I pay attention to clusters, because a balanced team will get a lot from the inexpensive kids, the prime group and the aged veterans.
In order to find balance, a team should have quality (and at least some quantity) in every age segment. Ideally most of the players come through the system, but a smart general manager can make trades and keep the production line fresh. Edmonton hasn’t enjoyed a balanced team since 2006 spring. How close are they now?
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’s the latest!
- New Lowetide: What will Oilers do if they must replace Oscar Klefbom?
- New Jonathan Willis: What comes next for the Oilers’ Jesse Puljujarvi?
- Lowetide: Why Evan Bouchard, Ryan McLeod and more prospects are options for Oilers in 2021-22
- DNB: Ten teams the Oilers should be targeting for trades ahead of the Kraken expansion draft
- Lowetide: How Ken Holland’s transaction history could foreshadow the Oilers summer to come
- Lowetide: How close to NHL-ready is Oilers prospect Dmitri Samorukov?
- Lowetide: Oilers’ reasonable expectations eat dust during Connor McDavid’s dream season
- Jonathan Willis: Why some of the most popular moves Ken Holland could make would be mistakes
- Lowetide: Why huge Oil Kings goalie Sebastian Cossa could be the perfect first-round fit for the Oilers
- DNB: What I’m hearing about the Oilers’ plans for the Kraken draft
- Lowetide: The Oilers must decide now what to do about the Connor McDavid-Leon Draisaitl dilemma
- DNB: Oilers mailbag, part 2
- Lowetide: What is Kailer Yamamoto’s future fit on the Oilers’ depth chart?
- DNB: Oilers mailbag, part 1
- DNB: What a perfect offseason could look like for the Edmonton Oilers
- Lowetide: The Oilers need to add four wingers to their top nine this summer
- Lowetide: Oilers enter free agency as a major buyer. Is third time the charm?
- DNB: Ideal Oilers free-agent targets
- New Lowetide: An early look at the Oilers’ options for the 2021 draft
- New DNB: The pressure is on Oilers GM Ken Holland
- New Lowetide: What now for Ryan Nugent-Hopkins?
THE ENTRY CLUSTER
Now that the big guns have moved on, the Oilers entry talent is no longer the feature cluster. Bouchard didn’t get into many games in 2020-21, that will change in the coming season. Is 30 points in a full season reasonable? I think it is a little low. McLeod has a great chance but needs to score, Yamamoto is a big part of this team’s future if he can remain healthy and post offense.
- 2015-16: 301 games, 46-90-136 .452
- 2016-17: 236 games, 65-131-196 .831
- 2017-18: 334 games, 85-146-231 .692
- 2018-19: 253 games, 98-141-239 .945
- 2019-20: 212 games, 54-100-154 .726
- 2020-21: 77 games, 10-17-27 .351
Chances are Dylan Holloway, Dmitri Samorukov and others will join this group in 2021-22, at least for a cup of coffee. Yamamoto, the most productive member of the group, has played through his entry deal. Bouchard is going to be stone alone among this group in terms of 50+ games next season if McLeod can’t find the range.
THE MCDAVID CLUSTER
This is a fantastic cluster, McDavid and Draisaitl searing talents entering their prime, Nurse posting a strong season. Puljujarvi is pushing now, I think it’s fair to say he contributed more than a newcomer normally does in his first year back. Tough moments for all three young defensemen but we know they don’t develop in a straight line. I’d try to keep all three, but losing Bear on the eve of another season that is almost certain to be a value deal would be unwise. You could say the same thing about Jones, although I will acknowledge he didn’t progress as much as hoped.
- 2015-16: 584 games, 85-131-216 .370
- 2016-17: 507 games, 72-123-195 .385
- 2017-18: 651 games, 95-130-225 .346
- 2018-19: 687 games, 70-169-239 .348
- 2019-20: 290 games, 57-109-166 .572
- 2020-21: 366 games, 106-173-279 .762
This group produced 106 goals in 2020-21, which is to say 58 percent of the goals using 39 percent of the man games. This is why a Jake DeBrusk acquisition (costing less than Ethan Bear) is worth talking about over the next couple of weeks.
THE VETERAN CLUSTER
This is kind of heartbreaking, because just as the veteran cluster begins to drive some numbers, Oscar Klefbom misses the year (and maybe more) and Nuge could be leaving via free agency. Edmonton has rarely enjoyed a large group of truly productive players (witness the numbers below) but this bunch could have delivered with better health and Nuge on a good value deal. It’s a monster group 26+, the numbers should be better.
- 2015-16: 611 games, 68-190-258 .422
- 2016-17: 560 games, 65-148-213 .380
- 2017-18: 439 games, 43-104-147 .335
- 2018-19: 542 games, 61-73-134 .247
- 2019-20: 776 games, 112-170-282 .363
- 2020-21: 487 games, 64-112-176 .361
Holland’s veterans traditionally shoulder a great deal of the load, this group should be more populated than it has been in the past. The issue now surrounds losing Nuge and Klefbom, players procured through the draft and kept for their prime seasons. It would be fabulous for the Oilers to keep the key members of the cluster into their 30’s, giving Edmonton quality marbled through all of these areas.
Experience is important, vital to make sure the price is right. The Klefbom news hangs over the summer like a giant black cloud on the horizon. What do the Oilers need? For one thing, Dmitri Samorukov to be real.
For another, and this applies across the roster, Holland and his staff have to find pieces that will be effective. I don’t buy the idea he hasn’t signed a quality free agent long term in his first two offseasons being a downbeat. Why? Because he didn’t have the money, Holland was looking for players who could carry each other.
The time to add value free agents is now. Holland has enough to sign one big name, that’s probably Nuge or other for left wing. After that, the club badly needs some astute additions. Two or three year deals are fine, but they have to make the team better.
Can Holland find four men (LW, LW, C, LD) out there, add them to Adam Larsson and Mike Smith, and push for the top of the Pacific Division? That’s the nut, starting today.
Does anyone here think the Oil can win the cup with Bear, Larson, and Bouchard as the right D? I don’t. And, if you don’t, then it’s not good enough for next year either. The last good run was over a generation ago. Need to aim higher. Those three are collectively too slow/can’t break the cycle enough.
There aren’t enough moves this summer to upgrade at RHD and still improve in other areas. If you sign Dougie Hamilton and then a second pairing defender (I’ll chose Larsson you may prefer someone else) and then Bouchard, we might be talking Stanley Cup calibre. However your LW depth chart is expansion quality. I’m not sure why there’s this sense of impending doom around the Oilers. They are building. Your rage over the last 15 years can’t be considered when making moves this summer. It’s beyond counterproductive, it’s toxic.
https://oilersdeathmarch.com/marches/2021-22/
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Hurry!
Only 106 days left!
Thought I’d have a little look at some of the available UFAs.
For all, I’m looking at numbers over the last 3 seasons combined.
Gabriel Landeskog, 28 (turns 29 in November)
Points/game 0.94
5v5 TOI —- 15:18
5v5 P/60 —- 1.95
5v5 GF% —- 57.3%
5v5 GF%rel +3.25
PP TOI ——– 4:00
5v4 P/60 —— 4.67
5v4 GF/60rel +3.33
SH TOI ——- 0:09
4v5 GA/60rel —–
Most common linemates 5v5 (and %TOI with):
MacKinnon 77%, Rantanen 70%, Compher 9% (62% with MacKinnon AND Rantanen)
With/Without MacKinnon
5v5 P/60 — 2.16 1.23
5v5 GF% — 61, 37
5v5 SF% — 57, 42
5v5 xGF% – 57, 43
Without MacKinnon OR Rantanen:
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, 28 (turns 29 next April)
Points/game 0.83
5v5 TOI —- 14:07
5v5 P/60 —- 1.75
5v5 GF% —- 50.4%
5v5 GF%rel +3.98
PP TOI ——– 3:39
5v4 P/60 —— 5.49
5v4 GF/60rel +6.85
SH TOI ——- 1:45
4v5 GA/60rel -0.47 (that’s less/better than the Oiler average)
Most common linemates 5v5 (and %TOI with):
McDavid 30%, Draisaitl 25%, Yamamoto 22%, Puljujarvi 21%, Chiasson 18%, Kassian 13%, Neal 11%, Khaira 11%
With/Without McDavid (this isn’t really fair because without includes Draisaitl)
5v5 P/60 — 1.59 1.82 (3.13 with Draisaitl)
5v5 GF% — 52, 49
5v5 SF% — 53, 47
5v5 xGF% – 53, 48
Without McDavid or Draisaitl:
5v5 GF% — 44
5v5 SF% — 43
5v5 xGF% – 45
(FWIW, without the others McDavid is 50, 48, 50, and Draisaitl is 46, 44, 45)
Zack Hyman, 29 (turned 29 ten days ago)
Points/game 0.67
5v5 TOI —- 14:46
5v5 P/60 —- 1.97
5v5 GF% —- 57.0%
5v5 GF%rel +4.30
PP TOI ——– 0:51
5v4 P/60 —— 4.61
5v4 GF/60rel -2.4
SH TOI ——- 2:04
4v5 GA/60rel +0.67
Most common linemates 5v5 (and %TOI with):
Marner 68%, Tavares 56%, Matthews 28%, Mikheyev 10%.
With/Without Marner
5v5 P/60 — 2.03, 1.85 (2.17 with Matthews)
5v5 GF% — 60, 51
5v5 SF% — 51, 53
5v5 xGF% – 55, 56
Without Marner OR Matthews:
5v5 GF% — 52
5v5 SF% — 53
5v5 xGF% – 54
I’d planned to do more players, but this takes a while. I’ll stope here for now.
Thanks this is great!
I only want Nuge back if he genuinely does what he said he would- work on skating and shot- and comes back with that in his bag and permanently pissed off.
I think sometimes that only happens for certain players, the PPO, after being pushed out of the nest.
Have the Forum ghosts finally found the Bell Centre?
Would Colorado even stand a chance against any of these teams?
Having ANA, SJS, LAK (and even ARI) in the division this year – tough to really asses the teams or put too much stock in their records.
Not unless the skill learns and accepts the cost.
Like Connor and Leon who are used to being able to force the play enough reg season, the Avs tops found out they couldn’t have their way against top comp at will and they and the coaches couldn’t adjust.
Same as it ever was.
Kadri was a huge loss cost them the series.
In other words, Kadri cost them the series?
Good for the Habs but they’re playing with fire, like Colorado were.
If Fleury keep having brain-farts, we could see the North represented
Byron has been outstanding. Great play to win it!
The NHL deserves a MTL NYI final.
No one will watch it which will force some changes
MTL in the final would be a huge ratings boost.
Hell no
maybe in Canada but in US no one would watch that
No one cares about the US audience.
It’s entirely team specific.
You should tell that to the NHL head offices who’s entire strategy for last several decades has been growth in the US
Lol.
Oh my.
good grief 😉
I agree that this would be the biggest ratings combo, even better if the Nets bow out ant the NYC sports beast moves to NYI.
Tampa* – VGK would be the ‘best’ hockey but would just be of interest to diehards and locals.
No Tampa VGK is the NHL’s dream final. The two markets they need to grow and that are vital to national broadcast contracts in the future.
Canada is club jazz. America is big stadium rock and roll.
Truer words were never uttered.
Josh the bum Anderson scores a huge goal and it’s tied 2-2 with a minute left.
Do you think Anderson has been good in the playoffs?
Do you think he’s been value for the contract he signed in year 1?
That helped!
He’s just warming up while Nurse and Bear are playing pat-a-cake with each other in Kia’s spare bedroom.
Not quite sure what Nurse and Bear or Kia Nurse have to do with anything, but Ok.
As bad as you think he’s playing the key word is still playing. I would trade Josh Anderson and his contract for the Nuge contract coming up in a New York minute. The speed and crashing of the net of Anderson is a pleasure to watch. I guess it’s different strokes for different folks.
And that few D are going to have anything to say about it
Who’s an idiot?
Yep.
The OP curse is really just the exact opposite of the hairy harpy curse
Anderson has it in him to take over a game with his speed and toughness. Habs are 2 Wins away from the final and they can taste it. Weber,Stall,Perry, Taffoli, Weber, Price and Allen have paid their dues.
Conklin’s ghost
Drai got two 2nd place votes and a 4th for the Selke – finished 13th.
McDavid with one 5th place vote (same with Matthews).
Eichel should have been recognized.
Among the best two way players in the league.
Injury likely sunk his chances.
Recognized for what?
not having 25% GF
38% GF.
326th in GA/60 (among forwards).
Doesn’t PK.
Voters definitely missed on this one.
Shots 30-8 after two.
Wow.
The Price is right
Caulfield sure doesn’t look out of place and there’s people in these parts that want Hollaway to stew in the fuking minors when he’s more than ready to play in the show.
Caulfield is a much more polished offensive player than Hollaway right now.
Maybe Hollaway makes the Oilers out of training camp, maybe he doesn’t.
I don’t see the point in getting upset about it until the Oilers decide.
The idea is to win if Hollaway isn’t better as I type than the hobbits Kahun and Yamo we drafted the wrong player.
Wait – hobbits is bad now? Both those hobbits are taller than Caufield.
That’s silly. You hope for Holloway to be ready but plan for him in Bakersfield.
Holloway is a different player in different circumstances.
We will know more when he’s fully healed from his hand injury.
We needed a go to the net energy player that dishes it out as much as he takes. Hollaway’s nickname was retriever that’s exactly what we were missing against the Jets. It’s to bad Kassian is on long term vacation but watch once he’s traded or the Krackon take him he’ll return to his power forward form.
What does that have to do with Holloway being injured and not available to play against WPG?
You keep banging this drum, and for what? Weird hill to die on.
Reja is hammered. As is Glovjuice.
Oilers don’t get nice things, Reja. What planet are you on man. Well, they get McDavid and then come nowhere near to balance around him. Cursed. Next cup: 2089. Seriously. Cubs level. Romantic and all but we will all be dead.
It can’t rain all the time.
Cole Caufield and Dylan Holloway are not the same person.
May i ask how many Wisconsin games you watched this past season?
How many games did you watch of Glenn Anderson when he was playing for the university of Denver. Holloway is ready you can’t go by the WJC when he was injured. Tippett needs to get Hollaway’s feisty ass play making and successfully digging out pucks for Leon and Connor.
I didn’t watch any Glen Anderson games at Denver – not sure the connection.
Why would I go with what he did at the WJC alone – I watched every single one of his games at Wisconsin this year but for two.
I’m not even saying he shouldn’t make the team or can’t make an impact early just that Cole Caufield’s performance means absolutely nothing vis-a-vis Holloway.
P. Laine scored 36 goals as a rookie in the NHL – didn’t mean Jesse P. was ready as a rookie.
I know Hallaway won’t get the cold shoulder like Benson and Bouchard since he’s a Holland pick. I’m saying Halloway is on the opening night roster, sounds like you have him pegged for the Minors. One of us is going to be right the money saved on Holloway’s contract can be used on acquiring a real goalie. I’ll even drive Mikko and Bear to the airport free of charge.
I think its likely he starts in the AHL but I also don’t think its out of the question that he starts the season on the team.
Benson’s lack of opportunity this season was due to Covid – no real camp or exhibition games and a short season – coach didn’t have the ability for tryouts and had to go with established NHL players – 2 week hotel quarantine for 90% of the year as prohibitive of a call up.
Bouchard spent the entire season with the NHL team – he was there for the coach to use with some paper transactions to get him on the roster – coach’s decision on deployment, not GM. Given the NHL leading scorer and a hugely important 2nd pairing leadership core player in Larsson ahead of him, well, playing time was tough to find.
Yeah, like how Gagner and Cogliano and Nilson looked ready that one year and nobody every regretted not giving them time to adjust.
Did they look ready…or were we still in a euphoric daze from 2006 roster and willing to be optimistic…
I’m still confused what exactly happened to Robert nilsson.
Him and Patrick O’Sullivan decided to go back to the Theatre.
Messier Kurri, Anderson Ryan Smith, Jason Arnott, had not to shabby of careers.
Hell, Josh Anderson himself, THE Josh Anderson, he played more than 100 games in the AHL.
No shame in shame in players easing their way into a role.
Up your meds
I have a blurry eyed C-note he makes the team on opening night. Are you in?
Man I hope they bring in some new blood to the intermission panel for next year. Or change the format altogether. It sucks!
Sportsnet has always been bad at broadcasting.
It’s a shame TSN lost the rights. I miss James Duthie.
The Habs are playing rope-a-dope brilliantly. 3-1 final. Book him Danno!
Sasha Barkov wins the Selke Trophy.
Well deserved.
If the concensus is Sakic signs landeskog to a hometown discount, could Holland be waiting to make sure he gets nuge for less?
Could just as easily be Nuge waiting.
It’s a pretty good bet Nuge already knows where he is going.
Holland has likely tendered his best offer and it wasn’t accepted.
I have a helluva time with the Nuge deal. One of my favourite Oilers post-1990, I spent the decade worried they would trade him. I still want him to return but if he hits free agency and gets a hella deal, I’ll understand why Holland didn’t fracture his summer on one deal.
I hope Holland sticks to his offer and doesn’t go higher. Nuge will get more from another organization. There are bargains out there this year. He isn’t one for the oilers.
Nonsense.
A couple of injuries here and there and the Avalanche are in the mix.
The Oilers can’t even beat the Jets and Blackhawks.
Are you even serious here, man ? Wow. So confrontational. Why. Adds no value. Brutal.
How many Norris candidates do you think Colorado needs to win the cup or even get out of the 2nd round? 5? 6?
2 vezina candidate goalies?
2 Mackinnons and 2 Landeskogs?
Will that finally do it for them?
This could be the case, nuge would know his number would come quite lower though. He better hope landeskog doesn’t take too much it a discount.
all these free agents are not signed yet for a reason
why would you sign them now when you can them in a month and save yourself a protection spot
Yes, Holland needs to protect Benson. Thank you for doing your part Nuge?
Most assume that Landeskog is going to re-sign in Colorado but, in reality, the situation is at the same stage as Nuge and the Oiler. Both players have stated they would like to re-sign but here we are, well in to the off-season for each team, and neither have signed.
There could be expansion draft timing reasons or, perhaps, they don’t have an agreement yet.
yes but according to a certain poster one player is surely gone (I let you guess which one) while the other one is surely staying 🙂
Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) Tweeted:
As of now talks with likely Rookie of the yr Kaprizov & @mnwild have gone cold. My understanding is he’s in Moscow and it’s believed CSKA is interested in signing him for KHL & Olympics. @NHL @NHLNetwork #HockeyTwitter
https://twitter.com/KevinWeekes/status/1406029503269412866?s=20
EvolvingWild (@EvolvingWild) Tweeted:
I wonder what the ask is from Kaprizov’s camp. Really unique scenario to find comps for him tbh. One shortened season, likely wins the Calder, then an RFA. A LOT of variance in this.
https://twitter.com/EvolvingWild/status/1406036512018505730?s=20
He wants to get paid
and he gets to use Khl as a negotiation tactic
thats it
Likely.
RIP Herb Tarleck.
Great character in WKRP.
RIP indeed.
Lebrun saying that there’s quite a sticker price shock with Seattle right now.
might be a good time for a certain team with up to 30 million in cap space to help some teams out
You mean the LAK?
Not much to really choose from in LA, even if they go 4-4, forwards available to Seattle would be:
Dustin Brown, 36y, 6mx1. Lifelong LAK
Andreas Athanasiou.
Blake Lizotte. Hard pass
Carl Grundstrom. Slightly bigger than Kahun. Worse production
Lias Andersson. #7 OV 2017. LW/C. 89 6-9-15 -24 in 4 seasons.
Brown and Athanasiou could help but I don’t think it happens.
LA will leave Quick exposed and I think there’s a pretty good chance Seattle takes him.
Maybe he’s not as quick as he used to be!
He’s been okay but Seattle will be looking for some marquee names.
If the Kraken select him it would free up another $5.8 million in cap space.
Giddyup.
At which one of their prized prospects is that gonna cost them.
ain’t gonna be free
No need on LAs part.
If Seattle doesn’t take him only 1 year left.
Quick actually has 2 years left on his contract at 5.8 mill per
please, don’t let facts and reality confuse the guy 🙂
MAF or Lehner at $7M/$5M and Quick at $6M?
I know Pit wants MAF back but I don’t think the Pens will retain huge on that last year if they can divest of the entire contract for free.
Why would Seattle take him? Ageing declining goalie
MAF was still putting up respectable numbers before being picked by Vegas and was only 32years old. .920 .921 & .909 sv% in the previous three years.
Quick is 35 and his last three seasons have been brutal. .888 .904 .898
I don’t see Seattle doing LA a favor.
I don’t have any issue bringing AA back to help drive a 3rd line. He was actually very good in that role in limited use as he needs the puck on his stick entering the zone. This lineup has the size/speed needed to compete in the playoffs
JVR McDavid Kass
Debrusk Drai JP
AA Haula Yamo
Benson/McLeod/Khaira Archie
Go ahead and stand up at the blueline against McDavid. We can dump it in and with those wingers you will be scraping your dmen off the boards every night. Only way to make teams back off McDavid. Archie and Yamo are only small guys but both play above their weight. Trade Kass and you are looking for someone just like him the next day. Need coach to get this player back playing like he can. It’s important.
I meant LA as the ‘some team’, as we’ve been repeatedly told they’re uniquely positioned for such things.
Ah, my bad. I took it to mean the exact opposite.
Unlike the belief of some posters here though they are actually right down the middle in cap space relative to the other teams.
What I just ran into that is really interesting is the cap space of Detroit.
They only have 10 roster players signed at the moment with 48 million in cap space!!
That is insane
New Jersey is next with 37 million cap space and 13 players signed
Thanks for that, good information.
Spits
heck no
screw those guys
Explain please? Do you mean the Kraken are charging high prices for cap space / special protection?
If so, then absolutely Holland should be on the phone to the affected teams. There are some decent players who could shake loose for less than FMV.
Yes Lebrun is saying the prices are exorbitant for cap dumps and protection from Seattle
If that’s the case, Holly better buyout Neal and Koskinen and take advantage of all that cap and protection space.
Question for the capologists. Could Holland use Klefbom to circumvent the cap ala Kucherov?
Spend to the cap without him in the regular season and then bring him onboard for a playoff run.
If one can get a doctor to assert that Klefbom is injured and cannot play. The NHL might want their own doctors to examine and assess the medical records and course of treatment and expected recovery time.
If it is arthritis, you can get any answer you want.
Technically, of course.
At the same time, the NHL will be very live to this type of scenario next season. Technically, as soon as a player is deemed ready by a doctor, they must be activated from LTIR and the LTIR reserves (all of them, no just pro-rated for the rest of the season) dissapear.
With that said, the league did say, earlier this season, they would be investigating this type of scenario and, of course, TBL were able to do it without issue.
We do know that a league discretion decision involving the Oilers hasn’t gone the OIlers way since, when? Never?
Klef being activated for the playoffs in May 2022 without having played a game since August 2020 would be something – may be a tiny bit of rust.
The short answer is yes, but you need to have Klefbom on board with the plan (or genuinely be unable to play during the regular season)
Cassandra hit the nail on the head earlier – it’s the uncertainty that is the worst part of this whole scenario
Thanks guys. Much appreciated.
Here’s a cool stat: assuming Klefbom is on LTIR for the season and Seattle picks Caleb Jones, buying out Neal and burying Turris gives Edmonton 14 signed players and a little over $32M in cap space. Nine players need to be signed, and thirty-two divided by nine equals $3.55M. What would you do with that money?
Crap, that’s some decent coin.
I’ve been looking at leaving Klefbom’s salary available, but that’s still $28M for 9 players, $3.1M apiece).
I’d give Kelly McCrimmon a call and get his thoughts on it. My guess is he would say spend big on a 1D, a 1G and a scoring wing. Use the rest on younger, unproven, low cost guys that have a chance to surprise. No Turris types.
That like the guy that was asked what he would do if he won a million dollars and his reply was “ I would spend 900 thousand on Women, fast horses and cars and waste the rest!”
and we complain about a bit of Pouliot or Sekera buyout hit:
CapFriendly
@CapFriendly
·
40m
2021-22 marks the half-way point of Christian Ehrhoff’s 14 year, $12M buyout by the Buffalo #Sabres
He has 7 years of of the buyout remaining, and will continue to receive $857,143 each season until the end of 2027-28 ($6M)
—————–
The Bobby Bonnila of the NHL….
Now do Jeff Skinner.
Its breathtaking.
The Klefbom question is a key question for off-season acquisition planning.
I know many (most) don’t think he plays at all, and that very well could be true but just imagine if he does come back this season and is close to established ability. What a massive addition that would be. That scenario does exist in realism.
Hopefully July brings very positive news on this front.
Dimitri Samorukov is real and he will be spectacular – He will impact that NHL lineup this year – when I don’t know but I am confident he will play. Definite top 4 potential, hit even some top pairing potential if the ceiling is realized but we are getting ahead of ourselves.
WIll Sammy just jump right in and play his game? Will he be uneven like his first season in the AHL?
I’m excited to find out.
The real problem, and the most likely outcome in my opinion, is continued uncertainty so that the Oilers don’t know whether he will be back or not. In which case, they can’t really spend the money without having a plan for unloading salary should Klefbom make it back.
That’s why (assuming Klefbom is still working towards a return) Holland likely has to hedge his bets.
A low end short-term 2LD add (Kulikov or other for 1-2 years at $2M or less) so the team can fit Klefbom if he does return, and survive if he doesn’t.
Then potentially a deadline add to shore up the position if Klefbom can’t return.
I would have no problem bringing Kulikov back for another year.
No Kulikov. Be digging more pucks outta the net than with Turris…
If your starting Kulikov as your 2LD, expect the same results. The team must improve. Kulikov does not improve and there are many better stop-gaps out there. Would rather give Jones the spot.
I think Kulikov is fine in a structured system. 3LD would be ideal but he should be able to move up when needed. If Ken can find better/younger on the cheap, then by all means.
I would much rather have Kulikov as 3LD than Koekkoek or Russell or even Larsson but 2LD is too much unless there is a pretty solid indication that Klef will be on the injured list to start the year but should be ready to go fairly early, like Nov or Dec.
Jones proved to be not capable! The definition of insanity is to do the same thing over and over expecting a different result! Kulikov will at least throw a check once in awhile. Jones would be better served in baseball where a no hitter has value.
Me too. I’m looking at his NJD and EDM regular season numbers and warming up to the idea.
I think they can spend the money, Klef just has to wait on LTIR until there is cap for him to return.
Technically, they must activate promptly upon being ready.
There probably is a bit of leeway there but, if he’s good to go in December/January, its quite tough to dump cap without hurting the team at the point in time and, also, they will want him activated when he’s ready – he is good at hockey.
Here’s a solid mutual player/team plan: leave him unprotected (with news leaking he’s headed to LTIR) give him the year to recover. Sign a short fix – eg. Kulikov. Early March he hopefully begins practicing with the team and slides in as 3LD to start the playoffs.
I’m just not seeing enough offense at lower levels to project Samorukov up the lineup very far. Is he a left-shot Larsson?
Yeah, his last junior season was pretty typical of a lot of defensive defensemen (pretty good, but shy of a point per game).
By reports he was pretty dynamic during Guelph’s playoff run (24-10-18-28) but beyond that his boxcars have been very very meh.
I’ve been calling him the Larsson replacement (left side) of the future.
With that said, I think he has higher upside (noting that Larsson did as well given where he was drafted) as he is a better skater and has better offensive instincts and puck moving ability (compared to Larsson in the NHL – presumably he was better in those areas as a teen in Sweden).
Who knows if any of those skills will translate to the extent needed for top pairing but 2nd pairing in the future is definitely a reasonable outcome.
He did pop offensively big time in his last junior season – 2nd half and playoffs.
Yeah, I sat up and took note when that happened. The thing is though, that was 2 full years ago – he’s played 2 seasons of pro hockey since, nearly 100 games worth in 2 different leagues. The track record is not corroborating that hot stretch as a nearly-20-year-old junior player.
He can skate better than Larsson and is a far superior passer. He can also play both left and right side. He may be actually nastier to play against than Larsson. I would argue that there is more offence moving forward.
I agree he is a superior passer than what we see from Larsson but would only caution that he hasn’t shown that in the NHL level yet. I presume Larsson was a good passer as well in the SHL – I mean, he was drafted 4th overall. Lagesson is a great passer at the AHL level, haven’t seen it at the NHL level.
Playing the off-side in the KHL doesn’t mean much to me – half of Europe seemingly does it – a far far far cry from doing it at the NHL level without a decrease in effectiveness – faster opponents, smaller ice – less time for the d-man.
I do have high hopes for Sammy though.
Agree that Sammy has high potential as a big nasty shutdown dman. I think he could turn out to be something like better version of Edmundson. If we could somehow have him and Bear on the 3rd pair this season that would be great. Longterm the only small dman I want on the team is Bear. Maybe have Sammy/Koekoek split time with Bear on the 3rd pair this year? He’s going into his draft +5 season and we need to get these young dmen into the lineup.
We need to make some agressive moves this year. Could we afford to have Nurse cover for Bouch during the regular season like he did with Barrie? I honestly don’t think that Bouch would be any worse defensively. We would have to play the matchups carefully and use Lars plus a new LHD as a shutdown pair. Would probably have to do something different for the playoffs as well, but we have to get Bouch up to top 4 speed ASAP and playing with McDavid/Drai.
I agree that 30 points is probably low for Bouchard is he stays healthy. He is likely not opening PP1 (Nurse or Klefbom) but could force his way in to that spot as the season progresses. Either way, he wasn’t far off 0.5PPG this past season, without any PP1 time and without a chance to find a rhythm. I think he’s a 0.5 PPG guy next season, or higher.
McLeod needs to score but, for me, more than anything, McLeod needs to battle and his production will come once he is more apt to engage physically on the forecheck and go to the dirty areas in the offensive zone and battle. RIght now he seems to have a massive aversion to doing those things and that’s a problem. Presumably, a big off-season getting stronger will give him more confidence in himself and the ability to battle. Combine that with, hopefully, some more skilled wingers in the bottom six and some production should come.
Agree on Yamamoto – would love a Reinhart or similar to move him down to 3RW/PK guy with clear 2RW potential and fill-in ability – that’s championship-level depth – however, he clearly has the ability to play 2RW, we’ve seen it – hopefully he finds some consistency in production.
The question the Oilers pro scouting needs to consider is why they’re not identifying the right breakout candidates or reclamation projects like Carter Verhaeghe, Kevin Fiala, and Alex Tuch when other orgs are.
For many young players, there is an early career reset that occurs when they realize, A) their work habits need to improve in the NHL to replicate their amateur success, or B) they need to embrace a more two way oriented game to truly establish a consistent role on the roster. For many, this wakeup call doesn’t come until their original draft team cuts them loose.
To acquire value contracts, the focus needs to shift from aging UFAs to reclaimed RFAs, particularly as cap space opens up and Holland can get more active in trade talks.
Over the years, the Oilers have gifted a LOT of emerging talent to the rest of the league. I would love to see this drain starting to flow in the opposite direction for a change. If the rumors have any substance, they could start with Sam Steel.
This is a great sentiment but I still want two established LW players for our top 6. Tired of hearing we have to play Leon and Conner together. I’m fine if they do play together just not if the reason is because there is not enough quality at LW and we aren’t deep enough to run two lines. If you want space for the reclamation projects to move up the lineup, get a UFA that can play multiple positions LW/RW like Coleman or Hyman or LW/C like Nuge.
Trading Jones for a forward makes sense. The Oilers then go 7-3-1 in the Kraken draft.
Forwards: 97, 29, JP, KY, New Guy (from Jones trade), Benson
Defencemen: Nurse, Kelfbom, Bear
Given this scenario, who do the Kraken take from the Oilers? Wild Bill? Kassian? Whoever it is will not be a major loss to the team.
Oilers LD Caleb Jones (+ a pick)
for
Ottawa Senators L/C Nick Paul
56gp 5g 15a 20pts +5 TOI 16:05 CF% 50 oZS% 38
Age 26 6′ 4″ 230lbs
FO% 52.1
Seems like a similar player to Khaira but with more offense and probably less pk.
Actually that idea doesn’t make a tonne of sense, but I can’t remove the comment for some reason.
It’s by design.
Jones for Adin Hill. The Coyotes have a D spot available and stand to lose a goalie. Of course, they could trade Kuemper instead and protect Hill… I wonder what that trade would look like.
Pouzar hates the idea, but if Klef is done, I think we could do a deal like Klef + Kos (50%) retained for Kuemper. ARZ has the cap space, need for a golaie to play with Hill, and need to reduce salary which Klef on LTIR satisfies. Toss in Jones for a pick or prospect coming back along with Kuemper if need be.
I do hate the idea of Klef being done because he is a very very good hockey player, above the value of his contract.
What I counter is the certainty of stating that he is done as, while it could end up being true, it isn’t based on anything but speculation but is just a guess (and stating things like no player has ever recovered from a shoulder this bad or had this type of surgery is stating ideas that aren’t facts.
Options A, B & C are all Klef coming back as he very high quality NHL dman. Solves so many problems. Reality is though…. it’s at least 50-50 that he’s done. We wait.
Yes, I agree, reality is there is a solid chance he is done, as you now say, 50%.
That’s different than what you have been saying, that he is done, 100%, not coming back, final – even in this thread.
I agree, we wait.
Plan for the worst and hope for the best!
Some people beating the let’s get DeBrusk drum and others not so much. If DeBrusk has a really good year in 2021-2022 he may get qualified (QO = $4.4m) by whatever team owns his rights and he will probably not be coming to Edmonton anytime soon. However, if he does not ‘hit it out of the park’ he will probably not get qualified. If DeBrusk wants to play in Edmonton he can come on a value deal for the 2022-2023 season.
If he doesn’t have a strong season in 21/22 why would the Oilers want him in 22/23?
And I hope that for 22/23 the Oilers aren’t looking at LWers who have had 2 off-seasons in a row.
Dominic Ducharme isolating at home.
Alex Burrows leading Habs in morning skate.
Bob Stauffer yesterday, saying “a pre-expansion draft trade, with a team that may not be able to keep said player”
If its because of expansion draft protection issues, it likely involves the Oilers moving a prospect who doesnt require protection and or assets, no?
I would say yes, but if it’s “Caleb Jones for Mathieu Joseph” then it might be a move to alter the D-F ratio on one or both sides.
I would do Jones for DeBrusk.
But one should be viewing DeBrusk as an expensive 3rd line acquisition, who would basically block Benson.
Then why do it?
The trade might lead to a better result out of the expanson draft. The Oilers have undersused forward protection spots if they go 7-3-1.
It gives Holland some more leverage bargaining with UFA LW’s. Slightly less desperate.
DeBrusk and Benson pushing each other might not be a bad thing. Winner takes the #3LW spot longer term.
Left wing is a position of weakness.
Tippett seems to have made his decisioin on Jones. If Klefbom is healthy, there really isn’t a spot for Jones. If Klefbom isn’t healthy, they probably want somebody better than Jones.
That said, I’m not particularly crazy about DeBrusk. It isn’t an efficient use of cap space to spend $3.8 million on a 3rd line LW.
If Bear is > Debrusk. Would Bear for Debrusk and Trent Fredrick work? Maybe throw in a 3rd rounder. We would get us two LW or a LW/LC player with this trade or aim higher and go for Ritchie.
Bear is a RH value deal, DeBrusk is an expensive contract at a position that has a much deeper pool. I wouldn’t trade Bear in a deal for DeBrusk at all, and I like DeBrusk. RHD are unicorns.
Is this true league wide or has is it more of an Oiler black hole?
I see via CapFriendly that of the dmen who played 28 games or more last season 114 shot left and 81 shot right.
That is a discrepancy, of course, but it doesn’t seem to reflect the struggles that Edmonton has faced filling that role since it is just under 3 RD per team.
Edmonton has the role filled, but kept giving the right D away. Gilbert, Petry, Schultz, traded away for a bucket of pucks, or not signing them to contracts, Erik Gustafsson.
Shrewder management, and the depth chart right now would looke like Petry, Larsson, Bear, Schultz, Gustafsson, Bouchard.
That’s how it looks to me as well. I don’t think finding RD is quite the quest Oilers management has made it out to be. We find them and throw them away might be more accurate.
I understand the desire to keep Bear. I’m just not convinced that he is all that special. He complements Nurse well, though, and that may be enough as long as the cap hit reflects that he is a complementary piece.
I’m not sure shrewd management would have resulted in Larsson on the team.
Every time I see Petry play it just opens up the wound that was the 15-years of darkness due to complete incompetence of Oilers management. Have to (really have to) believe that Old Dutch will not screw this up.
What a total junk return too.
Caleb Jones?
I meant a 2nd and a 4th, though I had forgotten the 4th turned into a player of some note.
So, the ultimate return is not quite as junky……
No, not quite. 🙂
I agree RHD are Unicorns. I feel on a good team Bear is a 3rd pairing Dman. I worry his size is a limiting factor. If we are going to lose Zack we need some toughness and size up front.
Tires being pumped.
Bob Stauffer (@Bob_Stauffer) Tweeted:
All 4 starting goalies left in the Stanley Cup Playoffs were selected in the 1st round of the NHL Draft.
I saw 6’6″ Sebastian Cossa play 7 times this season.
He is big, athletic and highly-competitive.
Many think he is the best goalie prospect out of the WHL since Carey Price https://t.co/457gglwCbs
https://twitter.com/Bob_Stauffer/status/1405915450475630596?s=20
Yeah, saw that fact mentioned the other day in a tweet. Not sure it is more than a good tag line. Lots of great goalies have been chosen in later rounds over the years.
I agree it is a pump though. Bob never does these things casually.
telegraph…like always…just wondering how that could possibly help you when all other teams are paying attention also…certainly happened with broberg
Yeah, it makes no sense to me either.
I’m more of a Lou Lamoriello kind of guy on this. You talk, you walk.
He has forgotten about Carter Hart pretty quickly.
Are you calling Hart better than Price? Kinda confused on your meaning here.
Did you see Hart’s season?
I think he is saying that Carter Hart is the best WHL goalie prospect since Price and Cossa does not jump him – at least that’s my interpretation of the position.
Fair enough, if that was the intended meaning.
Though even then Hart was only a mid-2nd round pick..
No.
Look at Hart’s last two seasons in the WHL.
Alright, I took Bob’s tweet to mean on draft day.
I went through the top goalies and draft position earlier this year and put it on here
A lot of the best were drafted high
Perhaps they are harder to to read, but it is logical like any position that the best in the world at their draft age stay at the top.
I think it is particularly important with that position to know the players mental traits, and to draft the right physique based on how the game is at the time.
When composite sticks came around, smaller athletic quick was reduced in effectiveness.
Big net filling types became in general more effective because with the velocity of pucks and that all players suddenly could have explosive shots, smaller guys could not react quick enough to enough shots.
They don’t have to be giants because that brings big holes when moving. But better tall than under 6’2” it seems, lasers over the glove blocker shoulder
Our best G prospect is on the short side. It is the most important position. It is thin in the org. You have to take one of them if they are still there.
Do you feel the same way if the Oilers trade for Dreidger or Ullmark this summer or do you think they should do both?
The obvious move would be a mistake.
Nice hook. 🙂
For a guy who played half the games, Tyler Ennis’ name shines like a diamond. A definite oversight on Tipp’s part.
The problem with this talk of dealing Bear is what happens if/when Larsson declines? You are back to being weak on the right side all over again. Deal Bear, resign Barrie, and you weaken the team defensively when it absolutely must improve. Oh, and Bouchard is blocked from first unit PP time.
I’m not a fan of any non-Bear options.
I guess “organizational depth” should be added to the risk assessment list.
And “scarcity of resource”
If it was an oversight by Tip then it was also an oversight by 30 general managers who didn’t think he could help their teams for free and with a nominal cap hit – twice. He cleared waivers twice, at a nominal cap hit.
I will say, I liked his offensive game – skilled and silk but something is off here given he cleared twice – I do know that the Cult has him at the very high end or mistakes on scoring chances against.
Can somebody explain to me the difference between Jake DeBrusk and Domenic Kahun, apart from the extra $3 million AAV that DeBrusk costs, and his $4.4 million dollar qualifying offer next year?
If you can’t do it with Krejci, a very good right shot centre playing behind the Bergeron line, essentially the most ideal spot for a young offensive left winger, you are unlikely to be able to do it anywhere. The Oilers don’t have any right shot centres.
In the last three seasons, DeBrusk has scored 1.1 goals-60 at five on five with Krejci. That isn’t Leon’s 1.45 goals-60 with McDavid, but it’s a good number.
If I’m not mistakened, you watch more Bruins hockey than the average Oilers analyst; What value do you put on Debrusk as compared to your other targets like Coleman, Yanmark, Armia? ( assuming you can eventually re-sign DeBrusk at comparable dollars)
In general, would you rank him above or below these 3, or right in the same ballpark?
He is the youngest of 3.
I’d say it would be better to grab (assuming dollars are acceptable) Coleman before DeBrusk. I’d prefer him over Janmark and Armia although both have value.
Is the “him” Debrusk? You’d prefer DeBrusk over Janmark and Armia?
So
Coleman
DeBrusk
Janmark/Armia
As soon as DeBrusk got paid, he performance cratered.
I have no problem with acquiring DeBrusk as a cap dump or for a bad contract (like Kassian), but giving a valuable asset for him would be a mistake.
While the chronology is correct is it feasible that the events are due to correlation rather than causation? Could it be a problem between him and Cassidy as I think I have seen mentioned somewhere.
I do agree that the Bruins should not be rewarded for devaluing DeBrusk. This is why I think something around Kassian makes sense. Add as needed but not that much to compensate for age difference etc.
It is a risk but one worth taking if available. You can’t get DeBrusk if he doesn’t have a down season like he just did.
In my hockey draft, there was a time I would take guys in their free agency season, thinking they were playing for a big payday. I stopped doing it about 15 years ago because it rarely worked. Guys entering free agency were just as likely to suck as succeed. See RNH.
To answer your first question, I would suggest the difference is that DeBrusk has a 27 goal season on his resume and would have a second over 20 if 2019/20 wasn’t cut short. More established goal scoring pedigree than Kahun.
I have posted my thoughts on acquiring Jake – would love to add him in to the mix and have him compete for a top 6 LW spot but, of course, his contract, along with the Bruins cap situation, should crater the acquisition cost. Too much risk to give up real value for him.
I agree, a cap dump like Kassian would be perfect but I don’t imagine the Bruins taking on that contract given they are looking to create cap space.
Would Kass with $1M retained for DeBrusk make sense for either side?
I’m not sold on Jake at his price tag and follow up QO. I’d rather the team add a veteran player as LT has pointed out in his post. Someone who is still effective and knows the grind and what’s needed to win in the playoffs.
No right shot centers?! DeBrusk have amply opportunity to round out his defensive game along side Kyle Turris. /s
How high is DeBrusky’s offensive ceiling, anyways?
He barely cleared a PPG in the WHL in his final season. He had 49 points in 74 games as an AHLer, which is inferior to Benson’s worst AHL year (his second).
He struggles defensively. He has a high cap hit. As you mentioned, he likely benefited greatly from playing with Krejci.
To me, this is a no-brainer of a non-acquisition.
Even with the junk season he just had he’s 105th in goals over the past 3 seasons (just outside “1st line forwards”).
His 5v5 goals/60 over 3 seasons is in the top 80 in the league.
Both numbers would be higher if you included all 4 years.
Love the post LT
ive been thinking about the offensive strategy watching the games.
There are three areas that the successful teams attack. They use the D, but primarily seem to go after sudden passes to players in position in the mid to high slot, and go for jam plays and cross crease passes in tight.
They also manage to cycle in a way that draws the D away from the net. I didn’t see the Oilers able to do that very often.
They were easily choked out simply by stacking the blue line and clogging the net front, the Oilers couldn’t penetrate it.
It probably a combo of personnel and I am coming to think strategy. The final four are all different constructions based on top goalering. The islanders goalers I think are getting the Trotz lift but they’re doing the job.
What is common among them is they can break down D structure and attack with tempo and a plan, they are all well practiced in it, it’s how they always play.
It’s a harder game to play, it takes aggressive play for 60 minutes. It isn’t dependant on size, still I don’t feel there are a lot of smaller players good at it that don’t play for Cooper or aren’t named Gallagher
But that’s the NHL game as it stands.
So, as I get it that’s Gulatzan’s gig, right? I’m hoping he gets an HC job and Woody comes in with a better plan, he has the background from SJ, with a fabulous replacement in the Bake.
I’d buy the first round of drinks for the entire group to know what “risk assessment” looks like in hockey front offices.
What order do you put on the following:
1) Age
2) Health/Injury History (especially concusion history)
3) Term of Contract
4) First hand Knowledge of the Player
5) Second Hand Knowledge of the Player
6) Consistency of Points Production
7) 5v5pts vs 5v4pts
8) Length of Track Record 2yrs vs 3yrs vs 4 yrs etc
9) PDO, Shooting%, xGF
10) Regular Season Performance vs. Playoff Performance
11) Handedness Righty Lefty
12) Fitness Level / Offseason Workout Regime
13) Management Agency
14) Personality Type ( Dougie Hamilton / Tom Poti, to Sean Avery, Evander Kane,etc)
1?5) Other
First thing you do is take No. 10 out back and shoot it.
Sam Bennett’s playoff performances season after season suggested that the Flames were clueless in developing/deploying him properly, and that there was a substantial player there.
Pather would be foolish to trade him. But everyone has a price. I would explore this. It would be great to see him in Oiler Silk versus turtleneck.
Pet Peave?…. cough cough eberle cough….. 🙂
Trading Eberle for a RHC who averaged significantly more points for half the salary cap is not what you should be peeved about.
Eberle 2018-21 RW
19-18-37 $6,000,000
16-24-40 $5,500,000
16-17-33 $5,500,000
Strome 2018-21 RHC
18-15-33 $3,000,000
18-41-59 $3,200,000
14-35-49 $4,000,000
If the playoffs are refereed differently than the regular season, and if that is not going to be fixed, then one has to assess whether a player has the qualities to be effective in the playoffs, where one has to play in more uncomfortable situations, and force oneself into more uncomfortable situations than in the regular season.
This type of assessment probably takes a couple of seasons of evaluating a players play.
Correct. You can take No. 10 out back and beat it black and blue but you are making a huge mistake if you shoot it.
Yep. It’s worth noting that MTL, that bunch of cheeky scamps, may well have not made the play-offs for the last two years unless for Covid.
So the whole “built for the play-offs” is trite, asinine bull shit. As is “he really comes alive during the play-offs”. You have to get there first. It also follows that there is unspoken understanding that the play-offs are judged by different rules. Rules that can be exploited by slow, heavy, dirty teams and players.
And the ones that can do it and have higher skill win it
The Oilers currently can’t play well in the hack fest
Not based on the above, but just a general sense.
Oilers least risky bets for me include all the internal candidates:
Nuge (please Nugey 5×5)
Larsson ( 4 x $3.75m)
Yamamoto re-up ( 2yrs at a number that start with 2)
Bear re-up ( 2 yrs at a number that starts with 2) Can you re-up Bear this year? or do you have to wait until he is RFA?
Jesse Puljujarvi ( ??? ) can you get him signed to a longer-term contract at a value price?
Smith (1yr at a number that starts with 2)
What about External options? Which of those being discussed is the lowest risk?
Hamilton, Landeskog, Sam Reinhart, other?
Feed some Nuge at $5M X 5 in to my veins.
I’ll take that Larsson contract – would prefer 3 years but probably need to go 4 to get it under $4M AAV.
I think $2M, on a two-year bridge should be the ceiling for the Kailer contract – this is similar to Bear this past off-seson where the player has zero leverage coming off his ELC and, of course, Bear was coming off an arrows up season and Kailer, not so much.
For Bear and Jesse, they can both be re-signed as of July 28.
Smith, for one year, can get a raise on his base from $1.5M to $2M, he’s earned it. $1M more in performance bonuses (but they won’t limit the cap in this season).
The better question is, if Holland gets these players, will Tipp utilize them properly. Coaches in this town have been pounding square pegs into round holes for a decade at least. Or letting them sit in the press box eating popcorn.
Sometimes, to quote one of my favorite trading floor sayings, you have to grab sack and trade!
Awesome saying… “grab sack and trade” .. love it!
You traders …. uhhh, I mean Analysts, are risk takers by nature.
My concern as well. Tip is not the worst offender but the bar in EDM is set pretty low. Not the guy I feel comfortable leading this group deep into the playoffs.