Fansided

One free agent every NHL team should sign this offseason

By C.L. Kohuss

NEWARK, NJ - APRIL 18: Patrick Maroon #17 of the New Jersey Devils heads out to play against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Prudential Center on April 18, 2018 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ - APRIL 18: Patrick Maroon #17 of the New Jersey Devils heads out to play against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Prudential Center on April 18, 2018 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – DECEMBER 09: New York Islanders defenseman Calvin De Haan (44) looks to pass during a game between the Boston Bruins and the New York Islanders on December 9, 2017, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, The Bruins defeated the Islanders 3-1. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – DECEMBER 09: New York Islanders defenseman Calvin De Haan (44) looks to pass during a game between the Boston Bruins and the New York Islanders on December 9, 2017, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, The Bruins defeated the Islanders 3-1. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Edmonton Oilers: Calvin de Haan, Defenseman

Edmonton was one of the biggest disappointments this past year. After claiming second in the Pacific Division in 2017 with 103 points, it fell to sixth place and 78 points. The Oilers missed the postseason for the 11th time in 12 seasons. They have too much talent in the form of Connor McDavid, Leon Draisatl and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins to miss the playoffs in 2019.

Cap space is an issue, though. With $16 million available and six restricted free agents to sign, Edmonton has to go shopping in the value section. It was dead last on the powerplay and only 20th in goals for, which is mind-boggling. In fairness, the team is still pretty young. Only one forward is over 30. Unfortunately there isn’t a lot of powerplay help on the market, at least none in Edmonton’s price range.

If the New York Islanders don’t try and resign defenseman Calvin de Haan (which they should), he might be a nice risk to take for the Oilers. A former first round pick in 2009, de Haan has been solid for New York in putting up a good defensive game with decent offensive numbers to boot. He had 25 points last season and was a plus-15. This past season, he offered 12 points and a plus-11 before being lost for 49 games due to injury. That injury will likely drop his current salary of $3.3 million. This is a move Edmonton should look into making. de Haan is also one of the better penalty killers the Islanders have. So that will help a unit that ranked seventh worst at 76.7 percent.

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