After their second consecutive Stanley Cup Final loss to the Florida Panthers, the Edmonton Oilers’ offseason started later than most. After another heartbreaking defeat, their attention quickly turned toward that draft and free agency.

That summer, now-Oilers GM Stan Bowman acquired and signed Seth Jones to a massive long-term deal in Chicago. Zach Werenski got the same treatment in Columbus. Both got at least $9.5 million per season. The die was cast for the Oilers when it came to keeping Nurse.