Edmonton Oilers defender possible cap causality as they try to get under the cap
Edmonton Oilers Face Salary Cap Challenge Ahead of 2024-2025 Season
The Edmonton Oilers reached the Stanley Cup Final this past season, instilling a newfound belief among fans and the organization that they can replicate this success. However, with the team approximately $354,000 over the salary cap, interim General Manager Jeff Jackson faces the task of navigating this financial hurdle.
There are two potential solutions to address the cap issue:
Long-Term Injured Reserve (LTIR) for Evander Kane:
Kane, who was dealing with a hip injury during the finals, could be placed on LTIR if his condition warrants it, freeing up approximately $5.125 million in cap space. However, Kane's current injury status and potential complications with trading him make this a less straightforward option. Additionally, Kane's reputation as a challenging teammate and inconsistent performance last season complicate this scenario.
Trading Defenseman Cody Ceci:
A more viable option might be trading Cody Ceci, who has a cap hit of $3.25 million. Ceci had a resurgence this past season and could attract interest from teams seeking a right-shot defenseman with low term, as he will become a UFA after this season. Trading Ceci would provide cap relief and might be the easiest path to compliance.
"While trading Kane has been a topic of discussion since the middle of last season, it's not likely possible with his current injury status. It is common knowledge that Kane can be a bad teammate and his play was rather inconsistent during the last campaign. Ceci on the other hand had a resurgence of sorts this past season. Moving him may make more sense as he could have a lineup of suitors who are looking for that right-shot defenceman with low term and will become a UFA after this season. It's a low gamble, potentially high reward move that could elevate a team looking for a player that Ceci can offer."
If the Oilers opt to move Ceci, they would need to find a suitable replacement for the role he played so effectively. The team would likely look to internal options or the free agent market to fill the gap left by his departure. The key is finding someone who can match Ceci's contributions without exceeding the cap constraints.
Navigating these financial challenges is crucial for the Oilers as they aim to build on last season's success and make another deep playoff run. The decisions made by Jeff Jackson and the Oilers' management team in the coming weeks will be pivotal in shaping the team's roster and cap situation for the 2024-2025 season.
| POLL | ||
How should the Edmonton Oilers get to cap compliance? | ||
| Trade Cody Ceci | 12 | 27.3 % |
| Put Evander Kane on LTIR | 28 | 63.6 % |
| Other(suggest in comments) | 4 | 9.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
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