June of 2006, nine years ago this month. That was the last time the Edmonton Oilers made the post-season. Justin Williams scored the last goal against Edmonton during that run, an empty net goal in game seven of the Stanley Cup Finals that officially killed the Oilers’ chances. 12 year old me was absolutely heartbroken, hell I still kinda am today.
Nine years later, Williams finds himself in an odd spot. He’s won two more Stanley Cup titles since then, both with Los Angeles, and he was a major part of them both. He’s earned the nickname “Mr. Game-Seven” thanks to his clutch performances, and he’s a great leader.
The Kings are facing cap issues, and Williams will see his contract expire on the final day of June.
Why Is He Out There:
The Kings are in cap hell right now. They have minimal space, and must re-sign some other key players while also adding to a roster that missed the post-season. While Williams is a good player, he’s likely to be a causality of the situation.
The Kings need help on defense, and have a number of forward prospects that can hold his spot at a cheaper cap hit. As good as he has been for LA, Williams likely is too expensive of a player for them.
What Does He Do Well:
Justin Williams is a skilled player who does all the little things right. He’s got good offensive instincts, but he’s also solid when it comes to defense too. Williams is your typical all-around forward at the NHL level.
His signature move is to take the puck wide on defenders, using his speed to rush past them and drive the net. On top of that, Williams possesses an accurate shot. It isn’t the heaviest in the game, but he’s good at picking his spot and hitting it. The puck usually ends up on net when he has it in the offensive zone.
In terms of his two-way game, Williams plays a big guy’s game. He’s not huge himself, only 6’1” and 189 pounds, but he plays a very gritty and physical game. He’s willing to grind down his opponents and use his body to gain the needed space.
His defensive game is solid, as he plays a very simple style of hockey. He doesn’t try to over do it, rather he moves the puck out of the zone and gets things going in the right direction. He knows where to be at all times, and very rarely gets caught out of position.
As for his speed, he’s actually pretty quick while also possessing the ability to maneuver through traffic.
Where Will He Play / Where Should He Play:
No doubt in my mind, Justin Williams is a top-six forward at the NHL level. He’s got the needed skill, plays a hard game, and does all the little things right. He’s the perfect player to put with some overly skilled players, say a Connor McDavid or a Taylor Hall.
In Edmonton, Williams would occupy either the second or third line right wing spot. Jordan Eberle takes the top-line, but Williams could easily beat out Nail Yakupov and take the second line spot, riding shot-gun with McDavid for a few years.
What Will He Cost:
Williams will be a hot commodity on the market this summer, and will likely command a contract that reflects that. I’ll say a three year deal that comes in around $3.5-$4 million per gets it done with Williams this July. It’s a decent chunk of change, but it’s likely worth it for a player like this.
Closing Arguments:
I like Justin Williams a lot as a fit in Edmonton. He’s a veteran player that knows what it takes to win, is a leader, and does a lot of things right. He’s got a solid defensive game to him, and he has some real offensive pop. On top of that, he’s proven he can play with skill, and could fill a role as McDavid’s veteran winger.
Edmonton badly needs a bit of a change to the mix, and Williams would provide that to the team. His all-around play and leadership would fit in perfectly with Edmonton’s young core.
I know the big holes are on the blue-line and in net, but if Peter Chiarelli can get a deal done with Williams, he should be calling when the floodgates open. This is a good player who can really help.
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