Keep or Walk: Warren Foegele is headed to free agency after setting a career-high in goals
5 days ago
As it stands, the only forwards on the Edmonton Oilers with a contract for the 2024-25 season are Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Zach Hyman, Evander Kane, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Ryan McLeod, and Derek Ryan.
Dylan Holloway is a restricted free agent and Corey Perry, Sam Gagner, Adam Henrique, Connor Brown, Adam Erne, Mattias Janmark, and Warren Foegele are all set to test the open market as unrestricted free agents.
In this article, we’ll take a look at Warren Foegele’s 2023-24, what he could make on his next deal, and whether or not he fits on the team.
Warren Foegele’s 2023-24
Prior to the start of the 2021-22 season, the Oilers traded Ethan Bear to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for Foegele, with the forward signing an extension shortly after.
Over his first 149 games with the team in 2021-22 and 2022-23, he scored 25 goals and 54 points, along with two goals and four points in 25 postseason games Well, in the final year of his deal, Foegele had a career-year. The winger scored 20 goals and 41 points, surpassing his career-high in goals by seven and his career-high in points by 11.
His production in the postseason waned though, at least throughout the first three rounds, scoring an empty net goal in the Oilers’ first game of the postseason, as well as an assist in the second game against the Los Angeles Kings. Over his next 13 games, he picked up one assist and was a -6, leading to being scratched.
Foegele returned to play during the Stanley Cup Finals against the Florida Panthers. After being held pointless in the first two games, including an ejection in Game 2, Foegele finished out the final five games scoring two goals and five points in five games.
Warren Foegele’s contract projection
With just over $9 million to sign at least four forwards and a defenceman or two, the Edmonton Oilers will need to make some moves to free up cap space. That could come through trading Jack Campbell or buying him out, or maybe even by moving Evander Kane, as hinted by Elliotte Friedman in the latest 32 Thoughts podcast.
Unless Foegele signs a contract with a significant hometown discount, he’s set to earn a big raise. According to AFPAnalytics, it’s estimated that Foegele will sign a three-year deal worth $3.911 million.
Is Warren Foegele a fit for the 2024-25 Oilers
Foegele has always been a player whose team has out-chanced the opposition when he’s on the ice. He’s a great complimentary middle-six forward who can play a checking role on the third line, but proved he can also score goals in 2023-24 alongside Leon Draisaitl.
On top of that, Foegele killed penalties and had rare occasions on the power play in the rare occasions when the second unit had opportunities.
The fit is certainly there, as he can play up and down the lineup and in all situations, but unless the Oilers make some moves to get rid of cap, re-signing Foegele is going to be a tough task.
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