How Can The Edmonton Oilers Clear Cap Space This Summer?

Looking Closer at Matt Benning

I think Benning has a ton of upside to selling other teams on and should be a smooth move to make this offseason.

Just a side note: If there is any traction behind the Oilers and Toronto making a deal with Connor Brown and Benning as the centerpieces, I’d be all over it.

Now the easy parts, which is watching Alex Petrovic and Tobias Rieder walk in free agency, an automatic close to 4 million cleared without having to do anything. I’d still look into maybe bringing Rieder back at a smaller cap hit, he is a useful penalty killer and wouldn’t hurt to have on the fourth line. That’s if he’s even open to that.

Then apparently the team has to look into moving Brandon Manning. Maybe you can dangle a late round pick to a team like the Ottawa Senators who are desperate to fill roster spots anyways.

Honestly, the team is projected to have well below the cap floor committed in salary next season, so it might even take anything for them to take Manning from us. Nonetheless, if a trade isn’t available, burying his contract in the minors might be the best option.