The Oilers' Summer Dilemma: Extending Savoie, Trading Janmark, and the Future of Levi
The Edmonton Oilers find themselves at a crossroads this summer, with several key decisions to make that could shape their future success. The question on everyone's mind is whether they should extend Matt Savoie's contract early, and if so, what terms should they offer. The team's cap situation has improved since the Darnell Nurse trade, and with Savoie's potential to develop into a strong top-six winger, locking him up now could be a strategic move.
Jason Gregor suggests that rushing into an extension isn't necessary unless Savoie has a breakout season. He believes that if Savoie is around 45-50 points, the market will have been set, and waiting could be beneficial. Tyler Yaremchuk, however, argues that extending Savoie early is a smart move, citing his smart play and potential to develop into a strong top-six winger. He suggests a six-year deal worth around $5.5-6 million, which could turn into a value deal.
Michael Menzies takes a different approach, suggesting that the Oilers should consider a Mavrik Bourque-type contract, which was six years long at $5.5 million. He believes that with the team's cap situation improving, they can afford to invest in Savoie's long-term potential. Baggedmilk, the author, expresses a strong desire to extend Savoie early, wanting to prevent any speculation about his future.
Moving on to the topic of trading, the Oilers face a decision regarding Mattias Janmark. With several young players pushing for NHL opportunities, including Dach, Samanski, and Hutson, the team must decide whether to trade Janmark and create more room for these prospects. Jason Gregor believes that Janmark has no trade value at the moment and suggests that the team should wait to see how he performs with a healthy shoulder.
Tyler Yaremchuk agrees that Janmark is unlikely to be traded, citing his no-trade clause and the team's desire to see him perform with a healthy shoulder. Michael Menzies acknowledges the challenge of trading Janmark, given his no-trade clause and the team's history with him. He suggests that the Oilers may try to give him a chance to make the team or move him if he's on the outside looking in.
The discussion then turns to the future of young goaltender Devon Levi. With the NHL cap rising, the Oilers must decide how much to pay a young goalie like Levi, who will be a restricted free agent at the end of the season. Jason Gregor notes that Levi needs to play games and post good numbers to secure a substantial raise, with an estimated range of $1-1.4 million.
Tyler Yaremchuk downplays the significance of the rising cap, suggesting that Levi's contract won't be a concern if he performs well. Michael Menzies, however, acknowledges the complexity of goalie contracts and wonders how the rising cap will impact up-and-coming goalies like Connor Ingram. Baggedmilk offers a guess of $1.50-2 million as a potential contract value for Levi.
Finally, the team's general manager, Stan Bowman, is the subject of speculation. Jason Gregor suggests that Bowman will listen to offers but doesn't see a glaring hole in the current roster. He believes that the Oilers will want to add a veteran top-six scoring winger before the trade deadline. Tyler Yaremchuk expresses a desire to see Bowman acquire a top-six winger, but acknowledges the challenge of finding a suitable player.
Michael Menzies shares a similar sentiment, suggesting that Bowman may want to add an impact top-six winger but is unsure if he's willing to pay the price. Baggedmilk, the author, passionately expresses a desire for a scoring winger, emphasizing the need for a real, impactful addition to the team.
In conclusion, the Oilers face a series of important decisions this summer, from extending Savoie's contract to trading Janmark and the future of Levi. The team's cap situation, the potential for young players to develop, and the need for veteran leadership all play a role in shaping their strategy. As the season unfolds, the Oilers will need to navigate these challenges to build a competitive team and secure their future success.
