Edmonton Oilers lost 63 goals from their roster this offseason: Have they replaced the lost offence?
Photo credit: Edmonton Oilers RAW
The Edmonton Oilers have lost a significant talent in free agency and trades this summer, totalling 63 goals from their offence last year - but they've also brought in enough additions to make up lost scoring.
With a goal of reshaping the forward group to get younger this offseason, the Oilers let go of multiple veteran players.
Corey Perry, Viktor Arvidsson, Connor Brown, Jeff Skinner, and Evander Kane are all off the team. That group combined for 63 goals and 116 points last season, but the Oilers new additions should be able to pick up the slack.
Edmonton Oilers new additions should outpace departing players offensively
With those veterans leaving, the Oilers are bringing in a fresh crop of players for a full season. Of their new additions, Trent Frederic could be considered part of the group after playing only 1 regular season game last year.
On the whole then, the Oilers will be bringing in the following group of players: Andrew Managiapane, Trent Frederic, Matthew Savoie, Isaac Howard, David Tomasek, and Curtis Lazar.
Frederic and Mangiapane are the only full time established NHLers on the list, and both players are coming off tough seasons in the wake of an injury.
Mangiapane scored just 28 points with the Capitals last year, his lowest since the 2018-19 season. Trent Frederic's last full healthy season in Boston was a career year with 18 goals and 40 points. Edmonton clearly believes he can replicate that after they signed him to an 8 year contract.
How much offence could the Oilers rookies bring next season?
Using Dobber Sports' NHLe calculator for point projections on the Oilers rookies, here's how they stack up:
Matthew Savoie - NHLe = 33
Isaac Howard - NHLe = 38
David Tomasek - NHLe = 59
Isaac Howard - NHLe = 38
David Tomasek - NHLe = 59
Each player in this category is a wild card, with Savoie and Howard having the toughest challenge making the jump to pro hockey. It's possible either player could exceed those totals with top six minutes and powerplay time, but not a guarantee.
David Tomasek's projected 59 points stands out as extremely high for someone who currently slots onto the Oilers 4th line - but perhaps the team sees more talent here.
Assuming Mangiapane and Frederic can match their production from their last fully healthy seasons, and adding it up with the rookies' NHLe rating, the Oilers additions come in at a total of 198 points. That's a massive increase from the 116 points departing the team.
So many more factors will influence how each of these players performs this season - ice time, transitioning to the NHL, injuries and more. Oilers analyst Jason Gregor believes the team may even bring in more talent at the trade deadline.
For now, it's apparent the Oilers have taken smart high-ceiling bets that should be able to make up for lost offence this offseason, and even have the potential to be much better.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 17 | 389 ANSWERS Edmonton Oilers lost 63 goals from their roster this offseason: Have they replaced the lost offence? Do you think the Oilers offence will be better or worse next year? | ||
| Better | 268 | 68.9 % |
| Worse | 121 | 31.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
TRENDING NOW
