Oilers insider suggests team may send veteran to AHL if trade doesn't work

Oilers insider Bob Stauffer has suggested previously that the Oilers could be looking to clear around $1.5M in salary cap space next year. Given Janmark's $1.45M contract and lineup spot as a 4th liner, he's the odd man out.

Janmark has a 10 team no-trade list on his contract for the next two seasons. That could making moving him a tad more difficult, but realistically, they should be able to find a fit with the 21 remaining teams.

But if now team is willing to take Janmark on, Stauffer has also hinted that he could be moved to the AHL, which would still provide the team some salary cap relief.

By Stauffer's own projected lineup, Janmark has fallen to the 4th line with Curtis Lazar, David Tomasek, and Noah Philp waiting in the wings.

Janmark has been a solid penalty killer and energy player the last two years, but realistically, those are talents that can be taught to other players. Janmark only scored 2 goals last season too, which practically any player could improve on.

Given their offseason moves this year, it's clear the Oilers aren't giving ice time to the veterans just for the sake of it anymore. The Oilers will be prioritizing positive value contracts, youth, and upside - and Janmark just doesn't fit that bill.