Free Agent Frenzy is done….For today at least. The Edmonton Oilers made a number of signings today, and are a better team as I write this than they were this morning. That being said, there is still a lot of work left to do in Edmonton. Today was a solid start, but it can still go either way.
Let’s take a look at each player the Oilers signed…
Andrew Ference: You want a leader? You want a legit veteran? You want a real community and stand-up guy? You got that in Andrew Ference, and you also got a pretty decent defender too. What Andrew Ference is, is a solid NHL depth defender with the ability to play a larger role when needed.
Ference brings a hard-working and physical game to the Oilers, and is a capable NHL shut-down defender. He played a solid role on the 2011 cup winning Bruins team, and was a key blue-liner this year in Boston’s run to the finals.
Ference can play both sides and gives the Oilers another option outside of Ladislav Smid to play against tough competition, something Ference regularly did in Boston. Andrew will be a great guy in the room and will be an improvement on the ice for Edmonton. He’s a perfect depth signing, and a decent fall back plan should Edmonton be unable to get another defender.
His four year term is one year too long as far as I’m concerned, and his $3.25 M cap hit is a little large, but overall it is a decent signing for the Edmonton Oilers.
Boyd Gordon: With Horcoff out the door, the Oilers clearly needed an NHL level bottom six center-man, and Boyd Gordon is their guy. Gordon doesn’t provide much offense, but brings everything else. He’s terrific in the face-off circle, is solid defensively, can play the PK and has pretty good possession numbers.
He’s a very hard worker, and was described by long-time teammate Jason Labarbera as a ‘beast’. He works hard and is only 29 years old, so he’s in the prime of his career. Some feel the $3 M per year price tag is a little high, but I’m okay paying him that money. Gordon will be a good addition to this team, and he looks to me like someone that will be a favorite of Dallas Eakins.
Oilers bottom six gets better with Gordon coming aboard.
Jason Labarbera: This is a very underrated and solid signing by the Oilers. Most figured they wanted a high profile starting goalie, but the Oilers ended up with solid veteran Jason Labarbera. He comes in at one year and $1 M so it’s a very small contract. Labarbera has proven he can handle the NHL game, and can handle what comes with a backup role.
He’s a character guy too, and is actually friends with Devan Dubnyk, as the two train together during the off-season. Not a major move, but a solid depth move in net. He’ll be the back-up come opening night.
Jesse Joensuu: This one was totally out of the blue and unexpected, but when digging on it, it makes a lot of sense for the Oilers. Joensuu is a bigger forward standing at 6 ft 4 in and 212 pounds. He’s only 25, and he has posted some really nice numbers in the AHL, SEL, and Finnish league.
He’s got decent hands for a big man, and also is pretty solid when it comes to physical play. The problem with him was his skating and to a degree, his conditioning. With Dallas Eakins, I don’t think that will be a problem.
Joensuu has real potential to be a great find in Edmonton’s bottom six forward group, and he could end up a pleasant surprise when everything is said and done. I expect he makes the team this season.
Will Acton: Two year deal that is a two-way deal for the son of new associate coach Keith Acton. Will is a 25 year old AHL veteran, and could be a depth center on an NHL roster.
He doesn’t really have any offensive ability, but he’s a good defensive center. I think he replaces Chris Vande Velde in OKC, and probably gets a call-up or two during the year.
Ryan Hamilton: A two year deal for Hamilton gives the Oilers a veteran leader and solid AHL player for the farm. Hamilton recently captained the Toronto Marlies under Dallas Eakins, and was an AHL all-star. I think we might see him with a call-up or two in Edmonton as well. Overall, solid depth guy to have in the organization, character guy too, which is great.
Overall: I like what Edmonton did here. I think Gordon is a good third line center and will do a good job in that spot. Andrew Ference brings leadership and shut-down play to a defense that needs every upgrade it can get, and the other signings bring some depth to a team that deeply needs it. All in all, it was a solid start for the Oilers to the summer of MacT.
MacT Presser: MacT also held a brief media availability today, and had a few interesting things to say. The most important? He pretty much told everyone he wasn’t done yet. He mentioned how he wanted to add some more toughness, and a top six left winger. That winger most likely will come through trade in my opinion (Chris Stewart anyone).
He also said he feels the defense is improved, but didn’t shut the door on another move possibly coming to add another top four guy to the mix. On goaltending he pretty much said the ball is in Dubnyk’s hand and he needs to run with it. I’m actually pretty confident DD will run with it and continue his upward swing this season.
Closing Remarks: Today was a solid start for the Oilers. They filled a few holes, and they are a better team today than they were yesterday. That’s always a good thing. THAT SAID, these moves alone aren’t enough for the Oilers. By my count, the Oilers still need a 2nd line LW, 4th line C, 3rd line RW and top four defender. That’s four more guys.
Craig MacTavish isn’t done yet with this Oilers roster, and things are only going to get more interesting as we keep moving forward. Should be interesting to see what happens the rest of July.
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