Edmonton Oilers defenceman Ty Emberson recently switched representation, according to multiple outlets. This tidbit of news is interesting, as Emberson has been one of the players under the microscope in recent weeks due to his contract situation.
Emberson, who came back from the San Jose Sharks in the Cody Ceci deal, has proven to be a reliable defender for the Oilers this season. He signed a one-year, $950K deal at the start of the season. At the time, the move looked like a low-cost, stopgap measure as the Oilers looked for a more solid bottom-pairing blue liner.
Nevertheless, Emberson has earned his spot this season, sparking discussion about an extension keeping the 25-year-old in Oil Country. Rumours have circulated suggesting that an extension could be imminent but, to this date, nothing has materialised.
The news that Emberson has moved on from Daniel Plante and signed with Brian and Scott Barlett suggests that he wasn’t happy about something in the negotiations, prompting him to switch agencies.
If that’s indeed the motive for the move, the change could signal that Emberson and the Edmonton Oilers could be close to an extension. As for what that extension could look like, it remains to be seen.
According to PuckPedia, Emberson will be an RFA this summer. He has a $950K qualifying offer which the Oilers will surely extend if a deal doesn’t get done before the end of the season. It’s doubtful the Oilers let Emberson walk without at least qualifying him. So, the likeliest outcome is that both sides work something out now or during the offseason.
Projecting a contract extension between Ty Emberson and the Oilers
Now comes the hard part: What would a contract extension between Emberson and the Edmonton Oilers look like?
Off the bat, we can discard the extremes. It’s unlikely the sides agree on a one-year deal or an eight-year extension. The likeliest outcome would be something in the mushy middle. Perhaps something along the lines of a four-year or five-year deal.
That term makes sense as it doesn’t represent an overwhelming commitment, while also allowing Emberson to land decent job security.
As for the dollar value, that’s another story. Emberson will be looking for a raise from his current salary. And, that may be the sticking point that prompted him to switch agencies. The Oilers may feel that Emberson is worth something closer to $2-$2.5 million per season, while he may feel he’s worth closer to $4 million.
Even with the cap going up, the Oilers can’t afford to splurge. If they commit to a long-term deal at a high AAV, the risk may be too much for the Oilers to handle. As such, Emberson may have no choice but to bet on himself. He may need to take a two-year deal just to prove he’s worth a long-term extension.
In my estimation, that’s not where this situation will end up. But it will require some creativity from both sides to work something out that’s reasonable for everyone.
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