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5 moves the Oilers can make to get back to the playoffs

By Derek Grochowski

EDMONTON, AB - APRIL 7: Players of the Edmonton Oilers salute the crowed following the game against the Vancouver Canucks on April 7, 2018 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images)
EDMONTON, AB - APRIL 7: Players of the Edmonton Oilers salute the crowed following the game against the Vancouver Canucks on April 7, 2018 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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EDMONTON, AB – MARCH 25: Darnell Nurse #25 of the Edmonton Oilers skates during the game against the Anaheim Ducks on March 25, 2018 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Darnell Nurse
EDMONTON, AB – MARCH 25: Darnell Nurse #25 of the Edmonton Oilers skates during the game against the Anaheim Ducks on March 25, 2018 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Darnell Nurse /

1. Summer spending

The Oilers are in decent position when it comes to free agency; they only have one big contract to negotiate. Darnell Nurse will be a restricted free agent and the Oilers will need to decide what to do with him. Will it be a long-term contract for big money? Or a cap-friendly extension for two years so when he hits unrestricted free agency? Outside of Nurse, none of the pending free agents are critical to bringing back. Benning, Caggiula and Slepyshev are all restricted free agents that the Oilers would like to bring back, but there are no major unrestricted free agents leaving.

The problem areas for the Oilers are on the blue line and bottom six forwards. Yes, they need someone who can play with McDavid, but to acquire one in free agency will be expensive. The Oilers will have some money, but they need to be smart with it as Connor McDavid’s extension kicks in. The Western Conference is tough to play in; the teams are fast and physical.

The Oilers can help their bottom six forwards by signing Antoine Roussel. Roussel has spent the last several seasons in Dallas he only had 17 points last season but has come close to eclipsing the 30-point mark several times. He is physical force he collected over 100 hits and penalty minutes last season.

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For a scoring touch and a player who possibly could play with McDavid or Draisaitl, the Oilers could reach out about James Neal. He is consistently a 20-to-25 goal scorer and a pure shooter. He would greatly benefit from playing with an elite playmaker like Connor McDavid.

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