The last three days have seen us profile two bottom-six forward options for the Edmonton Oilers on the left wing. Today, we look at the third of four options, depth winger Sean Bergenheim. 2014-15 was a rough year for the veteran, but he’s routinely been a solid depth option for years. This past season was likely a blip on the radar.
After a solid run in Tampa Bay and a decent one in Florida, Bergenheim found himself on the outside looking in this year. He was a healthy scratch for long portions for the Panthers, and requested a trade, which was granted to Minnesota.
With the Wild, however, success didn’t come for Bergenheim. He played in seventeen regular season games with just one goal. That was followed by only three post-season games, and a quiet exit for a man that was a hero in Tampa during their 2011 run to the East Finals.
Why Is He Out There:
After a nightmare season, Bergenheim will hit the open market on July 1st as an unrestricted free agent. Considering his minimal impact for the Wild, it would be a shock to see him go back. The team likely won’t want to give him a roster spot, and he’s likely looking for a fresh start.
Moving on after his terrible season is probably a good idea.
What Does He Do Well:
Bergenheim is an all-around winger that can be described as a two-way player. He’s slightly undersized at 5’11” and 201 pounds, but he isn’t a soft player. He’s willing to throw a hit, and is willing to play a hard game. That fits in with the Peter Chiarelli quest to find gritty players this summer.
As for his speed, this can be classified as a strength for the forward. He’s got a good stride and is able to keep up with the speedy, skilled players. It’s a valuable trait to have, no doubt.
As for his offensive ability, Bergenheim can only be described as a shooter. He’s got a quick wrist shot and a decent slap shot, both of which allow him to hit double digit goals in a usual season. Even in a down year he scored nine this past season. He doesn’t wait for the pretty shot either, as he’s willing to shoot from just about anywhere on the ice.
Defensively this is a player that isn’t a liability on the ice, rather he’s classified as a sound player. He’s not a shut-down forward, but he doesn’t cheat for offense and he takes care of his own end before turning up ice. He plays hard.
The biggest thing with Bergenheim? He’s an inconsistent forward. This is a guy that relies on hot streaks throughout the season for his offense.
Where Will He Play / Where Should He Play:
Sean Bergenheim would be Edmonton’s third line left winger if he signed. He’s well behind Taylor Hall and Benoit Pouliot as a player, but he’s ahead of Matt Hendricks, so the 3L spot is a perfect fit. On top of that, this is a third line player in the NHL, so he’d be getting the role he should have.
What Will He Cost:
Bergenheim will likely be cheap, because he’s coming off of a terrible season with two different teams. I’d suggest a one year deal worth $1.5 million gets it done. He’ll get a short term deal with fair compensation to earn one last solid contract. Remember, he’s 31 years old.
Closing Arguments:
The Edmonton Oilers will likely be looking for cheap options up front this summer to create competition in training camp and to add depth. On top of that, they still have a hole at that third line left wing spot. Bergenheim is a really good option at a cheap price.
A player that plays a hard game, has some offensive flare and is solid defensively is a perfect fit. That’s the kind of player that Sean Bergenheim is, which is why I think Edmonton should look at him come July 1st.
You know how every year teams get value contracts late in the summer? This could be a real candidate for the Oilers this year.
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