Looking like a good gamble for the Oilers.
Easy to see that they are trying to lock up their core long-term at a reasonable rate. Giving up some money now in order to be able to build around that core when they are competing. It is a sound strategy actually. A bridge contract would be better for them if they were on the cusp. Instead, they gamble on a long-term deal.
Is it worth it for RNH? If you think he is a solid 1st line center (or will be), then this will end up being a bargain, and there will be lots of cap room to add around him (and the rest of the core). They have young D coming up to fill in some huge holes in the next couple of years. They SHOULD start seeing some better results. Dubynk I don't think is too bad of a starter - still young and improving, but as history has shown with a few teams, you can just have 'good' rather than 'elite' goaltending and still win the cup.
Biggest odds against RNH is his health. With a team seemingly incompetent at diagnosing and treating issues, they better invest some of their future 'savings' into upgrading their medical staff. I think that is the only way that this deal will fall apart.
This upcoming season will be really interesting for them. Seems like Eberle had a very abnormally high shooting percentage, and came back down to earth last season. I think Yakupov will steal his spot, and they will end up trading Eberle away to fill holes. You keep Hall, RNH and Yakupov over Eberle, I would think.
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