Since the Edmonton Oilers are now eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs, it is time to look forward to the offseason and the move they need to make. One job that needs to be done is re-signing RFA’s and UFA’s. I have already looked at Klim Kostin, Derek Ryan and Nick Bjugstad. In this article, I will examine the pros and cons of bringing back UFA Mattias Janmark.
Mattias Janmark was signed to a one-year deal this past offseason worth $1.25 million. This season Janmark played in 66 games in the regular season where he got 10 goals and 15 assists. He also skated in 5 playoff games where he could only add one assist. During both the regular season and playoffs Janmark battled through some injuries.
Janmark has the perfect skill set for a bottom-six player. He can play on the penalty kill and he is responsible in his own defensive end. Think back to this whole season, can you remember ever thinking “Boy, Janmark messed up on that one”? You can’t can you, this is cause he is a smart player.
Mattias Janmark’s smarts come from him knowing his limits. He isn’t going to try any flashy plays cause he knows he is probably not going to be successful at them. He makes the smart, simple, high-percentage play every time. That is what you want from a bottom-six player.
The Edmonton Oilers Should Bring Back Mattias Janmark.
From Janmark’s point of view, he shouldn’t be expecting to get a raise and if he does it will be very minimal, I don’t see him getting more than $2 million per year. If he signs with a lower-level team he might, but then he has no chance of hoisting the cup.
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If it takes Holland to sign him for 2-3 years to keep the cap hit down I have no issues with that. He is a good bottom-six forward. If the Oilers want to win they are going to need players like him. Other top teams will also want to add him.
This is why the Edmonton Oilers should try and lock him up sooner rather than later. To me, Janmark is a must re-sign player.