The Oilers did 3 things in these 2 trades that lead me to believe that they actually might not be matching either offer.
- Pod is a cheaper replacement for Holloway. We save cap, and get a better pick.
- What if the real primary goal in the Ceci trade wasn't clearing space, as much as it was replacing Broberg with Emberson? Emberson plays right side. He's thrived under Knoblauch in the AHL, and he just scored at a .33 ppg in the NHL, albeit in a small sample size.
- In the Ceci trade, the Oilers cleared enough space to match offer sheets. Bit they also cleared enough space to start the season below the cap ceiling before Kane goes on LTIR, meaning we can accrue cap space throughout the season.
These deals might not actually mean we are matching, even if it looks like we are.
And when Kane comes back? Hernia surgery is not a 10 month ordeal.
There are rumours about a hip issue as well. Those could be longer term.