What To Do With The Extra Cap Space
The Edmonton Oilers cannot go into next season without upgrading their top 6 forward group and adding a right-handed defenceman. I’m not talking Chiarelli chest moves which just results in throwing stuff at the wall and seeing if it sticks. I’m talking major overhaul moves that can legitimately help the team move forward.
With the salary cap projected to increase to 83 million for the 2019 season, if the Oilers can make even just a few of those moves above happen they could actually give themselves a significant amount of cap space to work with this offseason.
The team should look to use an asset like Jesse Puljujarvi as a piece to bring in a top 6 forward from a team that is trying to transition younger like the New York Rangers or the Minnesota Wild. (Not sure why the Wild are all of sudden trying to transition to a more youthful roster, but might as well take advantage of that). It’s very early to start talking names so I might write on the names I like from those teams in particular later on.
There were quite a few wingers moved at the deadline so there could be some solid options available via free agency. I just don’t think the Oilers would be an ideal spot for a top 6 winger that is going to have his pick of any team in the league.
But man would Gustav Nyquist look good here. Marcus Johansson could be available at a fair price though, his speed and playmaking ability might work well in Edmonton, and could help bump some guys down the depth chart. I’ll be looking into these options more in-depth in the future.
Ideally, the team should look to sign a defenceman on free agency that could be an upgrade on the right side of the second pair, if they already have to trade assets to get a top 6 forward.
If they are able to sign a forward then maybe you can look to trade assets for a defenceman instead.
A lot to look forward to this summer and definitely a topic that will be revisited quite a few times in the near future.