Edmonton Oilers Ready To Challenge For Stanley Cup
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The NHL free agency period, which launched July 1, usually stretches out a week, with all the major transactions taking place, then the summer break begins.
You are not getting that sense this off season. Just the other day, for example, the Ottawa Senators traded F Alex DeBrincat to the Detroit Red Wings for F Dominik Kubalik, prospect Donovan Sebrango and two draft picks.
The salary cap hasn’t gone up that much over the past few years – it’s at $83.5 million for the upcoming season – and that has forced players to take shorter-term deals, and general managers to get more creative in how they shape their rosters, post July 1.
Goaltending Must Come Through
In Edmonton, the Oilers are cruising as a favourite to win the Stanley Cup. The team has not embarked on any major signings or moves, because the Oilers don’t need to do much.
The Achilles' heel is goaltending. Goaltender Jack Campbell, signed through 2026-27 at $5 million per season, was a disappointment in his first season in Edmonton last year (21-9-4, 3.41 GAA, yes, but a .888 save percentage).
General Manager Ken Holland won’t be able to move Campbell anywhere with that contract. Young Stuart Skinner stepped in and took over for Campbell (29-14-5, 2.75 GAA, .914 save percentage) during the regular season, but his play slipped during the playoffs.
The Oilers had 256 goals against last season, 16th worst the league, and the second worst total (after the Florida Panthers) of any playoff team.
But the Oilers are going ahead with that tandem, so for their sake they better hope for a bounce back season from Campbell.
Oilers Betting Odds
Currently, BetMGM Sportsbook has the Oilers at 10.50 to win the Stanley Cup and 5.50 to win the Western Conference, behind the Colorado Avalanche, at 4.50.
Also, BetRivers Sportsbook has Edmonton at 12.50 to win the Stanley Cup and 5.50 to win the Western Conference.
Salary Cap Space Benefits Oilers
Edmonton made a nice free agent signing July 1, inking F Connor Brown to a one-year $775,000 deal.
Brown was a teammate of C Connor McDavid when they played with Owen Sound in the Ontario Hockey League. Forward Ryan McLeod is heading for salary arbitration. That has been the other big news of late.
The Oilers have around $5.6 million in salary cap space, according to CapFriendly, with 12 forwards, including McLeod (coming off a one-year deal that paid him $798,000), eight defencemen (including Evan Bouchard, another RFA, who doesn’t have arbitration rights) and two goalies under contract.
So assuming McLeod and Bouchard get sorted out, the Oilers still have cap room to further tweak the roster.
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