Really hope the Oilers have a somewhat patient approach here. The NEED is to make the playoffs, not win the Cup right away. If they consistently make the playoff, 97 and 29 will stay with the program.
Needed to lock in playoff appearances:
Better G
1-2 better wingers who can score
3rd line C
D is "good enough" - not to win a Cup, but to make the playoffs
If this team wins a Cup it could well be in 3 years with Broberg and Bouchard in the top 6 on their ELCs still. Would MUCH rather address the above needs (which costs money) than splurge on the likes of Ekblad or OEL.
Oilers team building much more resembles the Caps and Lightning of the past 15 years than the Penguins and Hawks. Pens DRAFTED their stud D in Letang. Hawks did the same with Keith (and to a lesser degree Seabrook).
29 is under contact for 5 more years, McDavid for 6. Make the playoffs during those years is the first order priority. If you have a team that can actually win the whole thing - then mortgage some future. Not now. D group in 2022-23 could easily become Broberg (ELC), Nurse (7M), Bouchard (ELC) and Klefbom (4.17M) - with Bear, Jones and Samorukov also in the mix.