I'd sign him tooI'd sign Lucic for league min
Then bury him in the ECHL
I'd sign him tooI'd sign Lucic for league min
I understand that there are methods to alleviate salary, but those are some very optimistic assumptions that you can replace these types of players from within or via the UFA market with guys making close to league min.There are levers to pull.
Replace Yamamoto (via buyout or trade) with a $1M scoring winger that have been available in droves the past few off seasons (think Sonny Milano type). Or try Lavoie. Yamamoto has been playing at or below this quality this season when he's actually been healthy.
If Foegele keeps up his level of play in the playoffs he'll likely be tradebale - Holloway is an easy replacement there
Kulak is likely tradeable - Broberg replaces.
All of those together would create in the range of $4M in space without materially impacting the team. The only current weaknesses I really see with the roster are #1 RD (although Ceci is purportedly injured, not a problem if he gets back to last year's level) and #2 RW, so it isn't like we're forgoing improving the team to get Bouchard on a longer term deal.
Perhaps I can type it into existence.
I'm holding out hope we can add some undrafteted free agent defensemen to the prospect pool. Bakersfield needs blue liners next year and it's always useful to have defensemen bubbling under. As we continue to deal picks, we have to cultivate other avenues of restocking the prospect munitions.
Keeping eyes on Hardy Haman Aktell.
- Vaxjo Lakers are still playing in the SHL playoffs, currently 3-2 series lead in the semi finals to Frolunda.
- Holland goes to the Swedish well often, and has signed a free agent for the Oilers from Vaxjo previously (Joel Persson). Persson did get an NHL look and was dealt to another organization for a second opinion when the one with the Oilers didn't bear fruit, so all in all think Holland did right by that free agent signing.
- The Lakers have plenty of Oilers connections. The aforementioned Persson, Toby Rieder, and Keegan Lowe play for Vaxjo.
Who is Lucic close to though? Pretty sure he burned any bridges for trying to project his own terrible leadership qualities onto others.I’d 100% sign him if he took league minimum. He talked about having a hard time playing Edmonton because he couldn’t get fired up against guys he was still close with, so I feel like he’d come back. The knock on him was the contract. He’s fine as a 4th liner if he wants to chase another cup.
We kind of knew that already. When Desharnais came in and played so solid, we suddenly stopped getting linked to Edmundson
I understand that there are methods to alleviate salary, but those are some very optimistic assumptions that you can replace these types of players from within or via the UFA market with guys making close to league min.
I'm optimistic about guys like Holloway, Bourgault and Broberg. But I also understand that it takes time to get guys acclimated. Yamamoto is a prime example of how difficult it is to find consistency at the next level.
Personally I might be leaning towards the Debrusk treatment with Yamamoto, extending him at a lower cap hit, hoping to improve his value on the trade market. He's a guy that has averaged 16+ minutes a night the past few seasons.
The only player that would really have to be replaced in the market is Yamo, and there were numerous players last year that could have provided a similar contribution for cheaper. Impossible to know who will be available this off season, but if the cap is pretty much flat again there will be RFAs of reasonable quality that can be had for cheap.
I'm not pretending that all changes will fit like a glove, but to me it's worth it to have him on a value deal. The thought of trading him because he wants a long term deal because we aren't willing to move on from overpaid bit players to do it is just stupid to me.
Need to resign Bukstadt.
Kulak I'm done with. He was good last year but not this year.
Yammo I was a big fan of but if he doesn't come through in these playoffs he should be gone.
Love to see an upgrade on right D and right wing.
I would resign Bjugstad, Ryan, Janmark but only at league minimu. Bjugstad I would give a bit for for but no higher than 1.2 prefer 1 mil max.I've liked Foegele in the second half but he might need to go to make room for Holloway, plus we might need the cap space. It's a lot to change after such a successful regular season, but it might be worth it to upgrade on Ceci and get a better winger for Drai. Probably depends on how the playoffs go.
RNH - McDavid - Hyman
Kane - Drai - (New RW)
Holloway - McLeod - Lavoie/Bourgault
Kostin - Bjugstad - Ryan
Nurse - (New RD)
Ekholm - Bouchard
Broberg - Deshernais
Whats the big deal about having LTIR come off the books, again?It helps, but Skinner's raise alone takes up a lot of that. Bouch needs an extension, and the entire bottom six outside of Foegele is up for renewal. It's going to be a tight year.
Klef is huge though. That changes how we can approach the trade deadline next summer. There's also no urgency to spend to the very last dollar in the summer.
The ability to accrue deadline capspace by having even the tiniest amount of flexibility. In LTI to add salary it has to be removed from the payroll dollar for dollar.Whats the big deal about having LTIR come off the books, again?
Whats the big deal about having LTIR come off the books, again?
The safe way is to send him down to Bakersfield, almost no matter what. If he scores a lot in diffrent ways, and showing impact in othee areas - then he stays up. We know the formula now.Raphael Lavoie Waivers Calculator Results - CapFriendly - NHL Salary Caps
A calculator that determines if a player is exempt from the NHL waivers process. Results include the remaining seasons and games required before losing exemptionwww.capfriendly.com
Because it's how his contract and the CBA works. So he'll likely have an excellent shot to make the team. He's also played well enough the latter half of this season to get a true NHL look.
Deadline additions are prorated to their remaining games and not their total cap hit.
EG: Ekholm makes 6M per but would have cost 2M on our cap if we weren't in LTIR. Instead we had to find ways to open up 7M to add him and Bjugstad. Which came in the form of Tyson Barrie and Jesse Puljujarvi.
IF the leadership group would want him back I would take him on a 1 or 2 year cheap deal for our 4th line.Who is Lucic close to though? Pretty sure he burned any bridges for trying to project his own terrible leadership qualities onto others.
I agree with Yamo out. I really think Connor Brown on a cheap show-me deal makes sense.Ceci and Kulak out in offseason, Broberg steps in for Kulak and use the extra money on a better partner for Nurse.
Yamamoto out, try one of our youngsters in the top 6 throughout the season and if none of them stick bring in a top 6 at TDL.
Try to move Campbell.
I agree with Yamo out. I really think Connor Brown on a cheap show-me deal makes sense.
He can't really play anymore, at least at the level that would help the team. He fit the Flames style but would not work for the Oilers. You don't need his physical side which would be nearly useless in the role he would have. I'd much rather use the spot on a young guy who is hungry or a vet with a lot more game left.IF the leadership group would want him back I would take him on a 1 or 2 year cheap deal for our 4th line.
Keep ceci, as a #4 he is an excellent physichal defensive D, what you need in this league. He wasnt just made as a #2D. Keepers keep.Ceci and Kulak out in offseason, Broberg steps in for Kulak and use the extra money on a better partner for Nurse.
Yamamoto out, try one of our youngsters in the top 6 throughout the season and if none of them stick bring in a top 6 at TDL.
Try to move Campbell.
Looking at the money, viewed as an AHL deal.