Oscar Klefbom had his surgery (via Mark Spector) and the rehab begins. Hopefully he’ll be ready opening night 2021-22, and as an Oilers player. Can you name all of the players Edmonton has lost in expansion drafts?
Ahem. Charlie Huddy, Minnesota (1991); Anatoli Semenov, Tampa Bay (1992); Mark Lamb, Ottawa (1992); Ron Tugnutt, Anaheim (1993); Scott Mellanby, Florida (1993); Doug Friedman, Nashville (1998); Kelly Buchberger, Atlanta (1999); Bert Robertsson, Columbus (2000); Jim Dowd, Minnesota (2000); Griffin Reinhart, Vegas (2017).
The best in that group? Charlie Huddy had 323 games left and he was a fine defenseman, Scott Mellanby would play 927 more games and score 243 more goals (!!!) and Jim Dowd had 514 games left to go. Given the choice I’d take the winger (Mellanby) but those three men played some fine hockey.
THE ATHLETIC
I’m proud to be writing for The Athletic, and pleased to be part of a great team with Daniel Nugent-Bowman and Jonathan Willis. Here is our recent work.
- New Lowetide: How the Oilers could benefit at the trade deadline from relaxed quarantine rules
- Lowetide: Every major transaction Ken Holland has made as Oilers GM
- Jonathan Willis: Five questions the Oilers need to answer by the NHL trade deadline
- Lowetide: Carter Savoie’s college season suggests Oilers could have a real goal scoring prospect
- Lowetide: Has Oilers goalie prospect Stuart Skinner turned a corner?
- Lowetide: Where does Zack Kassian fit on the Oilers, now and in the future?
- Lowetide: Oilers’ midseason depth chart informs their needs for trade deadline and beyond
- Jonathan Willis: A position-by-position look at the Oilers after 30 games
- Lowetide: How will Oilers GM Ken Holland make room in the lineup for Evan Bouchard?
- Lowetide: Are the Oilers and Elvis Merzlikins a trade match?
- Lowetide: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Dominik Kahun, Dylan Holloway and a perfect storm on the Oilers’ left side
- Lowetide: Why Oilers GM Ken Holland shouldn’t wait for the deadline to make a trade
- Lowetide: Three Oilers prospects form hottest line in the AHL
- Lowetide: Oilers’ top 20 prospects, trade deadline edition
- Lowetide: Why are some Oilers fans hesitant to give Darnell Nurse his due?
- Jonathan Willis: Can Oilers improve enough to beat TML it in May?
- Lowetide: Top trade targets for the Oilers at the 2021 deadline
- Jonathan Willis: Oilers 2021 trade value rankings
- Lowetide: Is this peak Connor McDavid?
MY EXPANSION DRAFT LIST (4-4-1)
- Goalie: Alex Stalock
- Defense: Darnell Nurse, Oscar Klefbom, Ethan Bear, Caleb Jones
- Center: Connor McDavid
- Left Wing: Leon Draisaitl
- Right Wing: Jesse Puljujarvi, Kailer Yamamoto
Klefbom is a tough choice, but two seasons of Klefbom (for me) have more value in the current window than William Lagesson (your mileage may vary). The goaltending call is easy, Seattle won’t take Koskinen but you never know. The top names available are Lagesson, Dominik Kahun, Zack Kassian, Jujhar Khaira, Cooper Marody and Tyler Benson. I’ll assume Lagesson is chosen and then add the free agents.
PROJECTED OILERS ROSTER
I’m spending money (bought out James Neal) on a goalie (Linus Ullmark), a left winger (Blake Coleman) and a No. 3 center (Alex Wennberg). Keeping Oscar Klefbom means not signing Tyson Barrie, that’s something to consider when making plans for next season. I wonder if Holland goes the other direction?
LOWDOWN WITH LOWETIDE
A busy morning that leads into the final non-turkey weekend before Easter, and we’ll talk about the new relaxed restrictions on players acquired from the United States. Does that apply to recalls from Bakersfield? TSN1260, at 10, we’ll be joined by Steve Lansky of Inside the Truck Podcast and BigMouthSports to chat about the Tim Peel saga and the Oilers improved playoff chances. At 11, Matthew Iwanyk will join me to talk about the NBA trade deadline and why that league does so many things better than other leagues, plus the MLB season about to get underway. 10-1260 text, @Lowetide on twitter. See you on the radio!
I wrote a post yesterday and got (fairly) ratioed hard. So let me try a different angle. And I am trying to learn here…
Are handshake agreements with players like RNH and Larsson perfectly legal?
Oilers agree to a 6×6 with Nuge but tell him it’s in the best interest of the team, and by extension him, for him not to sign until after the expansion draft. They go 4-4-1 as described by LT above.
Seattle claims Lags and then the next day the RNH contract is signed. Repeat with Larsson.
Risk to team is that Seattle dangles 7×8 in front of him so he changes his mind. Risk to player is that the team changes their offer. So basically, it’s whether you trust the core principle of the handshake agreement.
I would think that this kind of deal would be in circumvention of the league bylaws and would be specifically prohibited. OP or any other lawyers on here can confirm.
Not sure how you can ever prohibit verbal agreements let alone prove them. I scoured the CBA once upon a time looking for a section on post dated contract agreements – which I am pretty sure would be regarded as circumvention 😉 – and didn’t see anything in either the master agreement or the special update agreed to in this year’s return to play addendum.
Pretty easy to do something like this if you have 2 interested parties. You sign a post dated agreement with 2 originals given in sealed envelopes to each other’s lawyers and to be held until a date on the envelope is reached at which point they are returned to the signatories for filing with the league.
It is never difficult to find a way around rules where both parties self interest is in accord as we have seen numerous times in the past when UFA contracts were signed 2 minutes into the allowable time frame.
I’ve never checked the CBA so I’ll take your word for it that its not there but it surprises me. I have seen this thing done in other business situations and yes, it can be done but it wasn’t legal. I’m definitely all for it though if it works to keep players without having to protect them.
Illegal requires positive positive law to expressly prohibit I believe. In Gary’s universe he can arbitrarily rule that the action was deliberate circumvention but he has to have some proof. Since there is a history of players taking less money to stay with a team they prefer that would be difficult without somebody talking.
Sutter hockey is fucking gorgeous! They wear their red lipstick proudly as they get pounded out all over the ice.
Giant Pisani would be 1C in Vancouver and Calgary by the looks of it.
I bet Markstrom feels so smart turning down Holland’s offer
Doesn’t he have about the same save % as Koski? 33% more expensive and 5 times longer? ish
I was just thinking the same thing, wonder if he is having regrets, Already?
Next thing on the horizon for Markstrom, a rebuild or just flat out mediocrity
Ha, just posted same below before reading this.
Yeah..
Cassie and company will be towing the Flames line tomorrow on how this season is just a fluke season. They will say how Sutter’s system needs time and that a few players may be traded where they need more size and speed. Book it!
Excited to see Kelly’s hair fall apart as he tries explaining how Sutter hockey is 1-5-0 in their last 6 games.
The biased Flames stacked CBC panel has been shitting on Edmonton for 15 years and at the same time praising the definition of mediocre and boring as it gets Calgary franchise. Cassie’s old man’s job is on the line she’ll be squirming in her CBC seat to keep it positive and Hrudey will be fumbling with his words. After we smoke the Laffs this could shape up to be the best Saturday since the age of Pisces.
Looks like Montreal won’t have to play any more games this year to hold onto 4th, Nucks and Lames just keep losing.
Condors lose 4-1. Ostap Safin broke the shutout with a couple minutes remaining on a very Draisaitlesque PP one timer. Was not aware he had that in his repertoire. He’s also huge and not an awful skater. Kesselring is also huge but a horrific skater to watch. I heard that he had an awkward stride and that is an understatement. He isn’t as slow as guys like Stanton. Looking forward to seeing him again soon.
Only 3 guys really stood out. McLeod will be in the NHL next year, so will Max Gildon (FLA), and Safin. Ostap is intriguing because after his injury issues in the Q I figured he was done as a prospect. If he can turn his 3 game heater into more ice time he could surprise.
Benson and Marody are excellent AHL players. I don’t think there is any chance either of them play 100 NHL games.
i always thought ostap was a pretty good skater for his size watching him in the Q. Shame he has issues with his hips. Can be pretty damning in that regard
That 1st period was horrible for the Condors, lots of passes to nowhere and running around in their own end. Kesselring has lots of trouble as well, which added to your not great 1st impression, I bet. IMO they really missed Niemelainen, hopefully he is not too banged up.
The Condors now have 5 LHD and 4 RHD on the roster. 3 LHD and 2 RHD are on AHL deals (not including Kesselring), plus Gildon is not Oiler property. I wonder how they will proceed moving forward with this number of bodies and if that means Gildon will soon be sent packing (hopefully not, he is easily the best defenseman in Bakersfield).
The massive Desharnais has been the biggest surprise this season IMO, he was even getting 1st unit PP time. He is looking so good, and has really turned around his future pro prospects. I wonder if the Oilers sign him to an NHL deal in the offseason, if not someone else will.
Safin is not physical at all, not sure if this is his style or a result of his injury history. For me he has been the biggest enigma of all Oilers prospects. I am over the moon for him and his recent goal scoring success, this will only help him. I am hoping he can stay in the lineup to the end of the season, so he comes into TC full of confidence and does a Desharnais next season.
I did not like Marody’s game last night, only once did I see him have any sense of urgency with the puck. To my eyes he played as poorly in the 1st as he did the rest of the game. Conversely, Benson showed plenty of urgency and second effort out there. He still has a chance at an NHL career, but I am far from convinced by Marody.
McLeod showed lots of effort and the usual speed, but things simply weren’t clicking for any of the forwards. Bakersfield had very little HDSC’s and SD had plenty. The game especially painful to watch in the first, but that okay. Lots of teaching moments in there.
And yet I’m most impressed that you spelled out Draisaitlesque
Flames lose 3-2. That’s too bad.
Guys like Gudreau are going to be out – and not because they aren’t Sutter type players. Nobody gets recognition losing 2-0 games. At least losing 4-2 a few guys put up some numbers.
Calgary will be Ottawa next year. Actually Ottawa has already surpassed them.
I would very much like to see Ottawa surpass Cgy in points this year
I am looking forward to the knives coming out.
Flames will not trade Gudreau at the deadline, fans & media will carve up Treliving after JG walks for nothing as a FA.
So tree is gone. Sutter as gm and coach? Been a while since that has happened. Sutter might be the last guy to pull it off?
That can’t be
I was already told that Calgary Vancouver rebuild was ahead of Edmonton’s
They are unwatchable right now. Maybe 5 actual scoring chances all game?
I’d rather see them competitive for interest sake
The western conference has figured out how to contain Johnny he needs a fresh start out east.
I wonder how Markstrom’s feeling about picking the Flames..
phlegms down by 2
Aaannd that’s game,
The very style that Sutter wants his team to play will also prohibit them from coming back when they are down by only 2 goals.
Oh the delicious irony
They don’t have the skill to come back from anything regardless of the coach
You got me,
I just want to see the Flames throw caution to the wind & trade chances with the Jets
8-3 is much more enjoyable than 3-1
Dead cat splat
I worry about Klef. Injuries and season layoffs can take a lot out of a guy. Remember Ryan Whitney? He had so much promise, and ended with healthy scratches….
Well that’s because they carved out the bones in his ankle and then he couldn’t pivot
I wonder what those bones are doing right now
Making pink vodka drinks with Biznasty?
Hanging out with Lupul.
Pissing off Gord Miller.
After watching this 1st period Calgary has such low puck and shooting skill compared to most teams. Don’t see how they are ever going to score more than 1 or 2 a game. Once they fall behind it’s lights out.
Condors get running around in their own zone, Stanton slow and weak on a clear and a scramble puck is put home.
2-0 Gull with two to go in the first.
Condors started off well – first shift if the game was full minute o-zone shift by the Benson line – but then penalty trouble, three in a row, changed the game – the ice has been titled since they took the first PIM.
7 second PP. 1-0 Jets
Gonna be tough to win this game 1-0 for Flames
Gulls take the lead on a PP goal.
Gravel stood up at the blueline (a poor decision with Esposito already there) and missed setting up a quick strike 2 on 1 – the pass goes between Deharnais’ legs and is tipped home.
Kesslering is indeed in tonight.
Niemelainen is out – my guess is that is NOT a coaches decision and Nielmelainen is banged up or sick or something.
Skinner starts.
Flames are a non-factor vis-a-vis the Oilers and the standings but I still kind of want them to lose even though they are playing a direct factor in the Oilers’ place in the standings…. just cause.
I love watching them lose but I would like them to JUUUUUST miss the playoffs so they have no shot at a top pick.
I’m waiting for them to trade their first round pick for Oli Jokinen….
maybe they could throw in J Hockey as a sweetener?
I wonder who Calgary and vancouver are looking to pick up for their playoff push?
This is where the rubber hits the road!
Good thing the NHL doesn’t do relegation like a lot of the European leagues.
I’d love to see the Oilers resign Gaetan Haas. Phenomenal defensive player, good PKer, can skate. 1.59 xGA/60. That’s good. Nothing happens in either zone when he’s out there.
Possibly running a combination of McLeod, Khaira, Haas gives us the depth in the bottom 6 and it frees up money for a more material left wing acquisition?
Hass is a very nice 4C – he is indeed the best defensive center on the team, both by eye and by number. Rarely makes a mistake, almost always on the right side of the puck, quick and tenacious, etc. He has really settled in as an every day player recently and has become more confident with the puck in the defensive and neutral zones – leading to good zone exits and entires. He draws penalties and I think there is some decent skill and a bit more offence to give.
Of course, he was a plus PK in Europe and is starting to show that talent in the NHL.
I think a re-sign is a no-brainer – the cost will be very similar to what it is now.
I’m hoping they sign Hass to a 3 three contract. He has earned it.
Considering it will be for an AAV around $1M, there isn’t much risk but signing bottom 6/4th liners to contracts with term isn’t something that generally works out well.
Really like Haas’s game.
Simple, effective, mistake free and I still think he has a higher offensive ceiling to reach.
Been looking through soon to be ufa left wings.
Anyone been watching much of Schwartz lately.
Always use to like his game but have been mostly watching north division this year.
Didn’t this blog pretty much universally agree that defensemen who put up lots of points oftentimes don’t really drive as much offence as it seems? As a result they are often overpaid based on their production and as such it becomes a cap inefficiency?
I thought we had decided years ago that a peak Anton Stralman was much better bang for your buck then Justin Faulk (or was it Keith Yandle?).
You are correct. The emphasis of late has been on offensive numbers. Somewhere between the two is where we need to be. How we get there and what we determine is the correct measurement is the question. The discussion here by those that use numbers to back their thinking is cutting edge. It is to me an integral reason this is such a great place to learn, question and enjoy.
yeah. I’ve learnt so much from some of the members on this site.
Yes. That’s why Barrie isn’t signed above in my offseason model. It’s the correct approach (don’t overpay for pure offensive defensemen) but that may not happen with Barrie and Edmonton.
Sometimes a player performs so well in his role that he becomes impossible to ignore. Barrie is such a case imo.
The concern I have for the blog (and really all Oilers fans) is the abandonment of Bear in just his second season. If you’ve watched most defensemen in the early years they don’t develop in a straight line. Many people have forgotten that fact as it applies to Bear.
That’s the big disappointment.
I agree with this. I’ll add in that I believe the drop off in his play has been overstated by many. He may be off a beat from last season, but close enough IMO.
Young blueliners without an established track record are far more likely to have the fan base and coaches turn on them when they are on the wrong end of a PDO bender. We’ve seen it with Jones and Bear already this year. Bears poor read in the Calgary game is an example of this. Kris Russell made an equally bad, if not worse read earlier (on Mangiapane I believe) that lead to a 2 on 1 but no goal. It wasn’t talked about much the next day. Fans tend to obsess over the result more than the process. If a young D like Bear makes that mistake, people are vocal about inexperienced D and their mistakes (ie trustworthiness).
I value the underlying #’s more, they tell a more complete picture of the players play. Bear is the rising tide that floats everyone’s boat on the blueline. Moving on from Bear for Barrie would be a mistake.
Single events may be of huge importance while remaining single events. Feels a lot like people are more likely to forget that about young D.
Bear for Filip Forsberg! I would be ok with abandoning him for a full flight left wing.
Maybe I have missed some comments but I I haven’t seen any abandonment of Bear so much as a recognition that Holland has a decision to make this off season due to imbalance on the team.
There are risks with both approaches imo.
Bear could be traded & continue to progress and become this blogs next Petry.
He could be traded & continue to progress while returning a Jari Kurri.
Barrie could be let go & fall off a cliff in two years. He could also be part of a Stanley Cup winning team here.
The fact that so many Oilers management teams have made bad trades in the past 30 years does not exclude the possibility that they might make a good one.
New Jersey traded a young RHD a few years ago to the Oilers for a 1st line LW that people here are still obsessing over as a huge win for NJ.
Teams do trade good players and still win the trade. There are probably 20 players in the league where it would be fair to say the team that let them go cannot win that trade. I do not think Bear is in that group.
Kemp and Lavoie have officially been assigned to Bakersfield. Of course, they aren’t playing tonight.
On that note, I wonder if Kesselring gets in the lineup tonight – from listening to Woody prior to Wed’s game – he had just got there so didn’t play that night but it didn’t sound like it would be long before they got him in to the lineup.
Awesome. Here comes the cavalry!
I really like Lavoie and I am glad more of us will get to see him play now that’s he’s on this side of the world.
I hope that shot turns into a rocket…we need that player. Right now.
Lavoie has a high ceiling but I do think he’s going to need a solid stretch in the American league. I don’t see him as a realistic option in October.
Haha sorry my comment could’ve been misleading.
We need that player right now…I don’t actually think Lavoie is that player already. Hope he just continues putting up points in the AHL and plays with that edge to his game.
I think Lavoie is more determined than some of the other Oilers prospects. He’ll probably finish the AHL season with more goals than Benson
Are you implying that Lavoie is more determined than Benson to make the NHL?
Benson is known for his work ethic, both on and off the ice.
I haven’t heard anything about Lavoie’s off-ice traits but he is known for inconsistency of effort on the ice, some lazy play defensively and on the boards and selfish play at times.
This isn’t to put down Lavoie, he’s in his first year of pro and learning but the above (re: determination) seems completely off based on what we know and, of course, stated to propagate a narrative.
100% concur.
Lavoie is a Holland pick and yes it matters.
Broberg wasn’t even invited to camp this year and he was already in Edmonton days before it started.
If Nuggie and Larsson want to stay, and financials can be settled, I have no idea why that could not happen post ED
Its in their own interest isn’t it?
Jim Matheson (@jimmathesonnhl) Tweeted:
One thing Jets have that none of other North teams in playoff spot right now is a big 3C with some offence like Adam Lowry in Wpg. Not the Oilers, not the Leafs, not the Canadiens.
https://twitter.com/jimmathesonnhl/status/1375483866253684740?s=20
I thought for sure Turris would easily cover his 3C bet for the 2 years. Someone fuked up and didn’t do their due diligence on Turris.
One thing the Oilers have that the Jets don’t is more than 2 defensemen
The OIlers have two top four D. Nurse and Bear. The Jets have two also. Morrissey and Pionk. The Oilers other D and specialist D are better than the Jets remaining D.
So your new measurement is he who has the biggest third line centre has an advantage. Get a life! You are a prime example of why you can’t fix stupid!
Please check source…that was Matty.
go off jimmy!!
It’s interesting how many people say they’ve watched Hall play this year and he’s been terrible. I wonder how many of them have actually watched more than one or two games?
The answer to this question is zero.
The Sabres lost last night 4-0.
When Hall–Stall–Reinhart were on the ice the corsi was 25-10, scoring chances were 13-5, goals were 0-0.
The puck isn’t going in the net so the points aren’t there. And he isn’t an MVP candidate quality player anymore. But he’s the best player available. He’s one of the best playmakers in the league.
Most underated player of my lifetime.
Underrated players don’t win Hart trophies.
Or get drafted #1 overall.
True but his cap hit is 8 million. There is no value for cost! I like the player but reality is VALUE is cost per performance. Taylor Hall is not a plus at his cap hit. It is not rocket science!
Jeff O Neil mentioned on a podcast that he had a vet say to him in his early days when he felt he he wasn’t getting treated fairly, paraphrasing
’Do You think the coach wants to lose? His job depends on it
If you were playing well would he sit you?’
Hall is very talented. 1 OV. But the wreckage of his career lies on his shoulders also.
He could help. For the playoffs.
Long term he’d have to take a very large humble pill.
What? What does being benched have to do with hall at all?
I’m sorry I don’t see a connection here
If not underrated, under appreciated for sure.
i agree with your post. I saw a tweet earlier today that had a number of charts with microstats looking at Buffalo. He still creates a ton of chances relative to his teammates. I’d share them here if possible.
it’s worth noting that since both he and most the Sabres were COVID positive their finishing ability has gone into the tank. Same with NJD (Jack Hughes has had similar struggles since coming back)
Jim Matheson (@jimmathesonnhl) Tweeted:
Suspect Holland knows all of Glendening’s good points and blemishes from his long tenure in Detroit. Oilers have no 2nd, no 3rd round draft. They do have 4th in 2021 but no fifth-rounder either. He makes $1.8 mil, so dollar-in, dollar-out in any rental. Who would go?
https://twitter.com/jimmathesonnhl/status/1375597120778956802?s=20
steve tambellini esque deadline acquisitions let’s GO
AA and Mike Green redux?
He’s not the Dedroid Holland is looking for.
Haas is a superior player other than on the dot. Even with his league-leading FO proficiency Glendenning is middling to poor on the PK. Hard pass.
Man, I just dont want any more players that played on our gms old team.
Re: Klefbom Recovery
OriginalPouzar
Reply to leadfarmer
March 26, 2021 12:47 pm
That may be the case (although noone posting on this forum has any idea, right?).
At the same time, even if that is the case and the schedule, unlike this past season, the team cannot spend the LTIR reserves as they disappear when Klefbom is activated.
This roster planning issue goes even deeper. Now I’m sure the Oilers are talking to the right people and have a much better idea than we do on the probabilities of Klef being ready by Sept 1, Oct 1, Nov 1, etc. At least I hope so.
When I say January, what I really mean is (since it appears Oscar is dedicated to returning), if I’m Holland I make my personnel decisions (trades etc) based on him not being ready till Jan. I’d also want to know the probabilities from the medical experts of no return at all. And as we know, KBomb is one of the most medically-cursed people on this team.That’s my safety buffer.
Is Holland willing, for example, to trade Jones or Laggy? Or would he rather see Klef lace ’em up first?
Now like I said he’s holding better information than us and can make a more informed decision. but I remember the initial reports calling for a longer rehab for this surgery than what the team just reported. So that’s my outlier till we know more.
Where did these initial reports on timeline come from though? Were they anything more than media or fan speculation?
We were told that they wouldn’t even know the extent of the surgery and what needed to be done until they got in there so how could pre-surgery timelines really mean anything?
I don’t know if it is your intent but you are proving my point.
They would know the worst-case scenario. And not knowing till they got in there what the scenario would be, when the media reported “he might not be back till Jan.” likely we got the worst-case scenario.
They are presently reporting Sept. My outlier is the worst case scenario.
My experience with the Oilers and the Decade of Darkness is that they typically plan for the best-case scenario.
I don’t think Holland is quite as f@cking dumb as they are though.
Edit:
And again, Holland may have a range and a set of probabilities we’re not privy too
Do we know what the operation was on in his shoulder? Not sure if that’s been put out there.
I don’t think I agree with that interpretation.
Any “reports” that I heard/read from the media were based off of nothing – they were just wild speculation based off of “shoulder surgeries” in general.
This was not a surgery with a known timeframe for recovery and that could only be known once the surgery occurred.
I don’t take Spector’s timeline as gospel but it has more meaning than anything previously proposed (that I heard or read) as it was all 100% speculation based on no real information.
Anyways, it doesn’t really matter – its so early and more information will be known prior to season’s end and prior to the expansion draft.
LT can we talk about the crazy money you are doling out in your proposed line-up?
Kahun a $725,000 raise? – why he has been a HS, their is another LW at $900,000 out there
Yamamoto $1,606,000 raise? He had 27 games very good games LAST YEAR, has he progressed? He is playing with the best talent and is .5/60 minutes His raise is bigger than Jesse salary.
RNH – is a 3rd line center ($3.0 not going to happen) or 1LW (maybe $6.0×2).
Ullmark $4,000,000; Smith is a MUCH better goal at $1,500,000.
Neal is on the team for one more year – Sekera, Pouilet, Lucic = dead cap space in a flat cap league, makes me cry 🙂
Yamamoto is a perfect compliment for Drai so he deserves a raise. He came into the line-up and made our 2nd line start looking like a 2nd line. He gets to pucks, causes turnovers, draws penalties, and can score goals….annnnd Drai loves him. I’d pay that player 2-3mil to stay here.
Kahun did take a pay-cut to play here remember…so he will need a raise to stay I think. 1.7mil doesn’t really seem astronomical does it? It certainly doesn’t handicap the team.
I do agree on Ullmark though. I don’t want any of the goalies available this year. If paying Ullmark 4mil or bringing Smith back at 2mil are the only options…Smith. All day.
Unless there is a big spike in his scoring, I can’t see Yamamoto getting more than 2×2 million on his next contract
KY is not .5/60 minutes.. ???
you should consider that Kailer Yamamoto’s ELC is expiring, he’s averaged half a point per game. Of course his raise will be more than JP’s salary… JP had spent a year in Finland and prior to signing his contract had averaged approximately 0.25 p/g. That seems like a completely reasonable bridge deal for KY.
I would anticipate that Yamamoto’s second contract will be similar to Ethan Bear’s.
Likewise, I think LT’s approximation is fair though
Bakersfield Condors vs. Ontario Reign; March 20th, 2021; full 60; all following 5-on-5 only
43 CF – 47 CA
27 FF – 22 FA
6 GF – 4 GA
Top F: Christensen
2.82 Game Score
4 shot attempts, 2 shot assists
2 goals, 1 primary assist
9 CF – 6 CA
6 FF – 5 FA
2 GF – 0 GA
Top D: Kaldis
1.36 Game Score
1 shot attempt, 1 shot assist
1 primary assist
14 CF – 9 CA
10 FF – 5 FA
3 GF – 1 GA
that was the big comeback game, right?
yes, it was grotesque to witness. that ontario reign team is way too young to not throw games randomly, but it usually doesn’t involve that kind of spectacle.
Any team that had an offseason of signing Adam Larsson, Tyson Barrie, Kailer Yamamoto and RNH would make the GM look very good, and the team would/should significantly improve on the ice.
I say hold strong, pay our talent, use some of our up and coming potential, and wait for a goalie that will push us over the edge. No goalies this year do that, they are all just ok goalies. We need a top tier goalie now. If we get a top-end tender, we start talking Stanleys instead of just playoffs.
This flat cap for the next 2-3 years could present us with an opportunity to get some real studs at discounts. We need to be able to pay or trade for these guys when/if that time comes!
I say 4x4x1 is what we do for sure:
F – McD/Drai/Pool/Yamo(signed for 3 years at 3mil)
D – Nurse/Larsson (signed 4 years at 4mil)/Bear/Klefbom
G – Stalock
Have to wait until offseason to sign Barrie and Nuge but its the only choice we have. I think KH wants both players, but the expansion draft puts him in a tough spot. If Klef lets us know he’s done with hockey, Barrie will be resigned and protected. Jesse earned his protection this year…I think this is why Nuge doesn’t have a new contract yet.
Why couldn’t they wait until after the expansion draft to sign Larsson and sign Nuge before and protect a couple extra forwards? Leaves the same d-men exposed (plus an unsigned Larsson)?
I think Yamamoto likely comes in under $3M and likely for two years.
The 3 year term is a risk as it walks the player to one-year from UFA status along with arb rights so the player essentially can make it a 4 year deal taking him to UFA status.
I feel like we have very good D on this team…finally. We should sign Larsson and protect our top-4. Larsson said he wants to stay…but there are other teams that would offer that guy some real cash this offseason if he goes to UFA. He’s big, mean, and right handed. That’s a good guy to have around during his late 20’s/early 30’s. Especially when you can pay him at a discounted price due to our crazy times before he hits free agency.
I just don’t see us getting him back if he goes to free agency.
I don’t think protecting some of our extra forwards to get Nuge signed before the draft is our best path forward. I tried it this way and ended up protecting…Khaira and _____?
Didn’t make sense to me. We have better talent at defense that should be signed and protected.
Nuge can wait to sign if he wants to be here…his ask is very high for what he brings. I love Nuge but he can be replaced at a cheaper price tag. Our hole on this roster is McD’s left-winger…which is being filled by RNH because we lack talent in our top 6. And he isn’t doing the job needed on that top line.
I love Nuge and hope he signs for 7 years….but at 5mil per! Hahahaha!
But 6-6.5mil gets you a pretty damn good winger for McD….or a damn good tender.
If Nuge refuses to sign prior to the ED, I don’t know if Holland will let him use expansion as a negotiating tool. I think he’d want him signed prior to, and if the reports are true that Nuge wishes to return, you’d think he’d oblige. But if the agent opts for shenanigans….
And the more I think about it…the less I think Kailer needs 3mil right now. You’re both right OP and LT.
2 years at 2 -2.5mil makes more sense.
LT – I believe one of our earliest discussions was disputing the contributions of one Jim Dowd.
Man I hated watching him play…
AND we’re back….. 🙂
Is Caleb Jones the new Marty Marincin? The fancy stats loved Marincin like they love Jones…the coach and GM didn’t trust him.
Doesn’t kill penalties
Lowetide has been high high high on Jones forever and I keep trying to see it… but not actually seeing it. I’m not stoked about losing Jones to Seattle, rather the take Griffin Reinhart, but I can’t justify using a protection spot on Jones at this time.
He’s had a couple real good games this year, a few uneven ones, and a couple real bad ones. He looks like a young defenseman, spitting image.
His only real problem is we have a few pretty good young defenseman.
Montreal traded for Staal then – there’s one centre off the market.
a 3rd and 5th in this year’s draft was the price paid.
Sets the market for Glendenning and Sutter.
Except that Staal is actually good.
Either would be an upgrade on the Oilers 3C….whoever that is.
I don’t think that’s actually true.
Both are excellent penalty killers who win faceoffs.
This is incorrect.
https://oilersnation.com/2021/03/25/the-edmonton-oilers-are-targeting-a-right-shot-centre-heres-why-the-suggested-three-would-be-a-mistake/
Besides, Gaetan Haas is THE BOSS:
https://edmontonjournal.com/sports/hockey/nhl/cult-of-hockey/mysteries-of-the-edmonton-oilers-revealed-gaetan-haas-is-the-king-of-the-house
I would take Khaira at 3C over Glandening every day of the week.
Of course you would…any Oiler draft pick gives you a woody.
Penalty killing (where the Oilers rank 23rd in the league is a key component of playoff hockey.
A key component of penalty killing is winning faceoffs since teams that are proficient at draws can burn lots of time off opposition PPs.
Khaira wins only 44% of his draws…that’s below replacement level…your granny might do better.
Faceoff, Ok, then,
Khaira has been an elite PK guy for a number of years now (by the numbers) notwithstanding his faceoffs.
I will take Khaira’s overall game over Glandenning’s 100%, in particular come playoff time.
Okay then…head into the playoffs with the 23rd ranked PK in the league centred by a doofus who can’t win a faceoff to save his life against the best PP team in the league.
Should work.
I will absolutely take the doofus that has, year over year, been a top PK guy in the league and was an important part of the league’s 2nd best PK last year. Doesn’t seem like that doofus is part of any problem on the PK.
I look quite forward to this doofus, being one of the most physically aggressive players in the league this season playing for my team in the playoffs.
PK is a major part of the playoffs? Whaaa? Actually the opposite…scoring 5×5 is the key. Refs let the boys play in playoffs…hence why it’s more intense and tougher hockey.
Our Oilers are almost a lock for playoffs and were recently tied for top spot in the North Division.
How’s your shitty team doing? Still fighting for 2nd last? Thought so.
Kind of a common misconception – If I remember correctly, the numbers show that PP opportunities have gone up in the few few rounds the last number of years (not sure about last playoff’s – the data/reports I saw pre-dated bubble playoffs).
I think you have established multiple times over the years that your player evaluation is exceptionally bad.
But good try.
So much for the rumours about him refusing to play in Canada…
Is Quebec still in Canada?
They’re at the head of the
troughtable.nothing like waiving to go to a contender and ending up in Montreal
I guess at least they’re going to the playoffs?
He didn’t waive – he could only list 10 teams he couldn’t be traded to. It would be pretty easy to come up with 10 other destinations this season that would have been worse than Montreal (though if he and his agent were astute, they wouldn’t waste any of the 10 spots on teams like Ottawa, Detroit, etc. that have no chance at the playoffs and unlikely to trade for him.
George Laraque was on Oilers Now on Thursday – talked glowingly about Ryan Getzlaf. Said it’s unlikely he would leave the Ducks, however a chance to play with McDavid may entice him.
I’d absolutely love that add if the Oilers can make it happen. The hell with scrubs like sutter and glendenning
Yes, he waived. Montreal was on his list and he waived it (I can’t remember where, but that was from a legit source…. one of the TSN guys I believe).
Adding centre depth is exactly what Montreal needed.
Staal can play up the lineup if required…makes the Habs much more of a Division contender now.
Now watch Winnipeg add Mattias Ekholm.
If they end up paying that crazy inflated asking price for Ekholm, well, good for them.
Elkholm is a very good d-man but the asking price (from accounts) is over-rating his actual value in my opinion.
The weak North Division presents a unique opportunity to advance to the conference finals.
The Jets already have the best forward depth and the best goaltender in the division.
Any GM who is in a position to go for it and doesn’t should be fired.
While the return on the investment this season doesn’t include playoff revenue, the brand enhancement of going deep in the playoffs will pay huge dividends when it comes time to seek season ticket renewals and sponsorships.
I’d prefer that my GM doesn’t get fired for not massively over-paying for a good but now over-rated d-man – good d-man, massively over-rated due to the low supply on the market.
Your mileage may vary.
If Ekholm were a rental, you would be right…but he’s not.
If Nashville retains half, the Jets get a top pairing D for two playoff runs allowing Morrissey to play 2LD for under $2 million.
There is huge value there…a 1st, Ville Heinola and a B prospect is a pittance to pay.
Many accounts that Nashville is refusing to retain in a deal for any of their UFA players but they are going to retain half for next season.
Please – try harder.
I like how you are only saying the Jets have the best forward depth in the league and goal tender just because someone else said it.
Good parrot.
Caufield with a nice dangle to the middle of the slot and snipe to make in 5-2 – Holloway with the assist.
5-3 Caufield’s 30th
5 min left
ENG. 6-3
Game over
Reid Wilkins said he’s spoken to Bill Daly and the Oilers schedule adjustments have been decided and they may be announced over the weekend.
Sounds like there are multiple adjustments (probably not just adding in the three games at the end but moving a few things around).
The Oilers had that relatively empty week from April 21-28, so adjusting the overall schedule rather than trying to just tack the games on at the end is a big benefit.
Like I said the other day, I think the reschedule would likely affect all team in the North Division.
It will be painful for the Canadiens regardless of what they do, since they have so many remaining games.
Wisconsin is being totally out-classed in all facets of this game. Holloway has shown flashes, but as I had stated several weeks ago I did not think Wisconsin would get very far in this tournament, they are barely 1 1/2 lines deep and their dcorps is meh.
This game is the also the worst possible match-up for the Badgers, as well. It is the oldest NCAA team vs the youngest. The lowest penalty-getting team in the NCAA with a 93% PK rate with a dominant FO percentage.
As I write Bemidji State scores another.
The silver lining is that we should see a Holloway signing within the next week.
Thought Michigan was younger. I agree on the Badger’s roster though. They were never really as good as their record. Covid gave them a helping hand this season.
I read an article on this last night that I thought said otherwise, but I found a listing on Elite prospects showing Wisconsin as 5th youngest, Michigan is 4th youngest.
Sorry about that I misread the article. Here it is:
https://247sports.com/college/wisconsin/Article/Wisconsin-mens-hockey-NCAA-Tournament-preview–163012633/
Wisconsin about to be upset – down 5-1 in the third now.
Is Holloway’s college career over he’ll be turning pro?
I think it would be surprising to most if he didn’t turn pro.
Main question (for me) will be if his ELC will start in 2021/22 or this season (as I’d be surprised if he plays anywhere other than Bakersfield this season).
Koskinen has played well over his last 3-4 games (or maybe its 4-5 games).
At the same time, i wonder if we’ll see him on waivers fairly soon in connection with the Stalock activation (which should be soon).
I believe the coaches and org would still consider him the #2 goalie (unless and until Stalock passes him on play and merit) and he’d be getting starts but the waivers would be for roster construction matters.
They won’t want to risk Stalock on waivers but likely don’t want to keep all three goalies on the active roster. Koskinen would easily slide through waivers so he can be shuffled to the taxi squad with Smith is starting and activated for his starts.
This would allow an extra player on the active roster which can be important given so many D around and the ability to only more one to the taxi squad (Bouch).
why Would we expose a goalie to waivers to acquire another at the trade deadline.
i wouldn’t enter playoffs without 3 G
I would think if someone takes Koskinen on waivers, you say thank you very much, since it saves 4.5 M cap this year and next for a 2nd string goalie. Gives you that much more ammo for the trade deadline, and you can always claim or trade for a lower priced goaltender for the playoffs.
Who would claim him? No team would add such a cap hit for Koskinen.
Maybe Philly? Have you seen their goalie stats?
I don’t imagine that Koskinen would be claimed on waivers, do you?
Koskinen has been gold ever since Mike Smith arrived on February 8th. Practice time and rest – who knew??
Koskinen: .932 (5th of 60 goalies with 6+ GP)
Smith: .922 (18th of 60 goalies with 6+ GP)
http://www.nhl.com/stats/goalies?reportType=game&dateFrom=2021-02-08&dateTo=2021-03-26&gameType=2&filter=gamesPlayed,gte,6&sort=savePct&page=0&pageSize=50
Yes, as I said, Koskinen has been good.
At the same time, I don’t imagine any team claims him on waivers.
Waiving him would not be demoting him. It would simply create roster flexibility as he could be put on the taxi squad when not starting and then activated for starts.
3 goalies on the active roster will cause problems.
I think he would get claimed.
I think there will be more than a few teams keeping 3 G the rest of the way.
Smith while playing well is old and has a history of breaking down and I don’t put the season on the back of a guy who hasn’t played in a year
OK, if you think he would get claimed then that would change a viewpoint of course.
Personally, I think there is almost zero chance he gets claimed $4M for next season.
I’m still pretty high on Koskinen. His stats this season suffer from being overplayed. Similar to how Markstrom is being overplayed by Calgary or Talbot by Edmonton.
I imagine there’s teams that would take a chance on him and I think it would pay off for them.
Tippet has been fantastic but his dislike of Koskinen and the DRY line is frustrating
Its impossible to really provide any sort of informed expansion draft protection listed in my opinion simply because we don’t know the timing of the Nugent-Hopkin signing and the Adam Larsson signing.
I anticipate both players re-signing and being Oilers next season and the timing of the re-signs, before or after the expansion draft, makes a massive difference.
If Holland only has a verbal with Nuge to sign after the expansion draft, what do you think the odds are that Seattle swoops in and offers him $7M+ to go (close to his) home?
Seattle can only do that if they claim him in the expansion draft. If not, they have to wait until after free agency opens.
Seattle could do that – they will be able to speak with Nuge prior to the expansion draft – they could them claim him and sign him.
Of course, I don’t think that Nuge would agree to a deal with the Oilers and then, prior to signing it, agree to one with the Kraken and not inform the Oilers first.
The surgery went well (from the accounts) and that is a great arrow for the Oilers.
To the extent the verbal is positive come the summer and it looks like Oscar will be ready at some point in 2021 (even if not for camp and the season which may be the case), I don’t imagine there is any chance he’s left unprotected.
Darnell Nurse has popped, clearly, and adding Oscar Klefbom to the top 4 on the left side – that’s championship level top 4 on the left side.
A 2nd legit proven LD is one of the missing pieces for immediate contention.
It facilitates breaking in Bouchard, and bringing him to a high level quickly.
Klefbom back would be great.
Nurse Bear
Klefbom Bouchard
Jones/Lagesson Larsson
Russell.
Where’s Barrie??
Let walk due to cap contstraints.
Its more important to re-sign Larsson that Barrie, in my opinion.
Oh my, Bemidji state with a shorthanded goal with 1:21 left in the 2nd to go up 4-1.
A Mike Smith like puck-play mistake by the tender.
Devestating..
Holloway has that motor running today and he’s making bullish drives to the net today.
He just made another and drew a late 2nd period PP for his team.
Badgers now down 3-1 near the end of the 2nd.
I don’t want them to lose but, on the other hand, its exciting to think that he may turn pro very shortly.
The contract may take a few days to get done – Holloway, as a 14th overall pick, would get some performance bonuses so there may be some negotiating there.
Also, Holland may push for the ELC to start in 2021/22 and for him to play in the AHL this year. Then again, maybe Holland wants to burn the first year of the ELC this year on the premise that the 2nd contract will be sooner and therefore cheaper.
If Holloway wants to play in the NHL quickly (like this season), he may forgo the performance bonuses, especially if he can burn a year of the ELC.
In a constrained cap world, performance bonuses impact opportunity.
He burns a year of his ELC in the AHL as well.
Intersting, Holloway usually sets up on the left point or the right side circle on the PP after the faceoff, however, on the 5 on 3, he was net front.
He did make a bull-like rush to the net on a zone entry and almost scored – a few seconds later, Wisconsin did get a 5 on 3 goal to cut the lead to 2-1.
I just noticed the Wild won against the Blues last night 2-0, with only 11 shots.
Ouch.
I vaguely remember the oilers doing the same thing against the Ducks years ago during the DOD. Can’t remember the score though.
Reminds me of the 3-0, 59 save shutout by Scrivens against the Sharks
Oil vs Ducks, April 1st 2012 maybe?
Our host will probably remember that game, Teemu Hartikainen got both Oiler goals in a 2-1 win. Shots were 15-33.
There was another win against the Ducks in 2009 where the shots were more lopsided, 20-54.
I just found out you can sort by shots and shot differential by game like this on NHL.com. Fun times.
Jack Michaels (@EdmontonJack) Tweeted:
Eyes & Ears from Toronto’s practice:
Draisaitl-McDavid-Puljujarvi
Kahun-RNH-Yamamoto
Archibald-Haas-Kassian
Shore-Khaira-Chiasson
Neal-Turris-Ennis
As an aside, does anyone else feel like this has been a lonnnng week?
https://twitter.com/EdmontonJack/status/1375478825639813122?s=20
It may have seemed long but not annoying as you have been posting less!
Best line in hockey. Toronto are about to get wrecked.
I could only imagine all the crying and grinding of teeth under the bridge as the Oilers secure a playoff spot while not playing
Sure is nice to have Yamamoto back on that 2nd line pushing Archie back to the bottom six where he is best.
Don’t really like Archie on the left side but that third line is legit, the top line pure fire and the second line has a chance to be good based off of play last game.
Interesting that Ennis is a healthy scratch but Shore is doing alot of valuable things on the ice including some solid PK work – he doesn’t make defensive mistakes out there very often.
Having the likes of Ennis as a healthy scratch – that’s depth baby!
I wonder if a 3rd line of Ennis-Hass-Archie more productive than Archie-Hass-Kass?
(Paging Godot in 3-2-1 lol)
~ well not many games too talk about this week when you toss aside those dys and lames losses ~
Have actually been watching Avalanche games…they’re just overpowering.
Having three elite D with another on the way is unique in the salary cap era…never mind their forward depth.
Just have to fix the goaltending.
No goalie and if you get physical they wither.
Real Vision’s 2nd Crypto Gathering was this week…so the hockey cancellations have worked well for me.
In the near future, we will be watching Oilers hockey together from the equivalent of Katz’s box in the metaverse at a virtual Rogers Place. Lowetide will be hosting.
Katz will be streaming “sats” from our crypto wallets over the lightning network.
Lowetide will be auctioning off his balance photo as an NFT.
Bemidji State takes a 1-0 lead 7 minutes in – next shift Holloway hits the post trying to tie it up.
Wisconsin game starts in just a few minutes.
I believe its being shown on TSN Direct (bonus coverage).
I have TSN’s 5 channels on my computer but don’t see it anywhere. Do you know if there is something special I should look for? Thanks OP
Actually I see it but can’t seem to get it. I’ll just be watching for your updates. thanks again
Sorry, didn’t see this until now.
Its not on their regular channels on TV but their bonus channels online.
Need to sign in on TSN.ca through your service provider.
Thx
Kind of surprised we haven’t heard anything yet about when the three games with Montreal will be rescheduled.
I think they are waiting until Montreal is actually back on the ice, cause if there is any more fallout from this exposure, and they have to be out longer, the whole plan would change.
I think Bergevin mentioned in his presser that it is going to affect the schedules of ALL the teams in the North
The teams have the schedule-maker’s suggestions, but haven’t approved them yet.
I thought I heard on TSN That’s Hockey yesterday that Montreal will be playing on the very last possible date to make up for their canceled games. For some reason May 11th is in my mind for what they said, but I thought the announced last possible date was a few days before that.
This article forced me to learn a lot of things I didn’t know about the weird 1991 expansion draft so thanks for that 🙂
You’re welcome!
The success of the Barrie signing will have a profoundly positive impact on roster construction going forward. Free agents looking to boost their value, and seeing the hole we have at LW, would almost be foolish not to sign here. A true top six winger is virtually guaranteed to play with one of the best centres in the league, whether it’s McDavid or Drai. That’s simply not possible on any other team.
Taylor Hall, for instance, can sign a middling longer term deal with any team he chooses, but if he truly wants to boost his value going forward he’s better off signing a show-me deal with the Oilers. The same thing goes with Mike Hoffman, Blake Coleman, or any other free agent winger.
Holland should be approaching every free agent winger he wants with the offer of a show-me deal and pointing to Barrie as an example of what can happen here.
Best post of the season.
Hall scores 15 playoff goals and they send an armoured car to his house full of money.
Yup – 1 year, $3-4 mill contract for Hall for next season. I could get behind that.
Probably the first question asked by Barrie and anyone else coming in on a 1year pad the stats campaign is will I be on the PP1.
That’s not the GM’s decision to make though. It’s up to Hall/Coleman etc to prove to the coaching staff that they belong there.
That’s precisely the strength of the Oiler position. IMO players are rarely given a guarantee of playing on a certain line, or with a certain player, or on the PP. This might happen, but only with bad teams. And no one is boosting their value going to a bad team.
The strength of the Oiler position is that a good winger who plays well will almost certainly play with one of the best centres in the league. And it really doesn’t matter if it’s McDavid or Drai. Will he be guaranteed time on PP1? No. But any team willing to offer that guarantee is probably not worth playing for.
PS. I highly doubt Barrie was given a guarantee to play on PP1. But there was a hole at that position and he was in a strong position to fill if he played well.
I agree it’s up to Holland to sell this once in a lifetime opportunity. If we lose RNH I don’t think will have any problems finding a very talented player on a 1 year deal on the McLeon discount.
Based on very little research, I would think Seattle won’t have much to choose from in terms of centres. Wonder if RNH could get $7M+ to be their top pivot.
RNH & Hall most interesting UFA names to me. I suspect Hamilton, Landeskog, and Ovi get re-signed. Although Brogan Rafferty could be Group 6 UFA. Could that be Oilers 2006 Chara UFA signing?
Ya, that’s the real danger with Nuge. There are so many teams in the league desperate for centres, there’s bound to be a GM out there who overpays to get him. If Nuge doesn’t resign before free agency, I think we lose him.
Which is why he should be signed and protected. He’ll likely sign here for less the FMV, and the fact that there are all sorts of teams willing to pay him more means his contract is eminently tradeable. (Not that you would, but you could.)
Absolutely the Oilers should sign Rafferty – the ECHL Wichita Thunder need fill-in players for next season.