I'm giving an A and not an A+ because the defense still needs a little work but that's likely more of a trade deadline thing.
Grading the moves individually....
Pickard 2 years $1m - A
Played as well as can be as a backup last season, saved their bacon in the Canucks series and got him for near minimum for the next 2 years, great locker room guy too by all accounts. Perfect
C. Brown 1 year $1m - A
Perfect number but was hoping for an extra year or two so I downgraded from A+
Arvidsson 2 years $8m - A+
Ideal number and term, best case scenario contract. Health is a bit of a concern but this is a 25 goal, 60 point guy who plays fast and gritty. He was my #1 realistic FA target so...mission accomplished
Perry 1 year $1.4m (bonuses included) - C
The one move I didn't like and especially now that they filled out the forward group after this signing. I get the locker room aspect of it but I don't think this is a team at this point in their development that needs a locker room guy anymore. I like the gamesmanship he brings but he looked two steps behind in the playoffs and I'd prefer to have a spot for somebody like Lavoie, need to get some youth injected into the lineup.
Not a crippling deal by any means but I could have done without it
Skinner 1 year $3m - A-
Can't ever complain about getting a 30 goal scorer for $3m. He scores a lot of goals in tight, with he and Hyman flanking McDavid, he might get like 150 assists haha. I give a little below an A because he's pretty soft but I'll get over it when he's pumping in 30+ goals next season
Janmark 3 years $4.35m - A+
Love the term, the AAV and the player. Thrilled to have him back. People talk about his playoffs but he was also solid in the regular season and there were several games when the team was dead team skating and he sparked them with a fight or a physical play.
Henrique 2 years $6m - A
See Janmark comments. My only slight worry is his age and the inevitable fall off but Henrique is the type of player who should be solid late into his 30s. It was crucial to bring The Identity 3 back (like a version of that great Islanders 4th line that changed tides in games regularly and played with an identity) and it was done at less than 5.5m.
J. Brown - 3 years $3m - B
#7 Dman - Vinny replacement, fill in for #6 if need be. Solid depth
Stecher - 2 years $787K/per - A
This is great value for him. I'm quite frankly surprised that no team threw a $1-1.5m offer his way.
Clear top 6 Dman IMO, gives the Oilers the flexibility to pursue a Ceci trade if need be.
Overall an A. I think he surpassed most of our expectations, not much more needs to be said. Team is ready to make a big run again and for more than 1 year.
