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Oilers’ 3 Worst Contracts of 2023-24

The Edmonton Oilers have signed everybody they should besides Evan Bouchard, and with restricted cap area to signal him, the younger defenceman gained’t be among the many three worst contracts on the Oilers this season. While the crew has some superb contracts, others aren’t so good, and the crew must handle them if they’re to win a Stanley Cup. Better seasons in 2023-24 may soften the blow of the cap hits, and whereas that’s optimistic, it’s fully attainable.

Jack Campbell

The goaltending didn’t go as deliberate final season, however the place there have been downfalls in Jack Campbell‘s game, rookie Stuart Skinner stepped up in a huge way. Campbell was given a big contract in free agency in 2022 and was expected to be the starter for at least a few years before things went sideways in a hurry. He found it difficult to live up to expectations early and found himself taking a backseat to the rookie.

Jack Campbell, Edmonton Oilers (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Campbell only played 36 regular-season games for the Oilers in 2022-23, starting 34 of them. He lost the trust of the coaching staff, and when the postseason began, he never got the nod to start a game, even after coming in in relief four times. His $5 million average annual value (AAV) is way too expensive for a backup goalie, especially on a team trying to find any bit of money to fill out a 22-man roster. While there were some bright spots in Campbell’s sport final season, and he did carry out higher within the playoffs, he has loads to show in 2023-24 to wipe away the criticism and burden he felt at occasions to the crew on the ice. Everyone is rooting for him as a result of of the kind of particular person he’s and since Skinner can’t handle the workload alone.

Darnell Nurse

When Darnell Nurse signed his newest contract, he was referred to as overpaid even earlier than taking part in a sport on his new deal. Unfortunately, different number-one defencemen across the league have been signing comparable contracts, so the market was set; the Oilers may both overpay or lose their high blueliner with out a direct substitute. What harm the crew probably the most was signing Nurse to 2 bridge offers (at two years every), by the 2021 offseason, when he wanted a brand new deal, he had entered his prime and put collectively some spectacular seasons.

Related: Oilers’ Direction Will be Determined by Bouchard’s Contract


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There’s no arguing that Nurse does every little thing for the Oilers. While Evan Bouchard and Mattias Ekholm took a bit of the load off his shoulders and allowed him to play rather less, he nonetheless logs probably the most minutes, can play in all conditions, and is on the market defending the lead.

Part of the explanation he’s thought-about overpaid is as a result of he doesn’t common a point-per-game or play on the highest power-play unit. This doesn’t imply he isn’t succesful. He did man the purpose on the facility play years again after Oscar Klefbom received injured and earlier than Tyson Barrie and Bouchard arrived. The effort is there, and he’ll log loads of minutes with out tiring out, and he can rating targets. Still, he’ll be labeled overpaid till he matches the offensive degree of different high defencemen or turns into an elite defender.

Cody Ceci

If a top-pairing defenceman, who makes $3.25 million AAV, is one of the crew’s three worst contracts, the Oilers are in place to succeed. The downside is Cody Ceci shouldn’t be a high pairing defenceman, it’s simply how the crew is structured. He contributes little or no offensively however is pretty strong defensively – however not with out errors. I’d rank him because the fourth/fifth defenceman on the crew in phrases of effectiveness.

Cody Ceci Edmonton Oilers
Cody Ceci, Edmonton Oilers (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)

Ceci’s identify has come up in commerce rumours since he seems to be one of probably the most replaceable gamers on the crew. This means he may very well be doing extra in phrases of his cap hit, or cash may very well be higher utilized elsewhere. Even although his contract size isn’t so long as Campbell’s or Nurse’s, and the cash isn’t as excessive, two extra years isn’t best, particularly since he doesn’t work properly in any respect with Nurse as a associate (from “You’ll probably disagree, but the Edmonton Oilers should hold on to this able player,” Edmonton Journal, May 22, 2023). Still, Ceci doesn’t have a horrible contract, and the Oilers are fortunate they aren’t overflowing with gamers on dangerous offers.

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Unfortunately, all three gamers on this record have led to many targets towards. At the very least, I’m anticipating a greater season from all three in 2023-24. We know all eyes shall be on their each transfer.




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