-six with the Oilers.
6.) Short-term replacement for Andrej Sekera: Nothing here yet, not even a rumor. Could Darnell Nurse move up the depth chart and fill this spot? Maybe more importantly, is he even ready for that promotion?
7.) Add depth: Ideal choice Derek Ryan is re-signing in Carolina as per Bob Stauffer. Does Dominic Moore make sense here?
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