With Jonathan Toews expected to retire, the Edmonton Oilers should consider signing another solid 4C option.
The Edmonton Oilers were linked to Jonathan Toews this offseason, but recent reports surfaced that the future Hall of Famer is likely planning to retire. As a result, if the Oilers want to find another fourth-line center option, they likely will be forced to look elsewhere. Enter Tomas Nosek.
Related: Edmonton Oilers Free Agent Tracker
I argued in a recent article that the Oilers should consider bringing in Nosek for their 4C role. Although Toews would have been the bigger name, Nosek also has the potential to provide plenty to the table.
Tomas Nosek Although Nosek is not the most dominant of players offensively, he makes up for that in other areas. He is excellent at faceoffs, winning just under 60% of his draws this past season with the Boston Bruins. Furthermore, he became a key component of Boston's penalty kill because of his reliable defensive play. Adding these elements to Edmonton's fourth line would be beneficial.
With free agency now just under two weeks in, we are starting to see players settle for cheap one-year deals. Nosek could be the next who follows, and the Oilers should try to take advantage of that.
Nosek would be an upgrade over recent free-agent signing and depth forward Lane Pederson for the 4C role, so this is a move that GM Ken Holland should consider.
In 66 games this past season with the Bruins, Nosek had seven goals, 19 points, and a plus-9 rating.