All season long, we’ve been talking about teams who will be in cap hell this summer and who will need to shed salary. One of those teams is Chicago, and we’ve already profiled a strong trade option from them in D Brent Seabrook. Today, we’ll profile another target from the Hawks, this time a free agent.
D Johnny Oduya has become one of the game’s underrated defenders. After a strong start to his career in New Jersey, Oduya broke out in Atlanta/Winnipeg, and went to the next level in Chicago. He’s slated to hit the market in July as a free agent.
Why Is He Out There:
Oduya is a good defender, but will be looking for a nice contract this summer, likely the last big one of his career. The Hawks, who are going to have under five million to re-sign some key players, will need to make cuts. Oduya, unfortunately for Chicago, is going to be the first of the cuts.
It’s well documented that the team won’t be able to re-sign him, meaning Johnny is getting a new jersey in July. This has nothing to do with his performance, which has been quite good, but everything to do with the numbers game.
What Does He Do Well:
Johnny Oduya is a very good skater who possesses a solid first step. He can keep up with skilled forwards, evident by his play with the dynamic Hawks offense. Oduya does like to pinch up into the play, but his speed allows him to transition back to defense relatively easily. His speed is a decent weapon, no doubting that.
Oduya is a player who has the smarts to be successful in this league. He’s defensively a very aware player who limits the damage by always being in the right spot at the right time. He’s quick enough where he won’t be blown away by forwards, and he’s smart enough to know how to break up the cycle in his own zone.
He faces decently tough opposition in Chicago, and fills a top-four role for one of the NHL’s best teams. He’s not Seabrook/Keith level, but he’s a solid second-pairing defender on an elite team. That counts for something.
Oduya isn’t very offensively gifted, as his shot isn’t dangerous and his passing isn’t elite. Now, he can make and take a pass without looking out of place, but he does not excel at this. He doesn’t play on the power-play, but he is a presence on a penalty killing unit, no doubt.
He’s not overly big, only six feet and 190 pounds, and isn’t physical, so there are some things left to be desired with this player. That said, he’s smart, and those smarts allow him to be an effective defender who handles an important role.
This season, he averaged 20:17 TOI per night, which fits rights in with the role we have described above. He’s a good not great defender who slides in perfectly on a second pairing.
Where Will He Play / Where Should He Play:
If Johnny Oduya was Edmonton’s only addition this off-season, then he would play on the team’s top pairing, no doubt in my mind. Now, as we have said a few times, this is a role that Oduya just does not fit. He’s good, but he’s not top-pairing good.
He should be an effective second pairing guy in an ideal situation. In Edmonton, placing him with Oscar Klefbom would be perfect, while a veteran pairing does the heavy lifting. That would require another move by the Oilers, however.
If Edmonton manages to snag a top-pairing defender this summer via trade, then I would aggressively go after Oduya for the second unit.
What Will He Cost:
As a free agent, Johnny would require only a contract spot and some money. At 33 years old, Oduya likely wants to get a little security in this deal. I think a three year deal at $3.5-$4 million per season sounds about right in this spot.
$3.5-$4 million per is decent value for a second pairing defender on the open market, while three years likely takes Oduya to the end of his effective days as an NHL’er.
Closing Arguments:
If Edmonton plans to add multiple defenders this summer, which I imagine is the plan, then Oduya could fit. The Oilers need two top-four guys, with one of them being a top-pairing player. The top-pairing player, if you can even get him, likely comes through trade. That leaves the UFA route for the secondary add.
If Edmonton follows that path, then Oduya is a perfect addition via free agency. He could play with Oscar Klefbom on the second pairing and help the young Swede develop into a well-rounded NHL’er. He’s not the big, sexy name, but he’s an effective player.
If Edmonton does in fact plan to add two defenders this July, then Johnny Oduya could very well be a target via free agency for the top-four. He’s proven he can handle the role before, and he’s proven it on a pretty darn good club.
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