At the 2016 draft, the Edmonton Oilers had something going on. Then the Columbus Blue Jackets turned the draft upside down and left Peter Chiarelli and company to select Jesse Puljujarvi, the giant mannish boy from rural Finland. Music! Matthew Tkachuk, Clayton Keller and Mikhail Sergachev remained on the board.
In the second round, the Oilers chose Tyler Benson. Immediately we saw reports where he had been skating in Edmonton (with Oscar Klefbom) and the organization had inside intel on his (good health). More music!
THE ATHLETIC!
The Athletic Edmonton features a fabulous cluster of stories (some linked below, some on the site). Great perspective from a ridiculous group of writers and analysts. Proud to be part of the group, here’s an incredible Offer!
- New Lowetide: Is Kirill Maksimov progressing as the Edmonton Oilers’ next great hope for a true homegrown sniper?
- Jonathan Willis: Oilers ease pressure on crowded defensive pipeline by trading John Marino to the Penguins
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: What the 2021-22 Oilers might look like after their steady build toward contender status
- Lowetide: Joel Persson is ideally situated to win an opening night roster spot with the Oilers
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: What the 2019-20 Oilers might look like without trade missteps.
- Lowetide: Finding the best candidates for the final two spots on the Oilers skill lines in 2019-20.
- Jonathan Willis: Projecting the Oilers’ opening night lineup, line combinations and more.
- Lowetide: Does the James Neal acquisition impact Oilers’ prospects in 2019-20?
- Lowetide: Oilers’ acquisition of James Neal could add badly needed scoring to the top two lines.
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: Ken Holland puts his stamp on the Oilers with first big move in Lucic-Neal trade
- Jonathan Willis: Ken Holland ends an ugly situation for the Oilers by trading Milan Lucic for James Neal
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: Potential free-agent options for the Oilers in 2020
- Jonathan Willis: Which Oilers defencemen can make an outlet pass?
- Lowetide: Looking ahead to Oilers training camp: 35 players for 23 jobs
- Jonathan Willis: Josh Archibald won’t fix the Oilers’ biggest problems, but he’ll help with some key issues.
- Lowetide: Will the 2019-20 Bakersfield Condors be the Oilers’ best minor-league team ever?
- Lowetide: Oilers top 20 prospects summer 2019.
HARVEST MOON 2016
I ranked 150 players for the 2016 entry draft and the Oilers drafted six of them. I ranked Edmonton’s picks in this way:
No. 3—R Jesse Puljujarvi, Karpat (Sm-Liiga): Big, fast, rambunctious.
No. 34—L Tyler Benson, Vancouver Giants (WHL). Physical two-way forward. Injured a lot.
No. 61—RD Filip Berglund, Skelleftea AIK (SEL). Intriguing offense, may take awhile.
No. 108—LD Markus Niemelainen, Saginaw Spirit (OHL). Giant defender, mobile, some offense.
No. 112—C Aapeli Rasanen, Tappara U20 (Jr. SML). A fine prospect, good size and skill.
No. 145—LD Matthew Cairns, Georgetown Raiders (OJHL). Smart defender with good size, mobility.
It has not gone well since 2016. Puljujarvi has struggled to find his way, and that’s on and off the ice. If he has an inside champion it isn’t possible to see from the outside. Whatever the barriers holding him back, they are real enough to put the big man’s NHL future in doubt. Per 82 games, JP is 10-12-22. His hip surgeries this summer put his health for training camp in question, but the real issue is contract and where he plays in 2019-20.
Tyler Benson is the brightest light in the sky of the 2016 draft, coming off a truly impressive AHL campaign with a clear shot at NHL work this winter. His NHLE (37) suggests he might get some time on a skill line and would bring enough offense to hang in the top 9F.
Markus Niemelainen had a much better sophomore season in the Sm-Liiga but I don’t think he’s pushing for NHL duty (or a contract). Edmonton controls his rights until June 1, 2020.
Matthew Cairns had the most difficult time getting into games after he was drafted. He checked down from the USHL to BCHL in draft plus one, and then barely played as a freshman at Cornell. He improved in his sophomore season so there’s still a spark.
Filip Berglund is a player I liked a lot in his draft year, and he’s posted two solid if unspectacular seasons in the SHL. Not much buzz around him, Edmonton holds his rights until June 1, 2020.
Dylan Wells has performed well since his draft season, earned a contract and showed some potential in his first year pro. Miles to go and there’s plenty of competition.
Graham McPhee was progressing well as a two-way forward at Boston College, but the entire program experienced a power outage his McPhee was part of it. Fell from 24 points to nine and will need a big senior season.
Aapeli Rasanen also played at Boston College, and scored five goals (one more than he posted as a freshman). Rasanen has the reputation of a two-way center, something the Oilers badly need.
Vincent Desharnais earned solid reviews as a shutdown defender during his time with Providence College, but there was no NHL contract at the end of his college career.
Kevin Prendergast was Edmonton’s scouting director in the early years of this century. He used to say an NHL team needed two actual players per draft to keep pace, and badly needed to score in the first round. He lost his job at the 2007 draft when the club chose three men in the first round and didn’t come out with close to enough value.
The 2016 draft was run by Bob Green and a lot is riding on young Mr. Benson. If Ken Holland can get Jesse Puljujarvi signed, and Dave Tippett can unlock him, the 2016 draft can be saved. I don’t think we’ll have the same level of uncertainty about this draft one year from now. That could be good or bad news.
LOWDOWN WITH LOWETIDE
A busy morning, dominated by MLB and the trade deadline. I have three potential baseball guests lined up, their availability depends on media avails in exotic places like Kansas City. Scott Mitchell from TSN, Cam Lewis from Jays Nation and Jason Gregor from TSN1260 are all likely to contribute, but it’s a loose show, kind of like Neil Young at the Fillmore. 10-1260 text, @Lowetide on twitter, we get rolling at 10 on TSN1260.
LOL
I wasn’t aware that Marleau was a billionaire?
“And she knows just what it takes to make a pro blush.
She’s got Greta Garbo stand-off sighs;
She’s got Bette Davis eyes.”
That looks amazing. I am old now so trips of that sort are no longer on my agenda – not to mention that your “pretentious ass” is probably less pretentious than my wife’s. 😉
We have 5 weeks in Vietnam booked for Jan – Feb this winter. That is about the extent of her adventurousness.
I’m not sure ‘precocious’ means what you think it means. 😉
precocious
adj.
Manifesting or characterized by development, aptitude, or interests considered advanced for a given age.
So what?
If Marleau signs in SJ it’s because he wants a chance to win a Cup, not because of surfing conditions. For that reason he isn’t going to go to a non-playoff team like Edmonton.
End of story.
Best surfing conditions off the coastline of California or between September through November.
Pros
1) Best swells of the year.
2) excellent wind conditions
3) Kids back in school.
4) Wife back in yoga class.
Cons.
1) Slightly less Bikinis on beach.
I agree that he’s very likely to go to San Jose and not very likely to go to Edmonton. But surfing isn’t the reason.
I always find it a bit odd when someone is so adamant about how a person they have never met before will behave.
So you’re saying he signed in Toronto for the money but now he wants to play in SJS to surf?
Can I see some math into the interest/60 of the continents please?
Personal interest is subjective to the individual. Each tiny region of the world has so much history, if you look for it, let alone entire continents.
I dunno. I guess I find sweeping statements like “continent X is more interesting than continent Y” really precocious.
You and I are very aligned. Can Puljujarvi play LW? Can Kassian?
Not for his wife and half a baseball team they have. Mark Messier has a better chance of coming out of retirement and lacing them up for the Oilers.
New for The Athletic: Handicapping the Oilers young defencemen and their chances of replacing Andrej Sekera
https://theathletic.com/1103278/2019/07/30/lowetide-handicapping-the-oilers-young-defencemen-and-their-chances-of-replacing-andrej-sekera/
We did an 18 day Tanzania/Kenya safari adventure back in 2016 finished with 5 days on the beaches of Zanzibar – just an amazing trip – exceeded our expectations which were very high to start with.
We are booked on another 3 week trip July 2020 – Rawanda, Uganda and the DRC (only 2 days in the DRC to climb a volcano and camp at the top over-looking the worlds largest lava lake.
This will be less safara and more culture – staying in villages, eating with the locals, etc. Gorilla trecking in Uganda – can’t effing wait.
The level of luxury is quite a bit down from what my pretentious ass is used to but its going to be an amazing experience.
https://www.rockmyadventure.com/uganda-rwanda-drc-group-adventure-solo-travellers/
Holland’s history shows a desire for mature players all being equal
Current signed depth.
Mcdavid C (22)
Draisaitl LW, C, RW(23)
Khaira LW, C (24)
Cave C (24)
RNH C (26)
Granlund LW, RW (26)
Archibald RW (26)
Nygard LW (26)
Jurco LW,RW (26)
Haas C (27)
Chaisson LW,RW (28)
Kassian RW (28)
Gagner RW (29)
Neal LW (31)
Brodziak C (35)
15 FWDS 7 who can play center.
Nurse LD (24)
Benning RD (25)
Persson RD (25)
Larsson RD (26)
Klefbom LD (26)
Manning LD (29)
Russell LD,RD (32)
7 Dmen 3 LD, 3 RD & 1 who can play both.
Koskinen G (31)
Smith G (37)
Prospects by age:
Day D (26)
Gambardella LW (26) in dec
Lagesson LD (23)
Maroody C,RW (23) in Dec.
—————————————— All below cooking for 1-2 more years in AHL would be Holland’s way.
Hebig RW,C (22)
Jones LD (22)
Bear RD (22)
Benson LW (21)
Yamamotto RW,C (21) in sept
Maximov RW (20)
Samaroukov LD (20)
Mcleod C (20) in sept.
Looking at forwards & D under 23
——————————— Lowe GM; MacT Coach
05-06 hemsky (22)
O6-07 Smid (20) MAP (21), JFJ (21), Lupul (22), Thoersen (22)
07-08 Gagner (18), Cogliano (20), Smid (21), Storitini (21), Nilsson (22), MAP (22), JFJ (22)
———————————- Katz new owner Tambellini GM
08-09 Gagner (19), Cogs (21), Smid (22), Reddox (22), Storitini (22)
———————————- Quinn New Coach
09-10 Gagner (20), Cogs (22), Brule (22), Chorney (22)
———————————- Renney New Coach
10-11 Hall (18), Pujarvi (19), Eberle (20), Gagner (21), Peckham (22), Petry (22)
11-12 RNH (18), Hall (19), Pujarvi (20), Lander (20), Eberle (21), Gagner (22)
———————————— Kruger Coach
12-13 Yakupov (18), RNH (19), Hall (20), Pujarvi (21), Lander (21), Eberle (22), Schultz (23)
———————————— MacT GM, Eakins Coach
13-14 Yakupov (19), RNH (20), Hall (21), Marincin (21)
14-15 Draisaitl (18), Yakupov (20), RNH (21), Klefbom (21), Hall (22), Marincin (22)
————————————- Chiarelli GM, Mclelland Coach
15-16 Mcdavid (18), Draisaitl (19), Nurse (20), Yak (21), RNH (22), Klef (22)
16-17 JP (18), Mcdavid (19), Drai (20), Nurse (21), Caggulia (22), Benning (22), Slep (22)
17-18 JP (19), Mcdavid (20), Drai (21), Nurse (22)
18-19 JP (20) Mcdavid (21), Drai (22)
——————————Holland GM, Tippett Coach
Nicely set up not to bring on any 22yr olds other than Mcdavid.
Which Holland has done often in the past.
Holland has not had the Forward depth he would like the last few years.
We here he lets players cook in the minors.
Question is how old does he prefer his players before they get 32+ gm season in NHL.
Is he like LT draft +5 (23)
Does he give them a chance after age is no longer a translation issue. (22)
Or is it sooner than that.
Holland publicly stated that players have asked for trades and he has convinced some to stay and some wanted to go. He only made a trade when the trade was in the teams interest.
Puljujarvi played in NHL @ 18, 19, 20.
Young forwards under Holland with close to 2/5 of season.
22yr is draft +4 when age adjustment is gone.
18-19 Rasmussen (19) 4 evg 10 PPA, Larkin (22)
17-18 Larkin (21), Mantha (22), bertuzzi (22)
16-17 Larkin (20), Mantha (21)
15-16 Larkin (19), Athanasiou (21), Jurco (22)
——————————————————- Blashill becomes coach
14-15 Jurco (21), Sheahan (22),
13-14 Jurco (20), Sheahan (21)
12-13 None
11-12 None
10-11 None
9-10 Helm (22), Abdelkader (22)
8-9 None
7-8 None
6-7 Hudler (22), Filpulla (22)
5-6 None
——————————————- Babcock becomes coach
3-4 Zetterberg (22)
2-3 Zetterberg (21), Avery (22)
——————————————- Lewis becomes coach
1-2 Avery (21)
0-1 Devereaux (22)
99-00 butsayev (20)
98-99 Dandenault (22)
97-98 Dandenault (21)
————————————————- Holland made GM July 1997
96-97 Dandenault (20), Lapointe (22)
95-96 Dandenault (19), Lapointe (21)
94-95 Lapointe (20), Primeau (22), Kozlov (22), MaCarty (22)
93-94 Lapointe (19), Primeau (21), Kozlov (21), McCarty (21), Sillinger (22), Draper (22), Johnson (22)
——————————————- Scotty B. Becomes coach
97-98 to 12-13 seems to be (22 yr) draft +4.
When age translation is no longer an issue.
Core development should be closer to complete
Jurco LW/RW was the only 20 yr old game count Season under Babcock.
Butsayev under Scotty B.
Larkin was brought in under blashill.
Holland must still think their is something their in Jurco.
I would expect a chance for the guy who has shown top 6 fwd even production pace thru his limited career.
Age this season:
Maroody (23) in dec.
—————————————— draft +4
Puljujarvi (21) this season
Benson (21) this season
Yamamoto (21) in sept
Maximov (20)
Mcleod (20) in sept
Lavoie unsigned (19) in sept
Who has been remarkable last 2 seasons in our prospects.
LT: your draft +5 education early on in this blog.
Is a mantra any fan should hold.
How nice for you. But the Surfer Dude narrative is just silly.
Age NHLE curves created by Desjardins are the only way to check for consistent performance in NHL production translation.
Benson sits as our 4th best total point option at 42.
But one of the 2 worst total goal options with Mcleod.
Age NHLE can identify regression of players year to year.
Even though standard NHLE would lie to you and say it is the same.
As a player matures his standard NHLE should increase by a marked %.
Benson consistent age NHLE suggests top 90 C total goals & top 65 C total points
Clearly a #3 C but his even production could increase to fringe 2 Nd or better.
His (20 yr) 13 evg in AHL age league NHLE translates to 7.8 (8) evg
Lavoie draft -1 & draft playoffs suggests top 25 C total goals & top 35 C total points
His draft reg season suggests top 40 C total G & top 50 center total points.
It is not known were he is best suited C/RW
Drai, Mcdavid, RNH
Kassian 14 evg #38 RW
Chaisson 13 evg #41 LW, #44 RW
Archibald 12 evg #52 RW
Granlund 10 evg #60 LW, #62 RW
What do we know of Khaira.
17-18 10 evg
18-19 14 eva
Top 40 PK forward in league
Puljujarvi 19 yr season per nat stat
65 gm 815:28 10 evg
.74 evg/60
Tkachuk 19 yrvseason per nat stat
76gm 958:49 10 evg
.63 evg/60
The one concern I had with Puljujarvi pre draft was the sub 7% shooting he had in Finland.
I have only been to parts of North Africa so I will take your word for that. The cuisine tips the balance to Asia for me.
Agreed. And Africa is more interesting that Asia, in my opinion.
Europe is just fine, and potentially even better, for a recently single 21 year old.
Yak’s most common linemates in his first season were Gagner, PRV and Hemsky.
In his second season, they were Gagner, Nuge and Eberle.
This does not line up with you pet peeve.
Responding to the following from AndyDufresne
_______________
Agreed – things have changed and I’d love to see a healthy and motivated Jesse Puljujarvi in camp with his mind on right.
Adding him as an option somewhere in the top 9 would be wonderful.
Hey thanks for this reminder and all of the nostalgic memories everyone has shared.
I certainly remember the stickers. I loved collecting them but I didn’t get too many. My mom drove a puddle jumper of a car with a small gas tank and unless you got a friendly gas station attendant you had to buy at least $3 worth of gas to collect a sticker. Mom was kind of ticked when we did get a sticker, as it usually meant the price of gas had gone up.
My memory may not be totally accurate, but I seem to recall that in spite of the few stickers I was able to collect that I somehow managed to get multiple copies of Bruce Gamble.
If Benson proves to be legit middle six or top 6 ready, it could/should lead to the ability to go to the three center set.
Pairs:
McDavid/Kass
Dria/Chiasson
Nuge/Neal
Maybe:
XXXX/McDavid/ass
Khaira/Drai/Chiasson
Benson/Nuge/Neal
Jesse Puljujarvi a wild card for 1LW.
Sam Gagner in the mix.
Nygard is a LW but I refuse to put him in the top 6 until I see if he’s at least an NHL player.
I don’t watch much baseball anymore.. Still remember Dave Van Horne’s “El Presidente El Perfecto!”
18.75 mil for 3 yrs at 37yrs with zero pressure. Now it’s back to surf city with the gang in San Jose for one or two last attempts at the Holy Grail.
Dellow’s been busy.
Subban, Gusev, Simmonds…
BONE207,
Been about 10-12 times to Europe myself, and the most fun I’ve had is off the beaten path. It’s better to experience things yourself than be stuck on a bus with a guide, but to each his/her own.
Unless you spend more time in rural areas, most people speak English, just be polite about it, especially when In doubt. Most cities are safe but be a little more wary after dark. I’ve has great luck with Uber the last two trips (be sure and check the plate every time) and the European rail system is relatively inexpensive and very efficient.
Also, for the major attractions, especially during tourist season, things sell out, so I usually either order days ahead of time online or get an early start and get there when it opens.
The other tip I have is get one of those SIM cards at the airport so you can stay connected on your phone. Being in a foreign country and in doubt of where to go with no internet can be a bit daunting.
Try to experience as much of the local culture and food that you can.
Best wishes on your trip!
I’m pretty certain that OP has the highest posts/60 stats at this site.
Although Reja’s probably the posts/60 leader from the draft until now.
There was a player named Dino Cicarrelli who was not drafted due to a serious leg injury in his draft year. He went on to play over 1200 games. Recovery from injury, particularly with serious injuries is very hard to predict.
What outdoor entertainment does Marleau enjoy so much in Toronto that he couldn’t do in Edmonton?
Munny,
still brings tears to my eyes thinking about it. The Hall of Fame was on the exhibition grounds, The display was incredible. Took a good half an hour to go through it all.
No prob, I don’t often manage to contribute something useful where someone else hasn’t already done so in superior fashion! I’ve learned tons on this site so I’m due!
SkatinginSand,
Third this. Beautiful
Andy Dufresne,
Andy, I see you’ve made 2 or 3 posts today. Are you attempting to outpost OP? 🙂
Would be curious to see the stats on how many times different guys post on this site.
tileguy,
Thank You.
The old “knee to the groin; shoulder to the head slide” haha
Back when baseball was a full contact sport.
Another thing that brings a smile to my face everytime. 🙂
Thank You VERY much. You just saved me a fair amount of time. 🙂
Nice. Did you just make that up?……kidding 🙂
Melted into the Earth….What Am I?….the Wicked WItch of the East.
(Serioulsy though, there is a reason why sarcophagus’s have drain holes in the bottom)
Agreed – Terry Fox was one of a kind. My wife’s friend just ran 7 marathons in 7 days in 7 states on two legs. Terry Fox ran, on average, a marathon a day for 143 days. On one leg.
Jagr didn’t like the beach his entertainment was more indoors.
The centre of the hockey universe was a great fit for Marleau allowed him one last huge contract with zero pressure and a good chance at the cup. If he doesn’t retire I’ll take California for $500 Alex.
Andy Dufresne,
If you see a little “more information” text next to a game it is currently sold out.
-I have no idea what the secondary market looks like for this, or if there is one.
You made me think of hockey cards and if you had the same one 6 times they would be used
in the spokes of your bike with the old wooden clothesline pins. Sometimes you would
use two or three. You could actually hear and know which buddy was coming from a block and a half away because they all made their own distinct sound.
The website is a bit clunky. Once you’re at the iihf page for the tourney and click through a couple buy ticket links you should see individual games. If you see an odd looking arena map with a colour that matches the colour in the price legend, tickets are available with a number in the section for how many. Zoom in and you should see individual seats to pick.
If it’s all grey it’s all sold out.
-all Czech games sold out, plus Canada except the German games.
-final is sold out. Tickets available for both semifinals and the qtrs that are in Ostrava.
-apparently more seats will be released in mid September.
Not sure what they will do this fall but take a look at their 2020-2021 projection. 13 players signed for $66,716,905 with Sergachev in his RFA contract year.
That’s going to take some fancy footwork. 😉
SJS have about $5.3 mil with 20 players signed and, I presume, Thornton and Marleau both wanting to play and split whatever is left.
I think they want to get the band back together and are just waiting for Wilson to say he is finished and this is what I can offer you.
If you delay
Life can get in way
A few more years
a nest to feed
A few more years after that
Parents age and start to need
A few more years after that
You age and start to be unable to read
Then its the 2nd best perfect time for epic travels
At 27 and 72 the future unravels
Raise a glass for a life full of mirth
When you really saw touch tasted felt melted into
THE EARTH
Soooo…..
Who do you guys suppose TBay will need to trade to get Point signed to mega deal we’re all expecting (but will be astonished that they were able to sign him for $2M less)???