3 UFAs Who Could Be Playing With Connor McDavid Next Season
Jaden Schwartz
Schwartz may be the league's most underrated sniper. The 29-year-old recently finished his ninth season with the Blues, scoring 19 goals or more in five of them. Schwartz, a smaller forward at 5'10", specializes at creating open ice with his agility and delicate hands, allowing him to unleash his deadly precise wrist shot. Schwartz has struggled with injuries, but if the Oilers are serious about finding secondary scoring, placing him up alongside McDavid might be a safe bet. Schwartz has just completed a five-year contract worth $5.35 million. Whoever signs him gets a slight rise, but nothing spectacular.
By the time the Bruins were ousted in the second round of this year's playoffs, the "Taylor Hall returning to Edmonton" topic had mostly gone down. Hall appeared to have found a home on Boston's second line, and was helping to revitalize David Krejci's career. Why would he decide to leave?
According to Tom Gazzola, who spoke on Dustin Neilsen's show, he has spoken with a source close to Hall who claims that he will return to the Oilers. Hall and Holland are certain to meet this summer, but whether or not they reach an agreement is another matter. Hall has stated that he is searching for "the right fit" rather than a huge contract wherever he signs this summer. Whatever the case may be, the former Hart Trophy winner will not be cheap.
If the Oilers pursue this way, it will be a bit of a risk-reward situation. Granlund is listed as a centre, although with the Minnesota Wild, he played his greatest hockey on the left wing. Finn, 29, has a penchant for breaking through ice quickly and launching off a rapid and accurate one-timer. On a breakaway or in a shootout, he's also displayed a nice set of hands.
His tenure in Nashville has been a mixed bag, and if he signs with the Oilers, the expectation is that his point totals would rise. It's a huge order for a guy in his thirties, but McDavid will almost certainly assist in the process, and the team may see some potential chemistry with young Finnish RW Jesse Puljujarvi. Granlund will be less expensive than the other names on this list, although being less certain. He's coming off a one-year contract worth $3.75 million, in which he scored 13 goals and added 14 assists.
Credit: NHLTradeRumors
| POLL | ||
Would you add one of these guys to help Mcdavid next season? | ||
| Yes | 52 | 52.5 % |
| No | 47 | 47.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
