Barrie playing so well, Larsson also, Nuge not as much, Klefbom finally getting the surgery this month, the expansion draft etc. got me to thinking about this offseason and what exactly Holland is going to do. I know we're in the midst of a playoff push but I've always had my eyes towards this offseason and beyond. It's a real critical juncture in Oilers history with many tough decisions to be made. Holland has already turned a bottom feeder into a bubble playoff team but it's actually more difficult to turn a bubble playoff team into a Cup contender and it's now go time this offseason to achieve that.
Nuge, Barrie, Larsson, Yamamoto, expansion draft, Klefbom, Neal and Koskinen conundrum, newfound cap flexibility (if they don't re-sign all those guys at inflated rates). Lots of critical decisions to be made.
Barrie is just killing it out there. I've never been so conflicted about a player and what to do with him long term. A big part of me thinks he only came here because he wanted to boost his market value, not because he wants to be here so he's probably gone after the season so, what to do?
I wouldn't want them to overpay him (5x5 is the max I'd go) but this guy has completely transformed the defense offensively beyond just the numbers and I don't know how you replace that in the short term and no, Bouchard is not close to that yet.
On the other hand, if they overpay him (the Krug contract for example), that basically blocks any possibility of adding a true top pairing guy down the line especially with Nurse being in line for getting a monster raise (8x8 at minimum it's looking like) and locking in a D core of Nurse, Barrie and young guys going forward.
Nuge - Do they commit to him long term and lock him down at a reasonable price or let him test the market and fill his void with somebody else or multiple players?
His play this season might make the decision easier for them in getting him down to a more reasonable number but does he move the needle enough for Holland and co. to be worth the commitment?
Barrie - As mentioned above, this is the most critical decision IMO.
Larsson - He's definitely earning himself a nice payday. He might be working towards a 4x4 type deal from somebody (look at the Edmundson deal). Do you want to commit that much to a defensive defenseman in his late 20s with previous back issues? You can't have a bunch of soft pouckmovers on the blueline, every team needs a guy like this. Do you sign him or try to replace him?
Yamamoto - He'll probably get bridged and him not sustaining those PPG numbers makes the decision a bit easier but do you want to get him locked up now with the cap likely to start rising after the bridge expires? Might be better to just lock him down now in a flat cap world.
Klefbom - This one sets off a chain effect on multiple levels. It starts with expansion. They should have a good idea of how the surgery went by June so should they risk exposing him in the expansion draft if there's a chance he can return even close to what he was (still a cheap contract for a few years) or do they take the risk of protecting him while exposing somebody else and are stuck with a 50% Klefbom for the next 2 years
Neal and Koskinen - To buy out or not to buy out, that is the question. They don't need to buy them out because they will have cap space even without doing that but do you want 2 players on the roster taking up almost $10M cap space bringing minimal value to the ice in a season that they're supposed to contend for bigger things?
Expansion Draft - Who to protect. Do they trade Jones for a forward and protect that forward since they don't really have 7 forwards that are worthy of protection and get value for Jones all at the same time?
Do they sign their free agents RNH, Barrie and/or Larsson before expansion to prevent the risk of them hitting the market?
As I mentioned before, do they protect Klefbom along with Bear and risk losing Lagesson?
It's going to be the most fascinating and possibly gut wrenching offseason that I can remember as an Oilers fan. Holland is going to have to really earn his money, that's for sure.
So... what say you? I'd like to hear (see) your guys thoughts on this.
Nuge, Barrie, Larsson, Yamamoto, expansion draft, Klefbom, Neal and Koskinen conundrum, newfound cap flexibility (if they don't re-sign all those guys at inflated rates). Lots of critical decisions to be made.
Barrie is just killing it out there. I've never been so conflicted about a player and what to do with him long term. A big part of me thinks he only came here because he wanted to boost his market value, not because he wants to be here so he's probably gone after the season so, what to do?
I wouldn't want them to overpay him (5x5 is the max I'd go) but this guy has completely transformed the defense offensively beyond just the numbers and I don't know how you replace that in the short term and no, Bouchard is not close to that yet.
On the other hand, if they overpay him (the Krug contract for example), that basically blocks any possibility of adding a true top pairing guy down the line especially with Nurse being in line for getting a monster raise (8x8 at minimum it's looking like) and locking in a D core of Nurse, Barrie and young guys going forward.
Nuge - Do they commit to him long term and lock him down at a reasonable price or let him test the market and fill his void with somebody else or multiple players?
His play this season might make the decision easier for them in getting him down to a more reasonable number but does he move the needle enough for Holland and co. to be worth the commitment?
Barrie - As mentioned above, this is the most critical decision IMO.
Larsson - He's definitely earning himself a nice payday. He might be working towards a 4x4 type deal from somebody (look at the Edmundson deal). Do you want to commit that much to a defensive defenseman in his late 20s with previous back issues? You can't have a bunch of soft pouckmovers on the blueline, every team needs a guy like this. Do you sign him or try to replace him?
Yamamoto - He'll probably get bridged and him not sustaining those PPG numbers makes the decision a bit easier but do you want to get him locked up now with the cap likely to start rising after the bridge expires? Might be better to just lock him down now in a flat cap world.
Klefbom - This one sets off a chain effect on multiple levels. It starts with expansion. They should have a good idea of how the surgery went by June so should they risk exposing him in the expansion draft if there's a chance he can return even close to what he was (still a cheap contract for a few years) or do they take the risk of protecting him while exposing somebody else and are stuck with a 50% Klefbom for the next 2 years
Neal and Koskinen - To buy out or not to buy out, that is the question. They don't need to buy them out because they will have cap space even without doing that but do you want 2 players on the roster taking up almost $10M cap space bringing minimal value to the ice in a season that they're supposed to contend for bigger things?
Expansion Draft - Who to protect. Do they trade Jones for a forward and protect that forward since they don't really have 7 forwards that are worthy of protection and get value for Jones all at the same time?
Do they sign their free agents RNH, Barrie and/or Larsson before expansion to prevent the risk of them hitting the market?
As I mentioned before, do they protect Klefbom along with Bear and risk losing Lagesson?
It's going to be the most fascinating and possibly gut wrenching offseason that I can remember as an Oilers fan. Holland is going to have to really earn his money, that's for sure.
So... what say you? I'd like to hear (see) your guys thoughts on this.
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