NHL
Disappointing. I guess that is one word to describe the Edmonton Oilers’ 2017-18 season. They were coming off a stellar 2016-17 season, where they made the playoffs for the first time in 11 years. EA Sports even predicted they would reach the final the next season. It seemed all the turmoil in Edmonton was over. However, it all returned this past season. But enough about the past.
The Oilers are now looking to get back into the playoff picture now that free agency is about to begin. First of all, they have to worry about re-signing restricted free agents Anton Slepyshev, Ryan Strome, and Darnell Nurse. They also need to work on signing goaltender Cam Talbot to an extension.
With about $10,903,834 in cap space, don’t expect the Oilers to go after any big names. What they should be targeting now are depth players. Edmonton should sign a bottom six foraward who can kill penalties and maybe also a seventh defenceman.
Here are some players the Oilers could go after.
Tobias Rieder
The #Canucks, Flames, Oilers, Canadians and Maple Leafs are all showing interest in Rieder.
— Rick Dhaliwal (@DhaliwalSports) June 29, 2018
Rieder is a talented, versatile forward. He can score and adapt to any situation on the ice. He tallied 12 goals and 13 assists last season. Edmonton might want to look into him and sign him to a cheap deal, with the maximum term being three years.
Thomas Vanek
The veteran winger could help the Oilers with depth scoring and provide help on special teams. He can do a lot of damage in front of the net and he knows how to score. Vanek can unleash a bomb from the slot and tip a pass in front of the net.
Speaking of passes, he is really good at making them, as well. With the Vancouver Canucks, he scored 17 times and had 41 points. After he was traded to Columbus (for no draft picks, which still bothers me), he scored seven times and had 15 points in 19 games with the Jackets. The Oilers can sign him to a cheap one (maybe two) year deal. Hopefully, he can continue scoring the way he did last season.
Michael Grabner
The Oilers had problems with their penalty kill last season and Grabner is a an exceptional penalty killer. Grabner is a brilliant explosive skater and can shoot the puck. Last season with the New Jersey Devils, he had 27 goals and nine assists in 80 games. The Oilers could take a look at him for a possible two year deal. However, Grabner has some cossitency issues and the Oilers might have to think twice before signing him.
Kyle Brodziak
Brodziak is a versatile veteran centre. He plays pretty well defensively and is a valuable fourth liner. He can even play on the third line if someone is injured. He fairs well in the faceoff circle, as he averages at least 50%. Broadziak can help with the Oilers defensively and on the penalty kill. He would be a leader on a fairly young Oilers team as he sets an example in work ethic.
Brodziak played four seasons in Edmonton from 2005-06 to 2008-09. He has played the last three seasons in St. Louis. Last season, he had 10 goals and 23 assist in 81 games.
With so little cap space, the Oilers should sign two to three players, if the price and term is right.
