Quote:
Originally Posted by getbak
They've basically already spent the expected cap increase for next year, but I guess this is potentially their final chance to do something before Draisaitl forces a trade next summer and McDavid the year after.
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The only significant salary coming off of their cap next year is Foegle (2.5M). Why things would be any better next year for Bouchard is beyond me. But this is the Oiler way. They’ll nickel and dime players they should actually pay (instead of free agents like Hyman & Campbell). They make the player take a bunch of risk on a shorter term deal, then the fanbase is surprised when the player walks the minute they have actual leverage.
If Skinner is “the future” a competent organization would know that & not sign an albatross of a contact to a free agent. That is how Winnipeg dealt with Hellybuck and enabled him to stay as long as he has. They showed patience and faith in him.
All of this is the time tested standard of the organization.
They’re always the smartest people in the room.
They don’t draft well (in part because of scouting nepotism) and they develop even worse (in part because of personnel nepotism).
They lack accountability because they avoid, obfuscate, or ignore even the notion of legitimate criticism, so they’re surrounded by yes men.
The challenge of management in building a hockey team is constructing a roster of value contracts. The Oiler were gifted two of the best value contracts in the league and still can’t find sustained success with that advantage.
After they’re gone, there is no other excuse left. But they’ll find one. They always do.