The Edmonton Oilers may be in search of a depth ahead and making an attempt to handle their wage cap with the uncertainty surrounding Evander Kane‘s well being. As such, so long as the Oilers purchase helpful gamers, trades that ship cash out however carry much less a reimbursement may be thought of a win. That’s what makes the stories that Ryan McLeod is offered out of the Buffalo Sabres group so intriguing.
With the NHL commerce deadline approaching, the Sabres are doubtless sellers once more. Rumors have surfaced about them making McLeod out there. Given his talent set as a penalty killer and speedy depth middle, ought to the group contemplate a reunion?
There’s been a variety of discuss how this Oilers group lacks a number of the chemistry it had final season. Bringing again one of many gamers who helped throughout their run to the Stanley Cup Remaining may be a method to assist right a mistake.
That’s, assuming the Oilers imagine it was a mistake.
What McLeod Would Carry Again to the Oilers
First, McLeod is understood for his velocity. The Oilers misplaced a variety of it this summer season once they traded McLeod, let Dylan Holloway go in a suggestion sheet, and noticed Warren Foegele signal with the Los Angeles Kings.
Second, McLeod has actual penalty-killing skills. Edmonton’s kill has been struggling of late.
Lastly, this group might have a inexpensive however dependable third-line middle if administration is handcuffed by the wage cap and Kane’s LTIR scenario. For instance, if the Oilers moved Adam Henrique to Buffalo in trade for McLeod, they might be saving $900k. If the Oilers may get the Sabres to retain 50%, even higher.
Would It Be Smart To Strive McLeod Once more? He Wasn’t At all times Constant
Paradoxically, Edmonton as soon as had McLeod of their lineup earlier than transferring him for Matt Savoie. He struggled to attain or carry a bodily presence and infrequently confronted heavy criticism from the media and fanbase. Nonetheless, he’s having a greater yr in Buffalo with 14 objectives and 31 factors in 54 video games.
Now, with Edmonton doubtlessly in search of ahead depth, McLeod’s availability raises an attention-grabbing query: Ought to the Oilers attempt to carry him again? His capacity to kill penalties and supply velocity within the backside six may very well be useful in a deep playoff run. Nonetheless, given how issues resulted in Edmonton, would administration contemplate a reunion?
If McLeod is really out there, the Oilers might have to weigh the choice fastidiously. If it’s the primary of a collection of strikes that permits the Oilers to fill holes of their lineup, it may be price exploring.
Subsequent: Why Are Evander Kane Commerce Rumors Instantly Popping Up?
