Defensive Depth
The Edmonton Oilers have a good problem right now. For a long time, too long; The organization have ran some of the worst d-corps in the entire league. That is, until this season. Oil fans rejoice as the team finally has competent defensemen (Good riddance Nikita Nikitin). Some smart signings like Russell and Benning have contributed heavily to this newly-found Defensive Depth. But a good problem is still a problem. The Las Vegas Golden Knights will be joining the NHL scene next season via Expansion draft. And Peter Chiarelli will have to make some tough decisions regarding the roster, of who to protect and who to expose. A prime example of a player subject to this is Brandon Davidson.
Brandon Davidson: Expansion Concerns
Brandon Davidson became waiver eligible last season though he stayed on the roster, and that was the right call. He was a bright spot on the team and has good underlying numbers to back him. However, he is probably a prime target for Vegas Knights GM George McPhee in the upcoming expansion draft. It is possible to protect Davidson, going the 8 Forward/Defense and 1 goalie route. But I think that is unlikely, as 7 forward 3 defense and 1 goalie is the other protection option. Also currently Davidson is playing in Darnell Nurse's since his injury. So despite being a really good player Davidson's place on this roster going forward is questionable. In fear of loosing Brandon for nothing, do we see him moved in a trade to at least get something back for him? Only time will tell, but I think it is a safe bet to say that we do in fact see Davison traded before the expansion draft.
Kris Russell: Re-sign the "shot blocker"?
Kris Russell was a late free agent signing, he agreed to terms of a one year deal worth 3.1 million on October 7th. Since coming to Edmonton the reaction has been a mixed bag. Some praise the signing as a steal and love his play through the "Eye Test." Others, more specifically the analytics crew look at his Corsi, Fenwick and other advanced stats and see a much different player, a bad player. Russell does block a lot of shots and has been a part of the winning formula this year. Regardless of opinion on him (which I will leave for you to hold your own) the one year deal provides some flexibility with him. Barring extension, Russell will not be expansion draft eligible, because he will be a unrestricted free agent. The Oilers could hypothetically have an unofficial/under-the-table extension deal with him and not re-sign him until after the expansion draft. Chiarelli has stated interest in re-signing him and with that we could very well see the hypothetical situation above unfold this offseason.
Matt Benning: Top 4 potential?
I think everyone can agree Matt Benning has been an excellent surprise, like Davidson the season before him. Matt Benning was actually drafted by the Boston Bruins 6th round in the 2012 NHL entry draft, yet a entry level deal was never signed between the two parties. When Keith Gretzky was brought in to be the Oilers assistant General Manager he was the one that heavily advocated to Chiarelli about signing Benning, and the right handed shot has been a welcome addition. Could Matt Benning become a top 4 defenseman for the Oilers? If so it would make re-signing Kris Russell a waste of precious cap space. What if in the future Benning is playing in Russell's spot and Russell is playing on the bottom pair or worse, he becomes Fayne/Ference 2.0. Which would be very bad with a little someone named Connor McDavid needing a contract. If Russell is re-signed to longer-term deal I think it shows that the Oilers Management don't believe Benning to be capable of a top 4 role.
Final Thoughts:
If I was the General Manager of the Edmonton Oilers, Davidson would be traded for something rather then lost in the expansion draft, It's just good asset management. I would try to re-sign Kris Russell to a contract extension, but try to get him on a shorter term deal such as a two or three year deal. That is because I do believe Matt Benning has the potential to be a top 4 defender. Nonetheless, I am not the GM of the Oilers; Peter Chiarelli is. These are interesting and exciting times for us Oiler fans but only time will truly tell the course of action the team takes in the days and weeks leading forward.
-Credit to CapFriendly and their excellent expansion draft tool: https://www.capfriendly.com/
Matt Chartrand
Writer - OILERS INSIDERS
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