After years of hoping and wishing, the Edmonton Oilers have finally acquired Milan Lucic! It wasn’t cheap, though, as they signed the big left winger to a 7-year $42 million contract.
Anybody that has been reading this website for a while knows how often we’ve written about trying to find a “Lucic type” player. As far as power forwards go, Lucic is the alpha. He’s a big, strong, mean forward that can put the puck in the net, work the boards down, and pummel your face if necessary. For a lot of Oilers fans, this acquisition has been a long time coming especially when you consider the Bruins drafted Lucic with the 2nd round pick that the Oilers sent them for Sergei Samsonov, back in 06. It also goes without saying that Milan Lucic is a necessary add considering Peter Chiarelli traded his best left winger a few days ago.
From where I blog, this is an exciting signing for the Oilers, but it comes with a heaping portion of risk. I love Milan Lucic, and I always have, but the problem I have with his signing is the length of the contract combined with a no-move clause throughout — he got a massive deal. That said, worrying about what happens with Lucic years from now seems like a waste of energy today. For now, let’s take a minute to celebrate the signing of an absolute monster. This is a player we’ve coveted for years, and he’s finally ours. 
Thoughts?

REACTION


WHAT THEY SAID


From Jewels from the Crown
It’s not necessarily bad news for LA. If Lucic’s asking price was $6 million plus, re-signing him would have hamstrung the Kings’ salary cap freedom even more than it had been previously. It gives LA room to pursue a free agent and allows them to hold on to their young forwards, including Tyler Toffoli, who will command a major raise after next year. Having said that, Lucic’s departure leaves a major hole next to Anze Kopitar, and there are plenty of questions about where the scoring will come from next season beyond Kopitar, Toffoli, and Jeff Carter.
 
He compares favorably with some of the players in the 6-7 (million) range, and I’d take him over guys like Vanek, Marleau, and Seabrook based on age, fit, and ability. Only eight wingers make more than $7 million, though. You can nitpick about whether Lucic is a better value than Bobby Ryan or Rick Nash right now, but it’s hard to argue that Lucic belongs in that group with career highs of 30 goals and 62 points.

WHAT HE SAID


LUCIC’S CAREER SO FAR

SeasonTeamLgeGPGAPtsPIM+/-PGPGAPtsPIM
2007-08
Boston Bruins
NHL
77
8
19
27
89
-2
7
2
0
2
4
2008-09
Boston Bruins
NHL
72
17
25
42
136
17
10
3
6
9
43
2009-10
Boston Bruins
NHL
50
9
11
20
44
-7
13
5
4
9
19
2010-11
Boston Bruins
NHL
79
30
32
62
121
28
25
5
7
12
63
2011-12
Boston Bruins
NHL
81
26
35
61
135
7
7
0
3
3
8
2012-13
Boston Bruins
NHL
46
7
20
27
75
8
22
7
12
19
14
2013-14
Boston Bruins
NHL
80
24
35
59
91
30
12
4
3
7
4
2014-15
Boston Bruins
NHL
81
18
26
44
81
13
—
—
—
—
—
2015-16
Los Angeles Kings
NHL
81
20
35
55
79
26
5
0
3
3
4
NHL Totals
647
159
238
397
851
101
26
38
64
159
 
What do you think, Nation? Was acquiring Lucic worth the money and contract that the Oilers gave him? Time will tell, as it looks like ol’ Milan is going to be around for a long time.