Who is left for the Edmonton Oilers to sign for free agency?

The work is far from over for the Edmonton Oilers.

Yes, Jesse Puljujarvi and Kailer Yamamoto got new deals, but Ryan McLeod and Tyler Benson still need new deals. As previously mentioned, the Oilers have already hit the salary cap, even accounting for Mike Smith and Oscar Klefbom on the road to LTIR.

So something is needed. I still think Warren Foegele is the most likely candidate to move, but Tyson Barrie would be the smartest. If the Oilers could move both, that would be even better.

Ken Holland was on TSN1260 yesterday where he admitted there was still work to be done. Not only that, but there’s a certain type of player the Oilers want to sign.

“Probably more in his mid to late 20s,” Holland said, adding the Oilers could be looking at someone who is undervalued in the market.

He too was later asked if Phil Kessel was a possibility: “Regarding Phil Kessel I obviously mean everyone that’s in the market that I know of and have spoken to their agents.

“Well, we’ll see. I won’t say yes. I won’t say no I think that depends on doing something about our lineup before camp opens.”

Phil is an interesting case. Last season, he was an offensive play driver who fielded his Arizona Coyotes teammates with strong numbers. In 82 games, he had eight goals and 52 points in another solid producing season for the veteran who ages like fine wine. After his massive eight-year, $8 million AAV deal, Kessel is still unsigned and could likely have around $1 million.

Another option could be Sonny Milano. The 26-year-old is coming off one of his best seasons in the NHL, in which he has a career-high goals scorer (14) and averages for assists (20) and points (34) in 66 games. Nevertheless, he remained unsigned on the market. Milano was a great playmaker in the Anaheim Ducks’ top-6 last year. According to hockeyviz.com, he contributed on offense at a rate six percent above the league average and on defense at a rate seven percent above the league average. He also excelled in finishing and making teammates.

Evan Rodrigues, 28, is another appetizing option as a player coming off a career year. He had career-best goals (19), assists (24) and points (43) while playing mostly third-row for the Pittsburgh Penguins. According to hockeyviz.com, his graduation rates were four percent below the league average, while his hiring rate was in line with the league average. Despite this, he delivered offense at a rate of eight percent above the league average and defensive at a rate of seven percent above the league average. He’s inked a year-long, $1 million proof-it deal and looks set to land another similar deal this summer.

Zach Aston-Reese is another ex-Penguin I’d be interested in. The 27-year-old has five goals and 15 points in 69 games, but offense isn’t his calling card. According to hockeyviz.com, he played in a third-row role and was a defensive specialist, contributing nine percent above the league average.

In terms of defenders who could replace Tyson Barrie at right, the list is limited. Mark Stone might make sense. He delivered offense at a rate six percent above the league average and defense at a rate four percent above the league average. PK Subban delivered offense at a rate five percent above the league average and defense at a league average rate. Greg Pateryn delivered both offense and defense at five percent above the league average.

Scoring goals won’t be a problem for the Oilers. Keeping the puck out of the net will be.

Zach Laing is the news director and senior columnist for The Nation Network. You can follow him on Twitter at @zjlaingor reachable by email at [email protected]

NATION VACATION presented by PointsBet Canada. Join us for the nation’s first-ever summer vacation in Toronto! For only $1399 + taxes, you get everything in the graphic and memories that will last a lifetime.