Looks like the division just got a whole lot tougher.

As per TSN:

Not sure about the dollars, but I imagine the cap hits won’t be terrible (I’m guessing 5/6 mil per for each). Considering the Wild had over 14mil in space, I’m sure it’ll be easy for them to work it in.

Edit: Yikes. As per TSN again: Both deals are worth $98 million over 13 years, carrying an average annual value of $7.538 million.

As for the rest of the division, looks like this year will be a doozy. With the Canucks being the perennial winner (last few years) and the Wild getting instantly better it’ll be interesting to see how the Avs, Oil and Flames end up in the standings. Hopefully the Oilers are ready to take that next step…otherwise it just got harder for them.

Next up…Matt Carle.

What is quite possibly the best pic I have ever seen of a hockey player. As seen on Backhand Shelf.

Considering we just looked at the draft, I figured it couldn’t hurt to take a peek at the available (for now) free agents that are out there, and who would fit on the team.

Although we should keep in mind that Hall, Eberle, Petry and the such will be getting paaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaid right away, so we can’t spend too much (without getting Horcoff, Khabibulin off the books etc).

Also keep in mind, I feel that we need D and goaltending far more than forwards so that’ll be reflected in this post. Feel free to add anyone in the comments you would like the Oilers to go after.
Continue reading 'Available Free Agents'»

Welcome back Mac-T.

As per a Stauffer tweet, the Oilers are looking at 5 players seriously in this upcoming draft according to MacGregor: Nail Yakupov, Mikhail Grigorenko, Filip Forsberg, Ryan Murray and Griffin Reinhart.

So lets take a closer look shall we:
Continue reading 'Oilers Draft Options'»