Sean Maloughney: Mapping Out The Oilers Off-Season Needs

This team needs more Scheifele.

Good blog Sean.

What do you think has prevented Benson from cracking the lineup the last few years?

Good blog Sean.

What do you think has prevented Benson from cracking the lineup the last few years?
- RonPielep

Benson's biggest issue has been a perceived lack of footspeed, similar issue with another player who has had an issue cracking the lineup in Cooper Marody. With his strong numbers in the AHL this season and the Oilers need for more bottom six skill I believe next season if the year he is given a legitimate chance.

This was a very sad blog..,

Benson's biggest issue has been a perceived lack of footspeed, similar issue with another player who has had an issue cracking the lineup in Cooper Marody. With his strong numbers in the AHL this season and the Oilers need for more bottom six skill I believe next season if the year he is given a legitimate chance.
- freelancer

Ah, thanks. That confirms what I thought when I watched his highlights from the Swiss league.

Hear any draft targets yet? Maybe Cossa?

Where does Samson Reinhart fit in?
Right-hand Center or Top 6 Right Wing..
Or could he play RW and take draws on his side as well?
He can do both.

That's going to be a huge map, You might need two tables.

Always appreciate your articles Sean; don't know how you double-time it with the Kraken talk heating up!

In goal . . . Given that Oilers pushed hard for Markstrom, is it feasible to think they may go hard after Grubauer? Could Hart winner and fellow countryman Leon play a role there?? Not saying it's what I'd want to see the Oilers do, but history would suggest. . . . (?) I believe Holland is sincere in his hope to bring back Smith, but in a back-up capacity. I feel Edmonton will find some way to "move on" from the Koskinen experiment. (Buyout, perhaps? "Lose" a trade, maybe??) So . . . Grubauer for 6.5 million x 5, Smith (2 x 1)

On defense . . . re-sign Larsson YES. Move on from Barrie and let Bouchard have his chance in that role. I like a guy like Oleksiak to fill a hole, if they can grab him. On a sort of side note (seeing as I have a Kraken "representative" on the line" LOL), could Edmonton package Jones with a 3rd Round pick to have Seattle take Kassian in the expansion draft? (Hate ZK's contract almost as much as Neal's!) Seems though Jones is falling out of favor with Tippett, thought maybe they coud move him for preferred selection in ED. (?) Anyway, if they made a move like that, perhaps they'd need another player on D, but fingers crossed it's Klefbom.

On forward . . . For me it's Jaden Schwartz and Blake Coleman I'd most like to see the Oilers add. If Nuge wants to come back, also, for the same dollars or slightly less, great. At C, this is a pipe dream, but how amazing would it be if Getzlaf could be convinced to give a year of his time to the Oilers, a la Thornton/Spezza in Toronto. Those 3 players mentioned add Stanley Cup rings, grit, skill, leadership. For depth, I might look to another RH center and add someone like Travis Boyd. If we have too many bodies, perhaps Khaira is wished the best of luck elsewhere. I dunno. I bury Neal in the minors and buyout Turris.

Schwartz(5.5)-McDavid(12.5)-Puljujarvi(1.175)
RNH(5.5)-Draisaitl(8.5)-Yamamoto(1.8)
Holloway/Benson(0.9)-Getzlaf(2.5)-Coleman(4)
Khaira(1)-McLeod(0.834)-Archibald(1.5)
Boyd (0.8)

Nurse(5.6)-Larsson(4)
Klefbom(4.2)-Bouchard(0.863)
Oleksiak(2.25)-Bear(2)
Russell(1.25)

Grubauer(6.5)
Smith(2)
Stalock(0.785)

In the minors - Neal(5.75)

Not sure if all the money in and out would work, and Oilers undoubtedly would have to pay more than other markets for UFA's but hey, it's all good fun!

Great blog.

I think goaltending is the #1 need. I didn't realize we still had Stalock.

As much as i would also like to add Smith after a great year I think you move on if you can find a good starter.

Very hopeful Grubrauer or someone better is a possibility. Although he has never played more hands 40 games in a season is concerning along the Koskinen line.

I like the Getzlaf/Coleman/Schwartz ideas. Other options are Palat and Killorn. TB is cap hell and they could be had cheap probably.

I like the Getzlaf/Coleman/Schwartz ideas. Other options are Palat and Killorn. TB is cap hell and they could be had cheap probably.
- flyer4ever75

Except that Palat and Klllorn have NTC and M-NTC, respectively. Killorn has to submit a 16 Team no trade list. Not sure Edmonton wouldn't make that list.

Always appreciate your articles Sean; don't know how you double-time it with the Kraken talk heating up!

In goal . . . Given that Oilers pushed hard for Markstrom, is it feasible to think they may go hard after Grubauer? Could Hart winner and fellow countryman Leon play a role there?? Not saying it's what I'd want to see the Oilers do, but history would suggest. . . . (?) I believe Holland is sincere in his hope to bring back Smith, but in a back-up capacity. I feel Edmonton will find some way to "move on" from the Koskinen experiment. (Buyout, perhaps? "Lose" a trade, maybe??) So . . . Grubauer for 6.5 million x 5, Smith (2 x 1)

On defense . . . re-sign Larsson YES. Move on from Barrie and let Bouchard have his chance in that role. I like a guy like Oleksiak to fill a hole, if they can grab him. On a sort of side note (seeing as I have a Kraken "representative" on the line" LOL), could Edmonton package Jones with a 3rd Round pick to have Seattle take Kassian in the expansion draft? (Hate ZK's contract almost as much as Neal's!) Seems though Jones is falling out of favor with Tippett, thought maybe they coud move him for preferred selection in ED. (?) Anyway, if they made a move like that, perhaps they'd need another player on D, but fingers crossed it's Klefbom.

On forward . . . For me it's Jaden Schwartz and Blake Coleman I'd most like to see the Oilers add. If Nuge wants to come back, also, for the same dollars or slightly less, great. At C, this is a pipe dream, but how amazing would it be if Getzlaf could be convinced to give a year of his time to the Oilers, a la Thornton/Spezza in Toronto. Those 3 players mentioned add Stanley Cup rings, grit, skill, leadership. For depth, I might look to another RH center and add someone like Travis Boyd. If we have too many bodies, perhaps Khaira is wished the best of luck elsewhere. I dunno. I bury Neal in the minors and buyout Turris.

Schwartz(5.5)-McDavid(12.5)-Puljujarvi(1.175)
RNH(5.5)-Draisaitl(8.5)-Yamamoto(1.8)
Holloway/Benson(0.9)-Getzlaf(2.5)-Coleman(4)
Khaira(1)-McLeod(0.834)-Archibald(1.5)
Boyd (0.8)

Nurse(5.6)-Larsson(4)
Klefbom(4.2)-Bouchard(0.863)
Oleksiak(2.25)-Bear(2)
Russell(1.25)

Grubauer(6.5)
Smith(2)
Stalock(0.785)

In the minors - Neal(5.75)

Not sure if all the money in and out would work, and Oilers undoubtedly would have to pay more than other markets for UFA's but hey, it's all good fun!
- Quillanrocks

Some interesting suggestions. Coleman is going to get Hyman money somewhere. Getzlaf will most likely stay as a Duck if all you would give him is 3rd line C. Oleksiac is ggeting more than that right now, so he won't sign for less. Nor should he. Also, no reason why COL doesn't match that offer for Gru. He's one of the reason why they are where they are.

As far as offering Jones and a 3rd + Kassian, why would they bother doing that? Just take Jones if they like him that much. A 3rd for taking Kassian is a waste. Besides, they have no 3rd this year.

Some interesting suggestions. Coleman is going to get Hyman money somewhere. Getzlaf will most likely stay as a Duck if all you would give him is 3rd line C. Oleksiac is ggeting more than that right now, so he won't sign for less. Nor should he. Also, no reason why COL doesn't match that offer for Gru. He's one of the reason why they are where they are.

As far as offering Jones and a 3rd + Kassian, why would they bother doing that? Just take Jones if they like him that much. A 3rd for taking Kassian is a waste. Besides, they have no 3rd this year.
- Traveldude

Yup. Decent suggestions but almost zero percent chance of any of them happening. Getzlaf is not going to Edmonton. Not happening in a million years. His wife will never leave California. Coleman and Grubauer will get better offers. No one is taking Kassian or Koskinen without significant sweetener. Neal needs to be bought out full stop.

Yup. Decent suggestions but almost zero percent chance of any of them happening. Getzlaf is not going to Edmonton. Not happening in a million years. His wife will never leave California. Coleman and Grubauer will get better offers. No one is taking Kassian or Koskinen without significant sweetener. Neal needs to be bought out full stop.
- TurdFergeson

Some great feedback. Thanks Traveldude and TerdFergeson (love that username!).

I only thought that the Oilers might chase Grubauer based on their attempts at landing Markstrom last year. Personally, I like the idea of them trying Ullmark on for size (with Smith as backup and Koskinen gone ANYWHERE, of course!)

But as far as Colorado (or any team) matching the offer I proposed they might give Grubauer, I'm not so sure. The flat cap is gonna catch up with a lot of teams, and Colorado's likely one of the leaders in that category. Makar and Landeskog are up, and MacKinnon in 2 years. Landy should surely see a decent raise and Makar is likely getting a 700% minimum increase on his ELD! The Avs shouldn't put themselves in any situation where it's even remotely difficult to give MacKinnon the 5 million dollar raise per season he is likely gonna command! Goaltending is a tricky position to commit big dollars, and ANY team who commits that kind of money on Grubauer should be worried. While he HAS been great (the only reason Colorado isn't DOWN 2-1 against Vegas right now) he's also never played more than 40 games in a season before, either. Just my thoughts on that one.

Oleksiak is actually making a hair less than what I indicated in my mock-up, according to CapFriendly, but you're right, he probably takes a better raise somewhere else. By Coleman "signing for Hyman money," I assume you mean the money that Hyman's being rumored to get this off-season, and not his current amount with Toronto? (Either amount would be a raise for Coleman, however!) Sure, Coleman may get better than the 4 million I proposed the Oilers lock him in for--and Hyman may score a monster contract also--but I'm confident that the teams who sign them will likely regret those contracts before long. And of course, any deal where Kassian or Koskinen or Turris or Neal is involved would require a tremendous sweetener for a team to even consider it. . . . Absolutely. Not sure I'd buy out Neal, though. That's 4 years of nearly 2 million dead cap space, whereas if they bury him in the minors for most the season, it's just over a million in cap space for 2 more years.

Hey, so what are your ideas? You found mine interesting and then proceeded to dismantle pretty much all of them.! LOL What are YOUR thoughts for the Edmonton roster next season??

You're gonna need a bigger boat.

We need to sign Oleksiak!!!!

If RNH is interested in coming back then I would overpay him to stay if I were Holland. He’s a great two way player and the Oilers need that. Plus convincing free agents to come to Edmonton is not always easy and he seems to like it there.

If RNH is interested in coming back then I would overpay him to stay if I were Holland. He’s a great two way player and the Oilers need that. Plus convincing free agents to come to Edmonton is not always easy and he seems to like it there.
- Sams_Dog

No. You don’t overpay a second line winger.

No. You don’t overpay a second line winger.
- TurdFergeson

In a perfect world maybe. But that’s about the only way a Canadian team can keep their players.

Let Larsson walk. Sign RNH to play 2C. Trade Draisaitl to Columbus for Jones and Foudy.

Let Larsson walk. Sign RNH to play 2C. Trade Draisaitl to Columbus for Jones and Foudy.
- junaka3

Give me some of what you're smoking. Drai is worth MUCH more than an overrated 2nd pair D on an expiring contract and a kid who hasn't even scored a single goal in the NHL. Larsson is more valuable to us than Jones would be.

Let Larsson walk. Sign RNH to play 2C. Trade Draisaitl to Columbus for Jones and Foudy.
- junaka3

I think Bryan Rust is a guy who would do great alongside McDavid or Drai on the right side. Ideal fit in being able to mesh and excel with superstar players. Pens would take Kassian and your first (or a second and 4th).

Am I the only one that thinks RNH should absolutely be re-signed, but to be your 3C? You need to be able to roll 3 lines that can score if you want to make a cup run.

Not sure why you wouldn't resign Barry.... he was outstanding and while he will cost $6.5M probably, Bouchard isn't coming in and anchoring that powerplay at anywhere near the same proficiency. Just seems like a no brainer. Larson should be expendable.

Buyout Koskinen. I'd love to send you Jarry, but more likely you guys are going to go for a bigger fish. Maybe Grubbaer, Merzlikins or Keumper.

Hoffman might be a nice pickup for scoring depth.

If I was an Oilers fan though, I would be really concerned about Hollands perceived lack of urgency heading into the offseason. Any picks or prospects who can't contribute either now or next year need to be moved for players who can. You have 4 years of Drai and 5 years of McDavid left, I guarantee it will be less than that if you don't go all in these next few years.

I think Bryan Rust is a guy who would do great alongside McDavid or Drai on the right side. Ideal fit in being able to mesh and excel with superstar players. Pens would take Kassian and your first (or a second and 4th).

Am I the only one that thinks RNH should absolutely be re-signed, but to be your 3C? You need to be able to roll 3 lines that can score if you want to make a cup run.

Not sure why you wouldn't resign Barry.... he was outstanding and while he will cost $6.5M probably, Bouchard isn't coming in and anchoring that powerplay at anywhere near the same proficiency. Just seems like a no brainer. Larson should be expendable.

Buyout Koskinen. I'd love to send you Jarry, but more likely you guys are going to go for a bigger fish. Maybe Grubbaer, Merzlikins or Keumper.

Hoffman might be a nice pickup for scoring depth.

If I was an Oilers fan though, I would be really concerned about Hollands perceived lack of urgency heading into the offseason. Any picks or prospects who can't contribute either now or next year need to be moved for players who can. You have 4 years of Drai and 5 years of McDavid left, I guarantee it will be less than that if you don't go all in these next few years.
- MacPatty

Oh man…

Rust for Kassian and a first you can kiss my ass. Oilers don’t need right wingers if you have not been paying attention.
RNH is going to want way too much to be a 3C. He is a top 6 player and if he can be signed as our 2LW to play with Drai and Yam around 5-5.5 then fine.
Barry was a decent pp guy but that’s it. Not worth anything close to 6.5. If Holland signs him for that he should be taken to the woodshed immediately.
Hoffman has zero interest in coming to Edmonton.
The vast majority of oil fans are concerned with Holland and his decision. He should be gone but won’t be.

Thanks for trying though.