The Edmonton Oilers have signed defenseman Shakir Mukhamadullin to a two-year contract with a $1.17 million cap hit per season, according to Puckpedia. The 24-year-old left-shot blueliner will earn $1.55 million in salary plus a $200,000 signing bonus in Year 1, followed by $1.75 million in salary in Year 2. After the signing, the Oilers have $6.5 million in available cap space with 22 active players (12 forwards, 7 defensemen, 3 goaltenders). Restricted free agents remaining include Kirby Dach and Spencer Stastney.
Crowded left side of defense
The left side of the Oilers' defense is now crowded with Mattias Ekholm, Jake Walman, newcomer Ryan Shea, Mukhamadullin, Spencer Stastney, Damian Carfagna, Atro Leppanen, and Tomas Cibulka, who reportedly impressed at the Oilers development camp. Mukhamadullin's signing raises questions about how the team will manage this depth.
Mukhamadullin shoots left but can also play the right side. However, the player primarily impacted by the new signing is Spencer Stastney, whom Oilers general manager Stan Bowman acquired for a third-round draft pick in December, just after moving Brett Kulak to Pittsburgh.
Stastney's performance and potential trade
Stastney, a fast and agile skater, initially wowed fans and commentators but eventually played his way out of the starting lineup. Given that Mukhamadullin is the first of the two to sign, he appears higher in the organization's estimation. It would not be surprising if Edmonton trades Stastney, who was qualified as a restricted free agent but has yet to sign a new deal.
According to David Staples of the Edmonton Journal, Mukhamadullin ranked 115th in even-strength points per 60 minutes with 0.92, and 132nd in hits per 60 with 2.68. Stastney ranked 240th in hits per 60 with 0.71 and 204th in points per 60 with 0.58. In both key statistical categories, Mukhamadullin outperformed Stastney. Additionally, Stastney was the Oilers defenseman most likely to make a major mistake leading to a Grade A shot against at even strength, according to Cult of Hockey video review.
Oilers' pattern of cutting underperformers
Year after year, players who perform worst at creating Grade A shots and making mistakes on Grade A shots against at even strength are cut from the Oilers, unless constrained by no-trade or no-movement clauses. This pattern suggests Stastney could be on his way out.
