Edmonton Oilers Talk: 13 Unsigned Free Agents the Oilers Could be Looking At

Coming from an Edmonton Oilers point of view, BLH provides you with excerpts from the latest NHL news, rumors, and speculation from all of the internet’s best sites including Spector’s Hockey, The Fourth Period, NHL Trade Talk, The Hockey Writers, Sportsnet, The Athletic, TSN and more!

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Lowetide.ca

AFTER THE GOLDRUSH

If you include Ryan Nugent-Hopkins in the conversation, the Edmonton Oilers signed four men to long-term (3+ seasons) over the last month. Joining 93 are Zach Hyman, Tyson Barrie and Cody Ceci. In recent days, we’ve talked about the number of roster spots still available on the 50-man list. I expect we’re going to see a bunch of quick signings in the next couple of days, most under $1 million dollars. Here’s my list of candidates.
- LW Tomas Tatar. I feel like Liam Neeson because the last two days have basically been spent screaming ‘quickly there’s no time!’ to anyone who will listen. This is insane value at this point. This is day three of free agency and he’s a proven 2.00 per 60 five on five scorer. Is he hurt? What’s going on?
- LD Ryan Murray. They can’t afford him, but Murray would be a great addition and first-rate partner for Evan Bouchard in his first full season. Also gives Tippett a legit pairing to move in front of Keith-Ceci if it comes to that kind of drastic action.
- LD Zdeno Chara. He’s not coming to Edmonton. I don’t care. He makes my list.
- LD Slater Koekkoek. He had a tough year but I’m a fan of this player. If they sign Koekkoek today, I’ll be pleased. His numbers heading into last season were solid, 18 games with Edmonton won’t change that for me. Tippett can’t use him too high up the depth chart this time.
- RW Alex Chiasson. It would depend on price, but I can see him returning to the Oilers. Edmonton qualified Cooper Marody and it may have indicated genuine interest in seeing him play in the NHL, but Chiasson is a veteran who scored 22 goals with the Oilers a couple of years ago. Hyman’s addition means the power-play minutes are gone, however.
- LD Jordie Benn. He won’t cost much and his numbers last year were surprisingly good. As a No. 7D, I think it’s worth contemplating.
- LW Ryan Donato. He’s got plenty of skill, but wouldn’t fit on a Tippett fourth line and there’s nowhere else to play him. If the club can find a way, he won’t cost much and can post offense.
- LW Evgeni Svechnikov. He’s a former DRW pick (high first round in 2015) who showed signs of being a scorer and was then derailed by injury. I imagine Holland will try to get him, could be inexpensive scoring if things work out.
- LW Michael Dal Colle. Another Svechnikov. Slats was great for this game, because he’d bring in one failed first rounder a summer. Miss those days.

BLH’s Thoughts: That’s a solid list from LT! Personally I’m a big fan of overpaying a bit to bring Zdeno Chara in, but that’s just me. Here are four more free agents that I think Edmonton could be looking at:

Erik Gudbranson, RD – I think that if the Oilers want to add some muscle and a veteran defenseman, it wouldn’t hurt to bring in one of the toughest guys in the league for spot duty when one of Barrie, Ceci, or Bouchard can’t go.

Jake Virtanen, RW – In the event that Zack Kassian is traded, Virtanen is only 24yr old and plays a very assertive physical game, plus he’s got a helluva shot and he can skate quite fast.

Sami Vatanen, LD/RD – A veteran puck-moving defenseman who wouldn’t cost that much and could help Edmonton’s younger players as well as provide some stability to their bottom-pair.

Joe Thornton, C – If Jumbo can bail on the sunny days in San Jose for Toronto at minimum wage, he could surely make it out west to Edmonton and provide the same role he did in Toronto with the Oilers for a slight raise.

Spector’s Hockey

NHL Rumor Mill – July 31, 2021

THE ATHLETIC: In the wake of David Krejci’s decision to finish his playing days in the Czech Republic, Fluto Shinzawa pondered how they could replace the 35-year-old second-line center.

One option could be the trade market but Shinzawa rules out pursuing Buffalo’s Jack Eichel, citing their lack of cap space and Eichel’s health issues and hefty contract. Jake DeBrusk remains a trade asset but the dropoff in his performance last season makes him unlikely to fetch a second-line center.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples reports of rumors that have the Oilers offering up goaltender Mikko Koskinen (along with a first-round pick and/or prospect Dmitri Samorukov) to the Columbus Blue Jackets for netminder Joonas Korpisalo.

“It’s hard to imagine how such a deal makes sense, as Korpisalo isn’t obviously a better goalie than Koskinen,” writes Staples. He believes the Oilers are better off with Mike Smith, Koskinen and Alex Stalock as their goalies to start the season and shop for a goalie if Koskinen and Stalock fail to cut it.

NHLRumors.com

TSN: Buffalo Sabres GM Kevyn Adams said that they are “in control the process” with the Jack Eichel

“What’s critically important to make sure is clear is that we’re in control of this process. We have a player under contract. We don’t feel any pressure.

“If there’s a deal out there that we feel is the right thing for the Buffalo Sabres, that’s going to help us improve – whether that’s improve right away or improve down the road, those are all the things we weigh – we’d be open to it. But we’re not in a position where we feel we’re just going to do something to do it. That doesn’t make any sense.”

Adam Vingan: When looking at a contract extension for Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros, would keep Philipp Grubauer‘s six-year, $5.9 million contract in mind.

Arthur Staple of The Athletic: New York Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello is not announced the signings of Zach Parise and Kyle Palmieri. They’ve likely already signed Casey Cizikas and possibly Travis Zajac. He appears to not want teams to know where they sit with the salary cap.