How Mike Green’s retirement could impact the Edmonton Oilers

Crazy, you may say, that a 34-year-old defenceman acquired for a fourth-round pick and a salary dump could have an impact on the Edmonton Oilers next year.

But the truth is that Mike Green’s rumoured retirement could indeed have an impact — albeit small — on the Oilers.

When Ken Holland acquired Green at the trade deadline, he was brought into town to be a veteran sixth/seventh defenceman. He had years of playoff experience and while he struggled with Detroit on a bad team, I’m of the mindset he had more to give with Edmonton.

He played in only two games before injuring his MCL, then he decided to opt-out of the NHL’s return-to-play.

Long story short, we never really got to see what he could do for the Oilers. Edmonton had a chance to get a defenceman known for his offensive upside and in a bottom-pairing role, that would’ve been a nice addition to the Oilers blueline.

If he hadn’t retired, Edmonton may have offered him a deal in the $1-million range as a veteran defenceman. It would’ve been a solid addition, in my eyes, for what is a very young Oilers defence.

While it wouldn’t have been a world-changing signing or one that really pushed the Oilers much further to success, there would’ve been definite value there for the Oilers.

In my eyes, I can see Holland looking to the free agency market for a similar defenceman: a veteran with playoff experience who still has some game left to give. Any deal for a guy like that wouldn’t be much, in the $1-million range for a year, but the upside could see the Oilers young defence have another vet they can bounce things off of.

On Twitter: @zjlaing