As the off-season goes on, we are going to hear more and more about the Edmonton Oilers looking to add size to their lineup. While size on the back end will certainly be a priority, adding some more size to the forward corps will be of interest as well. Peter Chiarelli has already started this with the additions of Patrick Maroon and Zack Kassian.
While Edmonton certainly has skill up the middle, they lack any big players outside of Leon Draisaitl. Adding a bigger center to play in the bottom six is likely something that Chiarelli will explore. Shawn Matthias, currently a member of the Colorado Avalanche, is a good option via free agency.
Why Is He Out There?:
The Avalanche acquired the big center from Toronto around the trading deadline as part of an effort to reach the NHL’s postseason. While reaching the tournament was a failure, Matthias was not. In 20 games with Colorado, he registered 6-5-11, over half a point-per-game.
Colorado is faced with some cap issues currently and must re-sign RFA’s Tyson Barrie and Nathan MacKinnon. On top of that, Erik Johnson’s $6,000,000 per year extension kicks in on July 1st and the team must add at least one top-four defender, two if Barrie is moved. Matthias may be a player that gets cut out for a little bit of savings.
What Does He Do Well?:
Here is Matthias’ scouting report, which comes via The Hockey News:
Assets: Owns great size, two-way acumen, leadership qualities and face-off skills. Versatile, he can play wing or center. Lanky, he has a great reach and works well in the corners. Flaws: His intensity and game-to-game consistency tend to drift, which is his biggest bugaboo at the National Hockey League level. Doesn’t shoot the puck nearly often enough. Career Potential: Inconsistent, big and versatile forward.
Edmonton lacks centers with both size and two-way ability, so Matthias would be a welcomed addition in that regard. As Teddy Purcell mentioned when doing his exit interviews in Florida, the Oilers lacked leaders, so adding another veteran certainly would not hurt this group whatsoever.
The ability to play both center and the wing make him appealing, because it allows the Oilers to shift Leon Draisaitl back to center if they feel a need to spread the offense out a little bit more. Being versatile is a huge deal in today’s NHL.
As we know, the Oilers are a weaker team on the battles, so adding a guy like Matthias, who is strong in that regard, certainly has some value/appeal.
Offensively, Matthias posted an overall number of 12-16-28 in 71 games split between Colorado and Toronto. He struggled mightily in Toronto offensively, but awoke with Colorado. Perhaps a team with skill, like the Oilers, can unlock this player’s offensive potential.
Where Will He Play / Where Should He Play?:
If Edmonton signs Shawn Matthias at some point this summer, then it’ll be up for debate where he slides into the lineup. I think he’s on-par with Mark Letestu in a lot of areas, but that he has more offensive flare and that he can provide more than the incumbent.
I’d slide Matthias in as the third line center for the Oilers if he signed with the club.
In an ideal position, this is a player who is a low-level third line center, but a perfect fourth liner. He’d be right in the wheel house if he signed with the Oilers.
What Will He Cost?:
Matthias is coming off of a one-year deal that paid him $2,300,000. If a team were to sign him this summer, I can’t see it costing them much more than that. At 28 years old, Matthias may want more term than money at this point. He’s been playing on one-year contracts recently and has played on three teams in a two year span.
Would a two year deal at, say $2,000,000 per, get it done? I think it could.
Closing Argument:
The bottom six group for the Edmonton Oilers is, well, not very good. The team is in desperate need of help in this part of the roster and should be pursuing options via both trade and free agency. In terms of looking for centers, Shawn Matthias may be the best UFA available to them.
He’d help spell Letestu and would provide more functional size to a roster in need of it. He’s proven he can play in the west and he’s a proven guy in a lot of areas that Edmonton needs help in.
If an affordable contract is the ask, then Peter Chiarelli should be in on this player come July 1st.
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