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Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan
I hate to admit it, but Klefbom will likely be around for a while, so the 7 years isn't really too much of a risk. However, if they ever decided to try and trade Klefbom, a contract of that length could be problematic. But let's get real, there are so few quality young defensemen for Edmonton that there's little doubt Klefbom will stay the entire length of this deal.
The dollar amounts are pretty good. Klefbom will likely be a #2/#3 and Nurse will likely be their #1 d-man in another year or so. Throw in Sekera as another guy who can play anywhere from #2-#4 and you have the makings of an adequate top 4. IF Reinhart can figure out his game at the NHL level, then you easily have a decent defense to work with. The problem is they still have Schultz and his 3.5ish million contract and set to be an RFA yet again (likely to want a raise); Mark Fayne at 3.6 for another 3 years (lol); and Andrew Ference on the books for another 2 years at 3.25 million. If you were to ask fans in Edmonton, they think Ference will have a tough time being the 7th d-man this year as his skills are rapidly declining, so he might end up being bought out. Nikitin will be off the books after this year, and I doubt they offer him another contract.
So if you're Chiarelli you are likely thinking of buying out or burying Ference this off-season, having both Nurse and Reinhart to start the year next year in some capacity, and if it doesn't work out you find a better free agent with some money next year.
Here's the defense possibly to start next year:
Klefbom (4.16)/Nurse (ELC)
Sekera (5.5)-Reinhart (ELC)
Fayne (3.6)-Schultz (3.6???)
It's not a world beating group, but it's a heck of a lot better than what they've been working with before, and they have quite a bit of money to put towards an upgrade if they wish to.
We always laugh because it's Edmonton, but I'm prepared to expect Chiarelli to make moves that are at least OK, and this is definitely one of them.
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Klefbom is a number 2 Defenseman? There is exactly one team in the NHL on which that could be true. Fortunately for him, he's on it!
Brutal contract for the oilers. Awesome for the rest of us!