The Edmonton Oilers have areas where they have to improve this offseason, and the free agent market can help.
Edmonton must build on its right wing depth going into next year. Would pending UFA Justin Williams be a good fit with the Oilers?
Williams at a Glance
Though the 35-year-old is getting older, he has not shown signs of slowing down. In 80 games this season, Williams posted 24 goals and 48 points and was a plus-14. He also boasted strong possession metrics with a 3.3 relative Corsi.
Edmonton Oilers
In every full season since 2010-11, Williams has hit the 40-point mark (with the exception of the limited lockout year where he had 33 points in 48 games). He has proven consistency, and though there were some struggles in the beginning of this year, he overcame them and showed he can still score.
In addition to that, he continued his outstanding playoff success. “Mr. Game 7” came in clutch for the Capitals, posting three goals and nine points through 13 postseason games.
Should Edmonton Pursue Williams?
The Oilers need players with great speed and scoring prowess. Williams is a pure goal-scorer and has great chemistry with his lines. With him in the lineup, he would be a huge asset and could fit in on the team’s top six. He could even fit in on the bottom-six and provide depth in weak areas.
However, he does have a hefty cap hit of at least $3.5 million, and the Oilers may find themselves paying for a veteran who is already at an older age. That being said, if they do sign him, it may not be a great idea to ink him to a long-term deal.
Williams would also bring playoff experience and a winning mentality to a team looking to completely boast a winning culture. He’s won three Stanley Cups and has helped Washington to back-to-back President’s Trophies. With him in the locker room, Edmonton would continue to improve and trend in the right direction.
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Overall, Williams is a proven goal scorer who can overcome adversity and prove his worth. The Oilers would certainly be smart to consider bringing him on board, especially if they want to continue to build on their success from this year.