Edmonton Oilers: Looking at expiring contracts – RFA edition

LW/RW/C Dominik Kahun, expiring contract $975,000

Kahun was very much a utility player for the Oilers last season.  He played up, down, and out of the lineup at different times.  He was brought in because of his childhood chemistry with fellow German Leon Draisaitl, but that chemistry never materialized in the bigs.

Towards the end of the season he did, however, show chemistry with both Connor Mcdavid and Nuge.  That could be what brings him back, as not everyone has chemistry with Connor Mcdavid.

The Oilers could use some cheap scoring help so they don’t become the Toronto Maple Leafs, easily the most top-heavy team in the league who every year can only make the playoffs and then choke in the 1st round.  Kahun could provide that (the scoring help, I mean, not the choking.  The Leafs don’t need any help with that).

He doesn’t play a whole lot on special teams so he’ll have to provide scoring at even strength.  He produced 9-6-15 in 48 games last season with a -3 to boot, the latter mark of which is a career low for him and the only season he’s produced on the wrong side of the +/- ledger.

But, he’s probably faced the toughest competition of his career with the time he spent on the 1st line so that would probably explain it – and the fact that he only finished -3 shows he does have some skill in his own end.

By the way, in a full 82 game season, that scoring rate is 15 goals and 26 points – that’s not nothing and solid depth scoring numbers for Kahun.  If we do go back to 82 games, maybe he can even improve on that with more time with Mcdavid.  20 goals wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility.

At this point in his career, he is what he is – a complementary player that won’t drive his own line but clean up after the big dogs are finished, and can at least tread water against tough competition.

Does the fact that Dave Tippett only played him in 2 out of the 4 playoff games and sat him for the last 2 play into a decision?  How about the fact he produced no offence at all?  Possibly, but you must take it with a grain of salt as it was his maiden voyage in the playoffs.

Could Ken Holland find an upgrade at the roster spot?  Probably.  At the same price point?  Unlikely.  Kahun is the type of unheralded, inexpensive signing Holland loves to make to fill out his roster, and will be especially valuable in the flat cap world.

The fact he plays all 3 forward positions doesn’t hurt, either.

IMO Kahun showed enough last season that he deserves to be back.  Does he have more to give?  You bet.  I’d like to see what he does for an encore.

If he stinks, you can bury most of cap hit in the minors, put him on waivers with a pretty good chance somebody will take him, or buy him out inexpensively.

Chances he gets re-signed – 60%.  When Ken Holland meets with Connor Mcdavid, I’m willing to bet he asks him about Kahun and whether or not he wants him back.  They seemed to play well together so I’m willing to bet he’s back.

Projected contract – 3 years, $3.2175 million ($1.0725 million per).