FREE AGENTS! ALMOST FREE!
By Lowetide
8 years agoThe Montreal Canadiens signed Alexander Semin today, for $1.1 million over a year. Insane value contract for a team that needed offense—even if he doesn’t work out that’s very little money. We’re one week from August and there are a lot of good players still available. Will Edmonton sign one? Probably not, they’re at 47 contracts and may have a move or two to come, but if the Oilers were calling around, what players would be on the other end of the line?
ASIDE FROM THE OBVIOUS….
If we’re talking about possible Oilers, let’s assume that Christian Ehrhoff and Cody Franson aren’t coming here. Why? If they were coming to Edmonton, the buy out window would have been handled differently. Peter Chiarelli kept his powder dry, suggesting:
- The team has an ace in the hole acquisition at some point before the season
- Chiarelli feels the best course of action is to run out the mistake contracts and take a run at free agency next season.
Either move makes sense, but let’s (for the sake of argument) assume Edmonton has two roster spots open (we’ll say Luke Gazdic/Tyler Pitlick up front and one defensive slot that we’ll use if and when one of the veterans hits IR).
Who should Edmonton call among the still available group?
- L Curtis Glencross: His speed and skill means he can play with the good players on this roster and that’s a very good thing. I’d love to see the Oilers sign him. Right now.
- L Jiri Tlusty: Coming off a strong season (31 points) so he won’t be cheap. Still, a nice two-way winger who can play with skill, he’s 27 so has more time in his peak years. I’m astounded he’s still available.
- D Jan Heda: Veteran defensive defender isn’t a sexy player, but he’s effective and a veteran. Could help at evens and on the PK, plus if paired with someone like Fayne could form a nice shutdown pairing—effectively giving Todd McLellan a chance to use Andrej Sekera as an offensive option most of the time.
- R Lee Stempniak: A skill winger who could help the Oilers drive the idea of three scoring lines. One negative: Nail would have to move to LW (he’s better on his off wing).
- C Jarret Stoll: I know he’s had some issues but Stoll would be a nice depth add, wouldn’t cost a lot and he could teach a generation of kid centers how to win faceoffs. Don’t discount this option, Stoll could help.
- C Derek Roy: If he’s willing to sit some nights, I like the idea of having a terrific skill player on the bench. Plus, we know he has chem with Nail.
- D Brett Bellemore: Inexpensive depth defender. He’s a good option.
- L Phil McRae: Has some things on a PF resume, Edmonton is low on that player-type.
- D Colby Robak: I know the Oilers have plenty of defensemen in the system, but this is an interesting player and certainly worth a two-way deal.
Thoughts? Did I miss anyone?
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