Time To Go Thrift Shopping

I was going to write a piece this weekend on “The Trade” but soon after starting I realized anything I had to say was said elsewhere. Considering I was born after the deal and I’m from Boston, I don’t really have any experience to tell you about either. So that’s why I didn’t bother on the Gretzky deal.

Moving forward, there are still some things relevant to talk about now. It’s the middle of August, and there isn’t much in the way of news. Most teams have their rosters set, and those that don’t probably won’t make many moves until training camp opens next month. There are still free agents left, but none of the sexy-name or marque variety.

Now might be a perfect time for Oilers GM Craig MacTavish to do a little thrift shopping.

The Oilers still need to address their bottom six and their center depth, and there are plenty of free agents still out there that can fit the holes Edmonton has. Not to mention, they’d come pretty cheap at this point too.

Who could realistically help the Oilers become a better team this season? Let’s take a look…

David Steckel: At 6’6” and 215 lbs, it’s easy to see why Steckel would be an attractive option for the Oilers. He’s a big boy and can play a physical style, something that would be welcomed in Edmonton’s bottom six. He’s a decent center too, as he isn’t a liability on the ice and is actually pretty decent defensively.

He’s money, MONEY, in the dot too, and can successfully play on an NHL PK unit. He’s not the quickest guy on the ice, but he’s a perfect fourth line center for any team, especially one like the Oilers.

I think Steckel would come on a tryout, and I think he could end up being a steal for the Oilers. That being said, I’d also be willing to offer this guy a one-year deal right now. Could really help the center depth issue.

Vinny Prospal: If Edmonton wants to have three scoring lines, Prospal could be a decent signing at this point. Teaming him up with Ales Hemsky could result in a potent third line for the Oilers, and give them one of the most skilled top nines in the NHL. Prospal is older at 38 years old, but is still a decent player.

Vinny put up 30 points in 48 games for the offensively challenged Jackets this year, and it’s a decent bet he could hit 30-40 playing with Hemsky for a full year. Depending on how MacT wants the lineup to shake-up, Prospal is a decent option. I’d imagine a low dollar one-year deal is doable at this point.

Chad Larose: I’m not sure why, but I love this player and have been pushing for him since the off-season began. Larose is a decent two-way winger that has a gritty edge to his game, and put up respectable stats on some bad Carolina teams.

While Larose isn’t huge and isn’t that elite two-way winger Oilers fans want, he represents a decent NHL bottom six winger, and a guy that would be an upgrade over some of the current group. He’s only 31 too, so it’s not like he’s totally ran out of gas either. I’m slightly puzzled as to why he is still on the market to be honest.

I think Larose would come to Edmonton on a tryout agreement, and I would say it’s a good bet he would win a spot. Those complaining about the bottom six could have a decent find here.

Chuck Kobasew: Not much to say here, but Kobasew is a decent hockey player and could be an alright fit in the bottom six. He’s had a few good offensive seasons in the NHL, and he’s never been known as a huge liability on the ice. He kind of reminds me of Brad Boyes and where he was a season ago.

Kobasew might be a decent fit on Edmonton’s third line, as he’s not a bad defensive player and still has some offensive upside. Wouldn’t mind him in camp on a tryout either, although I doubt the Oilers even look here.

Honorable Mentions:

A guy like Manny Malhotra intrigues me, but the fact that there has been no news on him suggests to me his eye might still be an issue. I see him as a decent camp invite if MacT is reasonably confident he can play. Marty Reasoner is another candidate for a camp invite to fight for the fourth line role, but I’m not sure how effective he would be at this stage.

Peter Mueller is a winger that keeps catching my eye too, and I would love to see him with Ales Hemsky on the third line during the pre-season. Mueller has some potential, and maybe a last gasp in Edmonton with an actual skill forward will save his career. At this point, I think he’d settle for a tryout too.

There are plenty of options on the market that can be had for cheap, or can be test driven during camp, that could really help Edmonton out moving forward. Will MacT go thrift shopping and continue an impressive summer, or is he flipping the keys over to Dallas Eakins? I get a feeling one of the guys listed above will be in Edmonton when camps opens…..Only time will tell.