Insider says some Oilers willing to take discount, others want free agency
According to new reports from NHL insider Frank Seravalli, Mattias Janmark is willing to take a discount to stay with the Oilers, but Vincent Desharnais may test free agency.
When Janmark broke into the NHL in Dallas, he was a threat for 20 goals each year. That quickly dropped off, and now he's a solid fourth liner who excels on the penalty kill. In free agency Janmark may be able to command up to $1.75M, but Seravalli is reporting that he would take a more team friendly deal with longer term.
His last 7 contracts have all been one year deals, and now Janmark is understandably looking for stability. This season Janmark makes just $1M, and it's possible he could resign a three year deal just north of that number. He's now 31 years old with 557 NHL games played, totalling just 80 goals and 195 points.
On the other hand, Vincent Desharnais is looking to cash in on his performance with the Oilers this season, and will not take a team-friendly deal. After being drafted in the 7th round and making his NHL debut at age 26, Desharnais is looking to get paid, and to stay in the NHL.
According to multiple sources, Desharnais could fetch up to $2.5M in free agency as teams covet his size and right hand shot. However, with the Oilers taking him out of the lineup to get better results with Philip Broberg, it looks like the team wants to focus on a puck-moving blueline - and Desharnais doesn't fit that bill.
Of course all focus is on Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final for now, but in just a few days time the season will be over and free agency season will begin. The Oilers are undoubtedly already discussing their offseason moves, to either keep this team together and make the improvements needed to make another long playoff run next season.
Source: Frank Seravalli
Couple notes regarding a couple EDM UFAs (Per Seravalli):
| POLL | ||
Do you think the Oilers should pay Vincent Desharnais to keep him? | ||
| No, let him walk | 231 | 48.9 % |
| Yes, he's needed on the back end | 207 | 43.9 % |
| See Results | 34 | 7.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
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