EDM - RFA's & UFA's
Posted 12:11 PM ET | Comments 0
It`s been an interesting year for RFA`s. There are a few curious names that did not receive a qualifying offer.
On the Edmonton side it`s not too surprising who is being released. Gazdic, Cracknell, Lundstrum, and Kessy were not part of the future. I am sad to see Jumanji (Gazdic, because he looks exactly like Robin Williams in Jumanji) go. I heard he was a very positive presence in the dressing room, but at some point we need to focus on having players here, and in the farm, that have a positive effect on the ice.
There are a few guys who did not get qualifying offers that the Oilers should take a serious look at.
Devante Smith-Pelly
Smith-Pelly is a guy that I think fits a Chiarelli mould. He is aggressive, hard on the puck. He really is your stereotypical 3rd line winger. If we keep adding guys like this Edmonton will no longer be looked at as “easy to play against”. Of course, if he’s asking for ridiculous amounts of money pass, but if the is being realistic I don’t think there is a problem with giving him a 1 yr contract to see what he can do for us.
Brandon Pirri
Although Brandon is a smaller player (6’ 170lbs) he is still able to make a positive impact. Based on reports Chiarelli was really interested in acquiring this player. Now that he is available I imagine there will be a conversation. If we do move one of the centers I could see Edmonton adding Pirri as their 3rd line centre.
On a separate Note,
Both Lucic and Demers are in our lovely city today. I know they will have a tour of Rogers Place. Chiarelli will probably make sure that they see the new dressing rooms. I wonder if Connor is here to greet them, he is after all our best recruiting asset.
I wouldn’t mind adding both players, obviously that would be a move for the positive. However, if adding Lucic means they are trading Hall, DO NOT DO IT! Lucic is a great player, but he is not close to the caliber of player Hall is. If you have both on your team, you are doing something right.
As for Demers, he’s an upgrade, hopefully if he decides to come here we can get him at a reasonable price. I really don’t want to give up the same cap space for him as we do for Sekera. Demers might be the best RH Dman in Free Agency, but he is still a 2nd pairing guy.
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On the Edmonton side it`s not too surprising who is being released. Gazdic, Cracknell, Lundstrum, and Kessy were not part of the future. I am sad to see Jumanji (Gazdic, because he looks exactly like Robin Williams in Jumanji) go. I heard he was a very positive presence in the dressing room, but at some point we need to focus on having players here, and in the farm, that have a positive effect on the ice.
There are a few guys who did not get qualifying offers that the Oilers should take a serious look at.
Devante Smith-Pelly
Smith-Pelly is a guy that I think fits a Chiarelli mould. He is aggressive, hard on the puck. He really is your stereotypical 3rd line winger. If we keep adding guys like this Edmonton will no longer be looked at as “easy to play against”. Of course, if he’s asking for ridiculous amounts of money pass, but if the is being realistic I don’t think there is a problem with giving him a 1 yr contract to see what he can do for us.
Brandon Pirri
Although Brandon is a smaller player (6’ 170lbs) he is still able to make a positive impact. Based on reports Chiarelli was really interested in acquiring this player. Now that he is available I imagine there will be a conversation. If we do move one of the centers I could see Edmonton adding Pirri as their 3rd line centre.
On a separate Note,
Both Lucic and Demers are in our lovely city today. I know they will have a tour of Rogers Place. Chiarelli will probably make sure that they see the new dressing rooms. I wonder if Connor is here to greet them, he is after all our best recruiting asset.
I wouldn’t mind adding both players, obviously that would be a move for the positive. However, if adding Lucic means they are trading Hall, DO NOT DO IT! Lucic is a great player, but he is not close to the caliber of player Hall is. If you have both on your team, you are doing something right.
As for Demers, he’s an upgrade, hopefully if he decides to come here we can get him at a reasonable price. I really don’t want to give up the same cap space for him as we do for Sekera. Demers might be the best RH Dman in Free Agency, but he is still a 2nd pairing guy.
Remember to check out our podcast on either iTunes or Soundcloud.
Search Downtown Hockey on iTunes or
https://soundcloud.com/downtownhockey