There are a few Edmonton Oilers who are pending UFA's that the team should consider re-signing sooner rather than later.
There are a few Edmonton Oilers who are pending UFA's that the team should consider re-signing sooner rather than later.
EDMONTON -- While this coming off season might be the last thing on the minds of those in Edmonton Oilers management - it's an upcoming reality that they can't escape.
There are more than a couple players with expiring contracts.
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It's clear that some of those players should stick around - and others should move on to whatever team will accept their services.
This is a very early list of players who Oilers' management should put pen to paper, sooner instead of later.
Vincent Desharnais
Vincent Desharnais has been an incredibly stable third pairing defender for the Oilers. He has played all but two games for the team this season, missing out on two games in early October for the younger Philip Broberg.
In 61 games this year the 6-foot-7 defender has nine points, with 35 shots and 96 hits. All of that while averaging 15:17 in ice time per game. Right now he has a cap hit of $762,500 - and he's set to become an unrestricted free agent during the summer.
He had great analytical numbers playing with Brett Kulak, and has continued his good play alongside Darnell Nurse. The 27-year-old right handed defenseman has a few more years before he is in the prime of his career, and the Oilers should lock him up to a multi-year deal before he reaches that point.
Warren Foegele
Is Warren Foegele having the best offensive season of his career? Yes. Is he great in the room with the other players? Also yes.
With 33 points in 63 games for the 2023-24 season, Foegele is on pace for 43 points - a whopping 13 points higher than his previous career best season.
With how much Ken Holland talked about team chemistry around the trade deadline, it's only fair to address it with a player like Foegele.
One thing you don't see on the ice, is where Foegele's dressing room stall is located. It's right beside Connor McDavid's. If McDavid wants that player beside him in the locker room, that should be enough to at least consider contacting his representation about an extension.
Calvin Pickard
With all of the instability that has surrounded the Oilers net in the past decade, this contract extension should be a no-brainer. Even if Calvin Pickard ends up being a third string goalie next season.
He's had a fantastic stat line - 14 games, nine wins, 2.27 goals against average (GAA), .919 save percentage (SV%) - with the Oilers this season.
His 14 games played this year is the most he's had in the NHL since his 17 game stint in the 2018-19 season, which was split between the Philadelphia Flyers and Arizona Coyotes.
In addition to his rebound statistically, everyone in the Oilers locker room speaks highly of the impact that Pickard has on the team.
When you have players that add to the positive dynamics of a team, instead of substract, you keep those players around. Especially if they are really good at their jobs.
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