Three Cheap Options For The Edmonton Oilers In Free Agency

EDMONTON, AB - MAY 04: The arena prior to the first period between the Edmonton Oilers and the Los Angeles Kings in Game Two of the First Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place on May 4, 2022 in Edmonton, Canada. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
EDMONTON, AB - MAY 04: The arena prior to the first period between the Edmonton Oilers and the Los Angeles Kings in Game Two of the First Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place on May 4, 2022 in Edmonton, Canada. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
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The NHL draft is just a few days away, so the NHL offseason is about to heat up regarding player moves and free-agent signings. I don’t expect the Edmonton Oilers to be that busy, but I expect them to make some moves.

There are quite a few NHL insiders that believe that the Edmonton Oilers will be trading away a player in order to clear up cap space. From what I have seen it appears that Kailer Yamamoto is likely the player that will be moved.

If the Oilers are unable to move Yamamoto then the next in line to be dealt would be Warren Foegele. I believe that the Edmonton Oilers should have no issue moving either of these players if they want to.

Why Do The Edmonton Oilers Need To Make A Move?

The Edmonton Oilers technically don’t need to make a trade this offseason, but it would help clear up some cap space. According to CapFriendly the Edmonton Oilers currently have $5,070,000 in cap space.

That seems like a lot of cap space, but remember there are still a lot of players to be signed. They still need to sign Evan Bouchard and Ryan McLeod for sure. On top of that, there are still other depth forwards that are not under contract. This includes Klim Kostin, Nick Bjustad, Devin Shore and Mattias Janmark.

This is why I think the Edmonton Oilers need to move out a player with a decent cap hit. They still have a lot of unsigned holes in their lineup. Now they may not bring back all the players above they are still going to need players in their spots.

With the cap being a big issue for the Edmonton Oilers even if they make room they are still going to need to find players on the cheap that can come out and help this team on a night-to-night basis. This means free agent thrift shopping.

I have put together a list of three players that I think the Edmonton Oilers could get to sign a cheaper deal with the Oilers and still have a positive effect on this team.

Apr 24, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Alex Killorn (17) is congratulated after he scored a goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the second period of game four of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 24, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Alex Killorn (17) is congratulated after he scored a goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the second period of game four of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Alex Killorn

The Edmonton Oilers are a team that is desperately in need of some help at the bottom of their lineup if they want to make a deep run in the playoffs next season. One player who could be a perfect fit for them is Alex Killorn. Killorn is a versatile forward who can play on both the wing and at center, and he has a proven track record of success in the NHL.

One of the reasons that Killorn would be a good fit for the Oilers is his ability to play in all situations. He is a strong penalty killer and has shown that he can produce offensively as well. Killorn had 64 points in 82 games last season, and he is almost guaranteed to score at least 15 goals. He also has playoff experience, having won a couple of Stanley Cups with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Another reason that Killorn would be a good fit for the Oilers is his physicality. He is a big body that is not afraid to go to the net and battle for pucks. This type of player is always valuable in the playoffs, where games tend to get more physical. Killorn is also a player who can get under the skin of his opponents, which can be a valuable asset in a playoff series.

Killorn would be a good fit for the Oilers because he is a veteran player who has been around the league for a while. He would bring leadership and experience to the Edmonton Oilers team. He could help mentor some of the younger players on the team, and his presence in the locker room could be a calming influence on this team.

On top of all this, I think because of his age he won’t be looking for a big-ticket. He will be looking to win another Cup and with the Edmonton Oilers poised to be Cup favourites again, it would make sense for him to come here.

Jan 24, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Washington Capitals left wing Conor Sheary (73) shoots the puck in the third period against the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Washington Capitals left wing Conor Sheary (73) shoots the puck in the third period against the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

Conor Sheary

Conor Sheary is a talented forward who has proven himself a valuable asset to any team he plays for. Known for his speed and agility on the ice, Sheary is a versatile player who can play both left and right-wing positions. He has a knack for finding the back of the net and has consistently put up solid numbers throughout his career.

One of the main reasons why the Edmonton Oilers should consider signing Sheary is his ability to contribute on both ends of the ice. He is a strong two-way player who can help out on defence as well as offence. His strong work ethic and dedication to the game make him a great fit for the Oilers, who are looking to build a winning team culture.

His experience in the playoffs is another positive that he brings to the table. He has played in the postseason with the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Buffalo Sabres, and the Washington Capitals and has shown that he can step up his game when it matters most. With the Oilers looking to make a deep playoff run, Sheary’s playoff experience could be a valuable asset.

Sheary would be a good fit for the Edmonton Oilers because of his relatively low cost. While he is a talented player, he is not one of the big-name free agents on the market this year. This means that the Oilers could potentially sign him for a reasonable price, allowing them to allocate more resources to other areas of the team.

Conor Sheary would be a great addition to the Edmonton Oilers. With his skill, experience, and work ethic, he would be a valuable asset to the team both on and off the ice. If the Oilers are looking to build a winning culture and make a run at the Stanley Cup, signing Sheary should be at the top of their list.

Edmonton Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (93) tries to block a shot by Chicago Blackhawks forward Jonathan Toews (19) Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
Edmonton Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (93) tries to block a shot by Chicago Blackhawks forward Jonathan Toews (19) Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports /

Jonathan Toews

Jonathan Toews is a proven winner. He has won three Stanley Cups with the Chicago Blackhawks and has been a key player in all of those victories. He has a winning mentality and brings a lot of leadership and experience to any team he plays for. The Oilers could use his leadership and experience to help guide their young players and lead them to victory.

Toews is a strong two-way player. He is known for his defensive abilities and is often praised for his ability to shut down opposing players. The Oilers have struggled defensively in recent years, and Toews could help shore up their defence and prevent goals against.

Toews is a consistent scorer. He has scored at least 15 goals in every season except for one in his NHL career. The Oilers have some talented offensive players in Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, but adding Toews to the mix would make their offensive depth even stronger.

Signing Jonathan Toews would be a smart move for the Edmonton Oilers. He brings leadership, defensive abilities, scoring, and popularity to any team he plays for. The Oilers have a lot of young talent, and Toews could help guide them to success.

The issue with Toews is his health. I don’t know if he is going to retire or if he is going to keep playing. If he keeps playing I doubt he would be looking for big money. He would more so be looking for a chance to win another Cup.

The Edmonton Oilers Need Depth Help

There is one thing that all these three players have in common and that is that they would be depth players in the lineup. There is a reason for that, and that reason is that is where the Edmonton Oilers need the most help.

If they can secure some of their own RFAs and UFAs and maybe add one of these three players their depth should be better than it was last season and that’s what the Oilers need to do to get better.

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