Helpless

by Lowetide

The song begins with a forlorn electric guitar (Stephen Stills volume pedal and tremolo) making the most lonesome sound—words and music combine for perfect melancholy. It is Neil Young’s coming of age song “Helpless”, about Omemee, Ontario and his childhood. It could be any town or neighbourhood in Canada, and the story is universal. I love all Neil Young songs, my wife only one: Helpless.

A lot of Canada flows from Ontario province. Pisses people off to say it, but it’s true all the same. Welcome to my look at the OHL for the 2020 draft.

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, check it out here.

THE OHL’S GREATEST HITS

  1. LC Quinton Byfield. August 2002, he is 6.04, 215.
  2. LC Marco Rossi. Posting jaw-dropping numbers, he’s a September 2001.
  3. RHD Jamie Drysdale. Great speed, passing and instincts, instant offense.
  4. LC Cole Perfetti. January 2002. His wrist shot is already a great weapon.
  5. RW Jack Quinn. He is a September 2001, kept scoring goals all year.
  6. RC Jacob Perreault. Skates well, great shot, great numbers. April 2002
  7. LC Jan Mysak. June 2002, very skilled and is effective in all three disciplines.
  8. RC Tyson Foerster Great offensive weapon, quick release and accurate.
  9. RC Jean-Luc Foudy Speedy center with plus skill, he’s a May 2002.
  10. RW Luke Evangelista. Spiked in a big way this year. Feb 2002
  11. LW Martin Chromiak. Not certain if he’s getting zoomed by Shane Wright. He looks substantial.
  12. LD Ryan O’Rourke. Good size (6.02, 181) and growing offensive ability.
  13. RC Jaromir Pytlik. He’s a fine skater and has two-way skills, Sept 2001
  14. LW Will Cuylle Has a great shot.
  15. LC Antonio Stranges Terrific speed and skill, math doesn’t match the verbal. Feb 2002
  16. G Nico Daws. His numbers in a good league have him here.
  17. RW Brandon Coe. Power forward scored 25 goals in the OHL.
  18. RC Tyler Tullio. Small playmaking pivot. Good passer, great shot.
  19. RC Zayde Wisdom. May 2002 just shy of a point per game in the OHL.
  20. LW Pavel Gogolev, Guelph Storm. Now 20, he is fast and has a great shot.
  21. LC Evan Vierling. Playmaking center spiked after trade. Excellent passer.
  22. LW James Hardie. Volume shooter, 34 goals, one dimensional.
  23. LD Donovan Sebrango. Two-way defender, excellent skater.
  24. LW Rory Kerins. 30 goals for an April 2002 is worth drafting.
  25. RW Reid Valade. Plus speed and the complete range of skills.
  26. LW Yevgeni Oksentyuk. Overage is small and very skilled.
  27. RW Oliver Suni. Strong winger with range of skills.
  28. LD Isaak Phillips. Big, mobile blue.
  29. RW Declan McDonell. Fine skater, skilled. Room to grow.
  30. RD Jack Thompson. Mobile offensive defender with plus shot.

I have 21 OHL names on the top 100 published April 22. The other nine names here are all worthy of consideration for the final top 120. The OHL has a tremendous crop in 2020. The Oilers would do well to grab at least one of these names.

2019 OHL LIST

  1. L Arthur Kaliyev, Hamilton. He scored 51-51-102 in 67 OHL games, age 17.
  2. LC Connor McMichael, London. He has good speed and lots of skill, effective shot.
  3. LD Thomas Harley, Mississauga. Good size, elite skater, he’s an August 2001.
  4. LC Ryan Suzuki, Barrie. Great vision, skill, tremendous passer. If he were faster, he’d be top five.
  5. RC Philip Tomasino, Niagra. Underrated player with impressive skill, 30 5-on-5 goals.
  6. L Nick Robertson, Peterborough. Undersized skill winger with a sixth sense as a goal scorer.
  7. LC Blake Murray, Sudbury. Big center with plus speed and a scoring touch.
  8. LC Jamieson Rees, Sarnia. Undersized skill forward, terrific speed and a great motor.
  9. L Ethan Keppen, Flint. Good speed, size (6.02, 214) and skill (30-29-59 in 68).
  10. RD Billy Constantinou, Kingston. Fast as lightning, high risk and reward defender.
  11. R Graeme Clarke, Ottawa ’67s (OHL). Pure scorer. Good skater, great shot.
  12. L Nando Eggenberger, Oshawa Generals. I’m not sure anyone will take him, but Red Line loves him.
  13. G Hunter Jones, Peterborough. He’s a big goalie who has a solid reputation, .902SP.
  14. 14 LD Vladislav Kolyachonok, Flint Firebirds. Good passer, massive wingspan.
  15. LC Matvei Guskov, London Knights. Another solid two-way center, I like his complete skill set.
  16. LD Mike Vukojevic, Kitchener. Big man, good speed, powerful shutdown type.
  17. LD Nikita Okhotyuk, Ottawa 67’s. Big defender plays a two-way game.
  18. R Cole Schwindt, Mississauga. Two-wing forward with some offense (68, 19-30-49).

Two names on this list didn’t get chosen a year ago (Billy Constantino and Nando Eggenberger), Constantino is a candidate to be chosen again this year.

NHLE

It’s unwise to compare players across seasons but one way of showing how many substantial offensive talents are available this year is their NHL equivalency. Here are the forwards drafted by the Oilers from the OHL since 2010, with the best of 2020 added to the mix.

  1. Connor McDavid 67.6
  2. Marco Rossi 56.8
  3. Taylor Hall 49.3
  4. Quinton Byfield 48.3
  5. Cole Perfetti 48.2
  6. Nail Yakupov 43.5

VALUE DEALS UNDER $2 MILLION IN 2020-21

Edmonton needs a pile of value deals moving forward, and it looks like there will be as many as nine on the roster next season that come in under $2 million.

I count Ethan Bear (unsigned), Josh Archibald ($1,500,000), Theodor Lennstrom ($925,000), Gaetan Haas ($915,000), Evan Bouchard ($894,167), Kailer Yamamoto ($894,166), Joakim Nygard ($875,000), Caleb Jones ($850,000) and Tyler Benson ($808,333) as possible value deals.

Andreas Athanasiou—Connor McDavid—Zack Kassian

Nuge—Leon Draisaitl—Kailer Yamamoto

Joakim Nygard—Riley Sheahan*—Josh Archibald *unsigned

Tyler Benson—Gaetan Haas—Alex Chiasson

James Neal**, Jujhar Khaira **possible buyout

Oscar Klefbom—Adam Larsson

Darnell Nurse—Ethan Bear

Caleb Jones—Evan Bouchard

Theodore Lennstrom

Mikko Koskinen, Mike Smith* *unsigned

LOWDOWN WITH LOWETIDE

At 10 this morning, we’ll talk the wide wide world of sports on TSN1260. Bruce McCurdy from the Cult of Hockey at the Edmonton Journal will join us to talk about the NHL draft plus the Oilers current roster and what is needed for next year. Joe Osborne from OddsShark will talk about KBO and other sports underway and how quickly we’ll see experts emerge in obscure sports leagues. Brian Cheeseman, Athletic Therapist for the WHL’s Edmonton Oil Kings, will tell us about keeping a hockey team going while overtimes pile up on the way to the Memorial Cup. 10-1260 text, @Lowetide on twitter. 90 minutes to liftoff!

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N64

godot10: endothelial

Columbia Clinician Daniel Griffen has been on the twiv podcast weekly since March 4 with lots of observation re: number of patients with atypical ARDS (good mechanical lung function with ultra low oxygen saturation but expelling CO2) and lots of embolisms. Shows up at the same point as immune system is doing at least as much damage as the virus.

Another link:

https://www.wired.com/story/covid-19s-scary-blood-clots-arent-that-surprising/

godot10

Munny: Never once said it should.But when you only get a chance to deal with something like this once every hundred years, you typically find out you’re not very good at dealing with it.

And multiple experts think they’re critically important.Which group of experts is right?I don’t know, doubt you do either, since there’s no consensus within the group of all (actual) experts.

Of course.

Never said it was. In fact I’ve been the one poster here who has regularly cautioned on the hope for a vaccine.

How do you know there’s few people at risk?Again the experts don’t know, so how is it possibleYOU do?And what do you mean by “few”?I’m guessing “few” here means more than the typical “three or four”.

What people don’t seem to be getting is HOW LITTLE WE KNOW about Covid.No one with authority is going to plan or project into the future with so little knowledge.

There is NO definitive pathogical profile for this virus.We really have no idea how it kills (beyond the obvious).We’re not even sure who it is infecting or in what way.

For eg, 8 kids presented with what appeared to be Kawasaki Syndrome in a London hospital during a week in mid-April.This was 400 percent higher than the typical rate.ALL tested NEGATIVE for Covid (nasopharygneal swab).ALL were later found to have SARS specific antibodies. One of these kids has subsequently died of stroke and several are likely to have serious health issues for the rest of their lives.

The cases in that one paediatric ward in a London hospital now number more than 20.Several are still on vents fighting for their lives.By the way, the ages of the first eight kids ranged from 6-14 yrs old.Five boys, three girls.

Other jurisdictions are reporting a link between stroke in 20-40 year olds and Covid.All were initially presumed to be Covid-free.

Now, of course, health authorities are checking to see if there has been an increase in death by stroke in that age cohort in their own jurisdictions.Such are the dark alleys our scientists and doctors are wandering down.

Some of these alleys might turn out to be blind alleys, but they have to be checked regardless, because we know so very little about this disease.

But it seems you know more and want the government to act on your knowledge.I don’t think they will.I think they will be cautious and slow… to give society time both to learn more and to find a way to supply their citizens with effective prophylactics (whether they be physical or biochemical),

From the reading/viewing that I have been doing, Covid-19 disease is ( likely) fundamentally an endothelial disease. It causes endothelial dysfunction. i.e. If one survives, the more direct pneumonia and respiratory disease, the endothelial diseases, which could manifest in a lot of ways, strokes, Kawasaki disease, and the other more exotic manifestations.

SARS-COV-2 attaches to ACE2, blocking its action, which causes a cascade of imbalances leading to extreme oxidative stress within the circulatory system. The clotting factors tend to go haywire resulting in thrombosis and strokes.

The oxidative stress overload might persist past the time the virus has cleared ones system.

The strokes and Kawasaki-like disease are aftershocks.

OriginalPouzar

ArmchairGM: Yup, but there’s talk (among fans and media) of buying out Neal, so the dead money could amount to $6.5M next year and over $4M for the ensuing two years.

Well, ya but we were talking about the dead money and anchor contracts – that would transfer one to the other (add term).

I’m not in favor of a regular course Neal buyout, not this off-season at least.

jp

Munny,

+1

ArmchairGM

OriginalPouzar: Yup – that hurts.

Falls to $1.5MM for two years after next though – much better.

Yup, but there’s talk (among fans and media) of buying out Neal, so the dead money could amount to $6.5M next year and over $4M for the ensuing two years.

Munny

Scungilli Slushy: Munny, the world can’t shut down every time a thing like this comes around.

Never once said it should. But when you only get a chance to deal with something like this once every hundred years, you typically find out you’re not very good at dealing with it.

Masks as mentioned by multiple Canadian experts aren’t the answer. Nor gloves.

And multiple experts think they’re critically important. Which group of experts is right? I don’t know, doubt you do either, since there’s no consensus within the group of all (actual) experts.

Wash your hands and stand apart.

Of course.

Waiting for a vaccine also isn’t realistic.

Never said it was. In fact I’ve been the one poster here who has regularly cautioned on the hope for a vaccine.

Few people are at risk, what cost can be justified for our children? They will have to pay it. 250 B plus at the moment.

How do you know there’s few people at risk? Again the experts don’t know, so how is it possible YOU do? And what do you mean by “few”? I’m guessing “few” here means more than the typical “three or four”.

With the caveat that I believe the people of a country should be the primary concern of any govts actions, it would be far less expensive to care for those t risk really well, and it matters.

What people don’t seem to be getting is HOW LITTLE WE KNOW about Covid. No one with authority is going to plan or project into the future with so little knowledge.

There is NO definitive pathogical profile for this virus. We really have no idea how it kills (beyond the obvious). We’re not even sure who it is infecting or in what way.

For eg, 8 kids presented with what appeared to be Kawasaki Syndrome in a London hospital during a week in mid-April. This was 400 percent higher than the typical rate. ALL tested NEGATIVE for Covid (nasopharygneal swab). ALL were later found to have SARS specific antibodies. One of these kids has subsequently died of stroke and several are likely to have serious health issues for the rest of their lives.

The cases in that one paediatric ward in a London hospital now number more than 20. Several are still on vents fighting for their lives. By the way, the ages of the first eight kids ranged from 6-14 yrs old. Five boys, three girls.

Other jurisdictions are reporting a link between stroke in 20-40 year olds and Covid. All were initially presumed to be Covid-free.

Now, of course, health authorities are checking to see if there has been an increase in death by stroke in that age cohort in their own jurisdictions. Such are the dark alleys our scientists and doctors are wandering down.

Some of these alleys might turn out to be blind alleys, but they have to be checked regardless, because we know so very little about this disease.

But it seems you know more and want the government to act on your knowledge. I don’t think they will. I think they will be cautious and slow… to give society time both to learn more and to find a way to supply their citizens with effective prophylactics (whether they be physical or biochemical),

Munny

Harpers Hair: Normally, we are on a pretty strict paleo diet with lots of meat and salad but have decided to bend the rules a bit for a while.

I was wondering what was going on.

defmn

jp: Cool, thanks for looking.

So quite a lot of teams don’t have much burden. And only 4 teams over $5M so I guess the Oilers are pretty high in the standings with their $4.5Mish (and making a push to move higher if they’re considering a Neal buyout!).

The Oilers aren’t looking great but not much one can do at this point. Interesting about the concentration of dead money in the Pacific, could certainly have something to do with the division being the leagues weakest…

If I knew how to paste spreadsheet data onto this site I would lay it out for you but I am afraid that is beyond my skill level.

Let me know if you have specific questions.

Harpers Hair

Kinger_Oil.redux:
Harpers Hair,

– Wow!Do you weigh 400 pounds, or just eat one meal a day:

– I am “collecting” some of these recipes: they are awesome, looking forward to trying some more of them (the soup I made from your recipe last month was amazing…)

Well…since the lock down, we’ve been using our daily culinary experiences to break the tedium.

I’m have to admit I’m getting “portly” but am afraid to get on a scale.

Normally, we are on a pretty strict paleo diet with lots of meat and salad but have decided to bend the rules a bit for a while.

Can’t say I regret the decision at this point. 🙂

Up tomorrow…a recipe for Tortiere that I developed to please the wife’s Francophone extended family.

Oh my.

jp

defmn: There is $40,077,778 in buyout money sprinkled around the league, $5,517,500 in retained salary, $2,833,333 buried in the AHL, and $4,377,334 in recapture for next season if we ever get there.

There is also $33,483,333 in LTIR but that number takes some judgement calls since capfriendly lists everybody on LTIR for this season and I had to make some calls on whether or not guys like Kesler would be back next season or if he is done (I called him done).

There is also a category called ‘terminated’ that has $6,950,000 that includes Kovalchuk. Not sure exactly how that is different than buyouts.

Tampa Bay, Montreal, NYI, St. Louis, Colorado, Winnipeg, Minnesota, and San Jose have no money in any of these categories for next season.

Vegas, Nashville, Dallas, Pittsburgh, and Washington are all at $500,000 or less.

That is 13 teams that are free and clear for all intents and purposes.

LTIR skews things because it is not exactly dead money but it does have an effect – I will leave it to others to explain how that works – but Vancouver, Anaheim, Los Angeles, & NYR are all over $5M in the hole going into next season without counting that category.

It’s also interesting to note that $18,220,833 of the $40,077,778 in buyouts are owned by Pacific Division teams.

$15,650,000 of the $33,483,333 in LTIR is also in the Pacific and $3,033,206 of the $4377,333 in Recapture is also on the west coast.All of the terminated is with Los Angeles.

The Oilers are doing their share but they live in a very spendthrift neighbourhood of the league.

If you want specific numbers for teams just ask.

Cool, thanks for looking.

So quite a lot of teams don’t have much burden. And only 4 teams over $5M so I guess the Oilers are pretty high in the standings with their $4.5Mish (and making a push to move higher if they’re considering a Neal buyout!).

The Oilers aren’t looking great but not much one can do at this point. Interesting about the concentration of dead money in the Pacific, could certainly have something to do with the division being the leagues weakest…

N64

Scungilli Slushy: Munny, the world can’t shut down every time a thing like this comes around.

Masks as mentioned by multiple Canadian experts aren’t the answer. Nor gloves.

Wash your hands and stand apart.

Waiting for a vaccine also isn’t realistic.

Few people are at risk, what cost can be justified for our children? They will have to pay it. 250 B plus at the moment.

With the caveat that I believe the people of a country should be the primary concern of any govts actions, it would be far less expensive to care for those t risk really well, and it matters.

Your are making a whole lot of assumptions. BC and provinces with similar advantages are making a whole lot of other ones. We’ll see who’s right soon enough.

They are not planning on relying on the federal gov’t to print money summer or fall to pay their population to shelter.

They are planning to exploit the advantage of having consumers not shocked by 0.5% – 1.0% death rates.

They are not assuming the economic shock was only caused by the labour supply side.

They are assuming that the labour to satisfy consumer demand is very manageable even with social distancing restricted in business settings.

It’s also about solidarity, community pride and respect not just fear.

Consumer confidence will be the key and they believe they are situated to exploit it in ways that may not be doable everywhere.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/covid-19-bc-reopening-john-horgan-may-6-1.5558408

Kinger_Oil.redux

Harpers Hair,

– Wow! Do you weigh 400 pounds, or just eat one meal a day:

– I am “collecting” some of these recipes: they are awesome, looking forward to trying some more of them (the soup I made from your recipe last month was amazing…)

N64

JimmyV1965: I don’t like the idea of anyone in authority projecting a course of action 18 months out. It instills a needless sense of fear and no one knows what the landscape will look like in 18 months.

Actually BC only projected to September.

They think they can pretty much open everything in a way that works economically and socially and they don’t have to run the gauntlet of up to 1% average fatality rate (average fatality rate corresponds to 60-65) and the ever so successful attempts everywhere to run this through the population without decimating the over 70s. If they are right they’ll have more consumer confidence than most places due to fewer deaths. If they’re wrong they will have to accept some other trade offs.

Beyond September BC is saying they can’t project when mass gatherings and international tourism will work for them. If the biggest cost in BC is losing international tourism and rock concerts and fans in stands then good luck to them.

defmn

OriginalPouzar: Solid write-up – thanks.

I don’t think the “AHL buried” number is right though – I mean the Oilers had more buried in the AHL at times on their own with Gagner and Manning.

Kovalchuk’s contract wasn’t bought out – it was a mutual termination but, as a 35 plus contract, there is no cap relief – Kovalchuk agreed to walk away from the contract completely – the team was relieved from paying the remainder but not its cap hit.

The numbers are for the start of next season. I could have emphasized that, I suppose, but it is in the opening paragraph.

Thanks for the clarification on the ‘terminated’ contract.

Benign Bone

OriginalPouzar: The flames?The team that also has a nice $1.5M of dead buyout cap hit in 2021/22 but has to protect their anchor contract in the expansion draft and waste a slot and can’t really buy out the contract – well, not for any cap savings?

As an aside, I was talking to the topic brought up in the thread re: value contracts and the Oilers – didn’t realize that every topic needs to be expanded to how it relates to the rest of the league and a statistical analysis and comparison.

I think I’m cool continuing to discuss in a manner that has meaning to me and my enjoyment of the internet – even if you don’t agree.

But have you considered how the Oilers’ relative amount of dead cap might influence the machinations of the teams that make up the Israeli Hockey League? Clearly you need to broaden the scope of your analysis to be more inclusive and considerate, bigot!

/intense sarcasm

OriginalPouzar

defmn: There is $40,077,778 in buyout money sprinkled around the league, $5,517,500 in retained salary, $2,833,333 buried in the AHL, and $4,377,334 in recapture for next season if we ever get there.

There is also $33,483,333 in LTIR but that number takes some judgement calls since capfriendly lists everybody on LTIR for this season and I had to make some calls on whether or not guys like Kesler would be back next season or if he is done (I called him done).

There is also a category called ‘terminated’ that has $6,950,000 that includes Kovalchuk. Not sure exactly how that is different than buyouts.

Tampa Bay, Montreal, NYI, St. Louis, Colorado, Winnipeg, Minnesota, and San Jose have no money in any of these categories for next season.

Vegas, Nashville, Dallas, Pittsburgh, and Washington are all at $500,000 or less.

That is 13 teams that are free and clear for all intents and purposes.

LTIR skews things because it is not exactly dead money but it does have an effect – I will leave it to others to explain how that works – but Vancouver, Anaheim, Los Angeles, & NYR are all over $5M in the hole going into next season.

It’s also interesting to note that $18,220,833 of the $40,077,778 in buyouts are owned by Pacific Division teams.

$15,650,000 of the $33,483,333 in LTIR is also in the Pacific and $3,033,206 of the $4377,333 in Recapture is also on the west coast.All of the terminated is with Los Angeles.

Solid write-up – thanks.

I don’t think the “AHL buried” number is right though – I mean the Oilers had more buried in the AHL at times on their own with Gagner and Manning.

Kovalchuk’s contract wasn’t bought out – it was a mutual termination but, as a 35 plus contract, there is no cap relief – Kovalchuk agreed to walk away from the contract completely – the team was relieved from paying the remainder but not its cap hit.

OriginalPouzar

Harpers Hair: You were talking to yourself.

If you want to put your suppositions into meaningful context, perhaps take a look at the Flames, Jets or other teams the Oilers would have to compete with to win a cup.

The flames? The team that also has a nice $1.5M of dead buyout cap hit in 2021/22 but has to protect their anchor contract in the expansion draft and waste a slot and can’t really buy out the contract – well, not for any cap savings?

As an aside, I was talking to the topic brought up in the thread re: value contracts and the Oilers – didn’t realize that every topic needs to be expanded to how it relates to the rest of the league and a statistical analysis and comparison.

I think I’m cool continuing to discuss in a manner that has meaning to me and my enjoyment of the internet – even if you don’t agree.

defmn

jp: Is there anywhere that lists the dead cap space each team has?

Paying for Lucic, Pouliot and Sekera certainly hurts. The Oilers aren’t unique though, most teams have some degree of dead cap (Luongo, Spooner and Baertschi, for example).

There is $40,077,778 in buyout money sprinkled around the league, $5,517,500 in retained salary, $2,833,333 buried in the AHL, and $4,377,334 in recapture for next season if we ever get there.

There is also $33,483,333 in LTIR but that number takes some judgement calls since capfriendly lists everybody on LTIR for this season and I had to make some calls on whether or not guys like Kesler would be back next season or if he is done (I called him done).

There is also a category called ‘terminated’ that has $6,950,000 that includes Kovalchuk. Not sure exactly how that is different than buyouts.

Tampa Bay, Montreal, NYI, St. Louis, Colorado, Winnipeg, Minnesota, and San Jose have no money in any of these categories for next season.

Vegas, Nashville, Dallas, Pittsburgh, and Washington are all at $500,000 or less.

That is 13 teams that are free and clear for all intents and purposes.

LTIR skews things because it is not exactly dead money but it does have an effect – I will leave it to others to explain how that works – but Vancouver, Anaheim, Los Angeles, & NYR are all over $5M in the hole going into next season without counting that category.

It’s also interesting to note that $18,220,833 of the $40,077,778 in buyouts are owned by Pacific Division teams.

$15,650,000 of the $33,483,333 in LTIR is also in the Pacific and $3,033,206 of the $4377,333 in Recapture is also on the west coast. All of the terminated is with Los Angeles.

The Oilers are doing their share but they live in a very spendthrift neighbourhood of the league.

If you want specific numbers for teams just ask.

jp

OriginalPouzar: Stukel signed to an AHL contract with the Condors. I like it – I thought he showed quite a bit of skill when called up from Wichita. I remember needing to look at his history/stats a few times after he impressed me with skill.

https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/197807/jakob-stukel

Scungilli Slushy

Munny: And this is not possible while there are shortages of the things people need to protect themselves.Addressing these production and supply issues takes time.I think we should perhaps take that time before going societal full monty.

Munny, the world can’t shut down every time a thing like this comes around.

Masks as mentioned by multiple Canadian experts aren’t the answer. Nor gloves.

Wash your hands and stand apart.

Waiting for a vaccine also isn’t realistic.

Few people are at risk, what cost can be justified for our children? They will have to pay it. 250 B plus at the moment.

With the caveat that I believe the people of a country should be the primary concern of any govts actions, it would be far less expensive to care for those t risk really well, and it matters.

Harpers Hair

OriginalPouzar: I was having a conversation about the need for value contracts on the Oilers to off-set anchor contracts (and elite player money).

I very much look forward to other teams acquiring/signing anchors – I have posted consistently against signing UFA age players for their decline years – not creating anchor risk.

You comment about other teams adds nothing to the discussion i was having and was posted simply to derail.

You were talking to yourself.

If you want to put your suppositions into meaningful context, perhaps take a look at the Flames, Jets or other teams the Oilers would have to compete with to win a cup.

Scungilli Slushy

JimmyV1965: It’s all about managing risk. Clearly all the participants in the tournaments have an almost minuscule risk of contracting Covid and then passing away. So what we’re doing here is scrapping these tournaments to protect the older people organizing the events and physically running the events. At some point we have to resume life.People truly at risk of Covid, and all the people in their lives, need to determine how they will manage the very serious risk to their health. At some point, the government will have to stop doing this for them.

The lockdowns were intended to flatten the curve and reduce the impact on the health care system. I don’t think banning a midget hockey tournament eight months from now fits this criteria. It’s easy for governments at all levels to ban events. What’s not so easy is to protect seniors living in old age homes. Still waiting to hear how this is going to happen.

Perfect

OriginalPouzar

Harpers Hair: Eliminating dead cap space and having players on “value contracts” only has meaning if it produces a competitive advantage.

If your competition also has those attributes it’s nothing more than hot air.

You are laser focused on the Oilers but don’t have a clue about the competition….hot air.

I was having a conversation about the need for value contracts on the Oilers to off-set anchor contracts (and elite player money).

I very much look forward to other teams acquiring/signing anchors – I have posted consistently against signing UFA age players for their decline years – not creating anchor risk.

You comment about other teams adds nothing to the discussion i was having and was posted simply to derail.

Scungilli Slushy

JimmyV1965: I can’t help but think we’re going off the rails here. I think a teenager with no underlying health conditions is more likely to get killed driving around with his buddies than a Covid related death.

There is a lot of conflicting information now with multivarious govts trying to be responsible and keep popularity etc, in Canada and everywhere.

Many, many world class epidemioligists call Covid 19 a minor disease. There are many places to read this fact. Minor for most people.

Isolate the people that aren’t ‘most’ and no problem.

Considered care, and reality, can coexist in this case.

Harpers Hair

pts2pndr: True but even without fans the logistics of travel, added insurance costs, liability costs etc will eat into said profit. We wait but the reality is at best, things moving forward and time lines are uncertain.

Each NFL team receives $255 million in TV revenue.

Not a chance the league won’t play.

pts2pndr

Harpers Hair: The only league that is profitable without fans in the stands is the NFL.

Considering roster sizes and style of play what they do will be a bellwether.

True but even without fans the logistics of travel, added insurance costs, liability costs etc will eat into said profit. We wait but the reality is at best, things moving forward and time lines are uncertain.

JimmyV1965

Harpers Hair: The BC path forward is being driven by CMO Bonnie Henry…Horgan is just the spokesman.

If she says no larger gatherings will be possible for 18 months…book it.

I don’t like the idea of anyone in authority projecting a course of action 18 months out. It instills a needless sense of fear and no one knows what the landscape will look like in 18 months.

Harpers Hair

So, with the arrival of fresh corn from California, on tonight’s menu is Chunky Corn Chowder with Bannock.

We have an Instant Pot which makes this super easy to do but it’s also easy in any large pot.

INGREDIENTS:

4 slices bacon, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 onion, diced

4 red potatoes, chopped

1 cup corn kernels

4 cups vegetable or chicken stock

1 teaspoon dried thyme

Pinch of cayenne pepper

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

3/4 cup heavy cream

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives or scallions

DIRECTIONS:

Set 6-qt Instant Pot to the high saute setting. Add bacon and cook until brown and crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.

Add garlic and onion. Cook, stirring frequently, until onions have become translucent, about 2-3 minutes.

Stir in bacon, potatoes, corn, stock, thyme and cayenne pepper; season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Select manual setting; adjust pressure to high, and set time for 10 minutes. When finished cooking, quick-release pressure according to manufacturer’s directions.

In a small bowl, whisk together heavy cream and flour; set aside.

Select high sauté setting. Bring to a boil; stir in heavy cream mixture and cook, stirring frequently, until slightly thickened, about 4-5 minutes. If the mixture is too thick, add more stock as needed until desired consistency is reached.

Serve immediately, garnished with chives or scallions.

(we often add grilled chicken or prawns to make a complete meal)

BANNOCK

INGREDIENTS

3 cups all-purpose flour (or whole wheat flour)

2 tablespoons baking powder

1 tablespoon sugar

1⁄2 teaspoon salt

1⁄2 cup margarine (or butter or shortening)

3⁄4 – 1 cup milk (or water)

DIRECTIONS

Mix flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt.

Work in the margarine using hands until you make a nice crumble.

Gradually mix in enough milk to make soft but not sticky. Knead about 10 times.

Shape into a ball, then flatten into a circle about 1 inch thick.

Cook in a greased cast iron frying pan at medium heat about 15 minutes on each side.

Enjoy!

N64

If I’m the PA getting playoff TV revenue this year AND next should be top priority.

N64

JimmyV1965: I really don’t like the idea of politicians projecting 18 months out. We have no idea what it will be like two months from now, let alone 18 months. We’ve been dealing with this in North America for less than two months.

It’s the CMO. For now in all planning they are drawing the line at doubling current social interaction after it dropped by 2/3. If they can go higher without pandemic they will or if the public is unhappy with that new norm than the pols can change course. But for now they are clear that their main line of defense is mass gatherings at 50 and 2 weeks quarantine whenever entering the country. They’ll keep their “Hallmark” film industry but give up on international tourism.

They are clear on overall goals and I think AB will follow the same line. Never really hit Edmonton due to the closure timing. Calgary (and therefore the AB totals) are back to more recovered than active and death rates still near BC.

N64

Harpers Hair: BC Premier John Horgan has announced the. provincial re-opening plan.

It’s expected large gatherings like concerts and hockey games with fans won’t be permissible for 18 months unless a vaccine is developed.

A wrench in the NHL plans.

BC’s looking good through all of this (like Edmonton). Stuck with their 50 limit when others dialed down to 5 and 15. Plan to keep the same 50 limit through the next two phases. Their briefing clearly zeroes in on % of pre-covid interaction. Lots of room to improve economy and social interaction as they dial up from 30% to 60% and very candid that 80% is not sustainable. Explicitly ruled out conventions in the fall as well as large concerts/sporting events and will exclude international tourism by retaining the 14 day quarantine coming into the country. Good work Brogan. You can return to hockey training.

BornInAGretzkyJersey

Material Elvis,

Don’t disagree with any of that. While we need more quality forward prospects in the system, if he’s available in the second round (assuming a trade to attain a pick) he might be worth the pick. I seem to remember NSH functioning as a defenseman factory and using their assets to acquire quality forwards to some modest success. And by the time Klefbom and Nurse are getting close to 30 they will need to be replaced so it can’t hurt to have viable options on hand.

Harpers Hair

JimmyV1965: I really don’t like the idea of politicians projecting 18 months out. We have no idea what it will be like two months from now, let alone 18 months. We’ve been dealing with this in North America for less than two months.

The BC path forward is being driven by CMO Bonnie Henry…Horgan is just the spokesman.

If she says no larger gatherings will be possible for 18 months…book it.

Harpers Hair

OriginalPouzar: Sure, but, so?

I haven’t spoken about any other team – I posted about the Oilers and their need for value contracts, in particular in light of some elite player cap hits and some anchor contracts (Neal as replacement for Lucic).

You made a valid point of the other dead cap and i acknowledged that and the fact that it drops materially after next year.

Mentioning that it drops for other teams as well is very likely true but has nothing to do with the conversation – yet again.

Eliminating dead cap space and having players on “value contracts” only has meaning if it produces a competitive advantage.

If your competition also has those attributes it’s nothing more than hot air.

You are laser focused on the Oilers but don’t have a clue about the competition….hot air.

OriginalPouzar

Harpers Hair: True of most teams dead cap.

Sure, but, so?

I haven’t spoken about any other team – I posted about the Oilers and their need for value contracts, in particular in light of some elite player cap hits and some anchor contracts (Neal as replacement for Lucic).

You made a valid point of the other dead cap and i acknowledged that and the fact that it drops materially after next year.

Mentioning that it drops for other teams as well is very likely true but has nothing to do with the conversation – yet again.

JimmyV1965

Harpers Hair: BC Premier John Horgan has announced the. provincial re-opening plan.

It’s expected large gatherings like concerts and hockey games with fans won’t be permissible for 18 months unless a vaccine is developed.

A wrench in the NHL plans.

I really don’t like the idea of politicians projecting 18 months out. We have no idea what it will be like two months from now, let alone 18 months. We’ve been dealing with this in North America for less than two months.

Harpers Hair

pts2pndr: The correct question is ( is this a playoff team assuming we have a 20/21 season ). Can any league survive without fans in the seats?Could we possibly not see resumption of pro sports until an effective vaccine is found. The smart money would see no completion of the 2019/20 season. There may be an abbreviated season starting in Jan of 2021 with three on three play and limited seating. The way I see it pro sports may return as we used to know it for the 21/22 season. My reasoning. The legal ramifications of any death or number of deaths due to the virus traced back to an NHL game or to any pro sports game could be catastrophic to the pro sports industry.

The only league that is profitable without fans in the stands is the NFL.

Considering roster sizes and style of play what they do will be a bellwether.

Harpers Hair

BCs guidelines pretty much puts an end to the CFL season…and it may never return.

pts2pndr

jp: Yes I think that’s most probably a playoff team with a better 3C added. Not a certainty (and the D depth/injury cover is non-existent) but most likely.

Of all the things Holland might want to do with the Oilers roster between now and the start of next season, I suspect an upgrade at 3C tops the list.

The correct question is ( is this a playoff team assuming we have a 20/21 season ). Can any league survive without fans in the seats? Could we possibly not see resumption of pro sports until an effective vaccine is found. The smart money would see no completion of the 2019/20 season. There may be an abbreviated season starting in Jan of 2021 with three on three play and limited seating. The way I see it pro sports may return as we used to know it for the 21/22 season. My reasoning. The legal ramifications of any death or number of deaths due to the virus traced back to an NHL game or to any pro sports game could be catastrophic to the pro sports industry.

N64

JimmyV1965: I understand the limits to people in public areas, I’m just surprised we are seeing blanket restrictions for hockey tournaments that won’t take place for months.

Our failure to protect residents in long term care centres is shameful and all too predictable.

Parents can knock themselves out planning anything they want. But kids hockey leagues can also decide that their teams can’t make any commitments in this area.

100% agreed on the latter. There must be a 100K RVs in Alberta (and millions elsewhere) that could have been parked outside senior’s homes as free options for staff to use. Lower spread and preparation both help. In AB outbreak procedures now start with first senior or staff member. 1 outbreak in Edmonton and 15 in Calgary. Insufficient preparation hurts. Extra time to avoid the same helps.

Harpers Hair

OriginalPouzar: Yup – that hurts.

Falls to $1.5MM for two years after next though – much better.

True of most teams dead cap.

who

defmn:
Lowetide’s proposed lineup of the day with numbers.

Athanasiou— McDavid— Kassian– $18,700,000 with AA at $3M

Nuge—Leon Draisaitl— Yamamoto – $12,394,166

Nygard— Sheahan*— Archibald – $3,375000 with Sheahan at $1M

Benson— Haas— Chiasson – $3,873,333

Neal,Khaira- $6,950,000

Klefbom— Larsson – $8,333,666

Nurse— Bear – $7,100,000 with Bear at $1.5M

Jones— Bouchard – $1,744,167

Lennstrom – $925,000

Koskinen, Smith- $6,500,000 with Smith signed at $2M

14 forwards at $48,292,499
7 dmen at $17,177,833
2 goalies at $6,500,000
3 buyouts at $4,583,333
1 cap overage for Smith at $1,000,000

Total – $78,478,665

Is this a playoff team even if they don’t buy out Neal but add a 3C instead of Sheahan or Haas?

The more I think about I’d say the odds of Neal getting bought out this summer are greater than 50%. And rising. I hate the thought of a 6 year buyout as much as the next guy.
However IF, the goal is to contend for a cup next year, it doesn’t make sense to pay Neal 6 million to sit in the pressbox. And that’s where most peoples predicted lineups have him.
You can replace Neal for less than a million, and still have 3 million to play with after the buyout.
Plus Poulliot drops off after next year. And Sekera drops by a million the year after.
I think they’re going to do it.

Harpers Hair

N64: My point was that Rishaug lost the plot. The CMO specifically said it wasn’t for her to enter into his scenario and she than gave a general answer which did not preclude the obvious interpretation that a playoff bubble is a quarantine and that contacts are already in quarantine. This morning he said playoffs will need her to relent.I’m really struggling to see why he thinks this is an issue.

BC Premier John Horgan has announced the. provincial re-opening plan.

It’s expected large gatherings like concerts and hockey games with fans won’t be permissible for 18 months unless a vaccine is developed.

A wrench in the NHL plans.

N64

JimmyV1965: This is where I think we have lost the plot. The restrictions were specifically implemented to flatten the curve and protect the health care system. If you have a bunch of NHL players and support staff quarantined in an area where they are not a threat to infect others, why should the government prevent this? The NHL cannot force players to play in one of these hub centres. I’m sure there will be a handful of players who choose not to participate, likely because they have asthma or some other underlying condition.

I can understand why you limit the number of people in public places. But what’s the issue with a group of people voluntarily gathering in a location that is not accessible to the public. As long as these people don’t leave the private location until they have been tested, I’m really struggling to see why this would be an issue.

My point was that Rishaug lost the plot. The CMO specifically said it wasn’t for her to enter into his scenario and she than gave a general answer which did not preclude the obvious interpretation that a playoff bubble is a quarantine and that contacts are already in quarantine. This morning he said playoffs will need her to relent. I’m really struggling to see why he thinks this is an issue.

OriginalPouzar

Harpers Hair: And Pouliot and Sekera are still eating up almost $4 million in cap space.

Yup – that hurts.

Falls to $1.5MM for two years after next though – much better.

JimmyV1965

N64:
Hearing Rishaug today he pinned his hopes on playoffs on Dr. Hinshaw’s answer being walked back. She talked about the general requirement to put contacts of a case INTO quarantine, but in his hypothetical (that she explicitly said she would not address) they are already INSIDE a quarantined bubble. No need to walk back anything. She just chose not to walk into his scenario.

This is where I think we have lost the plot. The restrictions were specifically implemented to flatten the curve and protect the health care system. If you have a bunch of NHL players and support staff quarantined in an area where they are not a threat to infect others, why should the government prevent this? The NHL cannot force players to play in one of these hub centres. I’m sure there will be a handful of players who choose not to participate, likely because they have asthma or some other underlying condition.

I can understand why you limit the number of people in public places. But what’s the issue with a group of people voluntarily gathering in a location that is not accessible to the public. As long as these people don’t leave the private location until they have been tested, I’m really struggling to see why this would be an issue.

JimmyV1965

N64: In Sweden (which only locked down seniors) mass gathering are still limited to 50.Hockey groups can choose whether or not their teams should plan large tourneys, but they won’t be happening any sooner than Dentist conventions. YMMV.

Update: BC just confirmed their mass gathering limit of 50 will continue even with reopening. I’d expect AB to move from 15 to 50 before summer.

Every country is approaching this as best they can, but it’s hard everywhere:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidnikel/2020/05/05/sweden-health-agency-investigates-high-coronavirus-death-toll-in-elderly-care-homes/#6ff1a4e2324a

I understand the limits to people in public areas, I’m just surprised we are seeing blanket restrictions for hockey tournaments that won’t take place for months.

Our failure to protect residents in long term care centres is shameful and all too predictable.

OriginalPouzar

defmn:
Lowetide’s proposed lineup of the day with numbers.

Athanasiou— McDavid— Kassian– $18,700,000 with AA at $3M

Nuge—Leon Draisaitl— Yamamoto – $12,394,166

Nygard— Sheahan*— Archibald – $3,375000 with Sheahan at $1M

Benson— Haas— Chiasson – $3,873,333

Neal,Khaira- $6,950,000

Klefbom— Larsson – $8,333,666

Nurse— Bear – $7,100,000 with Bear at $1.5M

Jones— Bouchard – $1,744,167

Lennstrom – $925,000

Koskinen, Smith- $6,500,000 with Smith signed at $2M

14 forwards at $48,292,499
7 dmen at $17,177,833
2 goalies at $6,500,000
3 buyouts at $4,583,333
1 cap overage for Smith at $1,000,000

Total – $78,478,665

Is this a playoff team even if they don’t buy out Neal but add a 3C instead of Sheahan or Haas?

Thanks for running the numbers – value added.

I won’t quibble (except Sheahan may be looking for closer to the Archie AAV and $1.5M would be the absolutely bottom I would expect for Bear – I’m hopeful for $2M X 2 but think it may be a tiny bit higher than that).

To answer your question: The team was a playoff team (is a playoff team) with Neal and Sheahan at 3C so I would anticipate that an improvement (real 3C) would be a playoff team as well.

Of course, if Smith holds as 1B – no sure thing – he only held in stretches this season.

Also, I anticipate that lineup has Benning gone (along with Rusty) and no veteran right shot D added – so Caleb Jones or, well, noone, to fill in for a right D injury – no available RD call-up from the Bake as it stands today – Deharnais is an AHL deal.

OriginalPouzar

Stukel signed to an AHL contract with the Condors. I like it – I thought he showed quite a bit of skill when called up from Wichita. I remember needing to look at his history/stats a few times after he impressed me with skill.

Oil2Oilers

Damn you LT, I have had ‘Helpless’ stuck in my head all day