{"id":585970,"date":"2026-04-06T14:19:15","date_gmt":"2026-04-06T14:19:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/585970\/"},"modified":"2026-04-06T14:19:15","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T14:19:15","slug":"which-pending-ufas-should-the-oilers-look-at-re-signing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/585970\/","title":{"rendered":"Which pending UFAs should the Oilers look at re-signing?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Good morning, everyone, and a happy Monday to you all. As per tradition, I\u2019ve got a brand new mailbag<\/a> set to go after taking your questions and sending them to the crew for their takes. This week, we\u2019re discussing the Oilers\u2019 turnaround, free agents, Easter candies, and more. If you\u2019ve got a question you\u2019d like to ask, email it to me at baggedmilk@oilersnation.com<\/a> or on Twitter at\u00a0@jsbmbaggedmilk<\/a>, and I\u2019ll get to you as soon as I can.\"Paul<\/p>\n

Apr 17, 2024; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Edmonton Oilers assistant coach Paul Coffey against the Arizona Coyotes at Mullett Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

1) Gregg asks \u2013 What is everyone\u2019s take on how the Oilers<\/a> were able to turn their game around over the last few weeks without their second-best player in the lineup<\/a>? Is it because there\u2019s more opportunity for everyone else? Does Paul Coffey really help that much?<\/p>\n

Jason Gregor:<\/p>\n

Neither for me. The fourth line isn\u2019t playing more minutes they are just scoring more. The difference is the guys playing 14+ minutes are committed to playing better defensively and have been more consistent. They are finally playing up to their potential.<\/p>\n

Tyler Yaremchuk:<\/p>\n

Getting some consistent goaltending is a big part of the solution. A glaring mistake that\u00a0ends\u00a0in a save instead of a goal against can really change your perception of it. I do think having a bottom-six that\u00a0is contributing and palying\u00a0a meaningful role really helps. Darnell Nurse and Connor Murphy being a strong second-pairing has also been huge.<\/p>\n

Liam Horrobin:<\/p>\n

The combination of moves from Stan Bowman and the team\u2019s commitment to defence is my thought. Guys are blocking shots more, and they\u2019re playing more as a unit than as individuals. Plus, it\u2019s the time of year when you turn it on, or you go home.<\/p>\n

Baggedmilk:<\/p>\n

I think the most obvious change is that they\u2019re committing to defence and taking care of their own end. There aren\u2019t nearly as many yard sales in the d-zone over the last few weeks, and that\u2019s made life much easier on the goaltenders. The goals for were never the problem, but the goals against desperately needed an overall.<\/p>\n

\"John<\/p>\n

Mar 1, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Flyers head coach John Tortorella behind the bench against the New York Rangers during the first period at Wells Fargo Center<\/p>\n

2) Yves asks \u2013 How surprised were you to see Vegas fire Bruce Cassidy<\/a> with so little time left in the season, despite being in a playoff position?<\/p>\n

Jason Gregor:<\/p>\n

I was a bit surprised but they had been the second worst team in the NHL for 30 games before he got fired. They wanted to try something to salvage the season.<\/p>\n

Tyler Yaremchuk:<\/p>\n

Stunned.\u00a0Even\u00a0more stunned that the Islanders decided to punt on Patrick Roy this late in the season. It\u2019s been 20+ years since\u00a0we\u2019ve seen\u00a0a team in a playoff spot\u00a0move\u00a0on from\u00a0their\u00a0coach this late in the year.\u00a0When it comes to\u00a0Vegas, I don\u2019t even think Cassidy was a problem. They just need a few more saves and a little bit of puck luck in the offensive zone. I think their issues are\u00a0far more\u00a0tied to roster construction.<\/p>\n

Liam Horrobin:<\/p>\n

Surprised more by the timing than the fact that he was fired. Vegas hasn\u2019t looked good most of the season, but now has that coaching bump heading into the playoffs. Despite Saturday\u2019s result, the Oilers shouldn\u2019t fear them. They\u2019ve got much more firepower and, over a seven-game series, speed will play a huge factor in favour of Edmonton.<\/p>\n

Baggedmilk:<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t know that I can remember a head coach getting fired that late into the season when the team was still in a playoff spot. I know (read: think) the Devils did it back in the day, but I was very surprised to see Vegas gas Cassidy for Torts.<\/p>\n

\"Edmonton<\/p>\n

Mar 12, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Jack Roslovic (28) and center Jason Dickinson (16) skate off the ice after Dickinson scores a goal against the Dallas Stars during the second period at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

3) Bryce asks \u2013 The Oilers have Adam Henrique, Jason Dickinson, Jack Roslovic, Kasperi Kapanen, Max Jones, Curtis Lazar, Connor Murphy, and Connor Ingram all set to become free agents<\/a> on July 1st. Obviously, they can\u2019t keep everybody, but are there any names on this list you see as must-sign candidates for Stan Bowman?<\/p>\n

Jason Gregor:<\/p>\n

Kapanen should be as I don\u2019t see him costing a lot. Murphy on a short term deal makes sense. Dickinson at right AAV makes sense. Ingram is the biggest priority for me today. But I think how they perform in playoffs will be a big factor.<\/p>\n

Tyler Yaremchuk:<\/p>\n

Connor Ingram has to be back, unless\u00a0there is a massive goalie trade\u00a0coming this summer. I would like to see both Dickinson and Murphy back, but with a weak UFA class, I worry about\u00a0how much they\u2019re going to\u00a0cost. Roslovic falls into that same category. I\u2019d be worried about giving him too much term and I think\u00a0there will be a team out there\u00a0prepared to give him a big offer considering the season he had. I would have time for both Jones and Lazar, but\u00a0there might be younger options in the system who the team could\u00a0turn to. Still, it\u2019s good to have depth.<\/p>\n

Liam Horrobin:<\/p>\n

Jason Dickinson, Connor Murphy and Connor Ingram are my must-signs. Everyone else feels replaceable in the roles Edmonton has them playing. With that said, I\u2019d take them all back.<\/p>\n

Baggedmilk:<\/p>\n

My personal list would be Jason Dickinson, Kasperi Kapapen, Max Jones, Conor Murphy, and Connor Ingram. I think Roslovic having another strong season will price him out of Edmonton, and I think Curtis Lazar is probably a guy they can circle back on if they don\u2019t think a Quinn Hutson or Josh Samanski is ready for showtime.<\/p>\n

\"Edmonton<\/p>\n

Mar 26, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Edmonton Oilers players celebrate after defeating the Vegas Golden Knights 4-3 during an overtime period at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

4) James in Peterborough asks \u2013 With the final regular season games in sight and the playoffs looming, who do you think the best and worst matchups are for the club?<\/p>\n

Jason Gregor:<\/p>\n

The options look like Utah, Vegas or maybe Anaheim. Of those I\u2019d have Utah as best and Vegas worst. But with Draisaitl expected back I think EDM matches up well against all three.<\/p>\n

Tyler Yaremchuk:<\/p>\n

The Oilers shouldn\u2019t be afraid of any matchup but I think I still prefer Utah over Vegas. The inexperience of that Mammoth roster just doesn\u2019t scare me as much as some of the proven big game players on Vegas. The dream for me is that the Kings overtake Vegas for the three seed and the Oilers get them, but that seems unlikely.<\/p>\n

Liam Horrobin:<\/p>\n

The best matchup is Utah, and the worst is Anaheim.<\/p>\n

Baggedmilk:<\/p>\n

I fear no one in the first round. To be the best, you have to beat everyone else.<\/p>\n

\"Easter<\/p>\n

Easter Chocolate<\/p>\n

5) Kevin asks \u2013 We just finished up the Easter weekend, and I want to know what everyone thinks are the best and worst Easter chocolates or candies?<\/p>\n

Jason Gregor:<\/p>\n

Best is mini eggs or the hard shell marshmallow eggs.<\/p>\n

Worst is hollow Easter bunny and Marshmallow Peeps.<\/p>\n

Tyler Yaremchuk:<\/p>\n

Mini eggs are solid and reliable. I love a good, high-quality jelly bean but\u00a0if it\u2019s off-brand garbage then I\u2019m not touching them.\u00a0Gotta\u00a0be high-class stuff.<\/p>\n

Liam Horrobin:<\/p>\n

The best is mini eggs, and the worst is Terry\u2019s Chocolate Orange. An orange is a fruit, not a chocolatey snack.<\/p>\n

Baggedmilk:<\/p>\n

I honestly don\u2019t know how Peeps are still made. They\u2019re awful. As for the best, give me a hollow chocolate bunny or some mini eggs any day.<\/p>\n

PRESENTED BY STAKE\"\"<\/a>