So we got Unrestricted Free Agency out of the way. Not all the sexy names you would want, but guys that could actually make a difference. But what other way could this team upgrade? Why not targeting Restricted free agents that might want a chance with a team they could earn more ice time? There is always situations where a RFA is unhappy with the team he currently plays for and would rather a chance to prove they have the right “stuff” with a new team. These guys would be who I would try and target, if I was the GM of the Oilers. While maybe based a little more on potential, they could have an immediate impact. Plus they would have the drive to prove they actually deserve to play here.
There are so many different situations in which a player might sour with their organization and need a change of scenery. They could be unhappy with playing time, or even a victim of numbers. They could have been held in the AHL longer than they had felt needed. Or just feel they aren’t getting the shot they deserve to stick with the big club. Just look at Mark Arcobello here in Edmonton. The guy has outplayed many of the forwards we have on this team, but finds himself in the AHL because of his contract. Size aside, he lead the team in hits and played a pretty good 200 foot game, but found himself the odd man out.
The thing that could work in the Oilers advantage is, as opposed to an established NHL player. These players are far easier to acquire. So let’s take a look at some players who have a chance at finding themselves in Edmonton to show their stuff.
Simon Despres has had his name come up a few times now. He has found himself going up and down than he has playing in the NHL. At the moment he is playing on the bottom pairing in Pittsburgh, only because of the health problems Letang has been fighting. He is a guy that could definitely find himself with a new address come next year. He’s a big boy, stand at 6’4. He plays a good two way game, he has a howitzer of a shot and can play a physical brand of hockey when needed. He just hasn’t been able to find consistency in his game. A problem most young defenders have. He has a good first pass and is known to occasionally drop his gloves. He just hasn’t developed as fast as the Pens have expected.
Keith Aulie is another guy who has been given the short end of the stick. While he has found himself in Tampa Bay for most of the year. He missed 20 games with a broken hand. He has been held under ten minutes, most nights he has dressed. Or a healthy scratch the rest. Another guy who is a victim of numbers. He is a huge player at 6’6 and 228lbs. He can play a shutdown game. Make the simple plays in his own zone to get the puck out. He plays as simple a game, as can be. He has the size to play a very physical game, but lacks the consistency or confidence to do so every game. He’ll never scare you offensively, but can really lean into the puck. You know what your getting with him, a huge net clearing shut down guy. A guy who can skate well for his size. A bottom pairing penalty killer who could still develop into a top four shutdown defender.
Erik Gustafsson is another guy who can find himself in and out of the Flyers line-up. Mostly due to bigger names with bigger contracts in Philadelphia. He’s a smaller guy who plays a good two way game. He’ll never have the strength to play a physical brand of hockey. But he does have the hockey sense to play a very good two way game. He has wheels and the skill to put up points. Plus he has the highest plus minus rating of all Flyer defenders this year. What he lacks in physicality he truly makes up for with stick work, positioning and hockey sense. While a different type of defender than the previous guys mentioned. He plays a classic Swedish style of hockey. He could make an immediate impact if he as brought to Edmonton.
The last of the left handed defenders comes from the team that spits out defensive products. Mattias Ekholm is a player making a name for himself in Nashville. Another Swedish defender who plays a completely different brand of hockey than Gustafsson. He’s a big body at 6’4 and 204lbs. He found himself in the roster for the first half of the year and then was sent down to develop further. He only finds himself back in NHL due to injuries in Nashville on an emergency basis. He’s big and uses that to his advantage. He can play a very physical brand of hockey, but doesn’t show the confidence to do it consistently. He can make a good first pass and owns a hard shot from the point. He can play in all situations. He would be a welcome addition to our team if acquired.
The first right handed guy on my list is a defender Oilers fans know well. He’s a guy that just hasn’t been able to find his game on consistent basis. Adam Larsson spent two years in New Jersey in a very limit role with very low ice time. But now has found himself in the AHL. He’s a guy that hasn’t been able to develop anywhere near as fast as anyone in New Jersey had hoped. He is a player who is big, skates well, can play physical, log big minutes, be very good in his own zone and is very good offensively. Only problem is he can’t put them all together. So far it’s been an “one or the other” situation for him. He has also battled injuries his whole young career already. He does still have the potential and the tools to become a top four defender, if not a top pairing guy. He just might need a change of scenery to do such a thing. He will be a very good pro, it just might not be with the Devils. While consistency is a big issue with Larsson, he would still be an upgrade for this Swiss cheese defence we have right now.
Another guy that could be of interest to the Edmonton Oilers could be Cody Franson. He currently leads the Leafs in points and is due for a big raise. As Toronto is every year. They could be trying to land a couple big fish this summer. Which might not leave them enough money to sign all of there free agents this summer. With another year of allowing a million shots against with the acquisition of Tim Gleason, Franson could be the odd man out. He has a team worst -16 so far this year. While that stat is damning, he has proven he is an NHL player. He has size, hits, has a great first pass and a laser of a shot. All aspects that could make him a very valuable player in Edmonton, to say the least.
Thank you so much for reading. This is the third part of a fun, armchair manager, six part series. Please leave a comment or give me a follow on twitter @shawn_kelemen . Have a great day!
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