Today, the Oilers made the acquisition of the day. The club acquired the services of Matt Savoie for… Ryan McLeod and Tyler Tullio.
A rather special transaction, reminiscent of the Martin Erat for Filip Forsberg deal several years ago.
Although Edmonton had a great run in 2023-2024, the club must now look ahead to a very eventful summer, and with a new GM. Stan Bowman?
Leon Draisaitl and Evan Bouchard are two important issues for the team, but one of them is not so pressing.
As Daniel Nugent-Bowman, a reporter for The Athletic, points out, the Oilers and Evan Bouchard are not expected to negotiate this summer.
I’m told it’s unlikely the Oilers & Evan Bouchard (RFA: 2025 w/ arb rights; UFA: 2027) will discuss an extension this summer.
EDM – More pressing things to address (GM, Draisaitl, McDavid).
Bouchard – High likelihood of building off Norris 5th place & starring in the playoffs.
– Daniel Nugent-Bowman (@DNBsports) July 5, 2024
Unless the situation changes this summer, or the two sides come to an agreement during the regular season, Bouchard is set to become a free agent on July 1, 2025.
Fortunately, he won’t become a UFA, but an arbitration-eligible RFA. Draisaitl, on the other hand, will be as free as a bird. So it’s only natural that the German’s file should be given priority.
In fact, his agent is very confident that he will stay in Alberta.
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From Leon Draisaitl’s agent (from SI) “very confident there will be an agreement with Edmonton” pic.twitter.com/nFgHarLLx5
– World Hockey Report (@worldhockeyrpt) July 5, 2024
As for Bouchard, he’s just had a terrific season.
82 points in 81 regular-season games and 32 points in 25 playoff games is no mean feat for an NHL defenseman. Let’s just say that wherever and whenever he signs, he’ll command a huge salary increase.
Currently, he earns only $3.9 million per season. Will he become the fourth active defenseman to be paid in the eight-figure range annually?
That’s probably what he’s aiming for. Will Edmonton have room under the salary cap?
Overtime
– Your dose of today’s highlights.
Ivan Demidov is a menace pic.twitter.com/aJnQII6Ccp
– /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) July 6, 2024
– Canada ahead after 45 minutes.
Half-time:
🇻🇪 0-1 🇨🇦
Good Canadian performance, but let’s hope the missed chances don’t come back to haunt Jesse Marsch’s men#CopaAmerica @RDSca pic.twitter.com/PbSQS3nj9I
– Olivier Brett (@Olivier_Brett) July 6, 2024
– The Ducks are active.
And Stian, too!
NEWS: We’ve signed defenseman Stian Solberg to a three-year entry-level contract#FlyTogether | @Opendoor https://t.co/BdXEPYo1J2
– Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) July 5, 2024