Oilers set to enter cap hell, may lose two key players this summer

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Ryan Hall
May 24, 2024 (7:47 PM)

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It appears that the Oilers are set to lose two bottom six players over the course of this summer as their contracts are set to expire and their price tag are too high.

It's clear that Oilers forward Warren Foegele and Oilers centre Adam Henrique are set to have big raises which could be well above $4 million per year. The Oilers will also make a major decision on whether Ken Holland will remain as general manager
as many hints have been led to think he will retire at the end of this playoffs.

Losing Foegele and Henrique would certainly put a hole in their bottom 6 but at those prices being mentioned, it's likely the Oilers will let them walk into unrestricted free agency. Both players have important roles on the roster. Their decisions will also reflect on their defence core with Evan Bouchard who has one year remaining on his deal and superstars Leon Draisaitl who will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of next year and Connor McDavid two years from now.

Oilers expected to see major changes this summer

It's quite likely that this roster will look vastly different going into next season as Holland or whoever will be the general manager will need to make a choice on which direction the team will go. There's also the question of more depth and a potential look at goaltending as the Oilers will need to plan on their backup goaltender along with the contract of Jack Campbell.

With only 14 players signed for next year and having only $9.3 million in cap space currently it's safe to say the Oilers are in cap hell will be looking at these major changes to try to fit themselves under the cap for next year.