*Photo from Sportsnet*
In my opinion, the Edmonton Oilers had a confusing offseason. It just felt like they downgraded in areas they needed to upgrade in, it didn't make much sense to me. But then again, I'm not the one paid the big bucks to run hockey operations, so it might work out in the end. Last season, the Oilers finished in second place in the Scotiabank North Division, getting eliminated in the first round against the Winnipeg Jets after finishing with a 35-19-2 record in the regular season.
They lost a big name on defense to the expansion draft, as Adam Larsson was taken by the Kraken with their choice from the Oilers. They also lost defensemen Ethan Bear and Caleb Jones to trades, and Dmitry Kulikov in free agency. They also lost forwards James Neal, Tyler Ennis, Dominik Kahun, and Alex Chiasson, who are all still UFA's.
To try and get burlier on defense, they swung a trade for longtime Blackhawk Duncan Keith. The only problem is that Keith is a shell of who he once was as a player, and it'll be tough for Edmonton if he continues to decline, considering he has two more years and over $5 million AAV left, with a no trade clause. They also gave out 4 years in free agency to Cody Ceci, who also isn't having a good few years.
In the trade that saw Ethan Bear go out of town, they got LW Warren Foegele back as the return package. They also signed some bottom six depth in Derek Ryan from rival Calgary in free agency. Then, the big piece, Zach Hyman, signed to a big 7 year, $5.5 million AAV deal, with a no trade clause. He's a good player, but man that's a steep contract. They also re-signed goalie Mike Smith for two years.
The Oilers figure to once again compete for the playoffs this season, but, once again, it will have to be on the backs of Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Because they didn't get much better this offseason.
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