What Do The Oilers Follow Up The Kane Trade With

The Edmonton Oilers made a tough decision to move on from Evander Kane who has one year left on his contract at $5.125 million AAV. But by doing this, the Oilers free up some much-needed cap space to execute other plans. So what can the Oilers do with this cap space and what will be the moves that will follow in this very busy offseason?

Two of the most important pieces of business that freeing up Kane's cap space will provide the Oilers is the ability to re-sign Evan Bouchard and acquire a goalie. Free agency is quickly approaching, so Bouchard could get sent offer sheets and goalies will be available. It has been reported that Edmonton and Bouchard are closing in on a deal that may be shorter to keep the AAV down. The Oilers may also look to acquire a goalie ahead of free agency. There are options.

While extending Bouchard and finding a new goalie are at the top of the list, signing Connor McDavid is also pretty high. While it just creates chaos every day he isn't re-signed or ready to re-sign once July 1 hits, it's not as urgent. Leon Draisaitl didn't sign the first day he could and there's no reason to think McDavid won't get a new contract done by the end of the summer.

That's definitely not it for the Oilers though. Stan Bowman is starting to really make a mark on the Oilers' roster and he should be trusted with how he was able to add all the right pieces for multiple Chicago Blackhawks Stanley Cups. Kane wasn't the only player that looked like he was going to be moved. Viktor Arvidsson should soon follow as it won't be too tough to move him as well, even if it is for another mid-round pick in return. The Oilers need cap space over anything else with these forward trades. I would add Adam Henrique to the list of players Edmonton could potentially trade. It may be tougher if he doesn't want to leave though. Mattias Janmark should be dealt as well, whether that will come true or not.

The Oilers are going to get younger, but that doesn't mean some veterans won't be brought back. It was previously reported that Connor Brown is in talks for a multi-year extension. Kasperi Kapanen fit well with the Oilers, but even though Corey Perry did, the 40-year-old might be pricing himself out of the Oilers.

There should still be a good amount of cap space left over after the Oilers sign Bouchard and Trent Frederic, but I expect many more interesting moves for this team over the coming days and weeks.