NHL Rumors: Edmonton Oilers – Evan Bouchard, Cody Ceci, Brett Kulak, and Jack Campbell

How costly could an Evan Bouchard long-term extension be for the Edmonton Oilers?

Jim Matheson: “If we’re wondering what Evan Bouchard will get in new deal after next season, Adam Fox, who is very much same offensive talent, has $9.5m cap hit in New York. But deal kicked in 2022 after he won Norris trophy, and cap is going up. It could be $92m in 2025. So, $10m?”

The Edmonton Oilers could trade Cody Ceci or Brett Kulak this offseason

Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: (mailbag) After the trade deadline, still think that the Edmonton Oilers are short a defenseman and a top-six forward.

Fans seem to target Cody Ceci for his play. He should be a fifth or sixth defenseman on a Stanley Cup contending team but he’s playing in their top four.

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The Oilers missed out on Chris Tanev and Sean Walker at the deadline. The Oilers didn’t want to part with their first-round pick.

This offseason would expect the Oilers to trade either Ceci or Brett Kulak for salary cap reasons. A Kulak trade would open up a roster spot for Philip Broberg. Vincent Desharnais needs a new contract and they might have interest in re-signing trade deadline acquisition Troy Stecher on a cheap deal.

The Edmonton Oilers will have a decision to make on Jack Campbell

David Staples of the Edmonton Journal: The Edmonton Oilers re-signed 23-year-old AHL goaltender Olivier Rodrigue to a one-year deal.

The Oilers have Jack Campbell playing really well in the AHL and he has three years left at $5 million per. Do the Oilers decide to keep him, buy him out or do they try to trade him with retained salary?

Calvin Pickard is a free agent, so if he’s brought back, it’s hard to see Campbell or Rodrigue beating him out. Rodrigue will require waivers next year.

A Campbell buyout would carry cap hits of $1.1 million, then $2.3 million, $2.6 million, and three years of $1.5 million.

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Unless the Oilers can trade Campbell with a reasonable salary retention, it may be better for them to hold on to Campbell for one more year as insurance as opposed to buying him out.