Free Agency Leftovers
4 years ago
The Oilers were fairly quiet on July 1st. They stayed away from big contracts with term, but that means they also lost out on some reliable top-six forwards they desperately need. The days after July 1st weren’t busy, but some solid players remain unsigned. The Oilers might be able to scoop up a decent player at a cheaper rate than expected.
Justin Williams, Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau are veteran forwards who can play at various levels on a good team. None of them will be coming to Edmonton.
Ryan Dzingel – 78gp: 26g 30a 56p
Dzingel had a solid season, but Columbus opting for Gustav Nyquist on a four-year, $5.5-million per contract instead of Dzingel has to concern teams. Dzingel’s points per points dropped after being traded to Columbus. He also had just one point, a goal, in nine playoff games, and was healthy scratched.
Dzingel has speed to burn and can clearly play alongside good players. Maybe he doesn’t get the home-run contract in free agency he expected, but two models project him around $4.3 million a season.
EvolvingWild projects Dzingel at $4.25 million AAV for four years. I could see him being a fit if the Oilers can get the term down
Micheal Ferland – 71gp: 17g 23a 40p
It’s surprising to see a player like Ferland without a contract past July 1st. Ferland is big, tough, and can play with good players. He played with Sean Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau in Calgary and Sebastian Aho and Teuvo Teravainen in Carolina.
Wayne Simmond’s one-year $5-million contract doesn’t bode well for Ferland, but Simmonds had 30 points to Ferland’s 40.
Maybe teams are a bit hesitant to hand out big money to another late-twenties power forward. No one wants to be stuck with another Milan Lucic contract, but Ferland has value on a shorter-term deal.
EvolvingWild projects Ferland at a $4.1 million AAV for four years. I’m not sure if he gets that, but the Oilers can’t be in on him at that cap hit or term.
Thomas Vanek – 65gp: 16g 20a 36p
Vanek scores goals. Vanek has at least 16 goals in each of the past five seasons, including a 24-goal season split between Vancouver and Columbus in 2017-18.
Vanek remains a useful scorer, but he’s a player that needs a bit of sheltering. The Oilers have a bunch of those players already, but can’t be choosy about available scoring wingers. Vanek may not be the best defensive player, but can they really pass on a player who’s guaranteed for at least 15 goals?
Ken Holland’s signed Vanek twice already.
EvolvingWild has Vanek at $1.99 million for one season. That’s an easy contract to give out.
Derick Brassard – 70gp: 14g 9a 23p
Brassard’s fell off last season, with time spent in Pittsburgh, Florida, and Colorado. Brassard can play center, which might be attractive to the Oilers if they’re set on Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl playing together.
Brassard made $5 million last season, but he won’t come close to that on this contract. He’s always been a strong 5-on-5 scorer, but didn’t continue that in 2018-19. Maybe it’s part of being 31-years old, or maybe he bounces back and produces on a cheap one-year contract.
Brian Boyle – 73gp: 18g 6a 24p
Boyle plays center and is reliable on faceoffs, and oh, he’s 6’6″. Boyle might be more of a fourth-line center who can play on both special teams.
Boyle wouldn’t be a bad signing, even though Oilers need a third-line center more. EvolvingWild has Boyle at one-year and $1.25 million, a price almost any team could afford.
Oscar Lindberg – 55gp: 9g 11a 20p
Lindberg’s 20 points in 55 games would be a nice addition to the Oilers.
Lindberg can play some center and has been a surprisingly decent 5-on-5 scorer in a limited role. Holland’s looking for players who can score double-digit goals and Lindberg’s nine goals in 55 games projects to 13 over a full 82-game season.
Josh Archibald – 68gp: 12g 10a 22p
Archibald is a right-shot right wing who scored double-digit goals last season for the Arizona Coyotes. All 12 of Archibald’s goals were at even strength. He spent most of his time with Lawson Crouse and Nick Cousins.
Archibald skates well and kills penalties.
EvolvingWild projects Archibald at one-year and $740K. That’s a contract that could provide value.
Dzingel, Brassard, and Archibald particularly interest. Dzingel gives Edmonton a scoring winger, Brassard adds center depth, and Archibald might make virtually nothing and be a reliable depth winger.
Follow me on Twitter: @chrispagnani.
THIRD ANNUAL OILERSNATION OPEN
After having such a blast over the past two years, we absolutely knew that we were going to organize another golf tourney for the summer and, after a few months of planning, we’re psyched to finally be able to launch our third annual golf tournament.
- When – August 29th, 2019 (Thursday)
- Where – Cougar Creek Golf Resort
- How much – $1000/team or get in on the $900 Early Bird price until July 10th
- Teams – Groups of Four (4)
- How – Book your team here
As always, a portion of all proceeds from your ticket purchase will be donated directly to a local charity. This time we’ve partnered up with the Gregor Foundation to make sure that our kids are at their most handsome.
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