The Oilers are extremely close to being one of the most dangerous teams in the NHL. They have built an incredible roster with guys that clearly want to win, and will help them do so. The depth the team has is fantastic, but still worries me a bit. Unfortunately, Warren Foegele doesn’t really fit the team needs any more, so his contribution to the depth isn’t worth his current contract.
Personally, I think the Oilers need to move Warren Foegele for whatever they’re able to get for him. He doesn’t fit their system any longer, and won’t be much use for them come playoff time. Foegele can put up 30-40 points a year which is definitely solid for a guy who won’t leave the bottom 6. But, he’s still not someone the Oilers need.
Dylan Holloway deserves the opportunity in the bottom six this season, and Devin Shore has proven himself to be a decent player in that role as well. On top of that, guys like Tyler Benson, Brad Malone and Seth Griffith can play the bottom 6 role whenever called upon, leaving a bit of a log jam having 4-5 guys who can play in the NHL, but only using 1-2 of them.
Moving Foegele not only clears up some space to make another move, but would add some draft capital, or even a depth defender that the Oilers have been looking for this summer. Coming to mind immediately would be Carson Soucy from the Seattle Kraken, although the Oilers would likely have to toss in a bit more on their end.
Either way, trading Foegele clears up money, gives Dylan Holloway his well deserved shot as a full time NHLer and adds some much needed competition for the bottom 6. Giving Foegele away could be a last ditch option, but just get what you can for him, and I still think he’ll have some decent value.