Edmonton Oilers: Potential Free Agent Targets

This could arguably be the biggest Free Agent Frenzy of Ken Holland’s career, and he doesn’t have a lot of cash to work with. To improve the team on July 1st, he is going to have to get creative. So let’s take a quick look at some of the top free agent targets for the Oilers to sign and what they are likely going to cost to acquire.

Tier One: 4-6 Million Range

1. Gustav Nyquist – LW

Acquiring any player in this tier would be reliant on the Edmonton Oilers dumping a big contract via trade or buyout. So until either of those scenarios happen, we have to assume that these players are likely out of reach.

If Holland can work some magic and open up some more cap space, you have to think one of the top players he’ll be targetting is Gustav Nyquist. He’s familiar with Nyquist and his agent through his time with Detroit and has already been linked to attempting to acquire almost any top-six winger available.

Nyquist would instantly inject more speed into the top-six of the Oilers lineup, along with an innate ability to score and make plays. The perfect supplementary player to go alongside Connor McDavid or Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. The only question is whether or not the Oilers can afford him and if Nyquist would be interested in coming to Edmonton.

2. Ryan Dzingel – C/LW

I haven’t seen anyone linking the Oilers to Dzingel in any way, so this one is unlikely. However, Dzingel checks all the boxes of what Edmonton is looking for and could be a versatile option in the top-six. He’s one of the younger options in this free agent class, but will likely cost too much or won’t be interested in coming to Edmonton.

3. Semyon Varlamov – G

Just one year removed from posting a 0.920 save percentage in 51 GP, Varlamov would provide a solid starting goalie option for next season. However, with the Oilers limited cap space it’s likely they get outbid by another team that is desperate for a goalie and misses out on Sergei Bobrovsky or Robin Lehner

Tier Two: 3-4 Million Range

1. Brett Connolly – RW

If you are looking at the most realistic free agent option for Edmonton to sign, Connolly is your man. The 6th overall pick of the 2010 Entry Draft is coming fresh off a 20 goal season but hasn’t produced much earlier in his career. He’s only 26 so you are getting him right in the middle of his prime, and he’s a guy who could play up or down in your lineup. His lack of track record might allow you to get him cheaper than most of the other players in his class. However, it also raises a reason for caution on whether or not he can continue this production on a 4-year term? I’d be comfortable giving him to a 3×3 deal, but at 4×4 I would be very nervous. My guess is that the Oilers will sign him and the contract will be somewhere in the middle of that range.

2. Petr Mrazek – G

The Oilers need a goalie who can challenge Mikko Koskinen for the 1A position. With Mrazek, they get exactly that and someone who could potentially completely take over the 1A spot from Koskinen all together. He just posted a Save% of 0.914 this past season and went on a spectacular run for the Hurricanes in the early parts of the playoffs.

Mrazek is another guy Holland would be familiar with through his time with Detroit, and it’s rumored the team was already trying to acquire his rights from Carolina around the time of the draft. Based on how familiar Holland is with the past of Mrazek, I’d be very confident with the signing if that’s the guy they are pushing hard after.

3. Marcus Johansson – C/LW/RW

Probably one of the most versatile forwards available on the market. Johansson’s speed and playmaking abilities make him a viable option on the wing of either Mcdavid or Nugent-Hopkins, and he could also take the duties of third-line center if need be. I think Johansson would be the best get for the Oilers in this free agency class, but my guess is that he goes elsewhere.

Tier Three: 2-3 Million

1. Joonas Donskoi – RW

Not really much of a wildcard because you know exactly what you are going to get: 15 goals and just shy of 40 points. Maybe he could increase that number in a more prominent role, but he would honestly be a great depth addition who can play on the defensive side of the puck and can make plays with talented forwards on his line. For the right price, he’s a great option. I think he’s going to be one of the pricier guys in this tier but also might have the most complete game which adds to his value.

2. Brandon Tanev – LW

A gritty forward who will be able to kill penalties and put 15 goals up on the board. Nothing too exciting but would be an improvement on what the Oilers are currently dressing for depth positions in their line-up.

3.  Derick Brassard – C/LW

The former consistent 60-point forward is finding himself in a downturn of his career. Edmonton isn’t a very likely destination for Brassard, but the 31-year-old could provide a veteran presence and play as either the third-line center or as a winger in the top-six. He’s been having a tough time finding his stride after being bounced around three times this past season and could be a bargain rebound candidate for next year. Brassard would fill a multitude of needs for the Oilers, but this signing doesn’t make much sense without a Gagner buyout happening. With the lack of centers available in free agency, Brassard could see his paycheck creep out of the Oilers price range. Especially with the wealth of teams desperate to add talent up the middle ice.

Wildcards

1. Richard Panik – RW

A big body who can skate and has a lethal shot. If he’s not scoring there’s not much else he brings to the table. His track record at the NHL is a lot better than the other two players in this tier and could be a legit top-six option for the Oilers next season at a decent price tag.

2. Ryan Hartman – RW

After a weird sequence of events, Hartman has now found himself as a free agent since Dallas traded for him and then decided not to qualify him. He’s a cheap option who can put up 15 goals and eat up some depth minutes on the third line. Not to mention he’s only 24 years old and has lots of room to grow his game.

3. Valtteri Filppula – C

At 35 years old, Filppula isn’t exactly a ‘sexy’ signing (as former Oilers GM Peter Chiarelli would put it). But the veteran is fresh off a 17 goal season and would undoubtedly bring some stability to Edmonton’s third line being slotted down the middle. Apparently, there is a good relationship between Holland and Filppula through their time with Detroit. So if the team can get him on a one year contract under 2 million AAV, it would be a good bet. Filppula could also act as a solid mentor to fellow countrymen Jesse Puljujarvi (if he decides to stick around).

4. Daniel Carr – LW

The reigning AHL MVP has never quite been able to find his footing in the NHL, but maybe this is his shot. He’s a hometown kid from Sherwood Park and would come in at a very affordable price. Low risk, high reward.

5. Mike Smith – G

I know, the sound of Mike Smith’s name is the farthest thing from ‘music to my ears’ in Oil Country. He has put up some surreal performances in the playoffs and still has the ability to steal games when he’s at the top of his game. However, the bottom line is that he is wildly inconsistent and wouldn’t provide any extra stability in the crease for next season. The bright side: He’d be cheap, and it could allow the Oilers to acquire a higher profile forward (or two).

6. Brandon Pirri – LW

One of the most consistently inconsistent forwards in the NHL, Pirri always seems to be popping in and out of team’s radars. You may hear about him scoring at a rapid pace for a few weeks then not even see him play an NHL game for another month. At a low price this player could provide a lot of upside, and if it doesn’t work out let him light it up in Bakersfield for the season. Not a lot to lose here. However, it sounds like he is going to be taking his talents overseas.

What Should We Expect?

The Oilers will undoubtedly have a wealth of options available to them in free agency. I believe one of the most likely scenarios that would bring a significant upgrade to the Oilers would be: Signing Connolly around 3 years at 3.5-4 million, Mrazek around 2-3 years at 3.5 million, Filppula on a one year deal well under 2 million, and then taking a flyer on a guy like Carr around league minimum.

The team may have to move some cap to make this type of scenario work; depending on what end of the spectrum they are able to sign these guys. A hole would still be left for another winger, but as I said they would probably have better luck identifying this need in a trade where they can send some money the other way. It is entirely possible for Holland and staff to achieve all this if they can move some pieces around, and would leave the fan base more than satisfied with the work of the new GM.