Reviewing the previews: How I projected the Edmonton Oilers’ Mike Smith, Derek Ryan, Duncan Keith and Devin Shore
By Zach Laing
10 months agoWelcome to the reviews of the previews.
Last offseason, I took a look at 29 players who played for the Oilers in the 2021-22 season. I wrote about their season as a whole, and how I projected them for this past 2022-23 season.
Some of those players were under contract for this year. Some needed new deals and walked in free agency, and others were moved in trades.
Let’s take a look back at a couple of those players today.
Mike Smith
What I wrote
In a way, Mike Smith is going to be missed by the Oilers. He was strong at helping his defencemen around him and really was a leader on this team. He had his high moments where he looked unstoppable, but he also had times where he looked as if he were an AHL callup.That being said, the true knock against Smith during his whole tenure in Edmonton was his inability to stay healthy and consistent in the Oilers crease. Now, with Jack Campbell coming to town, the Oilers will hope to find a level of consistency in crease they hadn’t previously had.
What happened
Uhhhhh… Yeah. Jack Campbell. At least the Oilers had Stuart Skinner stand on his head this season. I’d expect Campbell to rebound next year, but year one here was ugly for him. Even if Mike Smith were healthy enough to play, he’d likely have been riding pine all season.
Derek Ryan
What I wrote
Ryan will return for the final year of his deal and will be a key contributor in the Oilers’ bottom six. He should be rejuvenated with a new role, a solid offseason, and a coach that will have a solid plan for him from day one. I’d like to see him on a line with Ryan McLeod and Dylan Holloway.
What happened
I love me some Derek Ryan. He had a really solid season this year and I hope the Oilers bring him back on one-to-two-year deals at $1-million until he retires.
Duncan Keith
What I wrote
Keith retired this offseason and the Oilers had a hole to fill on their backend. They did so by signing 28-year-old Brett Kulak to a four-year, $2.75-million AAV deal and he’s going to be a great replacement player on the ice.
What happened
Not much to say here. Keith was a good soldier for the Oilers for a year and his money went to Kulak and Evander Kane.
Devin Shore
What I wrote
While he was a physical presence and helped create some energy when on the ice, the truth is there are better options out there for the Oilers. He still has a year left on his deal paying him just $850k, so for that reason alone he could find himself as a number 13 or 14 forward. I think there’s just as good of a chance he winds up in Bakersfield as he does as a depth piece this year.
What happened
The Oilers kept him around Edmonton as an extra forward/hype man and he filled his role admirably and ended up playing in 47 games. He’s probably looking for a new team this off-season.
Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach@thenationnetwork.com.
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