The Edmonton Oilers just lately made a major transfer by securing certainly one of their superstars, Leon Draisaitl, with an eight-year contract extension price $14 million per season. NHL insider Elliotte Friedman joined Sportsnet Immediately to debate the implications of this deal and what it would imply for the Oilers’ future, notably concerning their capacity to afford Connor McDavid.
Within the video beneath, Friedman weighed in on the contract and what it would imply for the Oilers. He additionally famous the distinction between the Oilers and the Toronto Maple Leafs of their experiences with signing highly-paid gamers.
Friedman Believes Draisaitl’s Contract Was Properly-Deserved
Friedman started by acknowledging that Draisaitl’s new deal was well-deserved. He emphasised that Draisaitl is without doubt one of the greatest gamers within the league and may command prime greenback. Whereas there was some hypothesis that the quantity may need been barely decrease, Friedman famous that previously couple of weeks, $14 million appeared to turn into the anticipated determine. He expressed no reservations in regards to the deal, stating that in a wage cap world, prime gamers at all times push to interrupt limitations, and Draisaitl did simply that.
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Nonetheless, this transfer raises questions on how the Oilers will deal with McDavid’s contract. Friedman identified that, traditionally, groups have confronted challenges when locking up a number of high-caliber gamers, citing the Chicago Blackhawks for example. Regardless of the challenges, the Blackhawks managed to win a number of Stanley Cups by determining the remainder of the roster round their star gamers like Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews, one thing Friedman believes the Oilers might want to do. Stan Bowman was the Blackhawks’ normal supervisor throughout that period, and is now the Oilers’ GM.
Friedman Compares Stan Bowman’s Work with the Blackhawks and the Oilers
Friedman talked about that whereas the Oilers may face difficulties much like these confronted by the Blackhawks after their massive signings, the group has been sensible about conserving some gamers at decrease numbers than they may have gotten elsewhere. This strategic planning, he suggests, might assist the Oilers handle their cap state of affairs.
A key takeaway from Friedman’s evaluation is that groups should pay their star gamers what they’re price to stay aggressive in in the present day’s NHL. Nonetheless, success hinges on discovering complementary items to encompass these stars. The Oilers have dedicated to Draisaitl, and now they’ll must navigate the problem of conserving McDavid whereas nonetheless constructing a roster able to contending for the Stanley Cup.
Friedman concluded by reflecting on how unexpected occasions, just like the COVID-19 pandemic, can disrupt even the best-laid plans, because it did with the Maple Leafs. However barring any sudden challenges, he believes the Oilers ought to be capable of handle their state of affairs, guaranteeing each Draisaitl and McDavid are compensated appropriately whereas nonetheless fielding a aggressive group.
Variations Between the Oilers and the Maple Leafs Core Signings
Friedman highlighted a key distinction between the Oilers and the Maple Leafs concerning signing high-value gamers. Of their latest signings, he famous that the Oilers have been extra strategic in conserving sure gamers at decrease salaries than they may have commanded elsewhere. This method has given the Oilers extra flexibility in managing their wage cap whereas locking up their star gamers like Draisaitl.
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In distinction, Friedman identified that the Maple Leafs confronted sudden challenges, notably as a result of pandemic, which considerably impacted the wage cap and, consequently, their roster administration. He recommended that had the pandemic not occurred, the Maple Leafs would have been in a greater place to deal with their high-value contracts, however the cap’s stagnation made it harder for them to construct a balanced group round their stars.
Friedman implied that the Oilers have been capable of navigate the cap state of affairs extra successfully, probably on account of their foresight in managing participant salaries. In distinction, the Maple Leafs had been caught off guard by exterior components just like the pandemic, which disrupted their monetary planning.
In brief, Friedman believes the Oilers have accomplished nicely to re-sign top-of-the-line gamers within the NHL.
