Mark Spector breaks a lot of stories, and it looks like he has another in regard to Jesse Puljujarvi’s possible return to the Edmonton Oilers. Story is here.
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: Oilers Top 20 Prospects, Summer 2020
- New Jonathan Willis: Unqualified RFAs could be top offseason targets for the Oilers
- New Daniel Nugent-Bowman: Q&A: Legendary Oilers PA announcer Mark Lewis discusses his temporary comeback
- Lowetide: Ken Holland’s bet on Andreas Athanasiou and how Oilers will proceed
- Lowetide: Lessons learned from the ghosts of Oilers’ draft weekends past
- Lowetide: Oilers’ William Lagesson may benefit from extraordinary circumstances
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: ‘We’ll learn and grow from it’: Connor McDavid’s tune different compared to last year
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: Who stays? Who goes? The most likely players to stay with and leave the Oilers
- Lowetide: A rational approach for the Oilers at the 2020 draft
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: What’s holding back the Oilers? Superstars’ defence and team’s depth under focus
- Jonathan Willis: After a play-in round exit, the Oilers need an offseason of change
- Lowetide: Oilers 2020 picks finalized, it’s go time for Jesse Puljujarvi
- Lowetide: Ken Holland’s urgent summer as Oilers general manager begins
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: The Oilers have some disappointing lessons to learn — even in season of progress
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: Replacing Tyler Ennis: Ranking the best left wing and backfill Oilers options
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: Bang for your buck: Ranking the Oilers based on contract expectations
- Jonathan Willis: Is Philip Broberg on track to be a top-pairing defenceman?
- Lowetide: Ken Holland’s roster construction options over the next five months
PULJUJARVI’S SPOT IN THE BATTING ORDER
I want to make a point, but before I do, I have to make another point. I’m about to suggest JP as No. 3 right wing in 2020-21, but want to make it clear that he would have success playing on the top line. For his brief career so far, JP scores 2.06 per 60 at five-on-five when playing with Connor McDavid, and the duo drills opponents at 55 percent Corsi for five-on-five. I don’t know why the math loves their chemistry while there was apparently none in real life, but down the line, maybe in the playoffs when the season is on the line and all else has failed, this could be considered an option. Here, are the five-on-five per 60 scoring numbers by Edmonton’s wingers with McDavid in 2018-19:
- Leon Draisaitl 3.35 (805 minutes)
- Drake Caggiula 2.54 (141 minutes)
- Zack Kassian 1.96 (428 minutes)
- Ryan Nugent-Hopkins 1.91 (376 minutes)
- Milan Lucic 1.83 (98 minutes)
- Jesse Puljujarvi 1.80 (67 minutes)
- Ty Rattie 1.72 (244 minutes)
- Alex Chiasson 1.48 (284 minutes)
- Jujhar Khaira 0.93 (64 minutes)
- Kailer Yamamoto 0.00 (84 minutes)
In August of 2019, when he made it official, I wrote the following in a post on this blog called ‘So Long and thanks for all the Fish’:
“I sincerely hope Jesse Puljujarvi finds his way, first in Finland and then in the NHL. He is looking for his own place in the sun, you can’t blame a man for being restless to find home. Sail on, Kajaanin Hokki, you came to us in a time of great confusion. Don’t you dare let this experience define you. Keep smiling, big man. We won’t forget you.”
SWEDISH POSTER’S UPDATE (All words by SP)
Nice early arrow for Broberg. Had an assist, played on PP2(PP1 was all forwards) and started the 3on3 ot.
Getting a good chance in early exhibition is one thing, the next step is hanging on to that opportunity, SHL coaches are notoriously hard on young D once the real games get going, especially if the team is losing and he will see his ice time fade for stretches but it’s clear they see him as a top 4 option going in. I wouldn’t count on him being top 2 in ice time going forward but if he manages to hold that spot and establish himself as a top pairing SHL D that would be quite impressive. Run with it Phil, rum with it!
Filip Berglund has also been on the top pairing for Linköping to start. And Lennström scored yesterday. Now we just need Lavoie to force himself into Rögle’s top six and PP1 and we’re cooking over here!
(Ftr I’d be very happy if Lavoie could take hold of a top 9 spot and get the occasional shot on PP2, major major difference between the Q and the SHL, if he can make a somewhat smooth transition that’ll tell us a lot about his hockey IQ and coachability).
WHAT TO DO WITH JP
I think we’ll see Ken Holland acquire a veteran No. 3 center over the summer, maybe Finn Erik Haula shakes loose. Puljujarvi has some obvious talents, but badly needs a season where his skill set matches the NHL job available. Third line work will be a challenge and he might eventually move past Kassian and form a strong 1-2 right wing combination with Kailer Yamamoto.
If Puljujarvi signs, massive credit will be due Ken Holland. He played this like Fred MacMurray in My Three Sons.
LOWDOWN WITH LOWETIDE
A fun Friday morning in August, we kickstart the weekend at 10 on TSN1260. Steve Lansky from Inside the Truck will talk lazy sports television, Dale Hawerchuk and the best hockey team in Canada. Conor McKenna from TSN 690 sets up the Habs-Flyers game tonight at 11. 10-1260 text, @Lowetide on twitter. See you on the radio!
Of course, things have changed since “the time”. A pandemic hit changing the presumed upper cap limit over the course of the contract – much lower. Just as importantly, Kassian was awful since he signed that contract, well, since before he signed that contract.
This is tantalizing, and I generally agree. I think the team needs to see how the kids can perform in this lineup. Another factor is if there is an NHL season ca. Dec 2020, it does NOT look like there will be an AHL season at this time. This should put a little more pressure on to see how ripe the kids are.
The only caveat is they need a bit of cover, if after 20 games there are clear and obvious issues that require more time in a lesser league for further development. So I think there is enough budget cover for the Fs, just need another Benning type RD (and I think it should be the real Benning), then I think Benson, Marody and Bouch should get serious reps if they can perform at least as well as they have at the summer camp. This could be facilitated if there will be an extended roster and “taxi squad”.
Yes. Consensus at the time was the contract was eminently tradeable. He brings things Gms value and that hasn’t changed.
Because Peter Chiarelli is a very bad GM
Yeah we’re likely in for a similar off season.
And honestly the next might not be much different if Nuge/Larsson are retained (new Yamamoto and likely Bear contracts would eat up the rest).
The least to me is a functioning third line. That would make improvement, even if by simply allowing Connor and Leon to play normal minutes.
Less for the top 6 (more fresh) and for the fourth
Caveat to that last sentence: If no more Kassian type contracts are signed or buyouts.
Plan the parade!!!!
errr…
Unless we can pull off a miracle cap dump, I think another summer like last year (minus the Chiasson contract) makes sense given the cap constraints.
We have an opportunity to wheel and deal after this upcoming season.
If you can find a team that had someone kicking sand in their face during the playoffs, there could be a market.
Still, that contract…
Can Kassian’s new contract be traded in the flat cap?
It was very arguable that it was an over pay at the time and, since, he has been a ghost (actually, worse than a ghost, he hurt the team in the playoffs, had negative impact in regular season games, etc.) and, of course, Covid cap.
I’ve never denied him being a “special player” – I’ve been against acquiring him for the his declining years at the contract I’ve presumed he will get.
Also of note, in only 2 out of those 4 PPG years was his point total “high” – in two of those years, they were based off of shortened seasons (37 in 33 games and 50 in 45 games).
Special talent for sure – he will be 29 when next season starts and has been over 65 points twice.
Would one expect increased or decreased production in his 30s?
As I said, I’d be happy to have him for $7.5M or less in the new cap era – 3 years max preferred.
I don’t think that $7.5M spend on a winger heading to his 30s is the best place to deploy that amount of resources but he’d be fun to have.
Faustkarz,
It’s always an option, I think.
Doing nothing can absolutely be the best way. But people are impatient.
jp,
Does Holland have a “sit on his hands” way out this off-season?
I don’t think Holland will trade Kassian so soon after signing him. But I’m not certain.
I really don’t know what Holland’s going to do actually.
something, something time of hall and mcdavid when he was 18 or something
Kassian and Chiasson shouldn’t be sleeping as well as they were. Not sure Chiasson can be traded w/o retaned in Covid World, but we’ll see. If it’s Kass, who should bring a decent draft pick, then the cap savings are sgnificant and I can see AA getting re-signed and/or a run at Haula.
No kidding.
I had a look. Because that’s the kind of thing I do.
But also because I’ve been kind of annoyed at your always using the worst possible window to look at Hall.
2 of 6. Yes, true
2 of 3. Yup.
4 of 8. Also yes.
Anyway, in the last 6 seasons 25 NHL players have scored 1.0 PPG or more twice (that’s including Hall). Seguin also did it twice, for whatever that’s worth.
The full list of players who scored 1 PPG MORE than twice in the past 6 seasons is:
Crosby (6)
Kane (5)
Kucherov (4)
MacKinnon (3)
Malkin (6)
Marchand (4)
Matthews (3)
McDavid (5)
Ovechkin (3)
Panarin (3)
Scheifele (4)
Stamkos (3)
Tavares (3)
Rare air.
How many players scored 1.0+ PPG 4 of the past 8 years?
Crosby (8)
Giroux (4)
Hall (4)
Kane (7)
Kucherov (4)
Malkin (8)
Marchand (4)
McDavid (5)
Ovechkin (5)
Scheifele (4)
Stamkos (5)
Tavares (4)
That’s 12 players including Hall. (also, Holy Hell Crosby and Malkin)
I get not wanting to pay a premium for his declining years, but you seem to consistently deny that he’s a fairly special player. I dunno.
Canada’s squad
As in you can make a lot of money betting against Canadian teams in the playoffs
Is that what they mean by Canada’s squad?
2nd longest current drought. It’s pretty exciting.
If he bombs out in his return he won’t be worth shit regardless his cap number. And I may be naive but I have zero concern about him re-signing in order to work his way out of the org.
I *think* Faksa is 1 year from UFA.
I’d gladly trade Samorukov for him if he were willing to sign for 2 or 3 years at a number close to his QO ($2.4M).
He’s a quality NHL player. Samorukov *might* be a quality NHL player.
No, no it’s not. Relax. They’ll never get past COL/VGN this year. That franchise hasn’t earned it yet. Give them another 20 or 30 years to smooth the rough edges.
If a handshake agreement is required wrt fit/success, he better be signing for the QO. I don’t trust JP or his agent. If he signs for closer to $1.5M and proceeds to try to work his way out of EDM, he won’t be worth shit in trade.
OMG, is this the year? Are they finally going to do it?
Yeah there wouldn’t be a lot to hammer out if he were willing to sign near the QO/under $1M. Hope the number isn’t too high.
If he does sign you’d think it means a veteran making $1.5M or more is headed out – so Puljujarvi should still help the teams cap situation. Hopefully.
Pretty cool Holland has seemingly pulled this off (assuming he seals the deal).
I’m sure you are correct
Scungilli Slushy,
I could be wrong, but are the members of the Oiler’s office in one city? I’d think that the one’s responsible for viewing at least would be in their own homes watching feeds like the reporters, radio pbp, etc. Especially since they’ve left the bubble. Everything, where possible, is work from home now.
Samu is one I’d keep. Bro replaces Klef, Samu replaces Nurse. By player type.
Teams have asked about Samu, a bad sign for Oiler fans. At least in the past when they couldn’t see their own gems.
Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) Tweeted:
Canada’s team, the Vancouver Canucks, impressively into the second round. Again, I’m seeing a little 2009 young Blackhawks in this Canucks squad.
In one city able to meet often.
Samorukov’s name did go though my head, but that’s only enough if they know him and like him. Gotta try though. I don’t see the Oilers making either of their 2nd round forwards available. Although if you’re getting Faksa and they want McLeod, why not?
I could see Khaira having a shot since they’d be losing a PKer and some size, plus he can play center or wing. He’s only 400k more than a call-up, and I think Dallas fees like they’re in a “window”.
Good target. Wish he was a little better on the dot, and a rightie, but if we can get him in a cap dump he comes at an ideal age and probably a great cap hit. I was looking at his Woodmoneys two nights ago and they were beautiful.
They likely wouldn’t want salary back and I doubt they would have any use for any of the Oilers bottom six.
Maybe a B defensive prospect.
The Oiler have about 47 of those.
I doubt they are viewing anything together during the Covid Epoch.
Spector’s Thoughts:
Over the next while, Holland will try to hammer out an NHL contract with Lehto. Puljujarvi’s entry-level contract has expired and the Oilers qualified him at $925,000 to retain his rights. Holland will likely try to get the player for as close to $1 million as possible, considering the team’s cap situation, with a handshake agreement that he will be traded if he cannot find success in Edmonton.
Spector’s saying that Pujo is going to come in at over $1mill here, otherwise he’d be saying that Holland will be trying for as close to the QO as possible.
I’d say we were right, JP. Now it just remains to be seen how well Holland does at keeping it as close to $1 mill as possible. Obviously if you’re Holland you’d be playing the You-want-to-be-tradeable-right? card, and Lehto will be going with the You-want-us-to-come-right? defense.
Will be interesting to see the number, but I’d say Holland’s position is slightly stronger now that he has extracted a desire to return.
Playoff time next season, the young guys having a bunch of games to improve reg season.
I still wonder if experienced vets that aren’t good at what currently is most important as the league has changed a bit the last few years, will provide more value than less experienced players with more skill and useful abilities.
At playoff time (meaning significant at bats and coaching at the NHL level) are they in trouble or further ahead?
I think further ahead.
If what isn’t good enough isn’t changed somehow, how can the team take a step?
The Avs and fabulous Dys let their ready but green skilled guys go.
Maybe the Oiler guys aren’t as good. But how cautious do you want to be?
Is Chiasson better than Benson? Russell Benning than Bouchard? Larsson as he is than Bear? Are Sheahan or Khaira better than Marody or McLeod?
Is not very good and experienced better than more talented and faster overall?
Is ineffective experience worth it, or going after upgrades and letting the good coaches they have working their butts off training the future?
I don’t see bringing young players into the bottom roster the same as throwing them to the wolves in the top half which is what happened in the past.
Especially when it seems options for experienced better players from outside are slim to buckleys.
Hopefully the Oiler new pro scouts are taking advantage of seeing a lot of players without going anywhere.
It’s tough that Holland is challenged with bugs and flat caps, but capitalizing on this opportunity of the group viewing together over an extended time could end up a positive.
Munny,
He’s my #1 target; aside from being a LC, he’s just about a perfect fit to slot in behind McDavid and Draisaitl long term. He fares pretty well under difficult minutes and I think there’s more offense there that could emerge over time (like Eller).
Funny… nobody is bringing up the Adam Larsson trade. Hmm…
Surely you realize that he played half the season on a team whose top scorer had 45 points
The blue jackets in their expansion season had 2 50 point scorers
Please collapse, please collapse, please collapse….
*begins deleting all the rosters that lacked Pujo’s presence*
I’m not sure how much I believe it. There could be a winking agreement that really this is all about helping Holland trade Pujo, and JP’s only coming back as a last resort.
There’s been so many twists and turns in this soap opera who knows where it ends up.
What would Buffalo be looking for in exchange for Ullmark and Montour?
Benning, Puljujarvi and _______
They probably don’t want Benning but they wouldn’t want Larsson either and that last piece would have to be a solid asset.
I remember it the same way. 1 – 1.5 with wonder if it would take the high number. Id someone said $2, I completely missed it. Wasn’t part of our convos.
So the hapless flames get the unceremonious “thanks for showing up” first round boot yet again, lol. I’m pretty sure they lead the league in playoff participation ribbons during the last 3 decades.
Let’s recap… only TWICE past the first round in the last 31 years!
And counting…
Exactly. And I think he’s a better option than any mentioned. Not Haula maybe, but Haula comes with risk that he’s not the same after the horrific injury. I’d rather have the 26yo 6’3″ Czech, Cheap QO. Send them Khaira or whatever warm body makes their cap work.
I’m sure Dallas would rather have a quality pick and no salary, so maybe we can’t win an auction… but you still gotta see.
Start with 8 goals in 6 games to start the season. It was a big trade and Neal sure provided fan excitement for a little bit.
I don’t care they’re the last Canadian team. I can’t cheer for the Canucks.
The Blues don’t look particularly hungry though.
S’Okay. I’m perfectly happy to cheer against the Canucks next round.