The Edmonton Oilers are heading into the free agency period with a number of wants and needs as they look to build on their promising season. After finishing second in the Pacific Division, the Oilers are hoping to make some key additions to their roster that will help them take the next step and win a Stanley Cup.
One of the team’s biggest needs is on defense. While the Oilers have a number of talented forwards, their blue line could use some reinforcements. They’ll be looking for one more defenseman who can play a shutdown role against the opposition’s top players.
Up front, the Oilers are in a good position with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl leading the way. However, they could use some depth scoring to take some of the pressure off their top players. They’ll be looking for a forward who can chip in with some goals and provide a spark for the team when they need it. This is even more important after moving on from Kailer Yamamoto.
The Oilers will be looking for players who fit in well with their team culture. They have a strong group of players who are committed to winning and who work well together on and off the ice. They’ll be looking for players who share that same commitment and who will fit in with the team’s style of play. A veteran depth forward like Jonathon Toews or Blake Wheeler would be a nice fit.
The Biggest Issue For The Edmonton Oilers
The number one problem going into today is the lack of cap space. Do not expect the Edmonton Oilers to go big-game hunting. They do not have the cap space for it. If they sign someone expect it to be for less than $2 million per year. That is pretty much as high as they can go.
The team still needs to sign a couple of their own RFAs. The main ones are Bouchard and McLeod. I would expect both of these players to sign a bridge deal to keep the cap hit on the lower end, but it will still eat into their cap space.
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Overall, the Oilers have a number of wants and needs heading into free agency day. They’ll be looking for players who can help bolster their defense, provide depth scoring, and fit in well with their team culture. With the right additions, the Oilers could be a force to be reckoned with in the upcoming season.
Free agency opens at 10 AM MST this morning. The Edmonton Oilers are already heavily tied to Connor Brown. If he can sign for a lower cap hit I see no reason why he isn`t signed at 10:05 this morning. Just like how Jack Campbell was signed last season.