The Top 3 Underpaid Edmonton Oilers Right Now

As we wait for the Edmonton Oilers to officially start skating before the start of this season now is the perfect time to look at this upcoming season's roster and see where the issues may be. In the cap era of the NHL one of the main places that people look is the salary of a player. Every team has its players who are overpaid and underpaid. In this article, I am going to take a look at which three players I think are underpaid for the Edmonton Oilers.

Evan Bouchard- $3.9 Million AAV

Being on his first deal after his entry level deal Evan Bouchard to me is the player who is currently on the best deal for the Edmonton Oilers and should be getting paid more than what he is. The good news is he will not have to wait long as his current deal is expiring at the end of this season, and he is due for a big raise.

After finishing 4th in points by a defenseman this past season there is no way that you can argue that Bouchard should not be getting a new contract of less than $7 million on his next deal. Bouchard who put up 82 points last season, only trailing Hughes, Makar and Josi for points by a defenseman, is going to look around the league and see how much those players are making and ask for a well-deserved raise.

The one thing that scares me from an Edmonton Oilers point of view is the fact that they are already paying Darnell Nurse $9.25 million a year. While Nurse is better defensively than Bouchard, Bouchard puts up much more points than Nurse does. Bouchard should look at what Nurse is getting paid and simply tell the Oilers he wants to make more than him and the Oilers will not have a leg to stand on in that argument.

While he should be getting a decent raise next offseason the Edmonton Oilers' number one priority next offseason will be extending Connor McDavid. If the amount of money McDavid gets makes Bouchard too expensive for the Edmonton Oilers, then the Oilers are going to have to look at moving on from Bouchard. I hope that isn't the case because I love the way Bouchard handles the puck in the offensive end.

Zach Hyman- $5.5 Million AAV

Since joining the Oilers, Zach Hyman has established himself as a vital component of the team’s forward group. His current contract, which carries a cap hit of $5.5 million, not only fails to cover the stats he puts up, but also does not fully account for the impact he has on the ice. Hyman’s role extends beyond just putting up points. His ability to drive play, forecheck aggressively, and contribute on both special teams makes him a key asset.

Last season, Hyman had a breakout year, scoring more than 50 goals and tallying a total of 77 points. This remarkable achievement underscores his offensive prowess and consistency. With this being said, his cap hit of $5.5 million is an absolute steal, especially given the rising salaries of top-performing forwards in the NHL. If he were to hit the free-agent market right now, Hyman would be bringing in a significantly higher salary.

One of the critical aspects of Hyman’s value is his versatility. He can play effectively on any line and adapt to various roles as needed. This flexibility is incredibly valuable in a league where injuries are frequent, especially given the way Hyman plays the game. While his $5.5 million salary is not insignificant, it is modest compared to the top-tier forwards who bring a similar level of impact to their teams.

The potential challenge for the Oilers is balancing Hyman’s salary expectations with other financial commitments, particularly as they navigate extensions for key players like Connor McDavid. If Hyman’s demands exceed what the Oilers are prepared to offer, they might face difficult decisions regarding their roster and cap space.

Zach Hyman’s current deal is a steal of a deal for what he contributes to this team and does not fully capture his value in the broader NHL landscape. His scoring over 50 goals last season highlights his exceptional performance and makes a compelling case for a higher salary. As the Oilers look to strengthen their roster and manage their cap space effectively, Hyman’s contract is one positive note, even more so if he can keep producing the way he is now.