In this edition of the hotstove we share our thoughts on the seven-year deal (worth $4.17 million per) Oscar Klefbom signed with the Edmonton Oilers.
Todd Cordell Personally I like the deal.
Klefbom was very good in his rookie campaign and there's no reason to believe he won't continue to progress as he gets older and the supporting cast around him is better.
There are more than 60 blue liners who will make more money in 2016-17 so technically he is being paid like a 2nd pairing defenseman. If he is the guy we saw last season he is already worth the money and as the years go on his contract should look better and better; especially if/when the cap rises.
I think Klefbom will have a big seas playing under his old contract and by the time his new one kicks in he'll look like a bargain.
The Oilers obviously feel that way as well.
Matt Henderson As someone who has watched every minute Klefbom has played, I'm confident that 4.167M per season starting next year will be a steal for the Oilers. Klefbom was their best defender by the end of last season and as a rookie was the defensive conscience on the top pairing. He also finished with the blueline's highest points per 60 minutes 5v5. He is an incredible skater and a swift learner. The risk is that he's only played 77 games in the NHL. However, a greater risk for the Oilers is that if they wait longer for him to establish himself Klefbom would cost significantly higher and they need every penny they can save for when McDavid needs to be signed to his next contract.
Tim Chiasson I don't understand this deal from either perspective.
On Edmonton's side you have to consider that this guy has only played 77 games on one of the worst teams in hockey over the last several years. It's not hard to look good when you're surrounded by terrible players.
On Klefbom's side, how can you sign a seven year deal for just over $4M if you have any belief that you are a top defender? It doesn't make sense. Players, especially at 22, don't consider the teams' salary cap. You either believe you're capable of more, or you don't.
It's puzzling, to say the least.
It's not that Klefbom has played bad for Edmonton; he's actually compiled some solid underlying statistics. It's the fact that both sides, given the circumstances, were willing to do this deal.
Peter Chiarelli is either going to be judged as completely insane for this, or a complete genius. Given his cap management track record, I'm voting that this turns out to be completely insane, but best of luck to Klefbom because I'm a McDavid fan.
James Tanner It's not just a good move, it's a stroke of genius. There is no doubt with his elite skating and his rookie season that Klefbom is going to be, at the least, a competent NHL defenseman.
The only real question is whether he is a superstar or a decent second pairing player. Given his floor is probably worth the $4.17 million and that that will only get absurdly cheap as time goes on, Klefbom improves and the salary cap rises, you cant help but love this move.
There is almost no risk to the Oilers here, and a very high reward if Klefbom - as I expect him to - becomes one of the truly elite NHL defensemen.
This is betting on your own players. Your'e better off paying for a guys' peak and prime years rather than paying retroactively for them in years he won't be able to replicate them. The Canadiens screwed themselves when they signed PK to a bridge deal, the Panthers just did the same thing with Huberdeau and the Leafs did the same thing with Kadri.
A 100% good move for the Oilers here.
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