3 Oilers Who May Not Complete Their Current Contracts
G Jack Campbell
In their perpetual quest to address their goaltending woes, the Edmonton Oilers made a significant move last offseason by acquiring netminder Jack Campbell. With high hopes of stabilizing the crease, Campbell’s arrival was expected to bring much-needed consistency to the team. However, early-season struggles forced the Oilers to pivot toward rookie goaltender Stuart Skinner.
Recognizing the need for a reliable presence between the pipes, the Oilers targeted Jack Campbell during the offseason. Campbell’s impressive performance with the Toronto Maple Leafs made him an appealing choice to bolster Edmonton’s goaltending depth. The team had hoped Campbell’s experience and skill set would provide the stability they sorely lacked in previous seasons.
Despite high expectations, Campbell experienced significant struggles at the start of the season. Inconsistent performances and difficulty finding his rhythm raised concerns among the coaching staff and management. The Oilers were left grappling with the decision of whether to persist with Campbell or explore alternative options to address their goaltending needs.
Skinner’s emergence provided a glimmer of hope for the Oilers’ goaltending situation. His performances injected a sense of stability and confidence into the team, bringing about improved results. However, the decision to switch goaltenders raises questions about Campbell’s future role and the team’s long-term plans. Evaluating the short-term success and long-term potential of both goaltenders will be crucial in determining the Oilers’ goaltending strategy moving forward.
D Darnell Nurse
In August 2022, Darnell Nurse signed an eight-year contract extension with the Edmonton Oilers worth a staggering $74 million. With an average annual value of $9.25 million, Nurse’s salary places him among the elite defenseman in the league. Such a significant commitment to a single player limits the financial flexibility the Oilers have to allocate resources to other positions and address other roster needs.
The NHL operates under a salary cap system that imposes a maximum limit on the amount a team can spend on player salaries. Nurse’s $9.25 million annual cap hit represents a considerable portion of the team’s available cap space, leaving less room to sign or retain other key players. This restriction can hinder the Oilers’ ability to strengthen their roster depth and address other positional needs.
Nurse’s lengthy eight-year contract adds another layer of complexity to the Oilers’ salary cap management. As the years progress, the salary cap may increase, but the financial commitment to Nurse will remain constant. This poses challenges in terms of long-term planning and projecting future cap space availability. The team must carefully strategize its financial decisions to ensure they can navigate potential salary cap constraints in the future while still assembling a competitive team.
Darnell Nurse has been a key fixture on the Edmonton Oilers’ defense, but recent inconsistencies in his own zone prompted the team to pursue reinforcements. In a bid to bolster their defensive capabilities for the playoffs, the Oilers made a significant move by trading for defenseman Mattias Ekholm. The addition of Ekholm opens multiple possibilities for the Oilers to explore trade options for Nurse’s massive contract if it becomes cumbersome for the team to carry.
D Cody Ceci
When Cody Ceci joined the Edmonton Oilers, there were high hopes that he would provide stability and contribute significantly to the team’s defense. Following a solid season in 2021-2022, where he showcased his ability to make an impact, Ceci faced significant struggles in the subsequent season. With only 15 points to his name, his performance fell well below expectations.
Ceci’s underwhelming performance raises questions about the Oilers’ defensive stability and their long-term plans. They require a reliable and consistent defensive presence as a team seeking to contend for a championship. Ceci’s struggles may prompt the organization to reevaluate its defensive strategy and potentially explore other options to bolster its blue line. Additionally, the financial investment made in Ceci’s contract adds another layer of consideration, as his performance will be closely scrutinized in relation to his salary.
As the Edmonton Oilers set their sights on contending for the coveted Stanley Cup, one crucial area they must address is the performance of their second defenseman pairing. Last season, the lacklustre efforts from Darnell Nurse and Cody Ceci hampered the team’s defensive effectiveness and overall championship aspirations. As the new season approaches, the team cannot afford to have a repeat of those struggles if they wish to make a legitimate push for the Cup.