The NHL’s courting period is an interesting new tradition in the Free Agency process. Teams get a chance to put their best foot forward and make a pitch about their club and their city but there are restrictions about offering specific terms of contracts. I’m sure those are totally being respected by every team. Totally.

Today the Oilers are hosting both Milan Lucic and Jason Demers. Edmonton has a bit of an inside track on Lucic because of his familiarity with General Manager Peter Chiarelli, but in terms of necessity it’s really Demers that the team needs. Ultimately, however, the carrot is the same for both of them.

Edmonton is offering a chance to play with the latest generational talent to enter the NHL as he grows into the prime years of his career and the chance to do it in a brand new arena. That’s the draw.

Milian Lucic doesn’t need an “opportunity” for playing time in the top 6. He’s a famous player in the NHL and the numbers back him as a legitimate top 6 winger. If Edmonton could 1-2 with Hall and Lucic down the left wing they are in a great spot and that doesn’t even factor in RNH, Draisaitl, and McDavid down the middle or Eberle and Puljujarvi on the right.

No matter where Lucic goes he’s going to play big minutes. The draw is that here those minutes will be alongside Connor McDavid. He’s incredible and everyone knows it.

With Demers it’s slightly different. Jason Demers would step onto the Oilers and if no other moves are made then he would be the best right-shot defender on the team. We’re talking 20+ minutes a night, Power Play opportunities, and – yes – the chance to play with Connor McDavid as well. Hey, it’s going to be a lot better passing to McDavid than it would be trying to defend him for the next 5 years.

With Demers, the market for right-shot defenders is so thin in free agency that he’s going to get contract offers from other markets. He’s going to get paid handsomely, more so than people will be comfortable with. That’s the price of doing business with mobile defensemen.

Demers is no killer for scoring, but his per 60’s are alright. He crossed 30 points just once and it was two seasons ago. Last year he scored just 7-16-23 in 62 games played, but his hourly rate was a respectable 0.91 P/60. Over the last 4 years he’s produced 0.94 P/60 so this is the established scoring rate for Demers. It’s something I would feel comfortable projecting. That would be 2nd with a bullet on last year’s Oilers behind only Klefbom (who was having a breakout season before injury marred it).

Just as important, he has a history of keeping the puck moving in the right direction and his WOWY’s suggest that it’s Demers driving his various pairings (except when he’s been paired with stars like Burns). Even when paired with guys like Scott Hannan, Demers kept that pairing above water with regards to possession. Add in some offense and the fact that he shoots right and you have a very serviceable 2nd pairing guy who likely won’t be over his head in the event that Edmonton doesn’t get someone else via trade.

Lucic is a proven NHL scorer but his actual scoring rates mirror Pouliot’s and he’s going to be at least 2 million more than Pouliot. As of writing this, Edmonton has Hall, Pouliot, and Maroon down the left wing, so unlike the Right Defense there is some quality depth there.

Lucic is a luxury, Demers is a necessity. Either way, show them the brand new state-of-the-art arena. Show them the McDavid highlights. Show them Swiss Donair and the giant Baseball Bat on 118th. Give them the winky face emoji when you “accidently” text them contract offers that you totally meant to send to Kevin Lowe for approval.

It’s a beautiful day in Edmonton and Operation “You Can Be Friends With Connor” is underway.

Follow me on Twitter @Archaeologuy

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