Avoiding Zach Hyman: 5 Other Wingers the Oilers Should Pursue

With all the chatter surrounding the Oilers’ interest in pending UFA LW Zach Hyman, I feel it’s important for us Oilers fans to remind ourselves of the horrors of past UFA splurges- specifically, think back to 2016.

Long-term, big-money deals like those given to players like Lucic, Ladd, Backes, Eriksson, and Clarkson rarely age well and Hyman seems likely to add to that list given the reports that he’s likely to get in the range of 6mil for 6 or 7 years. Alarm bells need to be ringing.

Instead of Hyman, it’s my (and hopefully everyone else’s) belief that Holland would do well to consider a number of other wingers on the market in order to minimize cap hit, reduce term commitment, and limit the risk of failure.

Conor Garland (diminutive dominator)

The 5’10, 165lbs RW was arguably Arizona’s best forward last season posting 12 goals and 39 points in 49 games. He led Coyotes forwards in 5-on-5 pts (9g, 18a, 27p), shots (135), penalty differential (8 taken, 20 drawn), and takeaways (32). Further, he was a fantastic play driver ranking 3rd in team-relative scoring chance % (+5.4 relSC%) and 1st in team-relative goal share (+13.9 relGF%)- a trend that has been consistent since the start of his career.

These aren’t entirely the result of elite offense, either. Like Yamamoto, Garland is a quality defensive player (-0.2 relGA/60 & -1.5 relSCA/60) who disrupts plays and pursues the puck with near-limitless energy.

Normally, players like this aren’t made available. However, with Arizona’s financial difficulties, lack of a 1st round pick this year, and Garland’s contract demands (north of 5mil with term), word of his availability is circulating and the Oilers would be wise to pursue him.

Likely cost: The 2021 1st round pick & Kahun