If you're skating on thin ice with the Edmonton Oilers, it's time to step up your game. Coach Kris Knoblauch and GM Stan Bowman might seem calm and collected, but they're not hesitating to make swift roster changes this season. The Oilers are under pressure, and underperforming players are feeling the heat.
The common thread among those who have been cut? Their Grade A shots plus-minus metrics at even strength were lagging.
Outside of top goalie Skinner, these players found themselves at the bottom of the roster. There was little room for error; struggle, and you found yourself moving down and then off the team.
Contrast this with last year, when only three players-Derek Ryan, Josh Brown, and Travis Dermott-were waived. This year, however, has seen a dramatic turnover with ten players exiting mid-season. This shake-up is driven by two major factors.
First, the urgency to win is palpable. With superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl in their prime, and veterans like Mattias Ekholm, Darnell Nurse, Zach Hyman, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins still performing at high levels, the window for success is wide open but won't last forever.
Second, the Oilers are feeling the squeeze of the salary cap. They've been tight against it all season, necessitating tough decisions.
Take Kulak, for example. Despite his solid playoff performances in recent years, a slow start this season and the need to address goaltending issues led to his trade.
His expiring $2.75 million contract made him the logical choice to move in order to stay cap compliant.
The Oilers are in a win-now mode, and the message is clear: perform or be prepared to pack your bags.