One of the things I wanted to look at when we got a chance is Ken Holland’s procurement sources. Does he sign a bunch of college kids in order to supplement the draft picks or are there six AHL veterans on the roster? And, how does that compare to the Oilers? Here’s a look, since 2010. Photo by Rob Ferguson.
THE ATHLETIC!
Great perspective from a ridiculous group of writers and analysts. I am proud to be part of The Athletic. Here are the most recent Oilers stories.
- New Lowetide: How Oilers winger Kailer Yamamoto can increase his value
- New Lowetide: Everything you forgot (but need to know) about Oilers’ 2019-20 season
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- Lowetide: Injury is biggest factor in the Oilers’ hopes for extended playoff run
- Lowetide: Tyler Benson’s struggle to score might affect future role with Oilers
- Lowetide: Ken Holland’s second Oilers draft should deliver high-octane offence
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- Lowetide: Oilers prospect Raphael Lavoie’s possible impact in his first year pro
- Lowetide: Every prospect in the Oilers system and what’s next for each player
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- Jonathan Willis: Projecting the Oilers’ lineup for their play-in series versus the Blackhawks
I have wondered about procurement pipelines for Holland’s Red Wings versus the Oilers for some time. Turns out, the sources of first year pro players are the same, and the volume is very similar. Here’s a 10-year (2010-19) look at the rookies, before we start looking year by year.
THE 2010-11 TEAMS
The Oklahoma City Barons made the playoffs while the Grand Rapids Griffins did not. The Oilers had 14 draft picks on that roster, including newcomers Jeff Petry, Linus Omark, ChrisVandeVelde, Teemu Hartikainen and Milan Kytnar. A nice group of rookie pros, Oilers didn’t reap those rewards fully but some careers started in Oklahoma USA that fall and winter.
Detroit had two rookie draft picks, Brendan Smith and Joakim Andersson. Oilers had the better rookies, but Detroit had the better group matriculating in years two and three of entry deals. Tomas Tatar (in his second AHL season) led the way.
2011-12 TEAMS
Now that we have the rosters 2010-11 established, I’m looking at just rookies. Gustav Nyqvist leads the way for Detroit, Landon Ferraro, Mitch Callahan and Andrej Nestrasil all showed promise.
Edmonton’s new group boasted Tyler Pitlick as the frontrunner, with Curtis Hamilton, Antti Tyrvainen and Kirill “Eager” Tulupov joining in. Pitlick was a highly touted player in 2010, but injuries slowed his development. Nyqvist, a fourth rounder, would emerge as the player Edmonton hoped Pitlick (or others in the second round) would turn into by 2014.
2012-13 TEAMS
This is a pretty even procurement count. Edmonton signed Justin Schultz and Taylor Fedun, plus draft picks Martin Marincin, Toni Rajala, Ryan Martindale, Brandon Davidson and Olivier Roy turned pro. That’s a solid rookie crop of pro hockey players.
Detroit’s grads included Riley Sheahan, Luke Glendening, Petr Mrazek, Thomas Jurco. There is no high skill player here but several useful pieces and Mrazek has enjoyed a solid career.
Edmonton probably had the better players overall, but Detroit got more seasons of NHL production. Tough call. I’ll give the edge to Edmonton. You?
2013-14 TEAMS
Edmonton’s Oscar Klefbom is a notable player, with David Musil, Martin Gernat and Travis Ewanyk representing the Edmonton Oil Kings. College free agent Andrew Miller had an impact at the AHL level, and Kale Kessy was the minor league acquisition for the rights to Tobias Rieder.
Detroit had Ryan Sproul, Nick Jensen, Martin Frk, Xavier Ouellet, Teemu Pulkkinen, Alexei Marchenko.
Good crop, nod to Edmonton, but notice how Detroit gets at least some value out of a pedestrian rookie crop. Nick Jensen is a good NHL defenseman. Oilers were giving up on players too soon in this era. Jensen was drafted in 2009, became a regular in the NHL 2016-17. There’s a lesson there.
2014-15 ROOKIES
This was a fascinating winter in Detroit. Rookie draft picks were excellent, Anthony Mantha, Andreas Athanasiou and Marek Tvrdon all showing promise. The team signed a Euro (Tomas Nosek) and a promising college player (Mark Zengerle) in a year where there’s more activity than normal. The Nosek signing was solid.
Part of the reason could have been trades made by Holland that offloaded Mattias Backman, Mattias Janmark, Calle Jarnkrok and some picks for long in the tooth NHL help. Holland was adding from everywhere because of those trades, similar to what we saw with Haas and Nygard in Edmonton last summer.
The Oilers added Bogdan Yakimov, Jujhar Khaira, Dillon Simpson and Mitch Moroz, and a solid college man in Jordan Oesterle, plus the Euro Iiro Pakarinen. Detroit wins the day, Holland’s trades have the look of a GM who has some urgency.
2015-16 TEAMS
Edmonton boasted Anton Slepyshev, Kyle Platzer, Greg Chase and Joey Laleggia, with Braden Christoffer getting a contract on a tryout and Eetu Laurikainen coming over for a try in North America. The Red Wings were quiet, with Tyler Bertuzzi and Zach Nastasiuk turning pro. College free agent Robbie Russo was the other rookie for Detroit. The only actual NHL player is Bertuzzi, so Detroit wins.
2016-17 ROOKIES
Detroit’s draft rookies were Evgeni Svechnikov and Dominic Turgeon, college free agents Daniel Renouf and Kyle Criscuolo and CHL free agent Joe Hicketts.
The Oilers draft rookie was Jesse Puljujarvi, and the college free agents (Nick Ellis, Patrick Russell). Puljujarvi gives Edmonton the edge in a race no one is watching.
2017-18 TEAMS
Edmonton graduated Caleb Jones and Ethan Bear (draft picks), Joe Gambardella and Colin Larkin (college) and Ryan Mantha (CHL free agent). No first round picks but quality with Jones and Bear.
Detroit turned Filip Hronek pro. Axel Holmstrom and Vili Saarijarvi also arrived in the AHL. College men were Luke Esposito and Dominik Shine. Edmonton has the edge, although Hronek is a worthy player.
2018-19 TEAMS
Detroit graduated a bunch of its most famous prospects to pro hockey, including Filip Zadina, Dennis Cholowski, Givani Smith, David Pope and Christoffer Ehn. Libor Sulak and Patrik Rybar were the Europeans.
Edmonton’s five draft picks are Kailer Yamamoto, Tyler Benson, William Lagesson, Tyler Vesel and Dylan Wells. The trade brought in Cooper Marody, Cam Hebig was the CHL free agent and the college kids are Shane Starrett and Logan Day. Zadina wins it for Detroit but Edmonton has a nice list.
2019-20 TEAMS
Oilers had a strong group of rookies, led by draft picks Evan Bouchard, Ryan McLeod, Kirill Maksimov, Dmitri Samorukov and Stuart Skinner. Joel Persson is the Euro.
Detroit also enjoyed an impressive group, with defenseman Moritz Seider plus forwards Joe Veleno and Michael Rasmussen leading the way. Gustav Lindstrom and Chase Pearson also made their pro debuts. College men are Taro Hirose, Ryan Kuffner, Alec McCrea and Jarid Lukosevicius. Too soon to know who has the edge.
DETROIT’S ASSEMBLY LINE 2010-19
Seider, Veleno, Rasmussen and others will be added, but as the decade closes the DRW have produced 15 men with 200+ games or on a trajectory for same. About 1.5 a year, with some impressive talents. I didn’t include Tatar because he wasn’t a rookie pro in 2010-11.
THE OILERS PIPELINE 2010-19
The defensive group has some terrific names and there are more on the way. The eight names here include several top-4 players who have been able to hold on to a feature job for years. The forward group isn’t large nor does it offer a proven offensive talent, although Yamamoto appears poised to cover that bet.
Which crop from the farm do you prefer?
LOWDOWN WITH LOWETIDE
At 10 this morning, donut week continues on TSN1260. RTP and a new agreement are closer, looks like camps open July 13 and free agency begins November 1. Bruce McCurdy from the Cult of Hockey at the Edmonton Journal will discuss the news of Edmonton as a Hub City and Kevin Lowe’s induction into the HHOF at 10:20. Daniel Nugent-Bowman from The Athletic will pop in at 11 to give his view of recent events and what expectations are for reporting in the bubble. Reid Fowler from Draft Kings will talk golf and the Dustin Johnson story plus previews the Rocket Mortgage Classic already underway. 10-1260 text, @Lowetide on twitter. See you on the radio!
I’m not 100% sure Broberg will be with the team in phase 4.
They are allowed 30 skaters for camp but likely only 28 for phase 4.
It seems like alot for Broberg to come over for a few weeks and then head back but that was the plan for regular training camp in any event. Given essentially zero chance to play and Skelfeeta starting their regular season in mid-Sept, I think Broberg may head back to Sweden after camp.
Berglund doesn’t have an “out clause” in his NHL contract, he is on loan to Linkoping – its his SHL contract that would come with an out clause for the NHL.
That was not the point of the post. The point of the post is how adamant you were that you knew the exact reasons why Berglund refused to sign with the Oilers – posted them as fact and criticized those who disagreed with you.
Then he signed in Edmonton.
You have proven to be an “unreliable source” of ideas of why a player may or may not sign in Edmonton – due to looking for the negative in anything relating to the Oilers.
————–
As far as Berglund as a prospect – he is far from a distant bell – he is far from a lock as well. He is a solid prospect who, yes, would start in the AHL but very well could have seen NHL games this coming season and any season he comes over. He is a solid top 4 d-man in a very good league for developing d-men.
25 years old – you mean sure-fire 2nd pairing d-man Rafferty age?
That appears to be just speculation from a Canucks blogger from 2 weeks ago…
So Juolevi and Rafferty are *almost* as likely to see a game as Phil Broberg and Ryan McLeod.
Stanley Cup Final will be played in Edmonton. Nice exposure for the city. The NHL has made smart decisions; Edmonton won’t let them down. Can’t wait to watch McDavid raise the Cup.
Okay, thanks!
Both are.
And depending on the length of their run and injury, there’s a chance both could play.
https://lastwordonhockey.com/2020/05/22/introducing-the-vancouver-canucks-black-aces/
Speaking of 25 yr old rookie RHD, is Brogan Rafferty on the Canucks TC roster? I’ve been looking for it, but haven’t found it. I do know that Juolevi is on it.
Exactly my point.
After sitting around for almost a year, players would be expected to assemble in a Covid hotspot with a promise of nothing more than a tournament.
Much more likely NHL rosters are expanded to, say, 30 and every teams best prospects are with the big club.
Berglund took the $92.5K signing bonus but got an out clause and will play in Sweden next season.
If, and when he comes to North America he would play in the AHL (if it exists) and would be 25 when his first shot at the NHL comes around.
A very distant bell.
And they acknowledge that it may very well not be do-able and one potential is for some sort of regional tournaments to get some semblance of players playing.
You can be as naive as you want.
Andrews and Howson “plan” to be playing a full season in October.
Yeah, right.
Why not Edmonton?
Actually, don’t answer – given your pretentious positing of “facts” on why Berglund wasn’t going to sign with the Oilers……
I will take the world of Dave Andrews and Scott Howson regarding the AHL’s plans over your thoughts on what is and isn’t feasible for them and their teams (including the Pacific Division teams which, for the most part, are owned by some of the wealthiest NHL owners).
Have heard the NHL is developing an app that will allow fans to tune in the game and voice their emotions in real time and feed it into the broadcast.
We’ll see.
Watched a soccer game the other day and they had the canned fan noise going while the announcers called the play by play. It was good, they hit the boo button and the cheer button at the proper times and it made the game feel like it always did. I hope they try that here.
Why exactly do you think Soderberg would sign in Edmonton?
The AHL cannot afford to establish training camp bubbles in Western Canadian locales.
They will have no fans and almost zero TV revenue.
It’s a multi million dollar proposition.
No sane owner would pay those millions for a tournament.
Somehow replace Rusty and his $4M with Soderberg, Staal or even B. Sutter and I’m happy.
If Puljujarvi does come back to the team and pops even a little, that’s a good and deep championship level team.
Not me, I believe everything that the Russian Czar says about the pandemic.
Putin on the Corona virus: “Its going very well”
I would not anticipate any training camps in Covid hot-spots – I would suspect everything would take place in Western Canada and I would expect the NHL-owned teams in the Pacific Division would be able to make the finances work for their players.
I expect there to be MUCH enthusiasm for most of the AHL players – you know, its their way to feed their families…..
+1
Also,
How many more years will it take Ken Holland to fix the mess left behind by Peter Chiarelli?
Need to have significant cap space to offer any potential free agent a contract worth signing.
Get it wrong and KH is right back where he started
Wins thread!
You may nor care about how much players get paid to play in the AHL but you can be sure the players do.
If all that is offered them is a pro-rated stipend after having to endure training camps in Covid hotspots like California, Arizona, Texas and Nevada, I seriously doubt there will be much enthusiasm for a tournament.
However much you get a woody doesn’t figure into the equation.
Well, that’s not what the conversation indicates as far as “best case scenario” – probably unlikely but, given they are building a schedule from October, not playing to January is not “best case scenario” as per those involved in the league.
https://theathletic.com/1899840/2020/07/01/ahls-changing-of-the-guard-a-conversation-with-dave-andrews-and-scott-howson/
I couldn’t care less about how much players get paid in the AHL or Reid Boucher’s reason for leaving.
The regional game was mentioned in response to the incorrect “best case scenario no games until January” quip. There very well could be a regional game among the California division somewhere in the fall.
That would be Oilers’ prospects playing games!
Yeah there’s lots of reasons for Reid Boucher types to sign in the KHL. He’s gotten into 1 NHL game in the past 2 seasons despite being one of the top scorers in the AHL. A KHL season is more sure to happen and he’ll get paid more there than the AHL regardless of whether the AHL happens or not.
Even the reports from Vegas distinguished between staff in direct contact (inside the bubble) and the background staff (outside the bubble)..
When asked whether hotel staff would be part of the NHL bubble, Hinshaw said the protocol put in place focuses on those who are face-to-face, where COVID-19 spread happens more often.
“With respect to others who may be, for example, cleaning that space, we do know of course that transmission from surfaces is a possibility,” Hinshaw said. “But if there is no face-to-face contact there wouldn’t be a requirement that those individuals remain in the bubble
I read the original when it was published.
As it stands right now, even in the best case scenario there will be no AHL games before January.
A regional tournament would pay players peanuts.
Because the NHL wanted Toronto there’s an assumption that Edmonton was the replacement for Vegas. But we heard that the PA said it was close and reserved their decision. Then things got quiet.
PA had the hammer on playing conditions and the Vegas decision tells us that was top factor. Given that the PA wielded that hammer it’s equally reasonable to say that put Toronto back in the game.
I understand that and I acknowledged the “bussing issue” in my post (and have for a week now in posts when talking about Toronto’s bid).
At the same time, we are talking about holding the marquee event of the league in Toronto vs. Edmonton – I don’t think bussing it is the reason that Edmonton was chosen for such an important league decision.
I don’t know what the protocols are going to look like in the KHL for its camps and season start on Sept 1 but I would say that the likes of Stamkos and Seguin will be “safer” coming to Toronto and Edmonton, respectively, to play hockey than they would be going about their summer lives in Florida and Texas. That’s without even taking in to account the phase 4 bubble they will be in.
I’m enthused Samorukov will be playing hockey this fall (presumably) in one of the best leagues in the world.
I could have been clearer. Meant we both see the issue the same.
The big wigs and the families would have to bus in Toronto. In Edmonton, the big wigs and the families will be inside the bubble for the Conference Finals. No bussing for them. I don’t see how they block off a walkway to get from hotels to Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. The hotels are on the other side of Union Station.
I think Bettman wants his suite in the JW Marriott penthouse, and the ability to walk back and forth to Rogers.
I’d be more worried about playing in Russia during a pandemic
It essentially will be.
From accounts, during the play-in round/seeding games, there will be 5 games per day (3 in one hub and 2 in the other and switch).
I assume, once they are down to 4 series per conference, there will be two games in each conference each day – teams simply play every second day.
I like the premise and the positivity but I don’t really think it will make a difference.
Edmonton can be wonderful in the summer but its not like these players are going for a run in the river valley or taking in the Street Performers Festival – they’ll be in a bubble downtown hub and maybe allowed out for a golf game.
Not to mention, agreeing to play in Edmonton is agreeing to live in Edmonton in the winter, not the summer. The players leave town during the summer, even most of the locals (not all though).
There was a really good piece at The Athletic on an interview with Scott Howson and Dave Andrews the other day.
I summarized some pertinent points.
Lots of scheduling options being explored.
At the very least, some sort of “regional tournament” would be likely I would think – assuming the NHL is playing.
We are saying the same thing here – not sure what they will do but I would expect any performance bonuses awarded via pro-rating to be subject to the normal cap rules unless (and hopefully until) we hear otherwise.
That is a negative of the Toronto bid to start with – while they can practice across the street from where their main bubble is set up (where the Marlies play), they will have to be bussed to all games (and I would think some practice rinks).
I’m sure the players didn’t like that aspect but it is what it is.
With that said, we are talking about Toronto vs. Edmonton for hosting the Conference Finals and Stanley Cup Finals, I’m sure the league and their rightsholders would much prefer Toronto and I don’t think the players needing to bus was really the determining factor.
Could be wrong.
They are building an actual wall around the quarantine/hub.
I’m not sure how crowds of people on the other side of that wall would create any home ice advantage.
I’m sure, no matter who wins, may fans of many teams will “place and asterisk” and “make excuses.
Personally, I would give zero fucks about that – I mean, if the Oilers win 19 games and the Stanley Cup, I couldn’t care what outsiders think, I will be enthused as a cup in any other year.
~ Looking up the thread I see people have tried to answer this question, but alas still no speeds ~
There was some suggestion of that and, a while ago, like a month, the league acknowledged there were some concerns among the teams about this – they never agreed or said they would make the teams switch but acknowledged the concern.
From recent accounts, they are not switching – the Western teams will be in Edmonton and the Eastern teams in Toronto.
9 days ago, the league and players had settled on Vegas and Vancouver – this “issue” was not a major one.
Way more exciting if the eliminated team captains were invited before leaving the ice to draw 1 box to see if they picked the one with the golden ticket.
As per TSN and McKenzie, the current target dates (not official yet and league will push dates back if its warranted):
July 13 – training camp
July 26 – teams report to hubs
August 1 – Phase 4 and Games start
August 10 – 2nd lottery (so play-in is done)
Early Oct – Cup awarded
Mid Oct – Draft
Nov 1 – new seasons – i.e. free agency
Nuge joined phase 2 and was skating with the boys today.
So exciting that things are ramping up.
Will be really interesting to see what type of reporting we get from actual training camp.
I presume media won’t be allowed in to watch.
Perhaps there will be a feed set up?
I assume zoom type media avails.
Yes, from accounts (Friedman, etc.) the west will play in Edmonton and the east in Toronto.
The “concerns” about “home ice advantage” were acknowledged by the NHL but, it seems, they correctly came to the conclusion that any advantage is so minor its not worth the major logistical issues it would cause to flip.
I could see them telling the Oilers they can’t use their own room (at least for all the games)….
Interesting spot from Brian Burke on Oilers Now talking about the Pronger trade.
Now I’m sure he was exaggerating a bit about how easy it was but, to summarize, he said:
– it was done at the draft
– Howson went to four teams with offers in a Pronger trade
– the offer for the Ducks was Lupul, Smid and a first
– Burke said yes
– NHL said couldn’t do it as the Ducks didn’t have enough room due to the tagging rules
– Burke told Lowe to call him on July 1
– They spoke on July 1 as Kevin was driving to the lake
– Kevin said he thinks he needs more because he’s “handing the Ducks a trip to the finals”
– Burke agreed he was handing him a trip to the finals and said that he’d give another 1st if they made it.
– Deal was agreed to
– Kevin asked if Burke wanted him to pull over to get in touch with the league and finalize
– Burke said, “nah”, lets just do it tomorrow
– Deal official on July 2
Too funny:
@ScuzzMcFuzz
This is ridiculous. As much as I love hockey and want to see it back I don’t believe in bringing all these players here to potentially infect the hospitality workers serving them. This is such a joke (NBA and MLB included) if I can’t play hockey why can they???
@GardMackay
You can play hockey. ASHL has a modified summer league.
@therealDH17
Except you can play. Rinks are open with restrictions in Edmonton.
@780Scott
My kids are skating in Edmonton.
@Rob_Cooke1978
I can play hockey starting on the 6th. Can’t you play next week too?
@Sandman_in_AB
Why can’t you play hockey? My men’s team starts Tuesday in Edmonton.
UPDATE: Sports cohorts exempted from distancing here are not limited to the NHL. You can join exactly one performance or sports cohort with up to 50 members which allows for mini-leagues. Pre-dates the NHL-specific cohorts.
That was mentioned in the Edmonton public bid details.
Bob McKenzie
@TSNBobMcKenzie
·
1h
As a follow up on the perils of play-by-play pandemic reporting, where the only constant is change, it has now been suggested to me that while EDM is quite likely to host the Stanley Cup final, it can’t be called fully locked in at this moment in time.
Bob McKenzie
@TSNBobMcKenzie
·
43m
Mountains of logistical matters on all of this. Site of Cup final will also be the site for both Eastern and Western Conference finals. Conference finals are, as I understand it, when the players’ families will be permitted to enter the bubble for the first time.
Toronto requires bussing when there are four teams. Edmonton doesn’t require bussing when there are four teams. Hence, Edmonton is better for the Conference finals.
Toronto, if they play in Scotiabank Arena, probably needs bussing for the Stanley Cup finals, since I doubt they can provide a bubble from the hotel to the arena.
Edmonton can enclose four teams and associated personel in a tighter bubble than Toronto.