Quote:
Originally Posted by Infinit47
I accidentally went to SNW at the exact moment they said that. I had to do a double take.
Oilers D is piling up points, no doubt. But they still aren't playing winning enough games. I hope this elite first pairing ends up a point per game and forces the Oilers to commit long term to Barrie this off season and to Nurse next off season. 9 mil per.
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There are 3 ways a player having a big year in a contract year is good for the team
1. The player resigns a deal and continues to plays at a level that justifies the contract or exceeds that expectation
2. The player increase their trade value and the team acts on that increased value and makes a trade
3. The team has very good team success, preferably in the playoffs resulting in the team gaining much valued playoff experience even if the player walks (UFA's only)
Option 3 is the least valuable IMO but it still is a bonus that your existing players gained valuable playoff experience.
Every year when I look at the Oilers I see a team that has players who based on stats appear to deserve a big raise yet you just don't see it in the standings or playoff success. This year it appears the Oilers have tons of cap space next off season and you would think it could results in added star power next year but it more than likely will go to their free agents
Nuge - playing 22 mins a night and nearly a PPG. My guess is if he resigns it will be 7+.
Barries - nearly a PPG dman playing on the best top pairing in the league. If he did stay it will be for 7+
Then you got Yaomoto, Khaira and Kahun that seem to be playing well and are RFA's
Yaomoto - has 17 goals and 40 points in 70 games and is putting up around 50 point pace this year. I doubt they can resign him for less than 2.5 but my guess is 2 years 3 mil now but wouldn't be shocked if he gets 3.5 mil per
Kahun looks like a potential keeper. My guess is similar to Archibald 2 years 1.5
Khaira - it's a bit early to say they will resign him but right now he is looking like he has played his way into a new contract. 2 years 1.5 mil
If Nuge and Barrie come in around 7.5 mil that leaves the Oilers with ~4.5 mil in cap space and 20 guys signed. Right now I could see most of that going to a goalie as they would have just Koskinen under contract.
Other than Bouchard or Nurse I don't see anyone having a good year other than their top 2 guys that is under contract next year. I also think if they want to add to this team they will have to buy out Neal or Koskinen or Kassian. My bet is Neal but if Nurse keeps putting up these numbers he will get 7 to 8 per year as well. Not sure how that fits in?
Until the Oilers learn to play d and stop playing 8 to 5 hockey games and continuously pad their stats due to having to come from behind to win games or score 5+ to get wins they will always have cap issues and players who demand more money than they are actually worth.
