Fourier
Registered User
This years UFA class is loaded with defensemen who may be as desirable to teams as Desharnias depending on what they are looking for. There might be 20-30 other guys who could be available to fill the role Desharnais plays for the Oilers. Many of them have played up the line-up with some success. Going to UFA status is also a risk for Vinny.Everyone said Gudbranson woudn't get Gudbranson money, and then he did. Gudbranson was a long time NHL'er, but he also had been a healthy scratch a number of times, and was considered a negative value asset for a long time as well. His draft year was a decade before he signed that deal, so it doesn't really play into that contract either. He had one bounce back season, after 3 or 4 bad ones where he was at best a bottom pairing defenseman, before he became a UFA.
There's always a dumb and desperate GM ready to throw money at the big guy he thinks is a game changing shut down defenseman. I wouldn't say he is worth Gudbranson money, but it wouldn't be the first time a GM signed a big, physical defenseman to too much money. Gudbranson being the perfect example of this.
VD and Gudbranson might not be a reasonable contract comparable, but Gudbranson isn't exactly on a reasonable contract for what he brings, and that's my point. We don't only have to compete with other GM's who want VD for what he is - we possibly have to compete with another GM who is desperate for a 2nd pair shut down RD and is so desperate that he overpays significantly.
I am pretty sure that the Oilers will resign him before July 1. It may cost more than I would want but he is a valuable piece for this team. The bogger question for me is do they move Ceci/Kulak.