Oilers Acquire Vandermeer For O'Sullivan, Lose Moreau To Columbus Via Waivers

 

The Edmonton Oilers went through some minor roster shakeups one day prior to free agency. In one move, swapped players who just recently cleared waivers with the Phoenix Coyotes. The Oilers sent forward Patrick O'Sullivan to the dessert in exchange for defenseman Jim Vandermeer. According to TSN, the Oilers are expected to keep Vandermeer, while the 'Yotes will buy out the remaining year of O'Sullivan's contract.

This is a solid move for Edmonton and a cheaper one for the Coyotes. In Vandermeer, the Oil get a steady blue line presence with physical attributes. And they no longer need to foot the bill in paying O'Sullivan's buyout. The Coyotes will pay that instead, which comes at a slightly lower price tag than what Vandermeer's buyout would have been. By way of gapgeek.com, O'Sullivan's total buyout will be approximately $1.333 million split at rates of $935,417 next season and $397,917. The 25-year would have otherwise been a cap hit of $2.925 million if retained. Meanwhile, had the Coyotes just simply bought out Vandermeer, it would have cost them $766,667 against the cap in each of the next two seasons, for a total of $1,533,333. The 30-year old will be paid $2.3 million in Edmonton next year.

In addition to this move, the Oilers also saw Ethan Moreau claimed off waivers by the Columbus Blue Jackets. It would have cost Edmonton $1,166,667 million spread over two seasons to buy out his contract had he gone on unclaimed. But the 34-year old will now earn his full $1.75 million (and $2 million cap hit) with the Blue Jackets next season. Moreau will provide Columbus with plenty of size and another option on the penalty kill. He posted nine goals last season, three of which came with a man down.