The Edmonton Oilers have many holes that need filling this off-season if the team wants to fight for a playoff spot next season. In addition to having to fix one of the worst defensive units in sports, the Oilers will need to fix one of hockey’s worst bottom six forward groups. We looked at one possible bottom six solution in David Moss this past weekend, and today we look at another, Anaheim’s Daniel Winnik.
Why Is He Out There?:
Winnik is a free agent on July 1st, and could be allowed to walk for a few different reasons. The Ducks are a team that usually does not spend to the cap, and after a tough second round playoff loss to the Kings will likely be looking to make some improvements to their roster. They’ll need the money to add a guy like Jason Spezza or Ryan Kesler, and letting a bottom six UFA walk may free up some of the cash.
The Ducks also have a loaded system that is ready to graduate a few forwards with higher potential. It’s a business decision really, and one that makes a lot of sense for the Ducks.
What Does He Do Well?:
Winnik is a player that checks off a lot of things on the Oilers needs list for a bottom six forward. He’s got really good NHL size, clocking in at 6’2” and 207 pounds, and plays a physical game. He’d help add some of that sandpaper that the Oilers have been looking for forever. He’s willing to drop the gloves too if need be, so he’d bring some of that toughness that MacT has been looking for.
Winnik’s bread and butter is his defensive game, which is an asset Edmonton needs badly among the forwards. The Hockey News scouting reporting on Winnik mentions that he displays “plenty of defensive acumen”. Winnik is also called a versatile forward that can play all three forward positions, which is another big plus.
Winnik played a lot on the penalty kill for the Ducks in both the regular season and the playoffs both this season and the year before, meaning he is trusted with short-handed ice time. The Oil need some PK help, and Winnik could very well provide that to the team.
His Corsi For % number wasn’t anything to write home about this past season, but was still respectable, clocking in at 48% even, a slight decrease from his 49.6% number from 2012-13.
He’s not an offensive black hole either, as he posted 30 points in 76 games this past season, although only six of those points were goals.
Overall, Daniel Winnik is a solid two-way winger that brings size and defensive play to a bottom-six forward unit that badly needs it.
Where Will He Play, and Where Should He Play?:
Winnik is a guy that can play all three positions, but was usually used at left wing and occasionally center in Anaheim. If he’s on the left side, he’ll play on the third line behind Taylor Hall and David Perron, which looks about right to me. If Winnik plays center in Edmonton, which is possible, he’d center the fourth line behind RNH, a new addition/Sam Gagner, and Boyd Gordon.
He’s a bottom six forward, and can play on both the third and fourth line, so he’d be sliding in right where he belongs if he signed on with the Oilers.
What Will He Cost?:
Daniel Winnik isn’t going to break the bank, but he’ll cost a decent penny for the Oilers. Likely, a two year deal that gives him a raise on his current deal, to let’s say $2.5 M per season, will be needed. $5 M over two years isn’t breaking the bank, but it better be a useful player. I believe Winnik is, and I’d be willing to pay that price to bring him to Edmonton.
Closing Argument:
The Edmonton Oilers badly need help in the bottom six, and Daniel Winnik brings a lot of what the team needs. He’s got good size, plays physical, isn’t a black hole offensively, and is a good defensive hockey player. The Oilers simply do not have many players like this.
He plays a ton on the PK too, and would help out an area that the Oilers must improve if they want to have a shot to get into the post-season next year. Daniel Winnik isn’t a superstar or a sexy name, but he’s a good hockey player that fills a hole in Edmonton and would be an upgrade over other options within the organization.
Winnik is a good hockey player and would come to Edmonton at a decent price. If MacT has a chance to add the next Ethan Moreau type to this team, he better take that chance.
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