How does Danault fetch nearly the same salary as Draisaitl?

Danault is a great top 6 centre but cmon man that’s an elite price point.

Drai signed it at a lower cap (79.5 iirc) as an RFA before a 100+ point season and is not in the same universe as Danault defensively...

Yeah he signed his deal after putting up 6 goals and 10 assists in 13 playoff games. What exactly has Danault done to deserve that? You claim he's not in the same universe defensively which is fair, he should garner some selke consideration but Draisaitl and Danault are not even in the same universe offensively which is what gets you the beaucoup bucks.

Drai rn as a UFA gets 13+... deserving or not, he would... or at least 12.5, if nobody wants to pay him more than McD

Are you drunk, this is 3 years from now. How much more experience do you want?

Yes, I'm a little drunk. And by experience I meant playoff experience. From that current team, your most expensive play of D is Larsson with his grand total of 18 games in last 9 seasons.

No one can say what happens between these two years, but in every meter EDM defense is a bit inexperienced when it comes to playoffs.

Sorry I was doing yard work all day.
I think Montreal who already has zero good center will have a tough time letting Danault go.
Jarvis will not be ready.
Spezza is going to be like 50 when this happens, but I do like Spezza. Just not sure how good he will be at this time.
Love Gallagher, always have. but he might go for another 1.5 million.
Rest looks great. That D and goaltending are pretty dam good and I cant wait for Broberg and Samorukov to become regulars.
I made a 2 line team last night but haven't posted it yet.

Well if we get the season going this year, that will be experience and next year more experience ect.

Absolutely amazing roster but Gallagher and Danault are taking discounts. RNH can sign at 7 mill or 7.1, but Gally will take 6.25+. Do Yamamoto on a 5mil*6 years deal. Since the cap be around 83-84 million i see this working if Kenny Holland really goes UFA hunting

Assuming they reach the playoffs ofc. It's not inevitable they will.

They're in a pretty firm spot right now. And since January 1st the Oilers are the 6th best team in the league, so that bodes well for the future. Especially if Holland can make further improvements this summer, which seems likely.

They've been a royal joke for the last decade. I can see why you're optimistic as a fan, but I'm a bit of a pessimist regarding them.

I don't think Danault is worth more than this, nor Gallagher really. He scores well but is far from a complete player (his career high is just 23 assists) and he'll be past his prime (29) when his current contract expires.

In any case, as @hockeyconnor97 mentioned on the 1st page, Danault is surplus anyhow. If Holland signs a guy like Soderberg or Haula this summer to a 2-year deal, that will cover 3C for much less than $5.5M and Danault won't be necessary.

I'm not optimistic at all. I just stated what their record was, nothing optimistic or pessimistic about that - just the facts.

With there being CBOs in the scenario could get Turris (maybe Stepan) signed fairly cheap after they get CBO'd. Likely McLeod as #4C over Jarvis, then Jarvis replaces the CBO'd #3C. Other then that doubt Benson gets a raise more likely a 850kx2, and not sure Lavoie will be ready he is pretty raw and will need to learn the pro game before Holland gives him a chance

Yah there is still a 5% chance they dont.
Lost to Winnipeg 2-4, playoff odds down 2.6 to 94.9%

Didn’t you win with Osgood? Granted you had Lidstrom but he’s an overrated bum

I really like what you did, Sam Gagner may be a substitute for Spezza contract. I’d wish there was a way for you to sign Ethan Bear for longer but I get with the cap restraints. It’s also tough not to picture Gallagher only getting 5 mill from someone if he does leave Montreal. My guess his next contract starts with a 6 or 7. Solid solid team,
Do you Oilers fans think Ryan McLeod could be that third line center in two years? He’s fast enough, might not have the offence but could play a complete game with the right line mates?

Yes, I have Lavoie spending the entire 2020-21 season in the AHL... not sure if it's going to be enough though. And you're right about CBOs, there's likely going to be several more 3C options than we have visibility on right now.

Some have slotted him in as future 3C for sure. If he progresses well next season I imagine he'll get a cup of coffee at some point, then a solid shot at a full time job at the 2021 training camp. Seems to be the way Holland/ Tippett operate.

I just remembered - again re the CBO - if Calgary uses their CBO on Lucic that wipes out the $750k cap hit for the Oilers. So that will help too.

(If CBO becomes a thing.)

I'd personally be more apt to let Jarvis over-ripen with the extra year in Junior and another year in the AHL: if any of the talk about him having gaps in his game are true, I'd rather give him the assets and time to really push the bill on how far h can take his development. The idea you had about drafting a guy with top-six center potential - which we've all come to emulate at this point - gives the Oilers an incredibly lethal set of pivots for the remainder of Connor and Leon's careers. If Jarvis isn't "expected" to be a top-nine center by the onset of 21-22, then I don't see the point in having him in the NHL for more than his 9 game stint. I think Lavoie kind of falls into this category: the transition from the CHL to the AHL is on record as being harder than the transition from the AHL to the NHL. If Raph is pegged to be this top power forward for the Oilers, let him become that. I'd be equally as happy to see some talented European free agents take those sheltered fourth-line minutes before possibly being turned into depth picks/prospects at the next draft. McLeod and Marody transitioned to the wing could even fit that role tbh, I don't think this team being a cup contender depends on two rookies slated for fourth-line minutes.

Long story short, sustained success with McDavid and Draisaitl truly in their primes requires Jarvis and Lavoie to reach their high-end potentials. Nugent-Hopkins and Yamamoto are phenomenal complementary pieces to be working with: adding two more high-end talents to that list only makes the Oilers that much stronger. There would be a legitimate chance for Edmonton's third line to be stronger than most second (or first) lines in a matter of years, and with it, potential for multiple cups.

I agree with the above sentiments regarding Danault: he's a luxury item this team really won't be able to afford and that similar mileage could be had from a cheaper name. We can't name specifics as of right now: we just don't know who will and won't be hit with a CBO between now and then, plus names could shake loose during the expansion draft. I'd believe Gallagher would be a more realistic target anyways, as he'd have a legitimate chance to win with his hometown team. I don't think the pricepoint differs too much either. Greiss is probably had for about $500-750k cheaper too I think.

Curious as to what you'd do with Puljujarvi in this situation too. A similar trade as to what we typically propose?

What would the plan for Nurse and Jones be? Are Konovalov and Rodrigue expected to take up the starter's net after this season?