Edmonton Oilers

If the Edmonton Oilers are unable to re-sign Evander Kane this summer, they have a pretty solid backup plan.

Edmonton is interested in free-agent forward Claude Giroux, according to The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun, who wrote that the Oilers "have internally discussed the merits of trying to sign" him.

Giroux is coming off an eight-year, $66.2 million deal that had an annual cap hit of $8.275 million. It's unclear what type of deal he's looking for this summer, but the Oilers should be able to make him an intriguing offer with $7.1 million in cap space, per CapFriendly.

The 34-year-old began the 2021-22 campaign with the Philadelphia Flyers before being traded to the Florida Panthers at the March deadline in exchange for Owen Tippett, a 2024 first-round pick and a 2023 third-round pick.

In 75 regular-season games, Giroux tallied 21 goals and 44 assists for 65 points. Just three of those goals came in his 18-game stint in Florida, though he added three goals and five assists for eight points in 10 playoff games with the Panthers.

LeBrun reported that the Panthers and Giroux are interested in striking a deal for him to return to South Florida, but the team has just $3 million in cap space this summer, per CapFriendly, which likely isn't enough to retain the veteran forward.

In addition, the Panthers have a number of other free agents to sign this summer, including Ben Chiarot and Mason Marchment.

That said, Giroux can play both center and left wing, which makes him one of the more intriguing free agents on the market. The Oilers could opt to put him on the top line alongside Connor McDavid or the second line alongside Leon Draisaitl.

In addition, Edmonton could opt to use Giroux as its third-line center, which would give the team an incredible amount of depth down the middle of the ice.

Giroux spent the first 14 and a half seasons of his career in Philadelphia, which selected him in the first round of the 2006 NHL draft. He earned one All-Star selection and tallied 291 goals and 609 assists for 900 points in 1,000 games with the franchise.

The Flyers ultimately decided to trade Giroux because he wanted an opportunity to win a Stanley Cup, and that likely wasn't going to be possible in Philadelphia as the franchise is in a retooling period.

In addition to the Oilers, LeBrun listed the Senators as a "team to watch" for Giroux because he and his family spend their summers in Ottawa, However, he noted "the allure of wanting to win a Cup ASAP would be the sticking point on that one even though it’s a young and talented team that’s on the rise. But maybe the Sens' pitch, if Ottawa decides to dive in on Giroux, wins him over."

Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews has won the 2021-22 Hart Trophy as the player viewed to be the most valuable to his team, it was announced Tuesday. He beat out Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid and New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin for the honor.

MVPAPI! pic.twitter.com/00w49VmY8B

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) June 21, 2022

Auston Matthews is first @MapleLeafs player in 67 years to claim the Hart Trophy. @AM34 is the third player in franchise history to claim @NHL MVP honors, following Ted Kennedy (1954-55) and Babe Pratt (1943-44). #NHLStats: https://t.co/gMUuQjy2dM pic.twitter.com/BEU5c1dghq

— NHL Public Relations (@NHLPR) June 21, 2022

2021-22 Hart Trophy voting pic.twitter.com/2yxd9j84lZ

— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) June 22, 2022

This marks Matthews' first Hart Trophy victory, and he is the first Maple Leaf to win the award since Ted Kennedy in 1954-55. He was also nominated for the award during the 2020-21 campaign but came in second behind McDavid.

Matthews had a dominant season for the Maple Leafs, scoring a career-high 60 goals and 46 assists for 106 points in 73 games. It was his third consecutive season with at least 40 goals, and he has never scored less than 34 goals in each of his six seasons.

The 24-year-old's efforts helped Toronto finish second in the Atlantic Division with a 54-21-7 record. The team's 54 wins and 115 points were the most in franchise history.

The Maple Leafs selected Matthews first overall in the 2016 NHL draft, and he has been one of the best forwards in the league since. He has tallied 259 goals and 198 assists for 457 points in 407 games.

In addition to winning the Hart Trophy, he won the 2021-22 Rocket Richard Trophy as the league's top goal scorer and the Ted Lindsay Award. He also won the Rocket Richard during the 2020-21 season and won the Calder Trophy as the NHL's top rookie during the 2016-17 season.

Matthews signed a five-year, $58.2 million deal with the Maple Leafs in 2019 and will be a free agent after the 2023-24 season. Based on the way he's been playing, he'll be in for a massive extension worth more than the $11.6 million annually he makes now.

Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews has won the 2021-22 Ted Lindsay Award as the NHL's most outstanding player, beating out Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid and Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi for the honor.

Game recognize game 🤜🤛 pic.twitter.com/6eE2DldV7i

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) June 21, 2022

Auston Matthews is the fourth different player in as many years to claim the Ted Lindsay Award. #NHLAwards
#NHLStats: https://t.co/tiJSAV0sNF pic.twitter.com/hGe25nEAPT

— NHL Public Relations (@NHLPR) June 21, 2022

Matthews is the first Maple Leaf and only the second United States-born player to win the award after Patrick Kane.

The 24-year-old also won the Rocket Richard Trophy as the NHL's leading goal scorer for the second straight season and won the Hart Trophy as the player viewed to be the most valuable to his team.

Matthews tallied a career-high 60 goals and 46 assists for 106 points in 73 games. He also recorded 19.2 percent of Toronto's goals, which helped the team finish second in the Atlantic Division with a 54-21-7 record and reach the playoffs for the sixth straight season.

The San Ramon, California native finished first in the NHL averaging 0.82 goals per game. It was the highest per-game rate for any player since Mario Lemieux averaged 0.99 goals per game in 1995-96. In addition, he finished first in the league with 44 even-strength goals.

The Maple Leafs selected Matthews first overall in the 2016 NHL draft, and he has been a staple in their lineup ever since. He won the Calder Trophy as the league's best rookie in 2016-17 after finishing with 40 goals and 29 assists for 69 points in 82 games and has also earned one All-Star selection.

In 407 career games, Matthews has had 259 goals and 198 assists for 457 points. He is under contract with Toronto through the 2023-24 season at $11.6 million per year.

The Eastern Conference Final was billed as a battle of the two best goaltenders in the world, while the Western Conference Final featured two of the best forwards in the world.

On Monday night, Nathan MacKinnon and the Colorado Avalanche bested Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers, just as many predicted.

It's not that MacKinnon is better than McDavid—though he might have a claim to being the second-best player in the world—but the Avalanche are built to win and built to win now. The Oilers overcame poor roster construction and a midseason coaching change to get to this point, but their season is over after Colorado completed the swept with a 6-5 overtime victory.

An Avs win always felt inevitable. They proved they belong in the Stanley Cup Final by stepping on the throats of their opponents and not letting up, from their opening series against the Nashville Predators to their second-round win versus the St. Louis Blues. After years of playoff disappointment, the narrative around the team has shifted as the Avalanche have exorcised playoff demons and shown they know how to win when it counts, and done so convincingly.

Artturi Lehkonen scored the overtime winner—which was fitting since he scored the overtime winner that sent the Montreal Canadiens to the Cup Final last year—but Cale Makar set it up with a rocket of a shot from the point, which was maybe even more fitting given how Makar has driven this team through the postseason.

The defenseman had a five-point night to bring his total to 22. His 17.43 expected goals in the postseason trail only McDavid's 20.68. He was named a Norris Trophy finalist for his incredible production in the regular season, and he's looked every bit as good in the postseason. He might be the best two-way defenseman in the league, and he proved that by being matched up with McDavid shift by shift.

Colorado has a deep defense corps outside of Makar and his partner, Devon Toews. The Avalanche lost Samuel Girard in the second round when he broke his sternum against the Blues, but Bowen Byram, who missed so much of the last few seasons with concussion issues, has been having a breakout postseason.

Per Corey Sznajder, the Avs blueliners have proved to be adept at evading pressure and avoiding turnovers.

Puck retrievals were the main category I added to my tracking this year. It's another way to look at zone eixts, but more of how good defensemen are at evading pressure to make plays or avoid turnovers. Not a surprise to see Colorado as the leader in the playoffs. pic.twitter.com/wmxUiuoucy

— Corey Sznajder (@ShutdownLine) June 6, 2022

And the defensemen had to be good, especially against McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. But the Oilers provided help in that regard, particularly in net.

Despite a characteristically dominant performance by McDavid and an unreal performance by a clearly hobbled Draisaitl, Edmonton was undone by inconsistent goaltending from Mike Smith and by a much deeper Colorado roster.

It's unfortunate that fans will have to wait yet another year to see if McDavid and Draisaitl can make it to a Stanley Cup Final, and it's maddening for fans in Alberta to see a team with world-class players continually come up short. There were times during this run that it felt like McDavid was singlehandedly winning games, dragging the Oilers from series to series.

Edmonton now has a lot of time off to figure out where to go next. General manager Ken Holland has to make a decision about interim coach Jay Woodcroft, and it's unlikely the club will be able to afford Evander Kane. The Oilers lack depth and a No. 1 goaltender and are in deep trouble with the salary cap.

That's a story for another day. For now, the focus is on Colorado.

While the Avs have been impressive, they're also banged up, and their depth will be tested in the Cup Final. Nazem Kadri was injured in Game 3, and it's unlikely he will play another game this season. He was making a case to win the Conn Smythe Trophy.

But the biggest question for the Avalanche in the next round is arguably goaltending. It's been an eventful postseason for netminders all over the league, and Colorado hasn't been immune to the drama. Darcy Kuemper was injured during Game 1 and missed Games 2-4.

Pavel Francouz recorded a shutout in Game 3 but allowed five goals in Game 4. Kuemper was able to back him up, which was a promising sign, and the time off will be beneficial.

A year ago, MacKinnon lamented Colorado's lack of postseason success in a sullen news conference. The desire to rewrite the narrative has helped power the Avs to the top, which is where a team with two top-five players belongs.

All they have to do now is finish the job to secure the legacy.

It's a sad day in Alberta's capital city.

Flags are coming down. Wagers are being paid. Beards are being shaved.

Because the Edmonton Oilers didn't win the Stanley Cup.

After a gut-wrenching 6-5 overtime loss to the Colorado Avalanche in Game 4 of the Western Conference Final completed an inglorious weeklong sweep, the franchise in the NHL's northernmost city won't be having a parade.

IT'S OVER. LEHKONEN SENDS THE AVS TO THE #STANLEYCUP FINAL https://t.co/dreQ4bNZWD

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) June 7, 2022

It's been 31 consecutive seasons since the franchise last hoisted the Stanley Cup when the team won its fifth title in seven years.

So for fans of a certain age, it’s just another unsatisfying spring in the “City of (Ex-)Champions.”

Still, it seems a little different this time around.

Rather than compiling post-mortems with more laundry lists of reasons the team can't win as currently constructed, those closest to the group are actually suggesting (gasp!) optimism.

Not surprisingly, the biggest reasons wear uniform Nos. 97 and 29.

Though the dynamic duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl captured four scoring titles, three MVPs and four Ted Lindsay Awards, they managed to win just eight playoff games—and one playoff series—across their first six seasons of playing together since McDavid was picked No. 1 overall in 2015.

Certainly shy of the four banners that Hall of Famers Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier hung before their partnership ended in 1988.

But stirring series wins over the Los Angeles Kings and Calgary Flames this spring created the momentum to suggest it can happen again—at least once because they're still a pretty good pair.

Even after a four-game erasure by the Avalanche, both McDavid (33) and Draisaitl (32) are still well ahead in the league's playoff scoring race thanks to the cartoonish rate at which they'd produced against the Kings and Flames.

Most points in a playoff year without making it to the #StanleyCup Final:
35- Doug Gilmour (TOR, 1993)
33- Connor McDavid (@EdmontonOilers in 2022 via 10 goals & 23 assists)
33- Rick Middleton (BOS, 1983)
32- Leon Draisaitl (EDM in 2022 via 7G-25A)
32- Barry Pederson (BOS, 1983) pic.twitter.com/su1HvP2zTn

— StatsCentre (@StatsCentre) June 7, 2022

That clip was on the heels of an equally absurd season in which they’d finished first and fourth in the league with a combined 233 total points.

And the best news? They’re no longer alone.

Individual accolades notwithstanding, the uptick in Edmontonian positivity has more than a little to do with the sturdier supporting cast assembled by embattled general manager Ken Holland.

Winger Zach Hyman was brought in on a seven-year, $38.5 million deal last summer and paid off with career-highs in goals (27) and points (54).

Evander Kane was plucked from the NHL bargain bin in late January and scored 35 goals in 58 regular and postseason games.

Minor-league coach Jay Woodcroft arrived after Dave Tippett was fired on February 10, and the Oilers responded with a 26-9-3 record down the stretch. It included a 14-0-1 run across the final 15 home games, as the Oilers set a new franchise record for consecutive games with a point at home.

In fact, Woodcroft's eight playoff wins are already tied for fifth in Edmonton's coaching history.

"A little bit of a younger voice," McDavid said of his head coach to the Canadian Press (h/t TheStar.com).

“He’s brought a lot of energy and a lot of passion to the job. We fed off that. The message he preaches is something that I think we all agree with. Something that we all can buy into.”

Woodcroft's bond with youngsters Ryan McLeod (two goals against Colorado) and Dylan Holloway (NHL debut in Game 4 of the WCF) was forged in the AHL and makes them vital to Edmonton as it heads into an important offseason. The Oilers have an onerous salary cap situation ($7.1 million) and uncertainty in goal and on defense.

Defensemen Evan Bouchard, 22, and Philip Broberg, 20, could be promoted to full-time, too, potentially giving the team nine of its own first-round picks in the everyday lineup.

The prolific Kane warrants a big boost from the prorated $1.38 million he made with the Oilers through season's end. Meanwhile, McLeod, Jesse Puljujarvi and Kailer Yamamoto are due for raises as restricted free agents alongside decisions to be made on another eight with unrestricted status.

A deep, skilled Colorado team revealed Edmonton's soft blue line, with an average of 43.0 shots allowed—following a season with a rate of 32.3 shots (12th-most in the NHL) and overall playoffs with an average of 38.9 shots (fourth-most)—that simultaneously magnified questions in the net.

Forty-year-old starter Mike Smith was statistically sound—2.81 goals-against average and .915 save percentage—for a second straight regular season.

But his inconsistency was never more apparent than in a series-defining Game 3 when a number of spectacular saves were followed by a game-winning goal by third-line center J.T. Compher that trickled through his legs with 7:18 remaining.

He allowed six goals on 42 shots in the finale—including four in the third period—and finished with a pedestrian .872 save percentage and a downright ugly 5.57 goals-against average. On the flip side, Avalanche backup Pavel Francouz posted a .908 and a 2.81 GAA.

Smith is signed for one more season at $2.2 million, while backup Mikko Koskinen's three-year, $13.5 million deal is expiring. Holland will either have to stand pat and give AHL stalwart Stuart Skinner a shot at the full-time job after a 14-game audition or swing a deal to bring in an established commodity.

It's a lot for a GM, particularly one who's 66, to contend with.

And if he doesn't make the right choices, it won't be long before familiar fan angst returns.

But while the season's practical result was similar—no Cup, again—a surprise run to the league's final four and the continued prolific presence of the world's best player go a long way toward exorcising a generation of demons.

It also provided Holland with some additional time to keep the good vibes going.

The Colorado Avalanche are headed to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2001.

Colorado completed its sweep of the Edmonton Oilers with a dramatic 6-5 overtime victory in Monday's Game 4 of the Western Conference Final. Artturi Lehkonen buried the overtime winner, and the Avalanche will now await the winner of the Eastern Conference Final between the Tampa Bay Lightning and New York Rangers.

IT'S OVER. LEHKONEN SENDS THE AVS TO THE #STANLEYCUP FINAL https://t.co/dreQ4bNZWD

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) June 7, 2022

It seemed for much of the game like the Oilers were going to prevent a celebration on their home ice.

Leon Draisaitl battled through injuries in a gutsy and inspiring performance to finish with four assists. Connor McDavid had two goals and one assist, while Zach Hyman scored twice. It should have been enough offense to win, but goaltender Mike Smith gave up three goals in under six minutes in the third period and the winner in overtime.

That collapse drew plenty of ridicule from social media:

https://twitter.com/alex_kirshner/status/1534002450226716672

At some point, your goalie needs to make a save

— Dan Riccio (@danriccio_) June 7, 2022

honestly gotta respect Mike Smith for getting burned basically every time he steps a single toe outside his crease but still continuing to do it every single game no matter the stakes. a stubborn king.

— Mike Stephens (@mikeystephens81) June 7, 2022

“3 goals on 5 shots in 5:49 for the Avalanche”

Mike Smith is awesome @nickmaraldo

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) June 7, 2022

Edmonton in the 3rd pic.twitter.com/tHxVYFetUk

— Laurence Holmes (@LaurenceWHolmes) June 7, 2022

Stop what you’re doing and turn on Avs/Oilers. Everyone’s locked in! Except maybe the goalies.

— Cousin Sal (@TheCousinSal) June 7, 2022

https://twitter.com/billdifilippo/status/1533998997727240194

Mike Smith was NOT happy after the Avs cut Edmonton's lead again 😅 https://t.co/mgzFLj3Ljy

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) June 7, 2022

The hockey community watching Mike Smith melt down… pic.twitter.com/jqduNuKvt1

— Mario Tirabassi (@Mario_Tirabassi) June 7, 2022

The M in Mike Smith stands for Meltdown

— Jake Shapiro (@Shapalicious) June 7, 2022

you won’t believe it but mike smith is mad at someone other than himself

— Sean Gentille (@seangentille) June 7, 2022

https://twitter.com/eplerjc/status/1534010790377771008

Edmonton's collapse was a primary storyline, but the Avalanche deserve plenty of credit on the other side. It would have been easy to just look ahead to Game 5 at home with a 3-1 lead after they fell behind by multiple goals, but the unstoppable attack continued to put pressure on Smith.

Cale Makar finished with one goal and four assists in an unbelievable performance, while Gabriel Landeskog and Lehkonen each had three points on one goal and two assists.

Colorado will be facing better goaltending in the Stanley Cup Final, but it will be difficult to stop the Avalanche if they continue playing at such a high level.

The Edmonton Oilers had an excellent 2021-22 season, even if it didn't result in a Stanley Cup title.

However, hopes are high for the future, given the team's young star power and continued, if incremental, improvement over the past four years.

The question now is how they surround that star power with a championship-worthy roster.

Below, we'll take a look at the team's own free agents and potential draft targets in the Oilers' offseason guide.

---

Free Agents

Mikko Koskinen, G

Kyle Turris, C

Brett Kulak, D

Evander Kane, LW

Kris Russell, D

Jesse Puljujarvi, RW

Kailer Yamamoto, C

Derick Brassard, C

Colton Sceviour, C

Brendan Perlini, LW

---

Offseason Outlook And Potential Draft Targets

When you have the NHL's most dynamic duo in Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, the offense isn't the issue.

But the goalie position will be in the spotlight, with Mikko Koskinen set to be a free agent. The 33-year-old started the majority of the games for the Oilers in the 2021-22 season, but it was Mike Smith who got hot down the stretch.

Neither player, it could be argued, has established themselves as the clear top option, and it could well be a position the Oilers explore in free agency or the draft. It's definitely a position to monitor this offseason.

Prospect Tyler Brennan could be an option for Edmonton in the second round at the goalie position, though that could be a slight reach. But the 18-year-old is one of the players to keep an eye on as the draft progresses.

The other obvious area of need is on the blue line, though it's possible the Oilers will return Darnell Nurse, Cody Ceci, Evan Bouchard, Tyson Barrie and Duncan Keith to their defense.

That will leave a major question: Does the team re-sign Brett Kulak and current No. 7 option Kris Russell, or turn to young players such as Philip Broberg, Markus Niemelainen and Dmitri Samorukov to fill out those final roles?

Perhaps the team will shake up the blue line even further, turning outside of the current options to improve its options.

Regardless, don't be surprised if the position is a priority in the draft. Pavel Mintyukov, Kevin Korchinski, Owen Pickering, Ty Nelson, Tristan Luneau and Calle Odelius are all blue-liners the Oilers could nab in the first round.

NHL legend Wayne Gretzky's jersey from his final game with the Edmonton Oilers—a 6-3 victory over the Boston Bruins to clinch the 1988 Stanley Cup—has sold on Grey Flannel Auctions for $1.45 million.

Wayne Gretzky’s last game-used Oilers jersey, matched to the 1988 Stanley Cup Finals, sells tonight on @GF_Auctions for $1.45 million. pic.twitter.com/h6mah2htAC

— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) June 6, 2022

Per ESPN's Dan Hajducky, it is the most money ever spent on a hockey jersey.

Gretzky posted 40 goals and 109 assists on the 1987-88 Oilers, who went 16-2 in the playoffs en route to their fourth Stanley Cup title. He put up 12 goals and 31 assists in the postseason and won the Conn Smythe Trophy for his efforts.

Three months after the season, the Oilers traded him to the Los Angeles Kings. The "Great One" finished his 20-year career in 1999 as the NHL leader in career goals scored, assists and points.

The NHL Department of Player Safety announced that Edmonton Oilers left wing Evander Kane has been suspended one game for boarding Colorado Avalanche center Nazem Kadri.

The play occurred early in Game 3 of the Avs' Western Conference Final series against the Edmonton Oilers.

Evander Kane was given a 5-minute major for boarding on this hit on Nazem Kadri. #StanleyCup | #LetsGoOilers | #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/xRv9dN2WQs

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 5, 2022

Kane received a five-minute major penalty.

Kadri is out for at least the remainder of the Western Conference Final because of an undisclosed injury, per Avs head coach Jared Bednar (h/t Peter Baugh of The Athletic).

According to Gene Principe of Sportsnet, Kadri was seen with a soft cast on his right wrist Sunday.

The Avalanche lead the best-of-seven series three games to none after a 4-2 win over the Oilers on Saturday. Game 4 will take place on Monday at 8 p.m. ET in Edmonton.

Kadri is a big loss for the Avs. The 31-year-old has been sensational in this year's playoffs with six goals and eight assists in 13 games. He notably had the primary assist on the Avs' first three goals in a 4-0 win over Edmonton in Game 2.

Kane won't be easy to replace either. The 30-year-old dominated in limited action this year with 22 goals and 17 assists in 43 games. That's in addition to his NHL-high 13 goals in this season's playoffs.

Ultimately, the Oilers' backs are against the wall down 3-0. While not impossible, a comeback is unlikely against the Western Conference's top seed this year. The question for the Avs is the state of Kadri's health come Stanley Cup time.

It's unclear when the Final will take place until the New York Rangers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning series nears its conclusion. Right now, the Blueshirts hold a 2-1 series edge with Game 4 set for Tuesday. But Kadri would be a tough loss if he's forced to miss any Stanley Cup time.

For now, both teams need to regroup without their productive forwards as the Western Conference Final moves on.