Quote:
Originally Posted by old-fart
At his cap hit and injury history, not to mention his level of play when he actually did play the last couple years? No, I'd say he has negative value. Not as much as, say, Lucic... but still negative value.
Honestly, who on the Oilers doesn't? McDavid (although you could certainly argue he is probably paid a $1m too much), Drysaddle (definitely paid too much to be a complimentary winger to McD), and Nuge (decent dollar finally for an OK 2nd line center or very good 3rd line center). You could maybe take a flyer on Klef (not overpaid necessarily, but a decent number 3 and made of glass) and Nurse (overpaid for what he is today, and you'd have to believe you could turn him into something more than an average bottom pairing guy).
Really, I wouldn't take a single one of their D for any of the top 7 D Calgary has, and they only have 3 forwards anyone would take at all.
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For cap relief and getting rid of contracts, Sekera should be flipped ASAP. He's going to get an inflated value during the trade deadline (as most players do because teams need to load up for the playoffs). He may have been injured but he is a proven top-four defenseman and an upgrade for many playoff-bound teams looking to fill that 3-6 spot.
Even at last years trade deadline, Ian Cole was flipped for a 3rd and a prospect, and has basically the same contract as Sekera ($1 million less). Cole isn't even that good, but he got a good price at the deadline. I am sure the Oilers would be thrilled with a similar return. Brandon Davidson was also flipped for a 3rd, and he's no good.
If there is any time to flip Sekera, it is now. The Oilers don't have Manning, Petrovic or Sekera currently in the lineup, so flipping him - even for minimal value - would make a ton of sense to relieve cap pressure.