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This morning, the Oilers made the move to sign Andrej Sekera to a 6 year, $33 million deal effectively making him the best defenceman the team has. This move I am a huge fan of. Chiarelli went out and got the best defenceman in the Free Agent market and immediately improved our defence.
When we look at the nine potential players the Oilers could have in the lineup this season, it's apparent that something has to give.
Name
|
Age
|
Years remaining
|
Cap Hit
|
|
|||
Andrej Sekera
|
29
|
6
|
$5.5 mil
|
Nikita Nikitin
|
29
|
1
|
$4.5 mil
|
Justin Schultz
|
24
|
RFA
|
N/A
|
Mark Fayne
|
28
|
3
|
$3.625 mil
|
Andrew Ference
|
36
|
2
|
$3.25 mil
|
Eric Gryba
|
27
|
1
|
$1.25 mil
|
Oscar Klefbom
|
21
|
1
|
$894 166
|
Darnell Nurse
|
20
|
3
|
$863 333
|
Griffin Rienhart
|
21
|
2
|
$863 333
|
This afternoon, TSN's Ryan Rishaug was on TSN's Free Agent Frenzy show where he talked about the Oilers having to make another move on our backend. Which one of these is not like the others? In my opinion, the Oilers need to find a way to move out one of Nikita Nikitin or Andrew Ference.
Sounds like Oilers may be done on free agent front for now, still looking at options to move a Dman but nothing imminent.
— Ryan Rishaug (@TSNRyanRishaug) July 1, 2015
After passing on the buyout window that closed yesterday, we will now have to look to the trade market to move out one (or more) of the bodies that take up the 9 players who have a chance to make it on the Oilers roster next year. Who knows, maybe Justin Schultz could be one of the players on the move.
This is nothing besides myself spitballing, but I wonder if the Oilers could pluck a defenceman out from Nashville. Barrett Jackman just signed for two years there, giving them an eighth defenceman who can play in the NHL. Again, nothing more than spitballing but could the Oilers make a move to get Seth Jones? He would certainly provide a giant upgrade to the Oilers blueline.