Rumor Has it PK Subban is Connected to the Edmonton Oilers

Kurt Leavins of the Edmonton Journal has suggested that the Edmonton Oilers are connected to free agent defenseman P.K. Subban. Also mentioned is the fact that Edmonton has inquired about Subban in the past.

The two sides do make a lot of sense. Subban has said he still has the drive to play, so a contending team makes the most sense, and bolstered by the Oilers' loaded, high-flying group led by Connor McDavid, he could be quite successful in another kick at the can. He will also likely sign to a near-minimum cap hit. On the other side, Edmonton is $6 million over the salary cap, but Oscar Klefbom's $4.167 million saved on LTIR plus Mike Smith's $2.2 million that could go to LTIR, they are just below the cap ceiling.

If GM Ken Holland decides to shed a contract or two, Tyson Barrie's $4.5 million make lot of sense, and if I'm Ken Holland, that is a trade I have zero hesitation making:

The key differences here are that Subban was on a troubled Devils team, while Barrie was on a loaded Oilers team. Subban is maybe the better defenseman by a nose, but he's also two years older and takes way more penalties -- some of them are slew-foots, yes. But generally the end-product would probably look pretty similar, but PK would command ~$3.5 million less, which is the difference between Mike Smith playing and not playing, not factoring in possible future injuries. A move worth considering, at the very least.

Leavins also wonders about Phil Kessel, who also remains unsigned:

Kessel, 34, has suffered in Arizona the past couple of seasons, and he could be highly motivated to add another Stanley Cup to his trophy case. The Oilers do have a need for a top-six forward, Kessel could probably score 30 goals in that offense, and he would make around a million dollars, which is music to Holland's ears. Sure, there is the whole American-playing-in-Canada thing, but if it's the difference between playing and retiring...honestly, Kessel might retire, but the point is: there is a fit.

The bottom line for the Oilers is they need to sort out their salary cap situation, and Jesse Puljujarvi's $3 million and Tyson Barrie's $4.5 million stand out as the black sheep of the group. Two situations to monitor, as the 2022-23 season is just two short months away.

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