These are the players Edmonton Oilers General Manager Stan Bowman should keep...and kick
It is decision time.
While the Edmonton players and their fans spend time dealing with the emotions of consecutive losses in The Stanley Cup Finals, the Oilers General Manager's job is instead to forge ahead immediately.
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Stan Bowman has already signaled that his job is to keep this club in the running for Lord Stanley's mug and has suggested some areas where he will focus. It will mean retaining many players, but replacing others. So, who will he kick and who will he be compelled to keep?
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Yes, there are automatics where you may go 'Duh, Leavins'! And yes, some of these guys have time left on their contracts, no move clauses, and other such things. But as I like to say: There is more than one way to skin a cat.
You may be one of those who think the whole thing should be blown up. That is your prerogative. But I contend that a team that gets to the final in back-to-back years does not require major surgery.
Parameters: We will rate any player still in the Edmonton organization from this regular season and/or playoffs that played a single game or more. That is thirty-four players, both skaters and goalies. The list is in order of regular season games played.
Ready? Set? Go!
Kick or Keep
EVAN BOUCHARD. Keep. If you are one of the people who think Bouchard will not be worth the money he is sure to get in an extension or that he should be shipped out of town, all I can say is…give your head a shake.
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CONNOR BROWN. Kick. Brown played his best hockey in five years. But he can get more elsewhere for what the Oilers should spend on a fourth liner. I would not hold that against him.
BRETT KULAK. Keep. Hometown guy has contributed three consecutive seasons of excellent post-season performances plus his best regular season ever.
VASILY PODKOLZIN. Keep. Value contract. Hard-to-play-against, younger player with a defensive conscience and good wheels.
COREY PERRY. Keep. Yes, this club needs an infusion of youth. But it is clear the forty-year-old Perry is an important part of this team's DNA and is coming off an impressive year. Needs to be a value contract, though. There is substantial risk.
ADAM HENRIQUE. Keep. Some will not agree, and I hear you, but Henrique proved his worth in the playoffs with stout defensive play and reliability in the faceoff circle. He is a good 3C on any competitive team.
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MATTIAN JANMARK. Kick. I respect the players' contributions, but a twenty-something should have that roster spot.
RYAN NUGENT-HOPKINS. Keep. As the cap rises his contract will remain a relative bargain. If his fine post-season performance is any indication, this fan favorite still has lots left in the tank.
DARNELL NURSE. Keep. I can hear the detractors howling now. But look, even if I agreed with you who exactly is taking his contract? And at what transaction cost?
TY EMBERSON. Keep. Young, physical, affordable, right shot D-man. Signed.
ZACH HYMAN. Keep. As Joni Mitchell famously wrote, 'you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone.'
JEFF SKINNER. Kick. Perhaps if the entire year had gone the way the back half did. But it did not.
LEON DRAISAITL. Keep. Franchise player. Signed long-term.
CONNOR MCDAVID. Keep. Franchise player. If you can, sign him long-term, too.
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VIKTOR ARVIDSSON. Kick. Not without attributes but it has clearly not worked out for either side.
TROY STECHER. Keep. Signed for another year on an impossibly cheap contract for his worth.
MATTIAS EKHOLM. Keep. Until I see a 100% healthy Ekholm struggle like he did at the end of the Florida series, I will still believe he is a Top four D-man all day.
KASPERI KAPANEN. Kick. Useful player like his tools. But let's be honest. You can find these guys in October for the league minimum.
STUART SKINNER. Keep. So, you want to toss out a twenty-six-year-old home-grown goalie with fifty games of postseason experience and two cup appearances? With whom? And for how much? The G.M. owes it to the organization to cast about, but…
DEREK RYAN. Kick. He plans to retire, though, so the decision is academic. Admirable career.
CALVIN PICKARD. Keep. He has done nothing but help this franchise. Even if they acquired a third goalie, he would be excellent depth.
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MAX JONES. Kick. No offence to the player, but the pro scout who liked him so much should be looking over his shoulder.
JAKE WALMAN. Keep. Terrific acquisition, Bowman's best to date. A well-rounded, still young, all-situations D-man on a decent deal.
NOAH PHILP. Keep. Big, still fairly young right-handed center. RFA. A two-way deal should be possible. Zero risk.
JOHN KLINGBERG. Kick. Made a solid contribution, so much so that he can get better money elsewhere, like Connor Brown. And good for him if he can.
JOSH BROWN. Kick. But who will take that contract?
TRAVIS DERMOTT. Kick. Too tough of a lineup for him to crack.
DRAKE CAGGIULA. Kick. Twice an Oiler, good pro, but time for someone a decade younger.
MATTHEW SAVOIE. Keep. This team needs a youth infusion. Savoie looks NHL-ready. If he is not, then trade him.
CAM DINEEN. Keep. A good, cheap pro for a team that desperately needed veteran d in Bakersfield.
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OLIVIER RODRIGUE. Kick. If he has not made it by now…
QUINN HUTSON. Keep. Organization is tragically short of young offensive prospects.
TRENT FREDERIC. Keep. His type of player is rare. Do your best to see beyond the high ankle strain. Although I do worry about term for his player type.
EVANDER KANE. So, can you replace what a healthy Kane brings for less? I get that some want to spend his $5.125m salary elsewhere. And injuries have become a concern at his age. But 1) I think it will cost a lot to trade Evander Kane and 2) You need more guys like him in the post-season, not fewer. I will relent and say Kick…but I reserve the right to repeat 1) and 2) if they ultimately choose to Keep him.
In the weeks to come, I will be producing a series of articles where I dig deeper into some of these…particularly the ones I believe need to leave town.
Stay tuned.
Now on Bluesky @kurtleavins.bsky.social. Also, find me on Threads @kleavins, Twitter @KurtLeavins, Instagram at LeavinsOnHockey, and Mastodon at KurtLeavins@mstdn.social. This article is not AI generated.
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