Edmonton Oilers team site editor Caleb Kerney discusses how Jack Campbell will be better this season, the potential role that Mattias Ekholm will have, and the heightened motivation driving Connor McDavid to win this year. The Edmonton Oilers [https://puckpedia.com/team/edmonton-oilers] mean business this pre-season. They were the first team to have everyone present and accounted for at the Captain's skates. On September 5th they had every player who will be on the 21-man roster in attendance. Related: Former Oilers Who Are Still Free Agents [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/analysis/former-oilers-who-are-still-free-agents] As the anticipated 2023-24 regular season begins - it's a good time to reflect on this past off-season and all the moves that the Oilers have completed. HONORABLE MENTION The first move we will discuss is the trade that kickstarted the entire summer: Kailer Yamamoto & Klim Kostin traded to the Detroit Red Wings [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/news/oilers-trade-yamamoto-to-the-red-wings] for future considerations. Shortly after this deal was finalized Kostin signed a two-year contract and Yamamoto was bought out. The fiesty-yet-undersized Yamamoto found himself a new home with the Seattle Kraken [https://puckpedia.com/team/seattle-kraken]. Former Oiler Kailer Yamamoto. [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTk4NDQyNTE3NzAyNjQ5Mzkw/usatsi_20568366_168401874_lowres.jpg] Former Oiler Kailer Yamamoto. This move deserves mention because of the cap space it created to facilitate the moves that followed. Was it easy to trade Yamamoto and Kostin? Probably not - but it was necessary to give the Oilers the flexibility to re-sign a few players and acquire others as free agents. DEREK RYAN SIGNED TO TEAM FRIENDLY DEAL Veteran hockey player Derek Ryan [https://www.nhl.com/oilers/player/derek-ryan-8478585] signed a contract extension with the Oilers. This one really stands out because of how inexpensive the deal is. Ryan will only have a $900,000 cap hit this season and next season [https://puckpedia.com/player/derek-ryan]. As one of the most unique signings in Oiler history - Ryan represented himself, negotiating and signing off on this deal. SIGNING FREE AGENT CONNOR BROWN The biggest acquisition of the off-season was signing Connor Brown [https://www.nhl.com/oilers/player/connor-brown-8477015] to his very friendly deal. The sought-after winger can bring secondary scoring and a big presence on the penalty kill - an area of weakness for the Oilers team. Related: This Is Why the Oilers Targeted Connor Brown [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/opinion/this-is-why-the-oilers-targeted-connor-brown] With a career high of only 21 goals, Brown isn't going to burn a hole in the ice with all of his offence. He will provide at least 10-12 goals minimum while eating up a lot of even strength time on ice and penalty kill time. EVAN BOUCHARD'S INCREDIBLY VALUABLE BRIDGE CONTRACT The best part about Evan Bouchard [https://www.nhl.com/oilers/player/evan-bouchard-8480803]'s new contract is the $3.9-million cap hit for two-years. The worst part of this deal is that it is only for two years. With no one to challenge Bouchard as the point-man on the dangerous Oilers power play - as well as being older and stronger - Bouchard could have a huge year. Evan Bouchard & Connor McDavid. [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTk4Mzk2NTQ3ODYyMzc0MjI5/usatsi_20639147_168401874_lowres.jpg] Evan Bouchard & Connor McDavid. All of these moves make the Oilers a better team than last year. The returning players should improve while Brown will bring an elite work ethic as well as a defensively responsible game style. Related: Oilers Projected Forward Lines Based on Captain's Skate [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/analysis/oilers-projected-forward-lines-based-on-captains-skate] Related: Oilers Could Have Had Maple Leafs Top Goalie Prospect [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/opinion/oilers-could-have-had-maple-leafs-top-goalie-prospect] Related: 3 Underrated Oilers to Watch in 2023-24 [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/opinion/3-underrated-oilers-to-watch-in-2023-24] Related: Oilers' Depth Forward Should Get an Opportunity to Play on McDavid's Wing [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/analysis/oilers-depth-forward-should-get-an-opportunity-to-play-on-mcdavids-wing]
