The Oilers will likely be looking for another second line center this summer with the highly possible trade of Sam Gagner looming. Many names have been discussed, like Paul Stastny, Jordan Staal, and even Joe Thornton, but there is a very realistic option on the free agent market that isn’t getting a lot of talk in these parts. That’s long time Predator and now Red Wings center David Legwand.
Why Is He out There?:
David Legwand is a pending UFA who decided not to re-sign with the only organization he has ever known in Nashville this past season. This led to a deadline day deal that sent him to Detroit as a rental to help push the Wings into the post-season and fill the hole left by an injury to Stephen Weiss.
Weiss will be healthy next season, and with the Wings looking at larger scale upgrades, it is more than likely that Legwand will be allowed to walk this summer and find his third team in just a few short months.
What Does He Do Well?:
Legwand is an interesting player. He isn’t a sexy name and he certainly isn’t an offensive dynamo, but he’s still a serviceable top-six NHL forward, and he might be exactly what Edmonton needs on a line with offensive players like Nail Yakupov and David Perron. Legwand is a smart hockey player that falls under the two-way category.
He’s got good speed, which should help him keep up with the young forwards, and has decent size, clocking in at 6’2” and 205 pounds. He’s a guy that works hard in all three zones according to scouts, and is a guy that is a dependable player when it comes to the defensive side of his game.
David Legwand plays a smart and defensively responsible game that prevents chances against and focuses on retrieving the puck. He’s a guy that learned to play smart defense first hockey in Nashville, and is one of the better two-way centers on the free agent market this off-season.
He’s a good face-off guy as well, and has a knack for winning big draws according to the Hockey News, which is always important. Advanced stats wise, Legwand enjoyed a good regular season, posting a 49.5% Corsi For while mostly playing on a bad Predators team. That’s an improvement over his 46.4% mark in 2012-13. He was down in the playoffs, but the whole Red Wings team was as they fell in five games to Boston.
Offensively, David Legwand is decent. He posted a respectable 51 points this past regular season in 83 total games, which is consistent with his career averages. This is adding a player that is better offensively than Sam Gagner, and much better in the two-way aspect as well.
Where Will He Play, and Where Should He Play?:
Legwand is an interesting case in this regard too. If David Legwand were to sign in Edmonton in July, he’d take Sam Gagner’s spot as the number two center on the depth-chart, and that is likely where he would play in most NHL cities. Ideally, he’s a high end third line center, but on line two David Legwand is still a good option.
What Will He Cost?:
Another free agent that will only cost money, Legwand will likely require an overpay to come to an unproven team like Edmonton. At age 33, this will likely be his last chance at a good pay day too, and coming off of $4.5 M per year deal, his hit could be dear.
I’d offer him a three year deal that pays $4 M per season, but he likely will come in very close to his current figure of $4.5 M per season, which is an overpayment in my mind. That being said, I’d have to consider offering him the deal if I were MacT.
Closing Argument:
If the Oilers want to make a push for the playoffs in 2014-15, they’ll need to add some solid two-way players that can help the young forwards and take on some of the tougher roles. David Legwand is a player that can do that, and while he isn’t a sexy name, he’s a good hockey player that checks off a lot of things that Edmonton needs.
The Oilers need a defensively responsible center that can put up points and fill Sam Gagner’s second line spot, and that is exactly what Legwand is. Yes, he’s a bit older and he will be expensive, but he is exactly what Edmonton needs in this spot.
David Legwand is a smart, responsible, two-way hockey player that plays a good defensive game and can score 50 points a year. It isn’t the sexy name, but it’s a strong player and one that upgrades the forward corps and improves the team. Bold? No, but very smart.
If Craig MacTavish pulls the trigger on a Sam Gagner trade, and I think he will, then David Legwand might be the best fit as a free agent to take the Oilers’ second line center spot. If things fall into place, Legwand should be one of MacT’s first calls when free agency opens up.
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