The Edmonton Oilers surprised many around the NHL when they signed Trent Frederic for an eight -year -old deal worth $ 3.85 million per season. The long-term obligation to a player who struggled during the play-offs raised eyebrows, especially since Frederic did not show his full potential after arrival via the trade from the Boston Bruins. But the Oilers bet that they have not yet seen the best of him – and use term to protect a lower average annual value (AAV) in a rising CAP environment.
Edmonton hopes that Frederic can effectively replace what Evander Kane has brought to the line up. The 26-year-old had shown 20 goal potential in Boston. If he can return to shape, the oilers have made a smart gamble on a contract that will agree well.
These strategy in depth pieces do not end with Frederic early for team-friendly figures. Edmonton could look to apply the same thinking to three other important players: Jake Walman, Vasily Podkolzin and David Tomášek.
Jake Walman: Top-four stability at a predictable price
Rumors continue to swallow that Edmonton is exploring an eight -year extension for defender Jake Walman. Walman acquired last season at the Handelsdeadline, was impressed by his skates, puck moving and the ability to eat tough minutes. In the last year of a deal of $ 3.4 million, he will be in the last year and at the age of 29 this is perhaps his best chance of protecting financial security in the long term.
Insider Bob Stauffer recently added fuel to the speculation and show that the oilers can use their exclusive right (prior to the changing parameters of a new SMEs) to offer an eight -year term for a free agency. That kind of deal – perhaps about $ 6 million AAV – would give the Oilers Cap predictability to an important defender while preparing for important extensions with Connor McDavid and Evan Bouchard.
Vasy Podbolzin:
Vasily Podkolzin is perhaps the most undervalued breakout candidate from Edmonton. At only 24 and a contract of $ 1 million, Podkolzin was one of the hardest working oilers last season and earned praise from Leon Draisaitl, other players and the coaching staff. Although he missed some finishing, he earned a top-six role by performing better than veterans such as Jeff Skinner and Viktor Arvidsson.
Despite only eight goals in the regular season and modest pointed totals (three goals, 10 points in 22 play-off games), the five-on-five statistics of Podkolzin were solid and his drive to emulate Zach Hyman well for future growth. With the RFA status, a long-term extension can now keep a potential wing player of 15 to 20 goals in the fold with a bargain. While GM Stan Bowman navigates a CAP crunch, Podkolzin is the type of value activity that you build -not a store on the trade block.
Can an eight -year -old deal for $ 2.5 -$ 3 million in two or three seasons be a bargain?
David Tomášek: The one-year Prove-it UFA
Czech Center David Tomášek is perhaps the largest X factor on the Roster this season. Signed with a one -year -old deal of $ 1.2 million after leading the SHL in scoring, he is a hidden gem or an experiment in the short term. At 29, Tomášek is now in his NHL window. If he performs well, the oilers may want to lock him up in a long -term deal.
Healthcare is his age. Although he is a newbie on the oilers, he is almost 30. An eight -year -old deal would place him in his late 1930s. The only reason to do that is because Edmonton wants to spread his cap hit, knowing that the last few seasons of those deal will be disposable seasons.
He dominated the faceoff stip in Sweden – something that Edmonton desperately needs – and if he can translate that to the NHL, he could quickly play a more permanent role. Although it is too early to talk about extensions, when Tomášek finds his foot in the lower six, he could be a candidate for a deal in Frederic style before the end of the year. Because of his age, AAV could be the lowest among the three players.
In Frederic, the oilers have shown that they are willing to gamble on long -term stability for short -term cap lighting. If Walman, Podkolzin and Tomášek meet expectations, then do not be surprised to see more eight -year -old deals in the future of Edmonton.
Next: Which former oiler will the team put the most in 2025-26?
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