"Marc-Édouard Vlasic was once among the NHL's most reliable shutdown defensemen, but those days are long behind him. That makes him an unlikely option for the Edmonton Oilers, even though some might see the idea of Vlasic coming in on a professional tryout as appealing. Bought out by the San Jose Sharks this summer after years of decline, the 38-year-old has stated he intends to continue playing."
"Vlasic has not been a consistent contributor since 2017-18. His struggles over the past seven years were so pronounced that they negatively impacted elite partners like Brent Burns and Erik Karlsson. More recently, he found himself scratched and battling injuries, all while posting numbers below replacement level. Even on a league-minimum deal, it's hard to see the Oilers viewing him as an upgrade."
Marc-Édouard Vlasic experienced a long decline after earlier standing as a reliable NHL shutdown defenseman, culminating in a buyout by the San Jose Sharks this summer. The 38-year-old intends to continue playing but has diminished speed, agility, injuries, and below-replacement-level production. Those struggles negatively affected elite defensive partners and led to scratches. The Edmonton Oilers are in a win-now mode that requires immediate roster upgrades and cannot afford risky, low-upside options. Veteran leadership and playoff savvy are valued, but better free-agent options with more upside exist.
Read at Yahoo Sports
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