Milan Lucic joined the Oilers on Friday, landing a fat free-agent contract that could turn an NHL weakling into a bully — and at long last, a playoff contender again.
Having traded away franchise face Taylor Hall this week, GM Peter Chiarelli landed the plum of the forward crop in Lucic, a bruising 28-year-old winger.
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The deal: seven year for $42 million. It's a lot of money, but Lucic is capable of scoring, pounding opponents and playing top-line minutes. And as a 6-4, 233-pound bruiser, he is a welcome presence for a team that too often gets sprayed with ice chips.
Lucic had 20 goals and 35 assists last season with Kings. Now he rejoins Chiarelli, who was GM during Lucic's tenure with the Bruins.
Putting Lucic in the lineup, The Edmonton Journal noted, gives the Oilers another hulk to go with Zack Kassian and Patrick Maroon.
Milan Lucic said multiple distractions of playing in his home town were part of what kept him from signing with the Canucks. #NHLFreeagency
— Steve Ewen (@SteveEwen) July 1, 2016
On Wednesday, the Oilers shocked the NHL by trading Hall, their best player, to the Devils for defenseman Adam Larsson. Hall's world-class ability was wasted during his tenure with the Oilers, and he would have benefitted from having Lucic on his line. Larsson is a decent young defenseman for a team whose many needs include stronger play on the blue line.
However, critics saw the deal as lopsided for the Devils, believing the Oilers didn't get enough in return. Now they have Lucic, and their franchise face is dramatically different.
— Contributing: Scott Ridge