Edmonton Oilers owner Daryl Katz's playoff cash cow disappeared when his hockey club went out after just three home games in the Round 1 loss to Anaheim. He lost that gravy ticket, merchandise, and concession money that was rolling in the previous two springs.
He cannot be a happy camper. Nor should he be. So, he will be asking questions, lots of them, evaluating, and possibly assessing blame somewhere for this. Players, coaches, and management are all under scrutiny. This is what happens when the owner sees dollar signs and the team is not winning a Stanley Cup.
As a corollary, captain Connor McDavid, finishing up his 11th season, is entitled to sit down with the powers-that-be and say, "You are officially on the clock. As you know, I gave the team a hometown deal on my two-year, $25 million extension starting July 1. So how are we winning a Cup as I approach 30? What is the plan?" McDavid wants clarity. Those words from GM Stan Bowman after signing 97 last October ring loudly today: "He likes to know what is coming and what the thoughts are."
There is much on Bowman's plate after this first-round loss.
Key Questions for the Oilers
1. Darnell Nurse's Future
Does Bowman go to longest-tenured defenseman Darnell Nurse and say this is not working at his $9.25 million price point? For cap reasons, will he waive his no-trade clause and provide a list of teams he might want to play for?
2. Coach Kris Knoblauch's Status
Coach Kris Knoblauch's three-year extension starts next season after two trips to the final, but 12 quick days and the Oilers are out of the playoffs this spring. How is that relationship going for the GM? If Knoblauch stays, does he want the same assistants?
3. Free Agent Decisions
The Oilers have six UFA forwards: trade deadline pickup Jason Dickinson, Kasperi Kapanen, Jack Roslovic, Adam Henrique, Curtis Lazar, and Max Jones, plus defenseman Connor Murphy and goalies Connor Ingram and Calvin Pickard. They will not keep them all.
4. Free Agent Strategy
Should Bowman take the SIM card out of his cell phone on July 1 and make no calls to player agents to add a free agent or two, given the Oilers' strikeout ratio the past two summers?
5. Goaltending Dilemma
How does he handle goalie Tristan Jarry, who has two years left at $5.385 million but had an .857 save percentage after the Penguins trade? Is there a market for him elsewhere, or are they locked into hoping he plays like a $5 million goalie?
Goaltending History
Regarding goaltending, one wonders what the Oilers were thinking in 2021 when they had goalie Jesper Wallstedt available but traded back two spots for a third-round pick and took winger Xavier Bourgault. What is the statute of limitations on that error? Who was selling the team on the idea that there were disturbing red flags with the Swedish tender?
