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Whether the Edmonton Oilers win or lose Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final tonight, the drama and emotion heading into the last game of the season has been nothing short of incredible. The team dug itself into an early hole, climbed out, and went on a memorable run. Down 3-0 in the series against the Florida Panthers, should Edmonton pull off a historic comeback on Monday, it will go down as one of the greatest in sports history. Should they not win, the team still deserves a ton of credit.
Regardless of the outcome, this team has big questions to answer and, unfortunately, not much time to answer them. The NHL Draft is on June 28 and June 29, then free agency starts on July 1. The Oilers players will be focused solely on the game, but team executives have been strategizing and formulating a plan considering how cramped the draft and free agency are to the end of their season. Every win and each potential individual performance has the potential to change those plans, Game 7 included.
What Free Agents Earned Another Look?
The Oilers have 10 pending UFAs and many of them have been instrumental during these playoffs. Among them are Connor Brown, Corey Perry, Adam Henrique, Calvin Pickard, Vincent Desharnais, and Warren Foegele. Who do the Oilers want to bring back and how much will this playoff run have affected those decisions? Will an unexpected hero earn himself another deal tonight?
Back in 2006, Fernando Pisani had an incredible playoff. He earned a big extension after that run but the Oilers mistakenly overpaid him on the heels of an unrepeatable performance. Is the next Pisani on this roster? Maybe. Meanwhile, some players are taking the next steps in their careers and may never regress after the experience they take away from these playoffs. Who is becoming the next consistent difference-maker?
Brown has been incredible over the last two series’ but is he back? Is he the kind of player the Oilers should sign even though the start of his season wasn’t what the Oilers expected when they signed him? What about Vincent Desharnais? He has taken a big step in his NHL career this season, but should the Oilers let him walk in free agency because Philip Broberg has emerged? What is Henrique worth? Is he too old to invest in for more than one or two seasons? And, what is a reasonable cap hit? Is Perry past his prime or is his leadership worth keeping around? Perry was asked if Game 7 would be his last game. His response was, “Uh, no. I’ve got more in me. I’ve got lots more in me: five more years.”
What Happens With Ken Holland? Who Becomes GM?
Speculation is that Ken Holland is working his last game as the GM of the Oilers. His five-year contract ends when this series does. If the Oilers win, he can ride off into the sun having won another Cup. But, he may also have a desire to run it back and the Oilers may want the man who built a championship team to reconsider leaving. If the Oilers lose, how much will it eat at Holland that he got so close and didn’t accomplish his goal? The Oilers will be contenders again next season. There are plenty of reasons to stay. But, will the Oilers want to bring back the architect who was on the verge but didn’t win the big one in five seasons constructing the roster?
If the Oilers have already chosen to go in another direction and Holland leaves, who becomes the next GM? The organization has to make big decisions days (possibly hours) out from Game 7. Who makes them?
Which Contracts Have to Go?
While trying to figure out who to re-sign, some big contracts the Oilers may not want on this roster should be addressed. Jack Campbell’s contract is one the Oilers would like to move and buying him out might be an option. But, that means dead money on the books in the same season with overage bonuses eating away at the team’s cap space.
Some fans will suggest moving Darnell Nurse and as unlikely as that seems, his $9.25 million cap hit merits considering moving on. Saying goodbye to Nurse would have consequences, so conversations with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl would need to take place before the Oilers ever seriously consider trading a key part of the team’s core.
Has Evander Kane’s health during the playoffs opened up the discussion that he might be past his expiry date? His $5.125 million contract might not be an albatross, but that money might be better spent elsewhere.
All of these contracts have conditions attached to them; there’s no way to easily move on from them.
What Gets Added to This Roster?
Inevitably, this roster will not look the same next season as it does this season. Several pieces will stay the same, but not everyone returns. Win or lose, this group deserves a lot of love as they’ve done something so few other teams have or could have done. But, pieces will be subtracted and other pieces will be added.
What options make sense for Edmonton? There’s been talk about Viktor Arvidsson. He may or may not be the solution, but the Oilers may need a top-six winger. What leadership and veteran experience should the team look to add? Do the Oilers try to land a big name or do they tinker around the edges? Keeping their options open and having flexibility may be key, but several players may make themselves available to the Oilers considering how good this team is.
If the Oilers win Game 7, the team won’t have a lot of time to enjoy the moment. If they lose, there’s little time to be disappointed. If they win, they need to figure out how to repeat. If they don’t, the Oilers need to find a way to overcome that final obstacle.
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TODAY'S BEST
Top Insider Expects Maple Leafs to Take Major Swing' to Improve Their Roster
Insider Nick Alberga stated in a report posted on Leafs Nation that the Toronto Maple Leafs will take a 'major swing' to improve their roster next summer. After seeing Mitch Marner sign a long-term contract with the Vegas Golden Knights, it's safe to say that Toronto Maple Leafs fans have seen their favorite team in better shape. Marner scored nearly 100 points a season since joining the team, and won't be easily replaced, this year at least. While there are some interesting names out there, the Leafs don't have many trade assets, and already used the cap space created by Marner's departure to sign three other players: Dakota Joshua, Matias Maccelli, Michael Pezzetta. Combining all their salaries, along with Roy's, nearly matches the one the Leafs were paying Marner last year. Although these players could play a big role in Toronto next season, they're no Mitch Marner. The insider Nick Alberga revealed in a recent paper published on Leafs Nation that the General Manager of the team Brad Treliving could be waiting for next summer before making a big acquisition that would change the face of his team. Indeed, in less than a year, one of the most impressive free agent classes will enter the market, with names such as Martin Necas, Alex Tuch, Adrian Kempe, Mike Matheson, and many more. Please note that other big picture players such as Connor McDavid and Lane Hutson weren't included in the list because it would be surprising to see them enter the market in spite of their current contracts expiring at the end of the next season. With the raise in the NHL cap, the Leafs will have around $24 million available next summer, indicating a big acquisition isn't off the table for Treliving and Toronto. The expectations will be high in Toronto. The 2026 summer will be a crucial offseason for the Leafs. After the next season, there will only be two years remaining on Auston Matthews' $13M AAV deal. If nothing happens in that window, fans won't be happy, and management will likely take another route, once again.
Knicks Primed to Land Former All-Star in Free Agency as Potential Buyout Looms
Who doesn't love playing in a big market like New York, Los Angeles, and some of the other prime destinations that the NBA has to offer? Kevin Love certainly doesn't mind them. In fact, the former All-Star prefers them. Jake Fischer recently offered insight into where the aging big man may end up as his next destination. The NBA insider reaffirmed previous reports that stated Love prefers a big market. Fischer said, "So with Kevin Love, to my understanding, he really only wants to be in the big glamour markets. I do think it would mostly be something along the lines of Kevin Love going to a New York or a Los Angeles type of situation. So, we'll see if that can materialize for him." With the New York Knicks still in the market for a boost to their depth, Love could be a natural connection for the team to explore. The recently-traded big man will await his buyout from the Utah Jazz. If or when those terms are settled, the Knicks could add the former champion to a spot on the bench. Veteran presence of Kevin Love not without value for New York Love is certainly long past his days as a double-double machine, like he was with the Minnesota Timberwolves. The floor-spacing big man is not even what he used to be with the Cleveland Cavaliers. However, writing him off entirely would be unwise. If there is not key thing Love can still offer to any team, it is undoubtedly his 3-point shooting. The 36-year-old shot 35.8 percent from beyond the arc last season for the Miami Heat. No one is saying to offer Love a prominent bench role, or anything of the sort. However, when the situation calls for an offensive lift and a spaced out floor, the former top five pick can still fit the bill in that scenario.
Steelers rookie Will Howard may have already moved up the depth chart
Pittsburgh Steelers training camp is in full swing, and it’s already been full of excitement. With many new faces on the roster, fans are eager to see how these additions will fit in. After a busy and eventful offseason, training camp serves as the perfect opportunity for all the anticipation surrounding the team to start coming together on the field. One of the most talked-about positions for the Steelers this offseason has been quarterback. The team completely overhauled the position, leading to plenty of uncertainty and speculation early on. While the Steelers were strongly linked to Aaron Rodgers for some time, no official deal had been made by the start of the 2025 NFL Draft. Amid the uncertainty, the team made a bold decision by selecting Will Howard out of Ohio State, bringing in a new face and creating even more talk about the future of the position. Because the Steelers picked Howard late in the draft, there were questions about what his role on the team would be. Even before Rodgers signed, it was clear Howard wouldn’t be the starter. However, during a recent 7 shots drill, Howard unexpectedly took reps with the third team, raising more questions about where he might fit in. Rodgers is clearly locked in as the starting quarterback, with the hope that he can stay healthy throughout the entire season. Earlier in the offseason, he mentioned that this would likely be his final year, though he expressed excitement about the opportunity to play for a franchise like the Steelers. That said, Rodgers has always been unpredictable, and there’s still a chance his career may continue beyond this season. Regardless of what the future holds, his experience and football knowledge are incredibly valuable to the other quarterbacks on the roster, and they’ve made it clear how much they appreciate having him around. Mason Rudolph is expected to be the primary backup behind Rodgers this season. Rudolph was originally drafted by the Steelers and has spent most of his career in Pittsburgh as a dependable backup. However, he’s also shown he can step up when needed, filling in during important games and leading the team when called upon. Rudolph spent last season with the Tennessee Titans, gaining additional experience outside of Pittsburgh. After that brief stint, he re-signed with the Steelers early in the offseason, bringing familiarity, veteran presence and stability to the quarterback room behind Rodgers. Rudolph recently shared that Rodgers has been both incredibly helpful and genuinely friendly since joining the team. Many expected Skylar Thompson, another veteran backup the Steelers signed this offseason, to be next in line on the depth chart. However, with Howard now taking third-team reps, he could move up the depth chart as the season progresses. Rookies bring an element of unpredictability since they’re adjusting to a completely new environment and haven’t yet played in professional games. It’s hard to know how they’ll perform until they get real field experience. If Howard continues to perform well, there’s no reason he shouldn’t climb higher on the depth chart. It’s unlikely that Howard will get much playing time this year, but that doesn’t mean this season isn’t important for him. Learning from a player like Rodgers is incredibly valuable, and Howard has shared how grateful he is to have Rodgers as a mentor. Even if he doesn’t take the field this season, the experience and knowledge he gains behind the scenes could greatly influence his opportunities for playing time down the road. Steelers' future at QB likely isn't on the roster The Steelers were connected to several quarterbacks in this year’s draft class, and the situation drew plenty of attention due to the uncertainty surrounding Rodgers at the time. Although the team eventually signed Rodgers and selected Howard in the later rounds, it seems the search for a long-term franchise quarterback may still be ongoing. Rodgers is only on a one-year deal, and reports have already surfaced that the Steelers are eyeing next year’s quarterback draft class. Opinions on Howard vary, as some view him as a potential career backup, while others are optimistic about his upside and believe he could develop into a solid starting option in the future. Will Howard prove himself and continue to move up the depth chart?
Helsley To Philadelphia? Why Cardinals-Phillies Trade Makes Sense
The St. Louis Cardinals are in a very interesting spot this season as the trade deadline rapidly approaches. They have a few pieces on the roster that they could look to trade away in the next few days, but nobdoy stands out like a trade piece more than closer Ryan Helsley. Helsley sits on an expiring contract and is projected to sign for $81 million in free agency next winter, per Spotrac. At that price tag, it's unlikely the Cardinals will re-sign him, so trading him now makes the most sense. Plus, relievers are typically the most sought-after players at the deadline. Trading Helsley could net the Cardinals a star or two in return. One team that makes a lot of sense as a suitor for Helsley is the Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies need to add a closer after Jose Alvarado was suspended for half the season and the entire postseason because of a failed drug test. Beyond closer, the Phillies are stacked with talent. Adding Helsley would be the cherry on top of an excellent year in the City of Brotherly Love. In return, the Cardinals could look to land a deal for talented outfield prospect Justin Crawford. Crawford is a speed and glove-first outfielder with elite athleticism and a solid bat. He's crushed Triple-A pitching this season and is hitting well over .300 with an on-base percentage over .400. The only issue with adding Crawford is that he's very similar to Victor Scott II. While this could be an issue, Scott has been excellent, so adding a younger version that plays the game very similarly to Scott could be a huge addition for the Cardinals.
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