All the Edmonton Oilers in need of a contract for next season
By Jim Lynch
Kailer Yamamoto – 22 Years Old RFA ($894166)
Yamamoto has 21 points this season. He probably shouldn’t be in the top six, but on this team he is. Yamamoto is the most reliable option to become a top guy someday with this team. So the longer the term the better.
Joakim Nygard – 28 Years Old UFA ($875000)
Nygard only played nine games this season, and it seems like there is a chance he won’t play anymore if he takes an offer overseas with his old team.
Devin Shore – 26-Years-Old RFA ($700000)
Devin Shore did not have a good season, but he is an RFA that the team could re-sign on a cheap deal. If Edmonton is looking to add some depth that can factor into the lineup during the season then sure keep Shore around. However, if they plan to make him a prominent player on the third line then consider bringing in a free agent.
Patrick Russell – 28-Year-Old UFA ($700000)
Patrick Russell did not play in the playoffs this past month, and he probably won’t be playing with this team next season. Russell did his part when he got a crack in the lineup, but it was not very memorable.
Adam Larsson – 28-Year-Old UFA (4.16M)
Four to six years, that is how long Adam Larsson’s contract extension should be. Larsson is coming off a deal making 4.16 million a season. Should he want to jump anywhere from 5 to 6 million I believe the Oilers should pay him. Larsson is one of the team’s top shutdown defenceman and can be for the foreseeable future.
Tyson Barrie – 29-Years-Old UFA (3.75M)
Tyson Barrie deserves to get paid, just not from the Edmonton Oilers. Barrie and the Oilers were a great partnership this season in which he put up 48 points in 56 games. However I do not think there is room for him on the blue line and considering he is a liability in his own end, it might be best to let him walk in free agency.
Dmitry Kulikov – 30 Year Old UFA (1.15M)
Dmitry Kulikov was the trade deadline acquisition by the Oilers when they sent a third-round pick to New Jersey for him. Personally, I do not think the team re-signs him. Edmonton has some good defencemen in house and passing on Kulikov will just give a different player an opportunity.
Slater Koekkoek – 27-Year-Old UFA (850000)
Slater Koekkoek missed a lot of time this season injured. The 27-year-old would be a good player to have around as the team moves forward most likely without Tyson Barrie. Koekkoek probably won’t cost the team that much money and they can give him a one or two-year deal depending on what the Oilers are looking for out of the defenceman.
Mike Smith – 39-Year-Old UFA (1.5M)
Smith deserved better this postseason. He kept the Oilers in numerous games and was rewarded with an offence that just couldn’t find the back of the net. Smith will let everyone know when he is done playing but hopefully, he has another year in him.
The off-season is just beginning. Who would you like to see Edmonton keep?