Do you remember the Edmonton Oilers? Used to play hockey games in these parts. People would come from miles around just to watch them play. Why, they had one guy who went so fast your eyes weren’t quite sure you’d seen him at all! Kind of blur meets rumor. Helluva player. They had this other guy, I think he came from up north where he lifted trees right out of the ground, he was strong as an ox and the hand’s of a surgeon. You don’t see that everyday!
These guys had names, I know it. It’s been some time though, maybe it’s an idea to reacquaint ourselves with the ice men of Edmonton. Today: The forwards after 34 games.
THE ATHLETIC!
- New DNB: Connor McDavid supports Oilers’ pursuit of Evander Kane. But is that the only question that should be answered?
- Shayna Goldman and Dom Luszczyszyn: NHL Player Cards: Edmonton Oilers
- DNB: Ken Holland speaks
- Lowetide: Forget the Connor McDavid bump, Jesse Puljujarvi is the real deal after all
- Lowetide: Should the Oilers sign Evander Kane and what would it look like?
- Lowetide: Revisiting Oilers’ 2021 draft decision to select Xavier Bourgault over goaltending
- Lowetide: What’s the gap for Oilers between now and the 2016-17 playoff team?
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: Will this be another lost season?
- Jonathan Willis: Mikko Koskinen isn’t the Oilers’ biggest summer mistake
- Lowetide: Hard-target search for the Oilers’ next starting goaltender
- Jonathan Willis: Oilers forward lineup isn’t deep or good enough
- DNB: Time for the Oilers to move on from Mikko Koskinen
- Lowetide: If Oilers plan a coaching change, why stop there?
- New DNB: Exploring how the Oilers can get back on track
- Lowetide: Long December has Oilers fans looking for reasons to believe
- Lowetide: The five most effective Oilers mid-season recalls since 1979-80
- Lowetide: A complete review of the Bakersfield Condors’ 2021-22 season to date
- DNB: For Oilers’ Kailer Yamamoto, the goal has always been to belong with the best
- DNB: Jesse Puljujarvi’s next contract? Expectations for Dylan Holloway? Oilers mailbag
- Lowetide: If the Oilers add a big deadline asset, Philip Broberg will be the ask
- Lowetide: 7 AHL trade targets that could immediately improve Oilers’ NHL forward depth
- DNB: How Stuart Skinner became Oilers’ ‘young goalie on the rise’
- Lowetide: Oilers top 20 prospects, winter 2021
THEN AND NOW
While we get familiar again with the roster, I thought it might be an idea to compare this year’s team with the last truly successful Oilers club (2016-17). Many of the names are the same, but are the performances?
McDavid is an absolute wonder, and the gap is not far between these two seasons. He is posting bigger boxcar numbers, a reflection of fantastic power-play totals, Oilers fans are witnessing greatness every night he’s an Oiler.
Draisaitl is a more complete player now, drives his own line and (as you can see) is winning over 50 percent of the goal share. December was a worry, it’s a smart idea to double down on 29 over the rest of the season.
Puljujarvi was a fringe player trying to find his way as a teenager in 2016-17, and it’s uncertain how many of the important people on the roster were convinced he was ready. It was a tough spot for JP, but success is survival in some situations, and he is now flourishing. Great goal share, on his was to 20+ goals and a substantial increase in pay. Oh to be his age with his future! Music!
The big difference here is contract price point and I wonder if Peter Chiarelli ever thinks about the decision surrounding Maroon. He was a fine Oiler. Hyman is scoring well and matching expected goals, but the actual goal differential is shy. I think Hyman will get it back but he is just 3-9 in five-on-five on-ice goal differential in the last 10 games.
Kassian had a big year in 2016-17, year two of what has stretched into a seven-year career in Edmonton. You know, Fernando Pisani and Rem Murray played seven years for the copper and blue, that’s a significant career with one team in the modern era. Kassian’s pattern in Edmonton (up and down the lineup, inconsistent, sometimes outside the law) reminds me a little of Dave Lumley as an Oiler.
This isn’t a perfect comparable, but the early numbers ring true and Lander was a center. McLeod’s strength (speed) was Lander’s weakness, but McLeod could use some of Lander’s edge. The offense is coming, and young McLeod’s five-on-five goal share isn’t far from plumb.
Nuge is about where he was in 2016-17, the similarities are both interesting and unsettling. Early in 2016-17 he was on a line with Benoit Pouliot and Kassian, later spending time with Jordan Eberle and a trio of wingers (Milan Lucic, Maroon, Pouliot). He’s hanging out in a nicer neighbourhood this year (Draisaitl) but the scoring results continue to mystify.
KY recovered a great deal during December (3-3-6 in 11 games) and hopefully continues his productivity into the new year. The five-on-five points-per-60 and goal share aren’t far off for these two men, and Yamamoto doesn’t see much power-play time. Eberle is a shooter and a sublime passer who had 68 goals by the end of his third NHL season (Yamamoto has 27 goals with half a season to go). Yamamoto will have a different career but he’s been on a skill line for 139 games now at 5.08, 153.
I remember this season well, Lucic started getting power-play points and the five-on-five numbers wouldn’t come. He would have played far more of a feature role than Foegele has so far this season, so the points-per-60 definitely favor this year’s model. On the other hand, Lucic wins the goal share and expected goals. Thoughts? Who would you rather have, if the cap wasn’t an issue?
This is the ‘elevator shaft’ spot on the roster so far, although the expected goals favors Ryan slightly. Letestu was a useful power-play man too, so the gap is quite wide. If the Oilers are in contention at the deadline, and Ryan continues to have a difficult time, we could see something.
Two flawed wingers with specific talents that were/are above average, it’s fascinating to see the offensive output (and games played) resemble each other so closely. Slepyshev had a big shot, good speed and never passed the puck, and Perlini has a bigger shot, more speed but is not disciplined without the puck (Slepyshev being no screaming hell in this area either). I like Perlini, don’t know if he makes it. His fate might be in the hands of Tippett and his future.
It was a glorious time in the kingdom, after being pummeled with blows for years about my claim that Tyler Pitlick could score in the NHL, the moment had finally arrived. He blew out his knee, fell ass over tea kettle into free agency and has averaged 12 goals per 82 games without playing enough for anyone to notice. He had a helluva start in 2016-17 and was one of the keys to Edmonton’s ‘secondary scoring’ that year, at least early. Sceviour isn’t scoring much, and his goal differential is poor, but he’s taking minutes from other fourth liners and I think he might have some positive impact in the second half.
Pouliot was a great forechecker but was 29 by 2016-17 and lost some speed (leading to heartaches by the number, penalties by the score). He still had some offense and did play a feature role in 2015-16, but he was replaceable by this time. Turris is in the same spot, but with a much poorer goal differential.
Caggiula was faster, could kill penalties and play up and down the lineup, so would have the edge on this year’s Benson. Then again, both seasons have to be regarded as disappointing and Caggiula got more of a push. His goal came on the power play, assists to Patrick Maroon and Jordan Eberle. Benson really hasn’t had a chance to show what he can do, whether he’s earned it is a daily discussion on the internet.
Hendricks was a heavy hitter (he came to Taylor Hall’s defense on a nasty evening and got himself a suspension for the effort) and not much about goals, but the differential here is unfair. Shore is one of Tippett’s penalty killers who get into about half the games, he’s on track and maybe has a little more offense than we would have predicted.
Did you enjoy this? Would you like to see defense and goalies done the same way? Let me know.
Simpson is a credible source, so I heed his words on things. That said, it sounds based on these two tweets as though the impending suspension could impact things in terms of contract. I’ll have more on the Lowdown beginning at 10, Chris Johnston (TSN Insider) will have even more at 10:20. 10-1260 text, @Lowetide on twitter. Talk soon!
10pm and that song is still running strong in my head. Thanks LT.
Soon the Gypsy Queen
In a glaze of Vaseline
Will perform on guillotine
What a scene! What a scene
Really enjoyed this format, would love to see the defense and goalie version.
Of note, Calgary down 3-1 in the third.
Oh my!
4-1
I kept hearing about the flames being in such a great spot with all these road games out of the way and I kept noting they are a bad home team.
That’s now 8 losses at home and 4 wins.
Winnipeg with a 3-0 win over Detroit.
Oilers now 11th in the WC.
Is that good or bad?
fLames are doing good
Maybe they need a goalie?
Your team is even lower and has played the most games
@wyshynski
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2h
Players that weren’t named to the 2022 NHL All-Star Game or the “Last Man In” ballot:
Sidney Crosby
Artemi Panarin
Igor Shesterkin
Brad Marchand
Aaron Ekblad
William Nylander
Morgan Rielly
Matt Duchene
Vladimir Tarasenko
Anze Kopitar
Quinn Hughes
Who cares?
Millions of fans.
By millions you mean like 5
Vancouver doesn’t have that many fans,😂
If you’re not good enough you’re not good enough
Man, there are some good players here. But it’s the system.
I have a good feeling Kane and Skinner are going to steer this Katz ship in the right direction. We have over a half a season and I’ll wager a whack that Kane scores 20
If Kane clears another investigation he needs to count his lucky stars and make good with it
But, methinks Gary is going to see he’s done for the season. Unless he has nothing, expect 30 plus games so it’s all a ‘mute point’ as Tipps likes to say
I’m calling it right fuking now Kane walks with no bail restrictions signs with Katz and the Oilers tomorrow, wink,wink (Joe Pesci and Ray Loitta) and scores 20 goals.
PAY ME!
From listening to Hyman (Gregor show) it seems like he was playing less than 100% as he spoke about the postponed games being helpful for his shoulder etc.
Makes sense as he was clearly not at effective in his post-injury games.
As a devotee of ELP (NB my handle), I approve of this post title. It’s a lyric from “Karn Evil 9”, the lengthiest of their many lengthy compositions.
It also begins this concert video, which features an incredible drum / percussion solo (begins at 2:50) from Carl Palmer, who IMO is at least the equal of Neil Peart (RIP). Even now, Palmer is still pretty damn good.
I knew there would be some reaction to an ELP title. It’s funny, there music of that era is so rich, I find myself going back again and again and being refreshed. I have my favourite bands, but now I think it’s an era. Art rock, glam rock, electronic rock, heavy rock, EW&F, Parliament, Funkadelic it was all there. Rare Earth for God sakes! I was exposed to so much wonderful music in that era.
My God the horns, and the keyboards (remember Yes?) so good. Roxy Music. Lordy.
For me, music achieved its apex in the 70’s. It would have been nice to enjoy the music of that decade in real time–and in concert!–rather than at two decades’ remove like I did.
The first band I loved was Zeppelin in high school, then Rush begat Genesis, which begat Yes, which begat ELP, and it’s just spiraled ever outward from there.
Horns: The gold standard for me is Chicago’s debut album, Chicago Transit Authority. Chicago III is really good too. Honorable mention to Blood, Sweat & Tears.
Keys: Keith Emerson (ELP…RIP) is still the man. (See what he does in this video, and he was in his mid-40’s at the time!) Jon Lord (RIP) of Deep Purple was outstanding too.
Did you say 1970’s Rock?
Here’s a recent favourite discovery of mine (I have shared it here about 4 months ago, in case you missed it):
https://youtu.be/QXQVSTfhoRo
LT is probably rolling his eyes right now, lol. I guess this song was banned in a lot countries back in the day, because some thought it was a song about heroin.
When I showed my wife this video she thought they were singing “crazy awesome”, which is simply crazy awesome
😀
Jay is singing lead, Merrill sings the second part, and of course I know this song.
Two reasons. If you watched television in the 1970’s, an Osmond appeared every 20 seconds. Also, I listened to top 40 and Donny, The Osmonds, Marie and even Little Jimmy had hits. Plus Christmas specials by Andy Williams and others.
Finally, I married a girl who loved Donny Osmond. We’ve been married almost 40 years, and I’ll never be able to get her a better gift than taking her to Donny Osmond in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Jube.
If you know someone really well, then doing something they truly love is better than any gift you can get. I’ve tried to equal it, but that one was a home run. Donny Osmond can sing by the way. Very well.
I was a regular at Campus Earl’s back in those days (John Sexsmith was the bartender lol), and the cast and crew of Technicolor Dreamcoat stayed in the apartment hotel above… they ate and drank in there regularly… including Donny. Talked to him several times over the run… super nice man.
I even surprised him by wearing purple socks one night.
Now ya gotta be ancient to know that reference.
I have been informed by Mrs. Lowetide that Donny Osmond always wore purple socks and it was his favourite color. THIS I did not know. 🙂
I remember this tidbit, one of the few things I recall from my viewing of The Donny & Marie Show on the regular, circa 1977(?).
My sister worked as a cleaner at the hotel where Donny Osmond stayed for that show you are referencing. She told me that she got to work onemorning, saw Donny in the hallway and she was absolutely starstruck and speechless.
She had ridden her bike to work and still had on her goofy pink helmet (her words) and stood there kind of stammering and speechless like that and felt absolutely mortified by her appearance and her reaction. I guess Donny was a gentleman and just said, “I hope you have a great day”…
This is also a funny story because she would have been around 23 or 24 & her husband was in a punk band. She was also still into “the scene” as she called it (but she was the adult in the relationship).
It’s funny how your formative years (she and I watched the D&M Show as kids together as we were 1 year apart (we were probably 9 & 10)….I don’t blame her, I am only now reflecting that Donny must’ve had the same impact on her as Marie did on me, so I now understand her reaction 30 or so years later, lol.
Yup, it was honored in a recurring segment of the show:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXnyQ0S4sSU
Rare Earth was the goods.
So was ELP. (And ELO for that matter)
Greg Lake wrote one of my favourite Xmas tunes.
Hey everyone. Have been busy today at work.
What’s the latest on the Kane situation?
Is this legit: https://twitter.com/TSNSimmer/status/1481621914590269442?s=20 ???
I know that Holland (and Tippett) wants to see the combo of Smith/Koskinen as that was the combo they planned to go in to the season with and which has provided regular season success in the past.
With that said, I sure hope that Skinner gets at least 50% of the starts in the near term while Smith is out. At the very least they should split the games and, for me, and I would think most, whichever goalie is better during the stretch is the one that should stay on the roster when Smith is healthy.
Before today’s news on Smith and the Skinner recall, the roster did not include the goalie that had played the best over the last stretch of games.
I’d give Skinner every single game.
I would be interested to see Holly put Koski on the waiver wire and see if he gets any bites.
Bites?
Do you think there is even a 0.1% chance he gets claimed?
I sure don’t.
I think it would cost a decent asset sweetener for a team to take him on.
I’m sure Holland has a pretty good grasp on Koski’s value. Koski and his agent might not though. As for bites, when it comes to goalies it is all about timing.
For those who do not want Kane on this team … no worries. His camp is using EDM as a stalking horse. They have no intention of stopping at the last chance Texaco. For those who are hoping for a Kane addition … sorry. Prepare to be disappointed.
“Prepare to be disappointed”— this is evergreen advice for any Oilers fan.
EDM is a good landing spot for Kane. Closer to his kids, away from a lot of trouble, and an excellent chance to build up his value. This IS Last Chance Texaco for him; he’s 30 years old and a power forward. Whoever gets him will get a very motivated player.
He’s been a driver in SJ without an elite talent like 97/29; let’s see how dominant he can be with one of them. This is Legion of Doom type potential.
For the skittish: look, go ask Bulls fans if they want to give back their championships because Rodman was around. Go ask Blackhawks fans about theirs. How do the Blues feel about O’Reilly?
There may be plenty of smoke around Kane, but lots of guys have unsavoury pasts and Kane being a reputed jerk vs. good old hockey boy doesn’t help.
This is precisely why EDM is not of interest to Kane. Why would he want to be near his kids and away from a lot of trouble? He immerses himself in trouble. You think his posse is going to enjoy the winters in Edmonton? Think Florida, SoCal, Dallas and Vegas. Those are the preferred sites. He may not be able to make a deal for one of those, but that is where he would like to go.
We only need him for six months, to help us make it through the season.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxZ9sf1EFOY
https://youtu.be/ocReUIHoI4s?t=24
It’s meant to be a romance not a marriage!😉
Romance!!! That made me laugh. Kane is more the slam, bam, you’re welcome for the privilege of my services, mam. But yes, definitely no marriage.
More like a one night stand … that lasts months, then ends abruptly.
Wait, Aidan McDonough NOT in the US Olympic team?
This must be a mistake, right?
If Tobias Reider would have scored 10 or 11 goals Mike Smith never would have never torn a tendon in his thumb.
That dastardly Reider will never stop screwing the Oilers!
It is Rieder’s fault that people can’t spell his name. Toby, spell your name properly.
Well, colour me surprised and dip me in chocolate.
I thought even on trade deadline deals–to which this is similar–Holly was committed to improving the culture.
As a 3 month or so rental, I suppose the risk to culture is low, but this still kind of smells like desperation. I suppose all moves after bad streaks do.
Could’ve swore our problem though was preventing goals…
If you can add goal scoring for basically free, assuming the culture risk is manageable, you do it every day.
Preventing goals and quite frankly the team is too vanilla. With Cane we will be getting skill and grit which is a rare commodity! Granted there are some negatives as well but the off ice is strictly off ice. The key will be how the team mates and coaching handle it. The rules may have to change for the entirety of the team. As a culture we as a whole are more comfortable with lots of rules. There are some who do not flourish in a rule for everything environment. There will need to be compromises! It can work but will require open minded communication and building of trust. It can be a win win scenario for both team and player? We wait.
Smith out for 1-2 weeks. Le sigh…
Daniel Nugent-Bowman
@DNBsports
·
32m
Mike Smith has a partial tear of a tendon in his thumb. Out one to two weeks, per Dave Tippett.
The plan is to bring up Stuart Skinner from Bakersfield. They’re awaiting COVID test results. Ilya Konovalov is scheduled to come out of COVID protocol tomorrow. Things very much TBD.
Of course he is. The guy’s going to be held together with ductape and gorilla glue by the end of the season.
Next year will be an adventure too. Hopefully we could IR him for all of next year and sign or trade for an affordable replacement to pair with Skinner
You mean he wasn’t at the start of the season?
The silver lining, Holland/Tip will be forced to play the Principal in a few more games.
I don’t believe it.
This gives Skinner an extended opportunity which is a positive.
Is Evander Kane:
a) A 3rd Line center
b) Top 4 D
c) Starting goalie
d) Potential effin’ nightmare for what’s already been agreed is a fragile bunch…
3 of these choices are what was the absolute consensus of this blog of what this team needed. Instead we’re chasing someone who very well may be banned for the rest of the season.
I know Kane put all the other teams over the top and he just wants another cup, but still…:-/
Can any of the other problems be fixed for zero assets out?
Would 1.5 million dollar cap hit be attached to any of those fixes?
Want vs. need.
My wife has worked in banking and insurance. She dealt with people that won the $1M dream homes. They invariably couldn’t afford a free house. There’s baggage that comes with it.
Mother in law?
Lol, probably. More like land tax on said house, general upkeep, insurance, heating/power bill, etc. Usually they have the land tax paid for the first year by the competition runners.
The Germans probably have a word for it – taking something really nice that you don’t need because it’s free/cheap but ends up costing you more in the long run.
Closest I can get is Odin’s gifts, which were always double-edged. Like a sword.
Lebensraum
Kane is a top 6 power forward who is fast, big, mean, tough, scores goals, intimidates, etc.
Kane will be signing a contract with a cap hit that is materially less than his value on the ice.
Kane is not a center, however, of course, adding him to the top 6 allows for either (a) RNH to play 3C, if they choose or (b) Yamamoto to play 3RW, if they choose.
It creates a stronger top 9 without doubt.
It creates a forward group that is faster and tougher to play against.
There is zero doubt this player helps the on-ice product and for a nominal cap impact and zero assets out.
Notwithstanding other holes on the team, this is an absolute no-brainer from an on-ice point of view.
There is zero reason not to do this from a pure hockey related standpoint as no assets are out or material cap is spent (his cap hit replaces that of a current roster player) and doesn’t preclude any other moves.
When I seen Kane with all his bling bling on and flashing a huge wad of $100 bills I knew this fellow liked to party and had entourage of folks helping him spend it. This is it and he knows it if he wants another big payday Edmonton is the best place to rack up the points and his worth. I’m super excited to see what a true power forward can do on Leon’s and Connor’s flank.
Agree OP.
Every point is correct. But then I wasn’t and haven’t been arguing these points.
Interesting you bring up replacing a current roster player. Boy would I be pissed if I was that player.
Keep your nose to the grindstone, don’t make waves, respect people, get replaced by Kane.
I personally believe that we won’t sign him. But the Evander Kane Show isn’t likely to end here.
All reports point to the players in SJ wanting shot of him. I can accept that Kane is a gifted hockey player. Seems you and some others are having trouble accepting the complete Kane package.
You post implied that there isn’t a point in signing Kane because of other issues the you deem more important – well, at least that’s what I inferred from the post.
I did speak briefly to one of those points (i.e. Kane would allow from an internal 3C improvement).
As far as being pissed for being the player re-assigned – well, that’s on the player for not having played better. It would be on Turris, for example, as a likely player waived.
Both San Jose and Buffalo signed Kane to long-term extensions after him being in their locker room.
I have zero concern about Kane effing up team chemistry or anything like that from January to late June.
I think Kane being close to penniless is more interested in joining the 2 best Centres and a deadly PP to show the league he deserves a big contract starting next year. If Kane joins the Oilers with 40 plus games remaining he will score over 20 and make our top 6 lethal.
Kane plays 2LW
Nuge plays 3C
Kelfbolm recovers just in time to play 2LD in the playoffs?
Archie and Holloway are added for bottom 6 scoring.
what else do you have?
This was Kenny’s plan all along? ok.
Probably- chess vs checkers
Vs. Dutch Blitz 😉
Who down-voted Dutch Blitz? Great game for all the family! Nobody has a clue what’s going on and you’re sure someone isn’t playing by the rules!
I thought it was clever!
That last line is golden, Jethro. Nice work.
Tippett talking about “winning more 3-2 and 2-1 games”. He doesn’t understand his own team and is undermining their ability to win.
Also – pro tip – Never hire anyone who says “mute point”. Not to do anything. Good gawd. *facepalm*
He’s just embiggening a moo point.
I think you’ll find it was a perfectly cromulent phrase.
haha…he said it twice so not a slip of the tongue.
Stauffer just said it the same way about 15 minutes ago, lol
I am not judging EK’s off ice or locker room issues, as I have no direct knowledge.
Kane will raise the forward group to the level of a cup contender.
Goalering will be dependant on one of the incumbents rising to the occasion.
I suspect Dutch knows Klefbom will be back for the playoffs.
That would be shocking.
I think Klef being back is very much up in the air. He’ll try a comeback hopefully in March but the big if will be how he will feel once he practices plays full contact. Would love to seem him return healthy, that would be huge. Would cause big cap issues next year but so be it.
The playoffs may not be a sure thing for this group….
The league min was $750K, would that imply an adjusted cap hit of $440K given that there are 48 games remaining for a player signed today at league min? And on a rental deal scenario, would that opportunity cost be $750 of the rental player’s yearly salary? I’m not sure how the prorating works. Any sites that you all know of where I could educate myself on this?
The Oilers are in LTIR, there is no adjusted cap hit – his cap hit, annual, needs to fit in under the Oilers adjusted cap ceiling (i.e. adjusted for current LTIR reserves on any given day).
Thanks OP!
Happy 25th Connor. So glad you are with the Oilers. I may have given up on hockey had it not been for you joining the team. Please stay until you are 40!
All the best people are Cappies.
😉
I can’t stand EKane and I’ve despised him for a while. But he’s good at hockey. The only true question is how well money is spent. If he can be signed at or around the league minimum, the opportunity cost of that cash will be a part of a rental player closer to the deadline (when there’s a premium attached to most deals for useful players). That max marginal $750K’s value is measured only by what else is available, which we’ll never truly know. The risk on Kane is quite high (to mean there’s quite a range of possible outcomes) and holds the possibility of adding some toxicity to the dressing room but the upside could be a very useful top 6 player for almost nothing. The alternative is a known useful player with a known upside sold at market value that includes assets going out for likely higher cap dollars. To me, that makes this a quality move if it can get done. At worst, punt him to the A and forget about him, effectively firing him into the sun. The loss with that? A tiny bit of negotiating room on a lesser deadline purchase.
To be clear. I despise Kane. But I don’t need to like him. I loathed Kassian for the Gagne slash to the jaw and subsequent taunting before the 2016 playoffs.
Also, is the slimeball just using the Oilers desperate interest to inflate his potential value for the actual team he eventually chooses?
Of course he is. He is choosing based on his own needs.
Oilers need to be slimy enough to use his skills for a short term basis to fulfil their own needs. Match made in heaven!
I’m reminded of a quote from Groucho Marx:
“I would never join club that would have me as a member”
Haha. Love it!
You remind me of that quote, too.
😂🤣😭
Bingo.
His motive is of no consequence! If he plays the balance of the year and playoffs motivated it is a win for the Oilers!
If Kane has signed a deal with us would that contract be only for the remainder of season? Even though it’s stated as a one year deal? If that’s the case then it’s a great add for the team and if he doesn’t work out you don’t re-sign him no?
Even if he does work out – you only even think about re-signing him to a short term deal and if you’ve moved out excess money like Kassian’s deal.
Otherwise – thanks for the value and on down the road you go. Don’t get caught in the trap.
Agree! And if extending him for a year or two jeopardizes our resigning of Pulu then forget it. I suspect no team would want to sign him long term this summer even he has success for the last part of this year.
It’ll be fine interesting to see how this ages.
Contracts are for seasons only; not calendar.
So signing a 1 yr deal, means it terminates at the end of 21-22 season (this May + playoffs).
Condors game on Friday postponed due to Covid-issues with the Condors.
This is effecting the Oilers as well as Tip mentioned yesterday there were a few call-ups they were looking at but couldn’t due to Covid matters.
Griffith missed last game.
I assume the other might be Marody as I don’t think they’d have an issue calling up a d-man as they assigned Niemelainen recently.
Encouraging that they’re willing to call Copper back up. I’m also wondering if Skinner is another? What with Smith not being on the ice and all..
I don’t think there is any question Evander Kane would/will help the Oilers on the ice.
Kane is a terrible person going back to his days in Winnipeg ( 1st chance given) – when the local media (surprise) actively covered up his off-ice antics. Only when Kane was traded – did the local media open up on all off-ice stories about Kane – the person.
Evander is a very bright guy. He will play well and he will fit in for a few months.
Hockey wise this will benefit the Oilers. How could it not?
But people should stop lying to themselves about this being Kane’s – “2nd chance.”
Kenny is desperate and has few – in-season – levers to pull.
Does he make this move if the Oilers are playing well and in a secure playoff spot?
I am not sure.
I am always interested in how player and game narratives are created and reinforced. Here are some comparables between two players, the focus of much discussion on the blog today. Each player is usually described quite differently, has different public/professional image, play different styles. One of the more interesting stats/narratives is penalty minutes, and the impact on the game. One player is often described as soft. The other not so much. What is the impact of the penalty itself? Does it kill/build momentum? Change the score?
GP G A P +/- PIM P/GP EVG EVP PPP
Evander Kane 769 264 242 506 -67 988 0.66 203 396 91
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins 686 188 316 504 -48 227 0.73 135 312 183
Isn’t the story of this stat line that Kane scores more goals with less talent around him and also does his damage at even strength? Even with all the other BS in his world?
I agree with you to a point. But the word damage can work both ways and some damages (good and bad) are easier to measure. I like Kane as a hockey player, which is all I see. He is certainly a good player. As is the Nuge. They are just different and make contributions to success and failure in different ways, some of which are measurable than others. I love watching the evolution of analytics. The piece the other day about the impact of ‘response goals’ got me thinking about ‘penalty costs’ and how to figure out the cost of a penalty on a game’s outcome, besides the obvious goal against. Can we differentiate a ‘good penalty’ (old timey narrative) from a crippling penalty (ie killing a rally). I also suspect some folks are now measuring goals against per penalty minute (per individual player) on players with statistically significant time in the league. And then factoring it into their overall value. Or we should be trying.
Would like to see this lineup with Kane (not judging the move, just accepting it)
Foegele-Mcdavid-Puljujarvi
Kane-Draisatl-Hyman
Nuge-McCloud-Yamamoto
Benson-Ryan-Sceviour
Mike Smith is not on the ice at practice this morning…..
Wow, that was hard to predict…
He has a tendon tear in his thumb from the New Jersey game- out for weeks. Hope Skinny is ready.
Nuge not just looking up at Kassian anymore…..
Ryan McLeod now looking down at the Nuge.
Interesting given what McLeod and Kassian have to play with…vs Nuge.
Especially McLeod
Love the reference to the Karn Evil that is going on in Edmonton right now.
Come inside, the show’s about to start
Guaranteed to blow your head apart!
You’ve got to see the show. It’s a dynamo!
Fun times the 1970s. If only we knew then what we know now…
That being said, I’m glad to have moved on from my ‘pharmaceutical’ stage.
Im feeling pretty positive about the Oilers turning things around for the home stretch. They do not need Kane to make it, I think they can do it as presently constructed.
BUT:
Add Kane for no assets.
Be opportunistic on a large and ill tempered defenceman
Evaluate goalies (Smith, Skinner, Stalock) and upgrade goaltender at deadline as required
That would, or should, really make a difference.
You suggest they don’t need Kane to make it – then list Kane.
If no Kane is added – what the plan for goaltending and the bottom 6?
Yes i believe they can make playoffs without him. But they will go deeper and be tougher to play against with him – probably.
If they don’t get him – well I don’t see that they have the assets to improve in all areas of need, they will have to choose. My guess is that if Smith steps up they gamble on goaltending, stand pat, and choose a defenseman first, then a winger. Both will struggle to make a significant impact.
A goalie would likely make biggest impact, but Holland goes with the goalie, no difference maker is coming up front.
Thus one of the most attractive options about Kane is his price.
Earlier I said “probably”. Just to Share my personal thoughts: all the personality traits you see off ice are a part of what makes him good on ice. He is over confident, intimidates, hes doesn’t give a shit, he has a “what you going to do about it?” attitude. First class instigator that will be in your face and hes not backing down. These are hockey player traits like it or not. (thats the guy we need in our talented but gentle top 6)
In life you tell your children “dont hit,” “Share” “be gentle” but in minor hockey we tell kids to rough it up, hit hard, be aggressive, don’t take any shit. I’ve watched it for years.
We really do have this double standard.
Anyway, for Kane, he’s not kissing anyone’s behind to go play hockey. They are approaching him and he’s going to choose where he’s going. The comments about we’ll take him if he does this or that……..that’s not going to happen. Actually the best scenario is they accept him, welcome him and then offer him the resources he needs, but as they say, he needs to walk through that door.
And If he was so hard on himself, apologetic, feel bad, remorseful, lost his confidence and his swagger – Im not sure THAT guy is scoring 20 goals.
If I come off too opinionated I will apologize as i realize there has been too much judgement and opinion thrown around on this subject.
Not at all, good post!
as mentioned earlier by someone, need clarification on what Kanes AHL team knew. I find it hard to believe they were not involved. Additionally I haven’t heard an explanation yet as too how The bison king got back into canada after his positive test. I don’t think Kane is an isolated case. While Kane has issues, most mentioned have not been proven. Not guilty until proven guilty.
Not in the Twitterverse! Guilty if alleged.
Agreed
Kane has a rep, puts himself in stupid positions and leaves himself open to trouble – most athletes with a lot of money earned learn to avoid these things.
Although Eric Lindros also didn’t for one.
Kane has a rep for sure. But nobody should be judged guilty because of unsubstantiated rumours.
Maybe you have never had that happen to you, but it really sucks. It is completely unfair, and to me people that do those types of things should be punished as severely as those they falsely accuse, but that rarely happens.
Sometimes it is people you know fairly well or are close to that do it, which is the worst. It seems their mental health issues are often involved.
Reputations destroyed and lives altered without any substantiation and little chance of reparation. If this is the way the world is going everybody needs to be very concerned, it is the opposite of our laws that have brought us out of the dark ages.
Kane is guilty of having a gambling issue he admitted to and said he got treatment for.
Kane and Aliu started Hockey Diversity Alliance
He’s guilty of the Covid issues, but that is hardly unique with pro athletes.
Nobody seems to concerned with Dvokovic and his ongoing antics, now possibly facing deportation for his claims about his Covid status.
Aaron Rogers seems to be off the hook as well.
It was reported that JP’s return to Canada involved team consultation and approval by Canada Border Services to get him back here, which included his post-arrival quarantine plan. From what is being reported about Kane he didn’t do that (if he did have CBSA approval presumably the NHL wouldn’t be investigating the issue).
Yes, Jesse came back via private charter and adhered to provincial and federal health regulations with respect thereto and was pre-approved.
I’m pretty sure, in order for Kane to get on that flight to Vancouver, he would have needed to show a negative test – its an international flights.
I’m not sure exactly what the international travel rules are but Kane could very well have been adhering to them (he must have or would not have been allowed to board) but, at the same time, breaching AHL protocols which are not equatable to government protocols.
Bruce McCurdy with a very thoughtful analysis of the Kane situation.
https://edmontonjournal.com/sports/hockey/nhl/cult-of-hockey/edmonton-oilers-expressed-interest-in-evander-kane-might-have-unintended-consequences
What exactly constitutes “proper medical clearance”. Any other Canadian can cross the border as long as they have a negative COVID test 72 hours before boarding a flight. If Kane didn’t have a negative COVID test then he would not have been let on board a commercial flight from the US to Canada.
The only thing that could be cause for concern is if he provided fake documentation of a negative test to board the flight.
That appears to be the central issue of the NHL and government investigations.
We will likely have answers soon.
It’s also important to remember that Kane seems to have violated team protocols and apparently returned from his trip to Vancouver days after he was expected to return to the Barracuda.
Yeah – that was going to happen eventually. Top NHL players do not like being exiled to the AHL.
The Shark’s issue is that he didn’t have medical clearance, most likely meaning their org medical clearance.
As said unless he somehow faked a negative I don’t know how he beat border folks. He also could have chartered as they did for Jesse.
His parents didn’t sign his field trip form so now he’s in big trouble.
Old privileged white male academic burnishing his woke credentials for the university crowd.
Why hasn’t he retired? That is what a truly woke old privileged male academic would do.
The Oilers gave MacT, Kassian, and Keith 2nd chances.
They exiled Bear, Jones, and Khaira last summer.
Bruce and his friends are excluding some of the intersectionalities in their analysis.
Scott Howson is President of the AHL😊
Twitter is pissing me off.
97 warrants zero criticism for his presser yesterday. You have a bunch of people criticizing McDavid, Kane, Holland, etc. Where was this righteous indignation with Auston Matthews, Ryan O’Reilly? How about every single Blackhawks player circa 2010?
Just because Twitter likes (selectively) executing people from behind a screen does not mean that 97 ought to in real life. In fact, it’s deeply irresponsible for him to do so.
Even if you think Kane is a horrible, awful person, and all the discredited allegations against him (non COVID related) are in fact true, how could Connor McDavid be in a position to possibly say they are definitively true and therefore Kane must not play on the Edmonton Oilers?
Imagine applying for a job and someone makes a non-solicited call on your behalf soiling your name with lies, and imagine that potential employer not doing any due diligence of their own AND ignoring the due diligence of others in deciding not to hire you.
This sets up such a weird (and dangerous) precedent.
I alluded to this earlier — this is completely different from a Roberto Osuna situation. This is not a convict. This may be an unsavoury person, but you can be unsavoury, you can be a jerk, you can be dysfunctional, etc and not be a criminal. That nuance is non-existent on Twitter.
Note: I am not vouching for Kane’s morality. I am saying that people with greater information and better judgement than I (courts + NHL) have looked into these things and found him not guilty.
Right. Slava Voynov was deported and the allegations were obviously made out and he hasn’t been back yet.
The allegations of domestic violence are disturbing. As someone who deals with domestic violence allegations as part of my job, I can tell you that many people are in unhealthy relationships. Many people get angry and violent. Are they “bad people”? Some of them, yes.
If the other Kane has been able to walk away from allegations of sexual assault, I don’t see why Evander shouldn’t be afforded the same opportunity.
As for McDavid, people need to get a grip. What do you expect him to say?
There’s a real tendency for some on twitter to demand pure virtue which is concerning to me. Human beings are spectacularly flawed and forgiveness is a real gift that can be given.
One of my all-time favourite tweets is “well well well if it isn’t the consequences of my actions”, and I get that it’s often “consequence culture”, not “cancel culture”, and people need to be called out on their BS, but mercy needs to be in the conversation as well.
This implies that the person in question realizes that their actions have been wrong, caused hurt and are open to redemption.
The best I can define Kane as, so far in his life, is incorrigible.
The other side of the coin are the people who believe they can go through thinking it’s ok to be horrible to other people as long as they say sorry.
Given Kane’s history, what do you believe more likely? a) He’ll knuckle down, realize he’s in last chance saloon and strive for the team, himself, his family, or b) he’ll fall into old behaviours right when most inconvenient for us, ie, play-off push?
Matthews didn’t admit wrongdoing. He wrote a cheque to avoid consequences. The old privileged white hockey media nominated him and O’Reilly for the Lady Byng.
Matthews paid no consequences. He wrote a cheque. The old privileged white guys, and the super woke MLSE and Maple Leaf nation were fine with it.
Not to mention that Kane could afford the very best legal representation at the time of those investigations.
I think you misunderstood whom the term ‘Karen’ was made for..
Yes quite possibly I have! But, it is my version of a Karen, or a Chad, or a group of peeps who think a certain way. I’m old. Gimme a break. Lol. What is the word that I should be using to describe these types? Is there a word? Bad Twitter people? Ha ha.
Haha! That’s fair!! And to be clear I’m not arguing against what you’re saying, just wanted to correct the term you used. I think maybe you’re referencing ‘cancel culture’ or the ‘woke’ crowd.
Here’s a definition from urban dictionary(which is always a good laugh):
Karen Middle aged woman, typically blonde, makes solutions to others’ problems an inconvenience to her although she isn’t even remotely affected.
Karen sues the local city council after they installed a new STOP sign that hides the sun from her window for two minutes a day. The sign was installed after a school boy on his bicycle was hit by a speeding driver and died.
Karen refuses to wear a face mask for her 5 minute trip to the supermarket during a pandemic. She harasses the workers, asks to see the manager and threatens to sue.
Karen complains that her favorite parking spot was replaced by a ramp for wheel chairs. She parks her car in the old spot anyway and shoots a vlog about it.
Cheers!
Moral-hysteria internet-mob…?
Lol. Twiddiots. My point being that I understand why Bling is pissed at Twitter and I don’t go there because it’s mostly a bunch of peeps venting.
Would you like to see the manager Karen?
Old privileged white guys are fine with the transgressions of young privileged white guys like Matthews, O’Reilly, the other Kane.
Great that you mentioned this, I’ve been thinking the same thing
Ewaniuk was freaking out over it today and even mentioned the Hockey Diversity Alliance without acknowledging that Kane was a founder
Probabky doesn’t even know, too busy demonizing even though no allegations could be proven
And then blaming McDavid for not championing the mess further
All the while complaining it’s so controversial, while it’s the media going ape shit throwing smears around
The fans are pretty even on both sides, at best, more probably on the side of let’s see what he does here for a short bit
Blaming people like Connor for not trying to run the league narrative from a standard presser, instead of blaming the commissioner who’s job it is to change the league culture is garbage
I would have no problem with most of the criticism, but the criticism is from hypcrites, who do not apply the same standard to non-BIPOC players.
What Keith (and Toews) did in Chicago was horrible. Did we see this same level of outrage from Kane’s critics?
Question here? So if he ( Kane) got on a plane or drove across with negative tests ( Which you need for both) on the 8th or 9th day after testing positive, how was it Jesse was able to fly back 1 or 2 days after testing positive to Edmonton from Seattle .
Jessie came back on a privately chartered plane where the staff agreed to fly him home.
Thank you but I don’t see an answer here, just more questions.
Isn’t the problem around borders and permissions? If you are supposed to self isolate its okay if people agree to be around you?
With all the dirt digging Im suprised little facts have come out about this exact situation and a lot will turn on the results. Matter of fact Kane’s previous contract termination will turn on these facts. About 25M dollars?
Kane’s travel to Vancouver violated AHL covid-protocols which he was subject to.
That does not equate to violating provincial or state health protocol relating to travel.
I’m not saying he didn’t but just stating that they do not equate.
The NHL is trying to try him twice for the same “crime”. Double jeopardy. Isn’t losing $20 million enough?
The NFL was already on a 5-day protocol with no need for a PCR clearance test if the player was asymptomatic.
Kane probably had a negative PCR at the 7th day, to cross the border on the 8th day.
That’s probably what happened.
From what I can tell he’s not allowed to have entered Canada by flight within 15 days of a positive test though, regardless of subsequent tests.
He would have been allowed to enter Canada by land or water as long as he had a subsequent negative test.
I agree with the two above posts.
Kane didn’t break any “laws” or “health regulations”, well, if are assumed facts are correct but, at the same time, he broke AHL covid-protocol.
The thing is, he has already been punished for that brech, by having his contract terminated.
Additional suspension, under a new contract, should be a thing or, at the very least, the termination a LARGE mitigating factor.
You don’t know any of this to be true.
Wait for the investigation to be complete and calm your tits.
Feel free to go back and read the post and where it speaks about “if the assumed facts are correct”.
This is not true.
Kane’s contract was voided for violating team Covid protocol.
The NHL is now investigating the circumstances of how Kane crossed an international border and whether or not he violated federal or provincial laws in doing so.
Considering Kane has already been found guilty of faking his vaccination status, it’s a reasonable line of inquiry.
Should all be on the up and up…no problem.
But, if he flouted health regulations on either side of the border, he faces further sanctions which could include further action by the NHL (suspension), and potential fines or jail time in Canada.
https://www.nhl.com/news/san-jose-sharks-place-evander-kane-on-unconditional-waivers-with-intent-to-terminate-contract/c-329595132
Evander Kane was placed on unconditional waivers by the San Jose Sharks on Saturday with the intention of terminating his contract.
The Sharks said in a statement that they informed Kane they were terminating his contract “for breach of his NHL standard player contract and for violation of the AHL COVID-19 protocols.”
————-
As I’ve stated repeatedly, AHL covid protocols do not equate to provincial/state protocols and, given he was on a flight, which would not have happened without being in line with Canadian regulations, subject to actual fraud, he should be good to go – already punished for the AHL breach.
That’s not what my post said.
From the information that’s out there it sounds like Kane did break regulations by entering Canada. From the information on the GC site, if someone tests positive they can’t board a flight to Canada for 15 days, even if they subsequently test negative.
Reports say he flew to Vancouver on Dec. 29th after testing positive on Dec. 21st.
Had he had instead driven or taken a ferry across the border, he’d have been allowed to cross as long as he had a more recent negative test (no 15 day requirement).
Based on reports it sounds like he did break Canada’s regulations (total guess, but he likely had a negative test, and didn’t disclose that he’d tested positive within 8 days earlier, when boarding his flight to Vancouver).
So what, now you’re a lawyer or something? Just kidding, OP. And not that it matters but I think your interpretation is correct.
Couldn’t help but notice McDavid say “That’s why everyone loves Kenny, he is an open book.”
Code for Holland has the Connor seal of approval and isn’t going anywhere.
Good catch.
More like the Agent Bobby Orr seal of approval.
They care about McDavid as a brand and care more about stability than many other issues.
OILERS current Feb Sched.
@ WASH
@ T.B.
@ FLA
@ CAR
they will have some rescheduled games added in there.
Bottom lime is Edm needs some wins (a win streak) before Feb arrives ….
No team is doing well on the Death Valley swing (T.B., FLA, CAR)
Fully stocked, we play better against better teams.
Going .500 against that ^ murders row would be success imo
Oilers are below .500 against teams currently in the playoffs even after that torrid start.
And what the hell does this have to do with what Randle said?
**Fact check on aisle H please!**
(I don’t believe this is true)
Before one can accurately fact check this, we need to know if “currently in the playoffs” is via:
1) points
2) points percentage
3) goal differential
4) modelled via stretch of schedule past and future
5) modelled via injury and illness related man games lost
Good grief…knock yourself out.
The Oilers have not “played better against better teams”.
Please let us know which of your many “playoff team” methods we should use to fact check your express statement.
If you can’t figure out who the current playoff teams are, I can’t help you.
Its not my fault that you change the criteria depending on what helps your narrative. I’m just trying to figure out which criteria you used to that led to the apparent made-up fact above.
I guess it was just a lie.
Points.
Points percentage.
Goal differential.
Why is it so hard for you to figure out elementary math?
Are you daft?
But the Oilers are not below .500 this season against playoff teams, correct?
Whether you use points or points percent.
What is the Oilers’ record against teams currently in a playoff position.
Since you’re arguing for the affirmative…show your work.
Haha, you’re acting as though you didn’t do the work yourself before making the claim. Surely you actually checked what you said before posting.
Of course I did the work.
The Oilers are NOT better against better teams.
Come on.
You said “Oilers are below .500 against teams currently in the playoffs even after that torrid start.”.
That statement is untrue and is what I replied to.
As you *obviously* already know, the Oilers are 9-8-0 against current playoff teams.
(this evening’s games have made your statement neither more or less true than when you said it this morning).
Kane coming here would have to mean Nuge to 3C no?
The bigger question for me is who would he be a better fit with, 97 or 29?
It probably SHOULD, but I could also see Hyman swinging to the RW
Kane – McDavid – Puljujarvi
Nuge – Draisaitl – Hyman
Which would leave us a third line:
Foegele – McLeod – Yamamoto
and a cobbled fourth line involving Ryan, Sceviour, Benson, Perlini, Turris etc…
You have to try him with Connor first
He’s like Hyman but is a better scorer and far more grumpy
I’d wager players would rather fight Kassian than Kane
Hyman is a better 5v5 winger than Nuge or Yama
Nuge is a better player than Yama
I’d do what 31Saves did
I’d wager a lot of player would like to beat the piss out of Kane
Heh heh
Perfect for the vanilla Oilers
Yup
Wanting to and being able to are two very different things.
Kanes dad was a boxer and he’s named after Holyfield. Much more intimating than Kassian
Nuge is already 3C just gets played elsewhere in the linup
As far as on-ice toughness there is no real comparison between Kassian and Kane.
Kane brings actual physicality night in and night out and actual toughness and intimidation.
While not the best stat to evaluate anything, Kane has recently led the NHL in penalty minutes – twice.
How did the Kane crossing the boarder go down? Did he travel with his team? If so shouldn’t his team have told him to stay home? Or did he travel into Canada on his own?
I think he represented himself as a long haul truck driver…..kidding 🙂
Seriously, that is a very good question.
I got pig iron, I got pig iron, I got ALL pig iron
He could have flown to Seattle and drove across.
I thought Connor has been a strong captain during this Kane, Holland presser week.
Clear positive voice shaping the story.
I have written here I wished he had been more public with the Puljarjavi drama- couldn’t he and Leon flown to Finland and spoke to Jesse to not lose a year?
Good off ice moment for the captain this week.
Can Nuge produce Letestu numbers in the 3rd line center hole?
No probably not. But Ryan McLeod can!
Hyman McLeod JP 🙂
As for the charts, the largest separation appears to be between Eberle and Yamamoto.
Interesting that Sceviour’s 5v5 Exp Goals are higher than Pitlick’s.
The most significant common denominator for me? Physicality. In aggregate, the 2016-17 group were a hardier, more physical bunch.
pitlick had a heavy shot . scored lots in junior it was a transferable skill!
Or so LT told us 😉
#NORM!!!
Maroon and his physical play was such an influence. It felt like he did not have many supporters in regards to re-signing him in Edmonton. The thought was too much $ due to his 27 goals.
I remember his first game with Edmonton and he took on two Flyers at a time. The rest of the team just staring at him “hey look what that guy is doing”
Yeah, I miss that guy too.
Old pistol Pete really did screw this team. I can’t believe we had to pay a draft pick for that.
Yes I did enjoy that, more please.
Has Nuge ever been a good 5v5 scorer? I don’t think so.
What’s your definition of ‘good’?
Low bar – beat Zack Kassian
‘low’?
The guy with a 1.84 5v5/60 over the past 3 seasons? 😉
Well, there was that one year where he scored 49 pts. 😉
even in his draft year alot of the 108 points where on the PP if i remember right. one 9f the highest % of a top rated #1 in recent years of points on the PowerPlay
I believe Donovan wrote a song about Nuge’s draft year.
The Season of the Witch
Nope.
Nuge has ‘Benson’ status in here.
Yes. Under Nelson. And before his shoulder surgery. And on that January to pandemic tear with Draisaitl and Yamamoto.
i.e. When he is not tasked with carrying everyone else’s defensive responsibilities, or when he is not being jerked around the lineup.
I’m not kidding when I say, it may be unfortunate that news of the signing has leaked.
There will be owners hollering at Bettman to prevent the Oilers from gaining an unfair advantage. ( a reaction that would not have occurred if he had signed with Buffalo or for Lou Lamoriello)
I predict a “new rule” will be created (or at least a ruling that creates a precedent) that makes things next to impossible for the Oilers to benefit from the Kane “situation”
#GettingSamPolleck’ed
Yeah! I fully expect the league to slap a 45 game suspension on Kane making the signing an exercise in futility.
BTW, a quick question. If we do manage to sign Kane and he is allowed to play for us this season – say from early Feb and we quickly realize that he is not a fit, we fall far out of the playoffs – can we trade him at the deadline?
That’s a great question.
#CuriouserAndCuriouser
I don’t see why not. It would be a free agent signing and an asset belonging to the team.
Of course he can be traded (subject to any trade protection in the contract….).
Also somewhat relevant to todays post, a reminder to all about Dom’s player cards (as posted in the comments yesterday).
They give a summary of Dom’s projections for 12F, 6D and 2G for every team. They haven’t been readily available before now, but are a wonderful resource for most of the players in the league.
They also include info from this season to date, and Dom says they should be updated weekly going forward.
The Oilers page is here, with links to the other teams at the bottom (for those with an Athletic subscription, which was highly recommended even before this).
https://theathletic.com/3062657/2022/01/12/nhl-player-cards-edmonton-oilers/
I would sign Kane even if it meant burning $1.5m of cap space just to have him for the playoffs.
Could he play in some other league to get/be in game shape??
To me, Kane is like adding a Vincent Damphouse.
To me, Kane is like adding poison
Rah Rah Rasputin! Baby!
#AresnicAndOldLaces
If he’s under an NHL contract, no he can’t play in another league except as assigned/loan by the Oilers (which would be precluded during league sanctioned suspension).
Loved the re-acquaintance and comparison to 16-17 LT. It would be great to see the D and goalies tomorrow, before the Oilers (hopefully) resume playing hockey.
Agreed
Wow on the Kane news.
There’s definitely concerns in a lot of areas there, but the man can play hockey.
McDavid sounded fully on board, so let’s do this! Hopefully a long suspension won’t pull the rug out at this point.