The NHL offseason is officially in full swing. With big trades and major re-signings, the league will see a busy next couple weeks or so.
Let’s get into the latest in this week’s rumour roundup for the Edmonton Oilers.
Already getting to work with UFAs
With free agency around the corner the Oilers have already started to get some work done. Re-signing both Connor Murphy and Jason Dickinson, the roster for next season is taking shape.
Some free agents are expected to test the market. Kasperi Kapanen, Adam Henrique, and Jack Roslovic are rumoured to be leaving Edmonton. Especially for Kapanen and Roslovic, bigger contracts are part of the conversation. Other teams might have more money to offer middle-six wingers.
Other players remain less certain. Lower cost options like Curtis Lazar and Max Jones have less whispers about. The real curious case is with Connor Ingram. The Oilers plans in net are still unknown. Without Ingram the Oilers might be left with Tristan Jarry and Connor Ungar as a tandem. Chances are the Oilers will add to or change their group.
RFAs to consider
Usually restricted free agents are dealt with a bit later in the offseason. Still, Oilers fans might be wary after losing both Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway to offer sheets two summers ago. Colton Dach and Spencer Stastney are not quite as high profile, and perhaps less at risk of being poached.
Though both are likely to remain Oilers, they will have to factor in to the Oilers plans. The team might be forced to leave enough space to defend against offer sheets, or attempt to get their contracts done sooner than later.
Nurse to Penguins?
It seems there is enough interest in Darnell Nurse that the Oilers might not be forced to retain any salary. That said, the Oilers might have to take some salary back in the deal.
While not the only team linked to Nurse, the Pittsburgh Penguins appear to be a popular fit. There are some speculations about what a return might be. Some are optimistic, thinking that forwards already on the market might be involved, Bryan Rust or Rickard Rakell. On the pessimistic side, Ryan Graves might be involved. A left shot with a less than ideal contract, Graves’ $4.5M cap hit for the next three seasons is shorter and less expensive than Nurse’s. However, Graves is not nearly the same quality of player that Nurse is either.
DeBrusk tied to the team
Thanks to his ties to Edmonton, there have long been rumours that Jake DeBrusk could be an Oiler. With the Vancouver Canucks in a state of change, there is certainly smoke that he might be on the move this offseason. There is speculation that DeBrusk is focused on winning, and would accept a trade to any team that can give him such an opportunity.
At the same time, some expect that the Oilers will be keen to add a scoring winger to their lineup. The potential fit is evident, but the Oilers would still have to put together an enticing trade package. There will be other teams interested in DeBrusk, perhaps even the Ottawa Senators, who recently acquired some extra draft capital.
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