[Signing] Oilers extend Ekholm (3 yrs, $4 mil AAV)

[Hot_Flatus]

He's the best defenceman on the team, but he's old AF and has a ton of mileage on him. If you don't expect him to be your top pairing anchor who plays more than 65 games during this extension, then it's fine.

Who else is doing the job though? Bouchard, Nurse, Walman certainly aren't number 1s and aren't going to be.

[SuperMatt18]

This is good value and helps offset some of the other overpays on their blueline.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

LOL he's pretty much washed up..

Oilers with their McDavid loan:

[blankall]

Originally Posted by McG

Isn’t he like 100 years old now? So this season plus 3? 104 at the end?

IR and retirement will be the most abused documentation in stinkville.

The Oilers need a defenceman who actually knows how to play defence. The other vets are Nurse and Kulak. Even if Ekholm body (and likely eye sight, hearing, memory, etc..) is fading, he actually knows the position, and is the only one of the team who does. They need him.

[dissentowner]

That's a terrible deal, I love it. Dude is an oft injured broken pylon.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by Macho0978

This is another example of why McDavid taking less isn't helping the team if they fill the roster with the same players.

I don't mind this contract, he can slide into a lessor role making less money and that depth could be great for them. But, at some point I think they need to add and add more than just a goalie.

I don't see huge growth in the next 3 years for any players other than Podkolzin, Savioe and Howard. But they have tons of players who could decline.

They will still be a threat, but at some point, McDavid and Draisaitl won't be able to carry the team like they have been and need real help. More than just role players.

In a year, McDavid will be looking at that empty garage spot, that should house a Ferrari, and wondering wtf he's done.

[dino7c]

All the cap will be gone just briging this old roster back...the idea the Oilers can add star players because McDavid took his same deal is false.

[Zulu29]

Ok……don’t see the upside for the Coilers here….so that makes me happy! Way to burn through all the money you saved on McDingus.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

Put me on record as guaranteeing he will not play out this contract and will finish his career on LTIR. There's no way he's making it to 39.

I put the odds on early retirement at 50/50

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by dino7c

All the cap will be gone just briging this old roster back...the idea the Oilers can add star players because McDavid took his same deal is false.

The have spent $1.6 million to bring back 2 d men and a forward. Their best forward and 2 of their top 4 D.

[Remember1989]

I don’t think this deal gets them any further ahead. Hard to not think that McDavid’s camp secured a right to provide input on personnel decisions in return for the discount. There is a chance Ekholm plays more up to his previous level if he is load managed but otherwise I think his body is a little too beaten up at this point.

[Macho0978]

Originally Posted by dino7c

All the cap will be gone just briging this old roster back...the idea the Oilers can add star players because McDavid took his same deal is false.

Everything is shaping up for them to add a big money goalie. That is all the cap that will be left, at least for 26/27.

If they want to win with this team. They need someone to step up into the top line roles. Ekholm slides down, fine. You have Nurse, Walman and Bouchard in your top 4. That needs an upgrade.

Hyman and Nuge are making 3rd line money now, but they need to be the 3rd line. I see a lot of great depth guys that play fast, physical and play on the PK. Players who are used to 12-13 minutes a game. Tons of good depth role players IMO. But if they want to move up to the top team in the league, they will need a true scoring winger, a true top 4 dman and a #1 goalie.

I show they have $17M left and need around 5-6 bodies depending on Savoie and Howard.

Question is who is left. Players are signing with their teams daily now. UFA next summer is getting thin already. It's going to take a trade IMO. What assets do they have and who is going to Edmonton when McDavid really did not commit much in term, and the teams is full of mid 30s players.

Most these moves don't impact this year, this is all 26/27 planning. They will be very old at the start of that season.

At some point McDavid and Draisaitl will be great, but not necessarily the top duo in the league. They have carried the rest of this team for years. This team is filled with role players and garbage around them. It will show with a slight decline from the big 2.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Weitz

The have spent $1.6 million to bring back 2 d men and a forward. Their best forward and 2 of their top 4 D.

Ekholm will be a top D from 36-38 lol
Walman gets the 3.6M raise...that eats the McDavid savings.

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Ekholm will be a top D from 36-38 lol
Walman gets the 3.6M raise...that eats the McDavid savings.

So you ignore the $2 million drop from ekholm? Your net is still just $1.6 million and you keep all 3 players.

He could be a top 4 D during the contract. Or he may not be. Yet to be seen.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Weitz

So you ignore the $2 million drop from ekholm? Your net is still just $1.6 million and you keep all 3 players.

He could be a top 4 D during the contract. Or he may not be. Yet to be seen.

You keep towing the Oilers line. You guys don't have the roster to win the Cup.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Weitz

So you ignore the $2 million drop from ekholm? Your net is still just $1.6 million and you keep all 3 players.

He could be a top 4 D during the contract. Or he may not be. Yet to be seen.

Well yeah his salary drops because his play is declining. 36-38 aren't exactly prime years for dmen...especially big ones with a lot of miles.

The point is the media and probably some Oiler fans think they now have a bunch of money to add star players...they don't. Zero goalies signed for next year and a bunch of spots that will need to be filled by low salary guys. Even the current goaltending will cost more let alone an upgrade.

Personally I would have waited on Ekholm as he looked to be aging out last season

There will be tons of teams with cap this summer, any available UFA won't have to settle for a couple million which is all the Oilers will have for upgrades.

[Weitz]

I dont disagree waiting probably was the better course of action but your claim the money is gone is just wrong.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Weitz

I dont disagree waiting probably was the better course of action but your claim the money is gone is just wrong.

okay well sign Kulak and 2 goalies now...and another 5 players to fill out the roster. They can keep the band together now but they don't have a bunch of money to improve the team like some seem to think.

[memphusk]

Oilers fans are out of their holes!

[Bourque's Twin]

I hate to say it but the truth is, this is a good signing. They have about $4M per player to fill their roster and stay under the cap next year, so this does the job with a good player. He is really old, but I don't think they'll find much better at that cap hit. They are still missing a #1D and a goalie and a ton of forward depth.