After years of hoping and wishing, the Edmonton Oilers have finally acquired Milan Lucic! It wasn’t cheap, though, as they signed the big left winger to a 7-year $42 million contract.
Anybody that has been reading this website for a while knows how often we’ve written about trying to find a “Lucic type” player. As far as power forwards go, Lucic is the alpha. He’s a big, strong, mean forward that can put the puck in the net, work the boards down, and pummel your face if necessary. For a lot of Oilers fans, this acquisition has been a long time coming especially when you consider the Bruins drafted Lucic with the 2nd round pick that the Oilers sent them for Sergei Samsonov, back in 06. It also goes without saying that Milan Lucic is a necessary add considering Peter Chiarelli traded his best left winger a few days ago.
From where I blog, this is an exciting signing for the Oilers, but it comes with a heaping portion of risk. I love Milan Lucic, and I always have, but the problem I have with his signing is the length of the contract combined with a no-move clause throughout — he got a massive deal. That said, worrying about what happens with Lucic years from now seems like a waste of energy today. For now, let’s take a minute to celebrate the signing of an absolute monster. This is a player we’ve coveted for years, and he’s finally ours.
Thoughts?
REACTION
Wow, the Lucic deal didn’t take long. Amazing it happened so fast given that teams and players can’t negotiate terms ahead of time.
— Robin Brownlee (@Robin_Brownlee) July 1, 2016
Awesome news for Edmonton Oilers Lucic signed. Just what needed here. #Lucic #edmontonoilers #explainsHallTrade
— Rod Phillips (@oilvoice37) July 1, 2016
AAV’s fine. Two years too long on the deal, as expected. https://t.co/3ZItBCtGnd
— Jonathan Willis (@JonathanWillis) July 1, 2016
Length is too much, but Lucic today at 6M is not a loss. Call me in year 5 of the deal though
— Matt Henderson (@Archaeologuy) July 1, 2016
FLEX FLEX FLEX
— Wanye (@WanyeGretz) July 1, 2016
Not a fan of Lucic to the Oilers. That’s a lot of long-term cap space they’ll need for others. Plus, their top six already looked set.
— Rob Vollman (@robvollmanNHL) July 1, 2016
WHAT THEY SAID
It’s not necessarily bad news for LA. If Lucic’s asking price was $6 million plus, re-signing him would have hamstrung the Kings’ salary cap freedom even more than it had been previously. It gives LA room to pursue a free agent and allows them to hold on to their young forwards, including Tyler Toffoli, who will command a major raise after next year. Having said that, Lucic’s departure leaves a major hole next to Anze Kopitar, and there are plenty of questions about where the scoring will come from next season beyond Kopitar, Toffoli, and Jeff Carter.
He compares favorably with some of the players in the 6-7 (million) range, and I’d take him over guys like Vanek, Marleau, and Seabrook based on age, fit, and ability. Only eight wingers make more than $7 million, though. You can nitpick about whether Lucic is a better value than Bobby Ryan or Rick Nash right now, but it’s hard to argue that Lucic belongs in that group with career highs of 30 goals and 62 points.
WHAT HE SAID
“Getting a chance to play with with one of the best players I’ve seen since I’ve been in the league was enticing.” Lucic. #Oilers
— Jason Gregor (@JasonGregor) July 1, 2016
“I feel I’m just entering my prime. I’m in good shape. I think my competitiveness is what has made me successful.” Lucic. #Oilers
— Jason Gregor (@JasonGregor) July 1, 2016
“I’ve always been a positive guy. I will bring that to Edmonton where things haven’t been that positive lately.” Lucic. #Oilers
— Jason Gregor (@JasonGregor) July 1, 2016
“My loyalty to Peter and what he has done for my career was a factor as well. I’m happy with my decision.” Lucic. #Oilers
— Jason Gregor (@JasonGregor) July 1, 2016
LUCIC’S CAREER SO FAR
| Season | Team | Lge | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | +/- | PGP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007-08 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 77 | 8 | 19 | 27 | 89 | -2 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| 2008-09 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 72 | 17 | 25 | 42 | 136 | 17 | 10 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 43 |
| 2009-10 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 50 | 9 | 11 | 20 | 44 | -7 | 13 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 19 |
| 2010-11 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 79 | 30 | 32 | 62 | 121 | 28 | 25 | 5 | 7 | 12 | 63 |
| 2011-12 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 81 | 26 | 35 | 61 | 135 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 8 |
| 2012-13 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 46 | 7 | 20 | 27 | 75 | 8 | 22 | 7 | 12 | 19 | 14 |
| 2013-14 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 80 | 24 | 35 | 59 | 91 | 30 | 12 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 4 |
| 2014-15 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 81 | 18 | 26 | 44 | 81 | 13 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2015-16 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 81 | 20 | 35 | 55 | 79 | 26 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| NHL Totals | 647 | 159 | 238 | 397 | 851 | 101 | 26 | 38 | 64 | 159 |
What do you think, Nation? Was acquiring Lucic worth the money and contract that the Oilers gave him? Time will tell, as it looks like ol’ Milan is going to be around for a long time.
To all the Hall fans out there. You never want a teammate who skates away from a scrum. That’s the definition of a selfish hockey player. I am glad to see him gone. Comparisons to Messier? Give me a break.
Reading this comment section again is simply hilarious.