Quote:
Originally Posted by #-3
We in a 2 year span the Flames went out and got Wideman, Russell, and Engelland as FAs (Russell was an RFA, but his free agent & waiver status drove that trade). I think it would be hard to argue that all three of those guys aren't playing quality top 4 minutes right now. The Flames were also able to pick up on Waivers Schlemko and trade for Smid who would both arguably be a big upgrade most of the Oilers defenders.
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I'm sure if they want a Wideman at $6.5M or Engelland at $3M ("NHL inflation"), then yes they could. Remember Wideman was pretty much a borderline bottom pairing defenseman last year, Engelland is a bottom pairing defenseman (and still is) that is subbing into the top 4 (and quite admirably might I add), Schlemko has been an amazing pickup but his body of work is small and was waivers material a few months ago, and Russell is a rare but classic case, but also benefited from a successful system set by Gio/Brodie.
I don't see a Gio/Brodie setting the system, nor do I see the top 4 D available for the Oilers to sign as UFA unless they are willing to sign Mike Green for $7M for 6 years, Ehrhoff for $4M, et al. If they are willing to blow their cap on borderline 2nd pairing defenseman for long, heavy contracts, then sure. They will be closer to Wideman/Engelland type dollars and signings. Good, young, puck moving, top 4 D get locked up early and for 5-6 years for a very good reason - they just don't see UFA anymore. You got to trade for them, find a diamond in the rough or if you get extremely lucky (see: NYI) one might be caught in a cap pinch and have to trade one, but (ironically enough) the team that did seem like they would get caught in a pinch, Boston with Torey Krug, managed to sneak in a 1 year contract, so I don't see them being available.