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The Oilers have the cap space and the need to make a big splash this off-season, that's something I have stated on this blog in the past and will continue to do all summer. Today we're going to take a look at the Oilers roster, where the holes are, and start to get an idea on how Ken Holland can go about addressing these needs.
For starters, this is the Oilers depth chart for next season, not factoring in RFA's or UFA's. In brackets I've added each players cap hit:
Neal(5.75)-
McDavid(12.5)-
Puljujarvi(1.175)
________-
Draisaitl(8.5)-
Kassian(3.2)
________-
McLeod(0.834)-
Archibald(1.5)
________-___________-___________
Nurse(5.6)-
Bear(2)
Russell(1.25)-
Bouchard(0.863)
Jones(0.85)-_________
Koskinen(4.5)
Stalock(0.785)
Here the Oilers have just over 29 million dollars in cap space but six completely empty spots to fill and some guys that need to be pushed way down the depth chart. A quick note, right now I do have Kyle Turris buried in the minors which puts his cap hit at a mere $525,000. Next I'm going to fill out a few spots based on the RFA's I'm certain will return as well as a couple UFA options that are all but confirmed.
Neal(5.75)-
McDavid(12.5)-
Puljujarvi(1.175)
Shore(0.8)-
Draisaitl(8.5)-
Yamamoto(1.8)
Benson(0.82)-
McLeod(0.834)-
Kassian(3.2)
________-
Khaira(1.2)-
Archibald(1.5)
Nurse(5.6)-
Bear(2)
Russell(1.25)-
Larsson(3.75)
Jones(0.85)-
Bouchard(0.863)
Smith(1.5)
Koskinen(4.5)
Stalock(0.785)
For the RFA's I brought back Yamamoto and Khaira. Khaira was a solid PK option for the Oilers and good fourth line centre but had a tough run of injuries including a concussion. I would not qualify him and instead offer him a one year deal at his same amount. Yamamoto also had a down year, combined with a poor playoff performance. As an RFA the Oilers hold all the cards here and I think I may still be too high here with a one or two year deal at 1.8 million. There are scenarios I could see the Kraken selecting Tyler Benson but if not he will get qualified.
For UFA's based on what Holland and others have stated I think the above are guarantees. It's been reported by multiple sources that the Oilers want to bring Larsson back at a similar number with Frank Seravalli throwing out the number 3.75 million. The one straight answer Holland gave in his presser was his desire to bring back Mike Smith and could see him back on an identical deal. Lastly Holland did give some praise to Devin Shore and could see him getting a marginal raise as a depth option in the bottom six.
With these players in place the Oilers and Ken Holland still have over 19 million in cap space to bolster the roster. What are the priorities for the Oilers? Here, in order are the most crucial needs Edmonton needs to address.
1) x2 Top Six Left Wingers: One of these could be RNH but if he decides to go to free agency than Edmonton will need a replacement.
2) #1 Goalie: Mike Smith had a phenomenal year but it's far too optimistic to assume that he can put up these same numbers again at age 40, especially over a full 82 game schedule. Edmonton needs a younger goalie who can push Smith for time and hopefully surpass him.
3) Second Pairing Left Defenseman: This could be Oscar Klefbom but things are very up in the air at this point. If Klef cannot go this is a crucial hole in the roster.
4) Right Shot Centre: Not having a right shot centre hurt Edmonton this season, particularly the playoffs. Left shots have a disadvantage taking draws on the opposite side. This was supposed to be Kyle Turris role.
5) Bottom Six Scoring: This could be solved internally either from graduating prospects (Benson, Holloway, Lavoie) or other players being pushed down the depth chart.
6) Top Six Right Winger: Kailer Yamamoto plays well with Draisaitl and I think he will improve off of this down season. Watching what the Jets did to dismantle the Oilers in the playoffs, Yamamoto could be this team's version of Andrew Copp. Acquiring another top six right winger would allow this.
Taking all of these things into consideration, here is the dream depth chart for the Edmonton Oilers next season. I've added an estimate cap hit to each:
Top Six LW/RNH(5.5)-
McDavid(12.5)-
Puljujarvi(1.175)
Top Six LW(6)-
Draisaitl(8.5)-
Top Six Right Winger(4)
Depth Scoring Winger/Holloway/Benson(<2)-
Right Shot Centre(3)-
Yamamoto(1.8)
Khaira(1.2)-
McLeod(0.834)-
Archibald(1.5)
Neal(5.75)-
Shore(0.8)-
Kassian(3.2)
Nurse(5.6)-
Bear(2)
Top 4 Defenseman(4.1)-
Larsson(3.75)
Jones(0.85)-
Bouchard(0.863)
Russell(1.25)
Goalie(3.5)
Smith(1.5)
Koskinen(4.5)
Stalock(0.785)
How much over the cap does this dream put the Edmonton Oilers? We are looking at the Oilers being roughly 7.8 million over the cap. That sounds ridiculous but the Oilers do have options available to shed cap. Zack Kassian surprisingly could have trade value around the league and Koskinen and Neal are both buyout candidates. Assuming all three of those things occur, the Oilers can fit the above roster with just over 2.2 million in cap space remaining.
Let me be clear, this is not what I expect to happen or that I believe will be easy to accomplish. This is simply a map to give people an idea of where the Oilers holes are and where the focus should be for Ken Holland this summer. Over the coming weeks and months we will go into great detail discussing candidates for the Oilers, trade proposals, and all those other fun off-season topics.
What say you? What are the Oilers biggest needs this off-season and how do you want them to be addressed? Throw your own armchair GM thoughts in the comments.
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