Chiarelli's Oilers: A Legacy of Missteps

0:00From the Daily News Now Network, this is NHL News Today. Subscribe to keep up with every headline, every game. Peter Chiarelli's four years as general manager of the Edmonds and Oilers were full of ups and downs, but mostly downs for fans. He locked in stars like Conor McDavid and Leon Drysidle to big long-term deals, which helped keep the team exciting. Still, his time there is remembered for over-priced contracts, weak wingers and goalies, and trays that gave away talent for little in return. One of his first moves was signing defenseman André Sikara to a six-year deal worth $5.5 million a year, hoping for a top-pair anchor. But injuries derailed it fast. He also handed out bad goalie packs like Mikko Kaskinens' three-year 13.5 million extension right before getting fired and wingers. Like Tobias Ryder and Jesse Jokinin, who barely produced. Even there was the huge seven-year 42 million contract for Milan Lucic, which clawed the

1:00cap for years after his one good season. Fans turned on Chiarelli quick, booing moves that left McDavid and Drysidle without real help on the wings. Those decisions hurt playoff chances and burned through cap space, making it tough to build a winner despite the young stars. Players like Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberl got dealt away, and the returns never panned out, fueling endless frustration in Edmonton. The trades stand out as the biggest headaches. Swapping Hall, a future MVP, for defenseman Adam Marcin topped the flops, with Larsen posting average numbers at best. Trading draft picks for Griffin Reinhardt yielded nothing, as those picks became stars like Matthew Barzall. Deals like Justin Schultz for a third-rounder, and Eberl for Ryan Strome, just kept the pain going. Now with Ken Holland in charge, the Oilers are still digging out from that mess, but fans hope the lesson stick. Chiarelli's brewing success didn't translate, leaving a legacy of what ifs in Alberta. D&N is brought to you by our sponsor link in the description.

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