Quote:
Originally Posted by Phanuthier
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.
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My point was it is not some implossible feet going out and acquiring a few solid NHL ready top 4 Dmen. The Flames are a prefect example of a team that did it with vary little cost, in a fairly short period of time.
As for Edmonton I would not dismiss the possibility that they could trade Hall + for a vary good defenceman then see a player like Nurse develop quickly, putting them in a situation not all that different from the Flames about 15 months ago.
I don't think it will happen, but I am not going to dismiss the possibility that they could gather together a relatively strong D core in a short period of time.
Lets just all agree to hope they aren't so lucky.