This is the fourth installment of my six part series. Just a fun series to just get some names on peoples minds. Also to just to have some fun. I mean come on, everybody wants to have a shot at being a General Manager. Why do you think NHL14 is such a popular game? It gives everyone a chance to do moves and acquire players they like. I’m just trying to widen the options, while trying to keep it realistic. We already covered UFA Defenders and UFA Forwards, both had some decent names on the lists. But definitely not your A-List type players.
Just remember that it was those “other guy” players that had a HUGE impact the last time the Oilers made it into the playoffs. Plus the trend continues that role players or any not your stars, every year impress with a name or two that do amazing. When it really counts. Last piece I wrote was about RFA defenders that the Oilers could try and acquire that would upgrade our team. While trying not to break the bank, or multiple assets, to do so. So why don’t we continue on track with this series. Lets take a look at some RFA forwards that the Oilers might try to pry away from other teams.
The first guy I wanted to put on this list was COMPLETELY off the grid of reality. I tried to rack my brain on how we could try and acquire Ryan O’Reilly from the Colorado Avalanche. But honestly, besides the fact that the Avalanche aren’t in our division anymore, no reason could come. He is an excellent two way player who can put up points. He can play physical and win draws. He is the type of player you build your team around. Even though they have MacKinnon, Duchene and Statsny as centers. I tried to justify maybe moving him to shore up another position, even though they’re going to lose Statsny to FA soon. But he’s been playing wing for the most part this year, and excelling at that as well. Just a damn good player who’s going to get a raise this summer. That raise being rightfully so. The only way we get him would be an Offer Sheet and a HUGE offer for him. Which is not going to happen. So, not going to happen.
But while we’re on the subject of centers, lets take a look at Casey Cizikas. He plays for the Islanders and is the perfect example of a player, that would upgrade our bottom six. He’s a guy who can play all three forward position and has a sound two way game. He likes to hit and play physical. This is a guy that never takes a shift off and can frustrate the other teams top lines. Cizikas can pitch in occasionally and excels on the PK. He has also showed at lower levels that he could produce numbers. He is also only 23 years old so he still has room to grow. An excellent role player who would upgrade our bottom six.
Buffalo has started selling off parts to kick start a full on re build. I think we should try and take advantage of this. The first of two players we might be able to pry from the Sabres is Luke Adam. A guy that just hasn’t been able to stick in the NHL so far, he brings quite a few tangibles that could benefit us. He’s a big body that likes to hit and can control the puck well down low. He can play center and is just as effective on the right wing. He has enough skill he can go up and down your line up and not look out of place. He has shown leadership qualities at all levels, including sticking up for teammates. He also owns a very heavy shot. Another guy who is 23 years old, he could still develop into a top nine power forward. The only knock coming against him would be his skating, which has improved each year.
The next Sabre on my list is Marcus Foligno. He has fallen out of favor with coaching this year, not for his play. But more because when he came into the league. He was on a line with Ennis and Stafford and put up almost a point per game in his audition. He hasn’t been able to come close to those numbers. So another player that could be had. He’s another huge body that likes to bang bodies. He can play either wing that likes to crash the net. He can control the play in the corners and is hard to knock off his feet. He’s another guy with enough skill he can move up and down the top nine and excel. While he hasn’t lived up to what the Sabres expected out of him point wise, a change of scenery could very well volt him to that level. A level we all though he would get to when he was drafted in 09′. Another guy who had a knock against his skating. But has heavily improved on this. The perfect compliment winger to put with our skilled guys. He’s not scared to drop the mitts and can sometimes go over the edge.
Another winger with size, Tye McGinn. He just hasn’t been able to crack the Flyers roster. Last year he found himself anywhere from being on Giroux’s wing to the fourth line. Not looking out of place on either. This year he put up three goals in eight games and looked good in the process. He just found himself a victim of numbers. He was one of the few that had a two way contract, so he found himself in the AHL. A big guy who likes to hit. He has the skill and potential to be a top six forward, but would be an excellent addition to our top nine right now. He can skate well a plays well in all zones. He’s a guy who’s not scared to go to the front of the net and can win battles in the corner. A very good player who might want a one way contract this summer. With all the contracts the Flyers have, they just might not be able to give it to him.
Go figure. Another winger with size. Jimmy Hayes a guy who has found himself a healthy scratch or with ten minutes on average of ice time. This HULKING 6’6 and 228lbs. right winger would help the Oilers now and down the road. He’s only 21 years old and hasn’t been able to find his game in Florida. He has a laser of a shot and can protect the puck very well. His reach makes him very dangerous in the offensive zone and able to knock pucks away. The biggest knock on him is he doesn’t use his huge frame to be physical enough. He plays a decent two way game and has the skill to produce at the NHL level, he just needs to show it more consistently. While he does skate well for a mountain, he still has to work on his first few steps. Another guy who isn’t scared to go to the front of the net, he would be an asset on the PP.
Corey Tropp is another who just can find his role in the NHL. The right winger out of Columbus has the tools to become a very good bottom six player. He has the skills to be able to produce on a semi-consistent basis. He is also another player who works every single shift and likes to bang bodies. He is also a very good two way player. The problem being, he just can’t find a way to put it all together. While he does dress regularly for the Blue Jackets, he’s only averaging nine minutes a game. Even though consistency eludes Tropp, he brings a never say never attitude which would help our bottom six. Even if only in a fourth line role.
Now the cream of the crop. Michael Frolik is a guy who can play in every situation. He can PK and be very effective at it and be a threat to score a shorty as well. He has the skill to play anywhere in your top nine. He can play on the PP and play all three forward positions. While he is quick and as talented as they come, I mean he was once dubbed Mini Jagr. Frolik just hasn’t been able to put up numbers that would place him as a fringe second line and third line player. His highest point total was in Florida when he hit 45 points. He has developed and evolved into a more well rounded player, but still leaves fans wanting. But he could be a very good fit if the Oilers want to role a checking line that can score or demote players not producing. While not nearly as physical as any of the players above, if at all. He does bring a lot of good qualities to our line up. While not a big man, he’s 6’1 and 200lbs. so not easily pushed around.
Thank you so much for reading. This is part four of a six part fun series. Don’t forget to leave a comment or interact with me on twitter @shawn_kelemen . Have a great day!
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