In an attempt to construct a roster that is devoid of holes in certain areas, one Edmonton Oilers journalist suggests he’s hearing whispers from those media members more closely connected to the franchise that there could be some changes this offseason for the team. Unfortunately, this journalist suggests the changes could be painful and unnecessary.
Most fans know the Oilers will have to do some salary-cap juggling to make everything work. That said, what does “painful and unnecessary changes” actually mean? He suggests that three separate long-time media members all came up with a similar conclusion that, in an attempt to better round out the roster, the Oilers might not go long-term with Jesse Puljujarvi, but they will with Evander Kane.
What All Do the Oilers Need to Do?
Allan Mitchell (Lowetide), wrote in a column on Wednesday that the Oilers may try to focus on securing a goaltender, improving their blue line, and locking in contracts for a few of the big players that need new deals. Perhaps not all of that gets accomplished, especially if GM Ken Holland tries to employ strategies that worked for him in the past and with other teams (signing proven, but older players) — in this case Kane.
Related: 3 Takeaways From Oilers’ 5-1 Loss to Wild – 4/12/22
Following a pretty bad loss to the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday, Mitchell writes that in trying to create fewer weak spots, Holland will have to address all areas and that comes with challenges.
A summer devoted to finding a goalie, shoring up defence and signing RFA’s Jesse Puljujarvi, Kailer Yamamoto and Ryan McLeod. I don’t know that you’ll get it, but grow your own worked for Ken Holland in Detroit and it can work here. Chasing free agency can work, but money will be too tight to mention this summer.
He adds, “I sense, based on what is being rolled out by the connected media, this summer will see some painful and unnecessary departures.” The storyline he focused on most heavily is that Kane…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at The Hockey Writers…