Recapping free agency so far
By Phil Gretzky
Might as well lump the next two signings together as they’re both pretty minor.
Edmonton Oilers sign 30 year old LW Greg Mckegg to a two year, $1.52 million deal ($762,500 per)
Mckegg is a pretty vanilla player who may or may not play here next season. He’s the epitome of an AHL bubble player – he can play on your fourth line but can easily be waived down to the minors if someone else usurps their spot. Every NHL team has at least one of these players in their organization.
Last season Mckegg played for the NY Rangers, putting up 2-3-5 with a -11 in 43 games. He’s listed in CapFriendly as slated for Bakersfield next season, so it remains to be seen if that changes or not – probably will be determined by training camp.
Remember that 200 game threshold I was talking about? Well Mckegg has played 233 NHL games, so we know what he is as a player.
Smart move by Holland – if he makes the team and sticks the whole season, he’s cheap depth for the bottom six. If he falters, you can send him and his entire cap hit to Bakersfield with no penalty to the Oilers.
Risk factor – none. If he sucks, you waive him. If he rocks, you play him. Very simple equation.
My overall take – meh. Not much to say on this one.
Edmonton Oilers sign 30 year old G Calvin Pickard to a one year, two way, $750,000 contract
Pickard will be taking over as the #3 goalie in the organization and the starter in Bakersfield now that Skinner has earned his spot in the NHL for next season. This will push one of Olivier Rodrigue or rookie college free agent signing Ryan Fanti down to the ECHL next season.
Last season he played the same role for the Detroit organization, playing 43 games in the AHL for the Grand Rapids Griffins, finishing with a .918 sv% (a career best for him) and a 2.58 GAA. He also played three games for the Red Wings, finishing with ugly twin numbers of an .875 sv% and a 4.3 GAA. I mean, it’s not like he had a lot of help on a rebuilding Red Wings team last year, but….wow.
Let’s hope he doesn’t need to get anywhere near the Oilers because we’re in trouble if this guy plays any NHL games for us
As an aside, what is it with the number 30 and Holland? He keeps signing 30 year old guys, what’s up with that?
Risk factor – none. This guy will be buried in the AHL where he belongs. He’s a true journeyman, on his sixth NHL organization now, and never really finding any traction anywhere he’s played in the NHL. Maybe he’ll be a nice leader helping Rodrigue and Fanti along in their careers.
My overall take – meh. Again, what can you say about a guy slated to play in the minors for most of – if not the – entire season? Not much.