Gotcha, thanks. It's kind of slim pickings for coaches right now unless some are let go following underwhelming playoff performances.

I know a lot of the Oilers problems are roster related but did Hitch do a good enough job with what he had to where you guys would want him to return?
- HeeroYuy

Not really. He might've benefitted Draisaitl like he did Seguin last year, but his overall results as far as shot share, chance share and goal share numbers weren't even at McLellan levels.

Except the trade was for a comparable contract, but one that could be LTIR'd. If anything Lucic is the closer to career ending injury than any comparable bad contract (that mysterious leg injury at the end of the year).
- MaximumBone

I hear he's been developing some rare kind of allergy...

I think it’s pretty much impossible to find a team that will take on Lucic and 100% of his contract....would have to add a hell of a sweetener
- RatedR80

And yet we don't need to clear all 6mil. We need to clear enough to add a player that would be a tangible improvement on him. The more we save, the better that player can be.

Gotcha, thanks. It's kind of slim pickings for coaches right now unless some are let go following underwhelming playoff performances.

I know a lot of the Oilers problems are roster related but did Hitch do a good enough job with what he had to where you guys would want him to return?
- HeeroYuy

Who is to say they won’t go for a successful jr or AHL coach? The core of this group is very young and needs a like minded coach.....I feel Hitch was as consistent with this group as Todd was and the record shows it....go on a long winning streak then go on a long losing streak....not to mention the questionable coaching decisions made at times....like is there a law stating Lucic couldn’t have been press boxed? It happened to Neal in the playoffs

I hear he's been developing some rare kind of allergy...
- mgriffen

To scoring goals, I can only assume.

I think it’s pretty much impossible to find a team that will take on Lucic and 100% of his contract....would have to add a hell of a sweetener
- RatedR80

The issue is Lucic's stupid no movement clause.

And yet we don't need to clear all 6mil. We need to clear enough to add a player that would be a tangible improvement on him. The more we save, the better that player can be.
- MaximumBone

Which is why I’m saying I would love Lucic and Russell to both be gone....I’m told Sekera can be effective playing on the other side so why not try that? Then use saved money on getting Nuge a couple of wingers (I know some will ask and Benson isn’t there yet)

The issue is Lucic's stupid no movement clause.
- Reveen.

I think he might be at the point where he wants out....he can’t be all that happy with how it’s going....will only get worse of the new regime grows some balls and puts him in the press box

Which is why I’m saying I would love Lucic and Russell to both be gone....I’m told Sekera can be effective playing on the other side so why not try that? Then use saved money on getting Nuge a couple of wingers (I know some will ask and Benson isn’t there yet)
- RatedR80

Getting Nuge wingers would be amazing.... and I mean wingers not reclamation projects.

I think he might be at the point where he wants out....he can’t be all that happy with how it’s going....will only get worse of the new regime grows some balls and puts him in the press box
- RatedR80

I really think Ottawa would be a great place for him.

Getting Nuge wingers would be amazing.... and I mean wingers not reclamation projects.
- Reveen.

Yes actual top 6 guys to play with him and that alone will not only help with the offence side of things but the defence side of things as well

Any GM that can't get this team to be competitive by two years is incompetent. That's when pretty much the entire cap problem sans-Lucic clears itself (Nuge, Larsson, Sekera and Russell contracts expire). Add a couple quality wingers over this offseason and the next and then our current prospects will likely be ready to step in, as well.
- MaximumBone

Ah, ok. I am totally unfamiliar with your prospect pool. Assumed with having Chia at the helm the past couple ears that it was probably not great lol. That's not totally bad though, just sucks you have to play the waiting game a bit more. How much room do you guys have to add some wingers? Anyone of particular interest?

I really think Ottawa would be a great place for him.
- Reveen.

That’s a team looking to hit the cap floor....only question is what’s the cost going to be

Ah, ok. I am totally unfamiliar with your prospect pool. Assumed with having Chia at the helm the past couple ears that it was probably not great lol. That's not totally bad though, just sucks you have to play the waiting game a bit more. How much room do you guys have to add some wingers? Anyone of particular interest?
- HeeroYuy

Jason Zucker.

Jason Zucker.
- MaximumBone

Sadly I think the Flames will beat us to the punch with him....can see the Flames really pushing for it after what happened in the 1st round

Yes actual top 6 guys to play with him and that alone will not only help with the offence side of things but the defence side of things as well
- RatedR80

I could settle for just one top-6 guy (from my usual list) and then another top-9 guy or two (Brown and Panik come to mind). Nuge has shown himself able to carry a 1st line with Eberle and Pouliot; I'm confident he can thrive even with comparable linemates on a 2nd line.

Draisaitl- McDavid- Kassian/Brown
Zucker- Nuge- Panik

Total cost will be 5.5 for Zucker, 2.1 for Brown and ~3.5 to 4 for Panik for a total of ~11 to 11.5 when we only have 8.5 and still have to resign Khaira, Puljujarvi and a backup goalie (total of at least another 4mil). That means we're looking to drop about 7mil in cap.

Sadly I think the Flames will beat us to the punch with him....can see the Flames really pushing for it after what happened in the 1st round
- RatedR80

Yeah, unfortunately my favourite players tend to get taken by other Western teams all too often.

I could settle for just one top-6 guy (from my usual list) and then another top-9 guy or two (Brown and Panik come to mind). Nuge has shown himself able to carry a 1st line with Eberle and Pouliot; I'm confident he can thrive even with comparable linemates on a 2nd line.

Draisaitl- McDavid- Kassian/Brown
Zucker- Nuge- Panik

Total cost will be 5.5 for Zucker, 2.1 for Brown and ~3.5 to 4 for Panik for a total of ~11 to 11.5 when we only have 8.5 and still have to resign Khaira, Puljujarvi and a backup goalie (total of at least another 4mil). That means we're looking to drop about 7mil in cap.
- MaximumBone

Lucic, Russell and Brodziak would create that much cap space.....forwards and goaltending this off season but if a RHD comes along at the right price I wouldn’t say no either....what goalie do you think can come in and be a quality option?

I could settle for just one top-6 guy (from my usual list) and then another top-9 guy or two (Brown and Panik come to mind). Nuge has shown himself able to carry a 1st line with Eberle and Pouliot; I'm confident he can thrive even with comparable linemates on a 2nd line.

Draisaitl- McDavid- Kassian/Brown
Zucker- Nuge- Panik

Total cost will be 5.5 for Zucker, 2.1 for Brown and ~3.5 to 4 for Panik for a total of ~11 to 11.5 when we only have 8.5 and still have to resign Khaira, Puljujarvi and a backup goalie (total of at least another 4mil). That means we're looking to drop about 7mil in cap.
- MaximumBone

Bury Brodziak for ~1mil in savings.

The Lucic Shared Three-Way Retention Strategy frees up between 4.5 and 4mil at the cost of a 2nd or 3rd pick/prospect.

Try to find a way to move Russell (retention included) to free up the remaining ~2.5mil. If not, a Gagner buyout is still a possibility that frees us 2mil this year t the cost of 1mil the following year.

One of the top-6 Fs and a young 3C candidate from my usual list cost a 2020 1st and one of Puljujarvi or Yamamoto. Brown can likely be had for cheap (4th and a meh prospect). Panik (or equivalent) just for money.

Draisaitl- McDavid- Kassian
Zucker- Nuge- Panik
Khaira- Eriksson Ek- Brown
Currie- Cave- Kassian
UFA, Gambo, PTO

Benson, Marody, Yamamoto, Maksimov, McLeod and the 8th overall pick in the system.

Klefbom- Larsson
Nurse- Sekera
Jones- Benning
Gravel

Lagesson, Bear, Bouchard, Samorukov and the 2018 2nd in the system.

Koskinen
Backup

Lucic, Russell and Brodziak would create that much cap space.....forwards and goaltending this off season but if a RHD comes along at the right price I wouldn’t say no either....what goalie do you think can come in and be a quality option?
- RatedR80

If they hadn't resigned him, I would've been after Sparks but since that's not an option, I have to fall back on Elliott or Mrazek (again). Bummer that Lehner probably wouldn't have signed last summer even if the Oilers had approached him.

Jason Zucker.
- MaximumBone

Unfixable like the Calgary's goal crease
- Reveen.

Or unfixable like gaudreaus I dont give a f attitude after losing. Glad connor and leon are true leaders for us.

Hunter would be a solid get. Verbeek is interesting as well. I agree lucic might like a change and wouldnt let clause get in the way. Hard trade though. Move russel and sekera this year or next might be best option.

Hai.

That’s a team looking to hit the cap floor....only question is what’s the cost going to be
- RatedR80

Puljujarvi