The NHL salary cap is going up next season, but will it be enough for the Edmonton Oilers?
If you've been following the Edmonton Oilers closely this year, you'll know that they are in tight to the salary cap ceiling. Partially due to a cap that has barely risen over the past three seasons. Also, partially due to some poor contracts handed out by the present management.
As a result of this the Oilers presently have $150,000 of cap space (as per PuckPedia). The salary cap right now is $83.5-million, and according to some insiders it will go up by a good amount next year.
Next year's salary cap is projected to be $87.7-million, which is an increase of $4.2-million. That's a nice chunk of change. Unfortunately the Oilers are faced with two issues going into next year - some overages from this year in addition to a high volume of players that need to be re-signed.
Connor Brown's Bonuses
Arguably the best and worst part of the Connor Brown contract were the bonuses attached to it. And frankly speaking, most fans and analysts would have a less scrutinizing eye towards it if he was producing more offensively this year.
Because of the Oilers cap situation any bonuses that should be paid out this year are carried over to next year. Brown's bonuses will carry over to next year, all $3.225-million of it.
If the cap only goes up $4.2-million that leaves them with $975,000. And if they wanted to keep Connor Brown they would still need to sign a new contract with him.
Oilers Have To Make Decisions on Group of Players
The Oilers have ten players presently with the NHL team that need new contracts next year: Warren Foegele, Mattias Janmark, Dylan Holloway, James Hamblin, Sam Gagner, Adam Erne, Philip Broberg, Vincent Desharnais, Calvin Pickard and Brown.
Some of these players are incredibly useful role players, like Janmark, Hamblin and Gagner. They can be re-signed for modest deals. However, Holloway and Broberg will need to establish themselves within the organization in order to warrant a new deal. Holloway did that before his unfortunate injury. Broberg has been a different story.
Broberg has not seen his minutes or role increase with the team. Rather than lose him for nothing in the off-season the Oilers need to trade him or play him - it's that simple.
Draisaitl & McDavid
Of course these decisions bleed into the following seasons. Next season, 2024-25, will be Leon Draisaitl's last year at $8.5-million. Will he sign for $10-12-million?
Connor McDavid's last year of his current contract is the year after. Does McDavid sign for $12.5-million again or negotiate for more?
If both players are going to sign for more that presents some issues down the line. A lot of this speculation also depends on the other players on the roster and their salary.
The salary cap increase is great news, but unless some moves happen in the near future to create more flexibility - it won't help the Oilers all that much.
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