The Edmonton Oilers traded forward Zack Kassian, the No. 29 pick, a 2024 third-round draft pick and a 2025 second-round draft pick to the Arizona Coyotes during the 2022 NHL Draft on Thursday. The Oilers received the No. 32 pick in return. Arizona drafted Maveric Lamoureux at No. 29, while Edmonton selected Reid Schaefer at No. 32.
Kassian, 31, signed a four-year, $12.8 million contract extension with the Oilers on Jan. 29, 2020. He has two years remaining on his contract.
Kassian recorded six goals and 13 assists in 58 games played for the Oilers in 2021-22. In seven seasons spent with the Oilers, Kassian posted 55 goals and 80 assists in 412 games played.
The Oilers (49-27-6) finished second in the Pacific Division. Edmonton lost in the Western Conference Final to the eventual Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche.
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(Photo: Sergei Belski / USA Today)
Is Kassian the right move to free up cap space?
Daniel Nugent-Bowman, Oilers writer: The cost isn't cheap, but the Oilers simply had to get rid of Kassian's contract. He had two years and $3.2 million AAV left on the deal, signed in January 2020. The four-year extension was one of GM Ken Holland's biggest mistakes in his three seasons in charge. It was too long and for too much money. Those issues were only exacerbated a few weeks later when a global pandemic hit, leading to a flat salary cap in the NHL.
Kassian's poor play over the last two seasons hasn't helped matters. He has 11 goals over his last 105 regular-season and playoff games. Kassian dined out on a line with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl for the 2019 calendar year; he's mostly been relegated to the bottom six ever since. The Oilers were a scant few million under the cap before the trade. That $3.2 million helps immensely.
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What can the Oilers do with the cap space?
Nugent-Bowman: They're waiting on a final word from goaltender Mike Smith about his playing future. They want an answer by Sunday.
The Oilers are preparing as though they'll need to find a new starting goalie, which will likely be costly. Forwards Ryan McLeod, Kailer Yamamoto and Jesse Puljujarvi need new contracts. Puljujarvi is a near-lock to be dealt, but the Oilers are looking for a player that can help now — not futures — so that means taking on money.
They’re also interested in bringing back defenseman Brett Kulak and re-signing or replacing winger Evander Kane. The latter will likely be a pricy endeavor.
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