Time is Tight

by Lowetide

Finding a linemate for Connor McDavid turned out to be fairly easy, what with Leon Draisaitl being drafted in the first round one year before 97. Finding an inexpensive veteran to play on his wing works, but it can get expensive in a hurry (witness Patrick Maroon’s rumored ask, and the next Zack Kassian deal). Maybe Joakim Nygard will offer the Oilers a new option: Unknown who succeeds. We’re one game into the experiment but there were good signs everywhere.

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 Athletic, less than two coffees a month offer here. 

  • New Lowetide: Complete Oilers top 20 prospects list, winter 2019
  • New Jonathan Willis: Oilers recall Caleb Jones, one of their most plausible trade chips
  • New Daniel Nugent-Bowman: ‘These games are not coming back’: Oilers lament frustrating week at home
  • Lowetide: Oilers’ No. 5 prospect, Winter 2019 — Raphael Lavoie
  • Jonathan Willis: Dave Tippett rewarded for his bets on the resilience of Mikko Koskinen, Oilers
  • Lowetide: How many value contracts do the Oilers have and are any more on the way?
  • Daniel Nugent-Bowman: Ken Holland responds to allegations that Mike Babcock mistreated players in Detroit
  • Jonathan Willis: How will Hart voters choose between Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl?
  • Daniel Nugent-Bowman: How the Oilers turned team defence from a weakness into a strength
  • Lowetide: Analyzing the Oilers’ latest roster shuffle and the defencemen involved
  • Lowetide: Oilers’ No. 4 prospect winter 2019: Tyler Benson
  • Minnia Feng: Unsolicited advice for the Oilers: Chinese proverbs edition
  • Jonathan Willis: Are the Oilers good now? Subtle changes add up to sustainable gain
  • Daniel Nugent-Bowman: How Mikko Koskinen is seizing his opportunity to take over the Oilers’ crease
  • Lowetide: Eight assets the Oilers could use to acquire Taylor Hall
  • Lowetide: Oilers No. 3 prospect winter 2019: Ethan Bear
  • Lowetide: Oilers’ No. 2 prospect winter 2019: Philip Broberg
  • Lowetide: Oilers’ No. 1 prospect winter 2019: Evan Bouchard

OILERS AFTER 33 GAMES

  • Oilers in 201514-17-2, 30 points; goal differential -13
  • Oilers in 2016: 16-12-5, 37 points; goal differential +4
  • Oilers in 2017: 14-17-2, 30 points; goal differential -9
  • Oilers in 2018: 18-12-3, 39 points; goal differential +4
  • Oilers in 2019: 18-11-4, 40 points; goal differential +2

The goal differential is gone now, the gap in points also basically erased. Facing a schedule that is best described as difficult for the rest of the week, the Oilers tied the game in the third but couldn’t play at level in the third period and lost in regulation. That would have been an important Bettman.

OILERS IN DECEMBER

  • Oilers in December 2015: 5-0-0, 10 points; goal differential +6
  • Oilers in December 2016: 2-1-2, six points; goal differential +1
  • Oilers in December 2017: 3-2-0, six points; goal differential +8
  • Oilers in December 2018: 4-1-0, eight points; goal differential +5
  • Oilers in December 2019: 2-2-1, five points; goal differential -5

This is the least successful December to remember during the McDavid era, in fact the goal differential is alarming compared to the previous editions. I know Ken Holland has ice in his veins, but he might want to throw this team a bone in the coming days.

WHAT TO EXPECT IN DECEMBER

  • On the road to: VAN (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 1-0-0)
  • At home to: OTT, LAK, BUF, CAR (Expected 2-1-1) (Actual 1-2-1)
  • On the road to: MIN (Expected 1-0-0)
  • At home to: TOR (Expected 0-1-0)
  • On the road to: DAL, STL (Expected 0-2-0)
  • At home to: PIT, MTL (Expected 1-1-0)
  • On the road to: VAN (Expected 0-0-1)
  • At home to: CAL, NYR (Expected 1-1-0)
  • Overall expected result: 6-6-2, 14 points in 14 games
  • Current results: 2-2-1, 5 points in 5 games

Despite all the bad news, the team is exactly one game off my projection. I had them 3-1-1 and the Oilers are 2-2-1. The bad news is I’m projecting a 1-3-0 track over the next four games. The team’s record could be 3-5-1 for the month by the end of the St. Louis game.

OILERS 2019-20

It was an unusual night, but the bullet points involve Carolina being the better team, Edmonton pushing back and then taking penalties (the PK has sprung a leak). Lots of posts and fancy Dan plays and people are mad at the goalie but I think the Hurricanes were the better team from the anthem to the trip to the airport. All numbers (unless noted) five on five via NST.

LINE 1 Joakim Nygard-Connor McDavid-Zack Kassian played 10:06, going 21-2 Corsi, 14-1 shots, 2-0 goals, 7-0 HDSC.

Joakim Nygard’s speed helped the line, he had an assist, three shots, two HDSC and moved the puck in a good direction. Connor McDavid, now the NHL’s leading scorer, had two assists plus a PP apple, a shot, HDSC. He was on fire all night. Zack Kassian scored twice, five shots, four HDSC and two minors. The penalties marred one of his strongest games, even if at least one of them was a silly call by the zebra.

LINE 2 Jujhar Khaira-Leon Draisaitl-Nuge played 10:31, going 5-10 Corsi, 2-7 shots, 0-1 goals, 1-1 HDSC.

Jujhar Khaira had a shot but made a fatal error on the fourth goal when he was unable to corral the puck. Small play, but deadly. He was 0-3 goal differential. Leon Draisaitl had an assist on the PP, while drawing a penalty and a takeaway. Had one good chance at five on five. Nuge scored on the power play, plus HDSC at five on five. Line spent the evening against the Aho line (7:55, 1-5 shots, 0-1 goals) and the Slavin-Hamilton pairing (7:43, 0-5 shots, no goals) or Edmundson-Pesce (no luck there, either). That’s one of the tougher NHL assignments, I would view this line’s evening through that lens. Khaira miscue a gigantic game moment though.

LINE 3 James Neal-Gaetan Haas-Patrick Russell played 6:49, going 6-11 Corsi, 3-6 shots, no goals and 1-1 HDSC.

James Neal had one shot and one HDSC, he has gone very quiet lately. Scorers can turn it around in a hurry, going to be difficult on this line. Gaetan Haas had a shot and a takeaway, got lost in coverage a couple of times. Patrick Russell worked hard all night but couldn’t get anything going.

LINE 4 Markus Granlund-Riley Sheahan-Josh Archibald played 5:24, going 5-9 Corsi, 4-1 shots, no goals and 1-1 HDSC.

Markus Granlund had a shot, HDSC and drew a penalty. That’s a good night’s work for a fourth liner. He stood out in a good way. Riley Sheahan also had a shot, HDSC and won four of seven on the dot. Both men played 2:19 PK and were 0-1. Josh Archibald had a couple of shots and was on for two GA with Jujhar Khaira despite the fact they were on the ice together for a total of 10 seconds. That’s some kinda some kinda. He doesn’t impact the game enough.

PAIRING ONE Darnell Nurse and Ethan Bear played 14:45, going 24-7 Corsi, 17-6 shots, 1-0 goals, 7-1 HDSC and 9-2 offensive-defensive faceoffs.

Darnell Nurse had six shots on goal and no giveaways. A couple of errant passes and a little indecision that led to some moments but overall a rock solid game. Exposed on the PK a couple of times. Ethan Bear had one shot, a takeaway and two giveaways, he was also excellent with the puck. He has a patented little slide pass to McDavid to the right of the Oiler net that springs 97 every time. So good.

PAIRING TWO Oscar Klefbom and Adam Larsson played 10:51, going 9-16 Corsi, 5-6 shots, 0-1 goals, 1-2 HDSC and 3-3 offensive-defensive faceoffs.

Oscar Klefbom had two shots, three giveaways and drew a penalty. He was 0-3 on the night and whatever injury that ails him is keeping him from getting to pucks in a timely fashion. Adam Larsson hit a couple of posts and blocked a bunch of shots. This pairing was assigned the Aho line, gave up one goal and lost the possession battle 7-5 (shots 3-3) in 8:07. Larsson was the lone PK regular without a blemish.

PAIRING THREE Kris Russell and Caleb Jones played 7:55, going 3-15 Corsi, 3-7 shots, no goals, 0-1 HDSC and 4-4 offensive-defensive faceoffs.

Kris Russell defended a lot, and it didn’t cost the team at five-on-five despite those ugly numbers. Had trouble on the PK last night, betwixt and between a lot. Caleb Jones picked up an assist, had one shot and a giveaway. His speed was useful against Carolina. He was a noticeable improvement over Joel Persson to my eye.

Goalie Mikko Koskinen stopped 26 of 32, .813. It was a difficult night for him but I’m going to credit Hurricanes forwards on a couple of those goals and point at the PK on two more. That said, Koskinen needed to stop that goal at the end of the period and was Pepe Le Pew on the Hamilton goal. Coach Tippett’s postgame comments had some iron in them re: Goalie and PK, both fair in my opinion.

JONES AND GAUTHIER

If there was any showcasing going on last night, and there’s plenty of chatter about it, I believe Caleb Jones showed a lot. As for Julien Gauthier he was noticed when he took a penalty and I thought he was faster than the reports implied. Beyond that, not much to say.

TRADE IMPETUS

Dom has the Oilers at 39 percent to make the playoffs, I’d suggest part of the issue for Edmonton is that the teams chasing them now (Arizona, Calgary, Vegas) are also better, have more balance and are currently riding a wave. Vancouver is an interesting team as well, they’ll be heard from this season. For Ken Holland, whose boss could use some playoff revenue, a trade to help this group has to be at least contemplated, no?

CONDORS ROLL

The Condors play tonight against the Barracuda in San Jose. Shane Starrett’s presence in net will be the biggest news (if he plays) to come out today, Condors are a different team with him in net. In the team’s most recent game, a 7-3 loss to the Stockton Heat, Bakersfield outshot the Heat 39-34 but didn’t get the goaltending. Kailer Yamamoto had 5 SOG in that game, an encouraging sign.

LOWDOWN WITH LOWETIDE

At 10 this morning, TSN1260. Bruce McCurdy will make sense of last night and have a first blush view of the rest of the week. We’ll talk about trades and playoffs, too. Joe Osborne from OddsShark will make sense of the NFL week to come and talk about Super Bowl odds. 10-1260 text, @Lowetide on twitter. See you on the radio!

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ArmchairGM

LT, stop hitting the snooze button and get your game-day post up!

Edit: Thanks!

Wilde

JimmyV1965: We don’t need to add two wingers to create a second line; just one good one.

What does “need” mean?!

Victoria Oil

jp: Who posts 98CF? And gets smoked? Man.

I think the Sharks had 100 CF when Scrivens had his 59 save shutout.

Greetings from Singapore, by the way.

Foege Foegele Torpe

JimmyV1965: We don’t need to add two wingers to create a second line; just one good one.

Perhaps something like an elite 5v5 play driver?
Man it would be nice to have one of those

Foege Foegele Torpe

Wilde: Yes I’ve noted that earlier in the season their loss in 5v5 goalshare was actually 90% shooting and 10% goaltending

They have a toxic combination of taking bad shots and poor passing chemistry while also experiencing extreme variance with what should be some of their most potent units on the ice

Sounds like Todd McLellan’s Oilers

JimmyV1965

Bobcaygeon: The Oilers have RNH for one more year and nobody on the left side while Neil is on a tail end of a career where 20 goals might still be a reach this year and he has 14…..

The Oilers desperately need a second line, unless playing 97-29 for 27 minutes a night is your thing long term

We don’t need to add two wingers to create a second line; just one good one.

Wilde

jp: Yeah there’s no question poor goaltending is an important element.

But 2 goals from 98 shot attempts? And the actual shots were only 39-35 so the conversion of those shot attempts into shots on net was shockingly bad. Kinda remarkable actually.

Yes I’ve noted that earlier in the season their loss in 5v5 goalshare was actually 90% shooting and 10% goaltending

They have a toxic combination of taking bad shots and poor passing chemistry while also experiencing extreme variance with what should be some of their most potent units on the ice

jp

Wilde: That’s 5v5 too. There was like no special teams time in the entire game, though

e: There was also a moment in the game where the starter let in a dogshit goal and then the b/u came in and made one (1) save before letting in his own

Yeah there’s no question poor goaltending is an important element.

But 2 goals from 98 shot attempts? And the actual shots were only 39-35 so the conversion of those shot attempts into shots on net was shockingly bad. Kinda remarkable actually.

OriginalPouzar

Siilkanen cut from Team Finland.

flea

drglen: I wonder if Dallas wished they had waited on.e more day

Yeah DeBoer would be a good fit there as well

Munny:
flea,

Have the Sharks hired Remenda as DeBoer’s replacement yet?

Remenda made an extra sacrifice at his Sharks alter last night

Wilde

jp: Who posts 98CF? And gets smoked? Man.

That’s 5v5 too. There was like no special teams time in the entire game, though

e: There was also a moment in the game where the starter let in a dogshit goal and then the b/u came in and made one (1) save before letting in his own

leadfarmer

Harpers Hair: It’s rather unfortunate that you want to capitalize on the issue of a player that can’t stay healthy.

Says a lot about you.

You fell right into it again
Because neither can Yamamoto
In fact you called him a corpse recently
Says a lot about you

jp

Wilde:
Bakersfield Condors v. San Jose Barracuda; December 11th, 2019; Game Totals:

98CF – 43CA / / (+55) 69.50%
62FF – 24FA / / (+38) 72.09%
2GF – 5GA / / (+3) 28.57%

Who posts 98CF? And gets smoked? Man.

kgo

Harpers Hair: Fun fact:

Kailer Yamamoto has 11 points in 17 games.

Canucks D prospect Brogan Rafferty has 20 points 25 games.

One of these players is an undrafted defensemen…the other is a former first round pick.

Time to pump the brakes OP.

Brogan Rafferty! Brogan Rafferty? Now you’re just making up Canucks prospects! Damn you DSF!

Wilde

The only truly upsetting thing was that Yamamoto didn’t get to add to his penalty differential, despite one particularly absurd moment where he was in a one-on-one with a defenseman and the guy just open-palmed him in the face

Should have been a pretty routine roughing call, but in a just world also unsportsmanlike conduct

Wilde

Bakersfield Condors v. San Jose Barracuda; December 11th, 2019; Game Totals:

98CF – 43CA / / (+55) 69.50%
62FF – 24FA / / (+38) 72.09%
2GF – 5GA / / (+3) 28.57%

Top F:
Yamamoto (3.45 GS)
9 shot attempts / 8 assists
43.59% primary shot contribution
1 goal / 1 (primary) assist
39CF-14CA (73.58%)
2GF-3GA

Top D:
Day (1.90GS)
9 shot attempts / 3 assists
30.00% primary shot contribution
40CF-9CA (81.63%)
0GF-2GA

Wilde

Munny: Jesus H. Goalie

It’s about to get even better

Munny

Wilde: 62CF – 29CA
43FF – 17FA
2GF – 5GA

Jesus H. Goalie

Munny

Larsson isn’t going anywhere unless a defenseman is coming back.

Trade Larsson and you have 2 rookies playing the right side… unless Benning is out, in which case it’s three, or two and KRusty.

Not happening.

Wilde

Bakersfield Condors v. San Jose Barracuda; December 11th, 2019; after two Periods:

62CF – 29CA
43FF – 17FA
2GF – 5GA

Top F: Yamamoto (3.09 Game Score) – 7 shot attempts, 6 shot assist, 40.63 (primary) contribution %, 1 goal, 1 (primary) assist / / 32 CF – 10 CA (76.19%), 2 GF-3 GA

Top D: Day (1.54 Game Score) – 7 shot attempts, 3 shot assists, 31.25 (primary) contribution % / / 32CF-6CA (84.21%), 0 GF – 1 GA

(that’s Yamamoto needing only two periods to put up a larger Game Score number than any Condors player this season has in a full game)

drglen

JimmyV1965: The team doesn’t need two top six forwards. They need one. You seem to like the Canucks and they only have four. In fact, most teams don’t have six top six forwards.

It’s a bit disingenuous to propose some ridiculous Drai trade and then ask others for specifics.But there’s lots of options out there.

Trade Russell for Galchenyuk if the Pens are in his trade list. If not, trade him to the Jets for Perrault. Target some players on the Devils not named Taylor Hall, guys like Coleman, Wood, Zacha and Palmeiri. Focus on getting young players who might need a change of scenery like Josh Anderson.

Trade Larsson for a second line winger. There’s a bunch of teams in need of RHD and Larsson still has cache.

I’d trade both guys as well. They’ll be worth a little more as deadline approaches.. .. but the roster needs to be managed now. Not sure Larrson garners a second line winger though. Maybe a third line center. And we’ve got Benson.. let’s see what he has. I’d take a flyer on Galchenyuk. for sure.

drglen

flea:
Pete DeBoer fired by SJS. Edit – sorry see this is already posted. Rest of my comment is still relevant.

With all the recent firings I bet he’ll be employed again soon.

Bet Calgary takes a look at him, although Ward has been good so far

I wonder if Dallas wished they had waited on.e more day

hunter1909

Munny:
hunter1909,

We haven’t hit terminal velocity yet. There’s still a chance we can pull the ripcords on this one.

Ideally this team buys Holland enough time to make a deal when the teams that will be selling are willing to sell (rather than keep working the bids).

Thanks Munny. It’s good to think everything my paranoid mind concocts isn’t actually concocting.

hunter1909

Oilers might have developed Yakupov properly. They might have not traded Hall away. Right now Larson’s the worst player on the ice from all accounts and they let him go out and screw up and it’s okay I guess because what the fuck do I know about hockey?

Munny

hunter1909,

We haven’t hit terminal velocity yet. There’s still a chance we can pull the ripcords on this one.

Ideally this team buys Holland enough time to make a deal when the teams that will be selling are willing to sell (rather than keep working the bids).

hunter1909

Incredibly the Oilers are in free fall again.

Welcome to the new NHL. Where teams from last place in January win the cup. Where teams with near record breaking points totals routinely get bounced from the playoffs in the 1st round.

It’s hard to imagine how Holland+Tippett could fail to understand the chances of European players like Haas becoming unable to stay the course of an 82 game season. For certain there might be a plan somewhere that they can implement, or else the new NHL decrees that by the cap you live and by the cap you die and 3/4 of NHL GM’s haven’t got a clue how to use it.

Munny

Harpers Hair: Fun fact:

Kailer Yamamoto has 11 points in 17 games.

Canucks D prospect Brogan Rafferty has 20 points 25 games.

One of these players is an undrafted defensemen…the other is a former first round pick.

Time to pump the brakes OP.

He’s 24, will be 25 before the next Cup is raised. His career trajectory is injury cover at best.

He’s a plus Logan Day. Or maybe just Logan Day, depending on QoT.

Munny

flea,

Have the Sharks hired Remenda as DeBoer’s replacement yet?

Bobcaygeon

JimmyV1965: The team doesn’t need two top six forwards. They need one. You seem to like the Canucks and they only have four. In fact, most teams don’t have six top six forwards.

It’s a bit disingenuous to propose some ridiculous Drai trade and then ask others for specifics.But there’s lots of options out there.

Trade Russell for Galchenyuk if the Pens are in his trade list. If not, trade him to the Jets for Perrault. Target some players on the Devils not named Taylor Hall, guys like Coleman, Wood, Zacha and Palmeiri. Focus on getting young players who might need a change of scenery like Josh Anderson.

Trade Larsson for a second line winger. There’s a bunch of teams in need of RHD and Larsson still has cache.

The Oilers have RNH for one more year and nobody on the left side while Neil is on a tail end of a career where 20 goals might still be a reach this year and he has 14…..

The Oilers desperately need a second line, unless playing 97-29 for 27 minutes a night is your thing long term

Wilde

Bakersfield Condors v. San Jose Barracuda; December 11th, 2019; Woodcroft’s 13/7:

Gambardella-Malone
Jurco-Marody
Benson-Esposito
Maksimov-McLeod
Cave/Currie/Yamamoto

Lowe-Persson
Lagesson-Bouchard
Samorukov/Kulevich-Day

After Period One:

36 CF – 17 CA
23 FF – 11 FA
1 GF – 2 GA

Top F: Yamamoto (1.57 Game Score) – 4 shot attempt / 2 assist, 1 G / / 17CF-5CA, 1GF-2GA

Top D: Day (0.83 Game Score) – 6 shot attempt / 0 assist / / 16CF-3CA, 0GF/1GA

flea

Pete DeBoer fired by SJS. Edit – sorry see this is already posted. Rest of my comment is still relevant.

With all the recent firings I bet he’ll be employed again soon.

Bet Calgary takes a look at him, although Ward has been good so far.

jp

OriginalPouzar:
What does a 24 year old d-man have to do with a 21 year old forward prospect?

Rafferty is the Canucks Logan Day I guess.

And Podkolzin is their Puljujarvi.

jp

OriginalPouzar:
I think there are other ways to improve and find balance other than trading one of the best players in the league signed to a value contract for the next 6 years, such years being his prime years.

I’m fairly certain no one actually believes this would be a good move for the Oilers.

Wilde

Just getting started on the game now, don’t know if anyone noticed this but the 13/7 is buoyed by Yamamoto double-shifts lol

OriginalPouzar

Marody puts one wide all alone in front.

I would say the high danger chances are 2:1 in favor of the Condors, if not 3:1.

Goalies.

OriginalPouzar

Joe G picks up a loose puck in the slot and snaps one hope to get the Condors kind of back in to it. Down 4-2.

OriginalPouzar

and Wells lets in a week one immediately after Bouchard can’t bury a great chance.

OriginalPouzar

Harpers\Hair: So you’re sayinga Nurse trade 18 months from now will be transformative?

Will potentially fill one hole but there are so many more.

Who said anything about transformative?

I’m not looking for a single more to transorm the team.

I’m looking to build the team in to a contender within the next couple of years.

Geez

Harpers Hair

leadfarmer:
Harpers Hair,

Only because Juolevi sucks
What a waste of a #5 pick
He’s putting up Lagesson type numbers and he’s a 4th round pick and this is their 3rd pro season

It’s rather unfortunate that you want to capitalize on the issue of a player that can’t stay healthy.

Says a lot about you.

OriginalPouzar

Third time this game after a huge pressure shift by the Condors (Maksimov/Cave/McLeod) the Baracuda come down and score- Carick with a weak one on Skinner and Wells is in the game.

JimmyV1965

Harpers Hair: What ways?

Be specific.

Russell isn’t going anywhere.

Nurse is tradeable but if he’s replaced by a shlub, you’re no further ahead.

The Oilers need two top six forwards and a #3C and you’re not going to get that by trading Nurse and replacing him with an inferior player.

The team doesn’t need two top six forwards. They need one. You seem to like the Canucks and they only have four. In fact, most teams don’t have six top six forwards.

It’s a bit disingenuous to propose some ridiculous Drai trade and then ask others for specifics. But there’s lots of options out there.

Trade Russell for Galchenyuk if the Pens are in his trade list. If not, trade him to the Jets for Perrault. Target some players on the Devils not named Taylor Hall, guys like Coleman, Wood, Zacha and Palmeiri. Focus on getting young players who might need a change of scenery like Josh Anderson.

Trade Larsson for a second line winger. There’s a bunch of teams in need of RHD and Larsson still has cache.

Harpers Hair

OriginalPouzar: Read the comment you responded to for specifics.

Given Russell only has one year left, yes, he will be going somewhere and he can be replaced at 3LD for $1M cheaper which will reasonably improve the position. There is a very solid chance that Russell will be gone within 9 months, maybe with slight retainmnent but still at a net cap savings.

A potential Nurse trade is spring 2021 and dependant on LD prospect development – an area of organizational strength.

So you’re saying a Nurse trade 18 months from now will be transformative?

Will potentially fill one hole but there are so many more.

leadfarmer

Harpers Hair,

Only because Juolevi sucks
What a waste of a #5 pick
He’s putting up Lagesson type numbers and he’s a 4th round pick and this is their 3rd pro season

OriginalPouzar

Lowetide:
2-1 after one. Bakersfield always seems a goal behind this season. Starrett’s injury issues have forced Skinner to carry more of the load and one assumes the organization prefers him over Wells. At this point, with Skinner’s SP at .882 (entering tonight) I’m thinking maybe Wells should get a turn.

Starrett came back – played great, finished the game, and is out again – sigh. Yesterday Woody was hopeful he’d be fully healthy at some point this week.

Given deployment (even when Wells have better numbers early), its clear the org has Skinner ahead at this point.

OriginalPouzar

What does a 24 year old d-man have to do with a 21 year old forward prospect?

Not to mention, I’m not pumping anything but providing my opinion on the hockey game the Oilers’ AHL affiliate is playing on an Oilers based website.

OriginalPouzar

HarpersHair: What ways?

Be specific.

Russell isn’t going anywhere.

Nurse is tradeable but if he’s replaced by a shlub, you’re no further ahead.

The Oilers need two top six forwards and a #3C and you’re not going to get that by trading Nurse and replacing him with an inferior player.

Read the comment you responded to for specifics.

Given Russell only has one year left, yes, he will be going somewhere and he can be replaced at 3LD for $1M cheaper which will reasonably improve the position. There is a very solid chance that Russell will be gone within 9 months, maybe with slight retainmnent but still at a net cap savings.

A potential Nurse trade is spring 2021 and dependant on LD prospect development – an area of organizational strength.

Harpers Hair

OriginalPouzar:
Benson with a shift of the Yamamoto line, set up Kailer and Kailer goes off the iron.

Kailer is flying out there tonight.

Fun fact:

Kailer Yamamoto has 11 points in 17 games.

Canucks D prospect Brogan Rafferty has 20 points 25 games.

One of these players is an undrafted defensemen…the other is a former first round pick.

Time to pump the brakes OP.

OriginalPouzar

Benson with a shift of the Yamamoto line, set up Kailer and Kailer goes off the iron.

Kailer is flying out there tonight.