From pursuing a Vezina-winning goaltender to locking down players on discount deals, these high-risk gambles could transform Edmonton’s roster into an undisputed Stanley Cup favorite.
You can tell it's the dog days of summer and fans (and journalists) are itching for content to write about. Every year, at least a couple of times, I go off the board with an article idea that's mostly for fun, and not meant to be taken too seriously. There's a bit of realism worked into the post, but I'm well aware, the ponderings are mostly pipe dream ideas.
This summer, I'm at it again.
Looking around the league at all the dramatic storylines that took place (and continue to), I can't help but wonder whether the Oilers might get involved. Given that Stan Bowman said the team will hang onto the remaining cap space they have for the summer, it seems doubtful. Still, if an opportunity were to present itself, Bowman wouldn't be doing his job if he wasn't willing to abandon his plan for the right opportunity.
Trade for Connor Hellebuyck
If the Winnipeg Jets can finally figure if they're trading goaltender Connor Hellebuyck and if the superstar netminder is open to more than a team like the Buffalo Sabres, the Edmonton Oilers should be all over this.
Sure, Bowman went out and acquired two netminders to set up a three goalie system, but any one of Frederik Andersen, Tristan Jarry, or Devon Levi should be on the table if a trade is possible.
Hellebuyck immediately answers every goaltending question the Oilers have had for the past several seasons. He's the piece that if added, turns Edmonton from a 'maybe gets back there' to a "yep, they're contenders again.'
Sign A Discounted Matt Savoie
The Oilers want to sign Matt Savoie, but it seems Edmonton is waiting to see what his true ceiling is before committing long-term on an extension. Here's an interesting thought that could change Edmonton's position: What if Savoie doesn't want that cloud hanging over him all season and says he'll do a discounted deal at eight years before Sept 15th when eight-year contracts go away?
If Savoie's camp comes to the Oilers and says, 'We want to commit and we're willing to do an eight-year deal at $4.5 million per season to get it done." Should the Oilers do it? I would argue they should.
It's unclear if Savoie's camp sees that number as reasonable, but it's more than the Penguins just gave Ville Koivunen and far less than what some RFAs have been getting this season ahead of the anticipated breakout campaigns.
Sign Tarasenko To A Discount One-Year Deal
For some reason Vladimir Tarasenko hasn't landed anywhere this summer. Either he's being picky or no one is looking at him seriously. He scored 16 even-strength goals last season and teams have to know he can still score goals. What's going? Is his conditioning or how often he traditionally move from team to team costing him a contract?
What if he comes to the Oilers and gives them the chance to sign a super low-risk deal? He's 34 years old, so he can't sign a bonus-heavy deal. He'll have to agree to a one-year, low-cap contract. That's all the Oilers would be willing to do. If he says $1.5 million is fine, should the Oilers change their mind and give him a shot?
If they were even remotely interested, it seems the Oilers have moved on. Could they pivot back, and could Tarasenko become a Jack Roslovic 2.0?
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