Oilers poised to trade veteran forward just after signing 3-year contract
Photo credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
32 thoughts podcaster and Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman feels the Edmonton Oilers will re sign Kasperi Kapanen to a contract which will likely lead the team to trading Mattias Janmark.
Janmark signed a three-year deal worth $4.35 million in 2024 and currently holds a cap hit of $1.45 million until 2026-2027 with some pundits feeling that the Oilers do not need two of the same players.
Kapanen has proven his value to the Oilers in this playoff
Kapanen has shown his value after being plucked from the waiver wire when he was with the Saint Louis Blues and held a cap hit of $1 million for one year.
He had given the Oilers great production during the playoffs as he had played 12 games, scoring three goals with three assists for four points and was a + 4.
This kind of play will certainly give reasons for Oilers general manager Stan Bowman to offer him a contract extension as the Oilers will be seeking players who are lower cost and who are effective in the bottom six.
Janmark played 10 more games in the playoffs then Kapanen and scored three goals with one assist for four points and was a + 5.
Being four years older and lower production at a higher cost, it's safe to say Bowman may likely look to move Janmark to free up cap space.
Oilers looking at forwards and goaltending as areas to improve
Bowman expressed that he is willing to make major changes to the roster going into next season as he states the team will not look the same in October.
Goaltending and his forward group will be the areas of focus it will look at changing the complexion of his bottom 6 forwards and seeking more production.
Through the first three rounds of the playoffs, the Oilers received secondary scoring from all four lines but dried up quickly when the team met up against the Florida Panthers.
Several factors were at play for their demise in the Stanley Cup finals but it's safe to say that players like Kapanen outplayed players like Janmark who made see themselves on the outside looking in and on another organization.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 23|1186 ANSWERS Oilers poised to trade veteran forward just after signing 3-year contract Should the Oilers trade Mattias Janmark and keep Kapseri Kapanen this summer? | ||
| Yes | 733 | 61.8 % |
| No | 453 | 38.2 % |
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