First of all, I need to correct a mistake I made in my last blog. One of the options I listed when discussing if a Pacioretty trade could work involved a buyout. The last buyout window has closed meaning this could not be an option.
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Now onto today's blog.
We can almost say with 100% confidence that the 20/21 season will begin on January 13th with the Oilers part of the All Canadian Division. It's going to be great to get back to discussing real games once again.
Once things are finalized, I expect we will once again see some activity with a number of free agents still on the market. While more signings are going to happen we may also see a flurry of PTO invites unlike anything we have seen before.
Currently the Edmonton Oilers are right up against the cap but once Klefbom is moved to LTIR and Bear is signed the team should still have a couple million available. We will get to the 5 players I could see being offered an invite but first here are some honorable mentions.
These are honorable mentions because I expect them to sign a deal prior to the start of training camp.
Anthony Duclair: Left shooting winger who can play either side. Had a breakout 23 goal season with the Senators. Despite some defensive woes this is a good player and while he might not get what he wanted, he will sign with a team before training camp.
Mikael Granlund: The winger who has produced well above a .5ppg through his career was not able to maintain those numbers with the Preds. At 28 years old this is still a strong 5 on 5 producer and he will find a spot somewhere. Mike Hoffman: Ditto to everything listed above. Despite some issues, this is a guy who can put the puck in the net. He might not get the 6x6 offer he might have been holding out for, but he won't be a PTO.
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Now onto the list.
Riley Sheahan: Riley Sheahan as a third line centre was a failure for the Edmonton Oilers. His line was the worst in terms of allowing an abundance of goals while failing to generate much of anything. The area Sheahan did excel was as a PK specialist where both he and Archibald together were an effective duo.
Remember this is a list of PTO's, not guaranteed signings. Bringing in Sheahan could help to kick Jujhar Khaira into gear and make him aware right from the get-go that he needs to be consistent.
Madison Bowey: Has been linked to the Edmonton Oilers for a couple months now. The 25 year old mobile two way defender spent all of last season with the abysmal Red Wings but produced 17 points in 53 games while averaging around 17 minutes a game.
Bowey is a right shot and with Klefbom out the Oilers need more help on the left side but players like Kris Russell and Caleb Jones can play either side. Bowey could at worst be a solid 7th defenceman and at his best may actually be a serviceable top four option. Slater Koekkoek: Edmonton fans were able to see a bit of what Koekkoek is capable of during the play-in series against the Blackhawks. Original scouting reports listed Koekkoek as an offensive minded great skating defender but now has developed into a smart defense first option who will occasionally jump up into the play.
As stated above, the Oilers need more help on their left side and the left shooting Koekkoek would be my first choice to bring in. He steadily improved with the Hawks last season and at 26 years old there is still plenty of room to see him grow and develop.
Drake Caggiula: Continuing the trend of ex Oilers and ex Hawks we move to Drake Caggiula. The tenacious smaller forward broke into the NHL with the Oilers and performed well in a middle six role. His speed combined with surprising physicality for a 176lb forward made him a useful player who could be rolled out in almost any situation.
Currently the Oilers do have an abundance of forward options but a PTO to Drake could either bring in a useful player for the Oilers or create some more incentive for the likes of Ennis and Kahun to prove themselves early.
Andy Greene: The long time Devil was traded at the deadline last season to the Islanders. Though no longer the top pairing defenceman he was in his prime the now 38 year old has shown he can still log effective minutes as a shutdown D.
Greene on the Oilers would not have to play every game and could be a safety net for the likes of Caleb Jones should he falter during the 20/21 season. Similar to the original plan for Mike Green, Greene could bring veteran leadership and steady play to the Oilers blueline.
If you were the Oilers GM, who would you bring in on a PTO?