[Signing] Oilers re-sign RNH (8yrs, $5.125 mil AAV, full NMC)

[tvp2003]

Originally Posted by Robbob

Not a bad contract. Decent AAV and will not hurt the team once the cap starts going up with TV contracts and helmet ads. At least the Oilers will have someone still remaining from one of their rebuilds when McDavid leaves half way through RNH extension.

This. Signing him for those additional 3 years won’t matter because McDavid will be gone by then.

In the meantime, I think RNH will be happy to continue collecting his paycheques without having to do the heavy lifting or be under the media spotlight. It’s a great situation for him — you know, if you don’t really care about winning a Stanley Cup.

As for the Oilers, at least they bring back another key piece that got them all the way to game 4 of the first round last year.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

If they are in win now shouldn't they be looking at getting better? They lose a lot of salary cap flexibility signing a 28 year old non-elite player to an 8 year contract with a NMC. I think the value is great for the next three years but I just can't fathom any team in the league looking at RNH and thinking they need to lock up that player for 8 years even if it brings solid initial value.

RNH at 5.125M is a “fair” deal, and he makes a solid enough #3 centre behind McDavid and Draisaitl. I think my biggest concern with the contract is that RNH doesn't really have a role. He's pretty good...but I don't think he's a top-tier defensive centre, which when playing behind McDavid and Draisaitl you kind of need.

[Toonage]

Yeah I don't see much of a problem with this deal. 3LC at $5M? That's fine.

1LW? 2LW? At $5M? Also fine.

Flat cap, 8 years of certainty for the player and the team.

I mean, they still suck but this is fine.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by tvp2003

As for the Oilers, at least they bring back another key piece that got them all the way to game 4 of the first round last year.

This is the key for me. I'm just happy they aren't making moves to improve the team. They will only play Ottawa twice next season as well.

[Redrum]

Pretty good right now. But it will eventually be in Neal/Kosk/etc territory.

[Oling_Roachinen]

Unfortunately not a terrible contract. Risk with term, but that exists with all long term contracts.

[habernac]

Didn't he spend a lot of time on McDavid's line? And he got 35 points??? Why would you sign this guy long term? A fire hydrant gets 60 points last season with McDavid.

[CroFlames]

Not a horrible deal. They'll get 3-5 years of a decent centerman for $5M.

The back end of the deal sucks, but in 3-5 years with a higher cap, you'll be able to trade him to a team going all-in.

The really interesting part is where will McDavid be in 5 years?

[chummer]

Great, 8 more years of hearing Nuuuuuuuuuuuuge.

No good.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Originally Posted by Geeoff

Seattle can still select pending UFA. Remember Vegas drafted Deryk Engelland from us and he was a UFA

Which is dumb in general, because all it gets them is a short negotiation window before the broader UFA period when the player can simply re-sign with the team he was already with. You have to have some assurances that the player you're selecting actually wants to sign with you, which presumably was the case with Engelland. But that was still a dumb selection because they could have taken someone else, waited a week and a half (or whatever it was) and signed Engelland anyway.

[Oling_Roachinen]

Who would they have taken?

The Flames were crap, anyone else would have been a wasted contract spot.

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

Which is dumb in general, because all it gets them is a short negotiation window before the broader UFA period when the player can simply re-sign with the team he was already with. You have to have some assurances that the player you're selecting actually wants to sign with you, which presumably was the case with Engelland. But that was still a dumb selection because they could have taken someone else, waited a week and a half (or whatever it was) and signed Engelland anyway.

Except in this case, it means that Seattle could have offered RNH an 8 year deal and the Oilers could only offer him 7.
If that extra year is the tipping point/saves them money on the cap, they have to do it now.

[ForeverFlameFan]

The Oilers had to offer 8 years (because no one else could) and an NMC, so basically the Holland special in order for RNH to stay.

Think the deal looks good for 4-6 years, but then I think they’re gonna want to move him as a cap dump later on and won’t be able to because of the NMC.

Not really a steal but a decent one.

[the_only_turek_fan]

Originally Posted by Geeoff

Seattle can still select pending UFA. Remember Vegas drafted Deryk Engelland from us and he was a UFA

Yes. Thanks!

[the_only_turek_fan]

But Geeoff, they can pick him and then return to Edmonton when he becomes a UFA in 5 days no?

[Ozy_Flame]

I think Nuge is pretty happy with his situation in Edmonton. Dude's got a house and a life here. I bet he wanted consistency, and will likely waive the NMC when he realizes he's in the twilight of his career and wants a shot with a contender. He also seems to have picked up his game a bit in the last year or two. Wouldn't mind if the Flames had him, but oh well.

[Macho0978]

I hate the Oilers as much as anyone but this is a great deal for them. He takes a pay cut which will help them add to their roster over the next 4 years before the big 2's contracts are up. If Johnny did something like this for the Flames we would all be excited even though it might suck 6 years from now.

Oilers could very easily make a run at a goalie and d-man because Nuge took this contract. They still have $16 mil in cap space

[Strange Brew]

Signing RNH for 8 years certainly seems a little odd but the way I see it it would have been near impossible to acquire a better player for that AAV on the open market. And while his play may deteriorate over the 8 years, the cap is going to eventually rise again making his cap hit rather easy to digest.

But ultimately the best teams figure out who they want to build around. They may not always get the best return (think of Boston trading Thornton and Hamilton) but they focus on the players they see being part of a winner.

RNH even on a good deal. playing for the same old team that knows how to lose isn't going to help them go anywhere.

[Jason14h]

In 5 years who knows what the league looks like. Future GM's problem.

Great contract for the next 3 years which is all that really matters for this team.

[sleepingmoose]

I think it’s a good deal for the Oilers. It’s clear, though, that RNH has some form of Stockholm Syndrome. Poor guy.