Take Five

by Lowetide

Evander Kane is an impact player for the Edmonton Oilers and there’s no chance the team is sitting third place in the Pacific division without him. For the Oilers, the big power forward is a gift and a conundrum.

Ken Holland may not sign him this summer, but he has to try. Why does he have to try? Have you seen the 23 games Kane has played in? 78 shots in 23 games, 12 goals and 20 points.

On the other hand, Kane’s last employers chewed off their own arm to dissolve the relationship. Right now, Ken Holland’s first contract with Kane will rank as one of his best hockey moves as Oilers GM.

Will his second one bring the same result?

THE ATHLETIC!

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM MARCH

  • On the road to: PHI, CHI (Expected 1-0-1) (Actual 1-0-1)
  • At home to: MON (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 0-1-0)
  • On the road to: CAL (Expected 0-1-0) (Actual 0-1-0)
  • At home to: WAS, TBAY, DET, BUF, NJD (Expected 3-1-1) (Actual 5-0-0)
  • On the road to: COL, DAL (Expected 1-1-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
  • At home to: SJS (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
  • On the road to: CAL (Expected 0-1-0) Actual 0-0-0)
  • At home to: ARI, LAK (Expected 1-1-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
  • Overall expected result: 8-5-2, 18 points from 15 games
  • Actual March results: 6-2-1, 13 points in 9 games
  • Oilers in 2021-22: 35-23-4, 74 points in 62 games

Edmonton has 20 games left, and need 22 points (I believe) to make the postseason. It seems easy enough, but the coming road trip is a tough one and the Calgary Flames are lurking later in the month. I count three more victories this month and it’s possible the Oilers post 20 points in March. Considering the start, it would be an outstanding 31 days.

GOALTENDER

Mikko Koskinen kept the Oilers in during times when the Devils were too fast and moving the puck quickly. He stopped 25 of 28 (.893). The first goal was a breakaway, second goal was a perfect bounce off the back boards and kind of a fluke (you’d love for Koskinen to be a little quicker) and the third goal was a turnover in a bad spot. He gave his team a chance. Koskinen has a .904 SP for the season.

DEFENSE

Darnell Nurse played over 23 minutes in total, picking up an assist, skated miles against a mobile group of Devils forwards. Assigned the Hischer line, this tandem was high event (3-2 goals at five-on-five) but one of the goals was the flukey item and the other was pure calamity after a turnover by Leon Draisaitl at the blue line. Cody Ceci was his partner for both goals, but I liked the tandem (again) with Ceci picking up and assist and five blocks on the night.

Kris Russell made a nice read and an even better pass to partner Tyson Barrie for a huge third-period goal, that was the biggest contribution for either man on the night. Barrie was 1-1-2 and is on a run offensively of late. He is 5-25-30 in 53 games. This pairing had a clean slate in terms of GA and took some playing time from the second pair. Barrie is outplaying Evan Bouchard in recent games.

Duncan Keith was exposed several times early, including the opening goal. He can’t deal with speedy forwards who get behind him, and speedy forwards get behind him all day. It’s a problem. Evan Bouchard isn’t getting PP time and is getting PK time, so that’s less than ideal. However, Barrie is producing (four points in the last four games) so Bouchard will need to contribute and wait for his next 5×4 chance.

I would like to take a moment and point out that Bouchard has to play. He needs to play in Denver, and in Dallas, because that’s the only way he’ll get better. If you want (eventually) a defenseman with five years experience, play him. Even if you have to move him down a pairing on a given night. If you spot him in, you’ll end up with a defenseman who has one year’s experience five times. That’s why acquiring a LHD at the deadline is the right play. Keith-Bouchard against a team of roadrunners is a bad matchup, this playoff spring is going to have rough edges. Have to go through it to get to the other side.

FORWARDS

Zach Hyman scored a goal, seven shot attempts, two HDSC and he’s part of the best two lines this team has deployed in some time. Leon Draisaitl made the mistake on the turnover, but he was Frank Mahovlich (mentioned it in the short comments section yesterday) the rest of the game. He went 1-1-2, five shots, six shot attempts, seven takeaways and two HDSC five-on-five and he drew a penalty. Jesse Puljujarvi was flying in this game, picking up two assists, four shots, one HDSC and driving Devils mad all game. Played a confident game, which is often followed by more of same.

Warren Foegele had an early breakaway but couldn’t cash, Devin Shore picked up an assist and Derek Ryan made smart plays. The line outdueled the Tatar-Boqvist-Vesey line 6-0 shots and 1-0 goals. I don’t know how much they’ll do in the playoffs, but Nuge will replace Shore and that will give the trio more range.

Evander Kane scored two goals, had six shots and six hits. Had three HDSC at five-on-five. Connor McDavid went 1-2-3 and filled all the boxes save for a blocked shot in the event summary. He made some strong defensive plays and put pressure on NJD defenders every possible chance. McDavid is healthy again, he’s a physical player who initiates contact in order to set up his counter trey brilliance. Man he’s pretty impossible when he’s in a zone, and right now he’s there. Kailer Yamamoto had a couple of giveaways and takeaways, he was neither brilliant or poor, but he did get involved. No points to show for it.

Zack Kassian took an unfortunate penalty, had a fight. Ryan McLeod had less impact because most of the Devils are as fast as he is, or so it seems. Like Yamamoto, he was there, but not much to show for it. Josh Archibald showed up best on the PK, I wonder if that was his last game as an Oilers player.

THE NEXT 30 HOURS

If the Oilers want a piece to be in Denver by game time tomorrow, then a trade today would be advisable. That seems unlikely, but we could see someone from the roster on waivers today. We’ll hear about it around noon if it happens.

Candidates for exit from the organization: I wrote about 9 prospects who could be in play for The Athletic, and the link is above. We might also see Josh Archibald in play, although honestly it seems a complicated matter this late in the trade deadline window.

There are no rumours about goalies and that’s a shame. Edmonton will enter every series it plays this spring with inferior netminding, and this is a team that badly needs a hero between the pipes most nights. Many are saying there’s nothing available, but I think it’s fair to suggest this issue has been going on for exactly one forever without being solved. If the Oilers lose in the first round this spring, that’s an item for discussion.

There are rumours about Nick Paul, Zdeno Chara (!!!!) and Carson Soucy, plus Brett Kulak is making a late appearance. I think any of those names would be fine. I also think the man not currently on the roster who could have the biggest impact is Stuart Skinner.

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maudite

Little’s contract to Phoenix with 2 years at 5.2 million remaining…at some point Phoenix isn’t going to keep answering the bell.

Dithering is going to cost Holland in off-season.

OriginalPouzar

Anton Forsberg signs for 3 years in Ottawa at an AAV of $2.75MM.

Term for meh goalies at a material cap hit is dangerous.

Redbird62

Debrusk apparently just signed for 2 years at $4.0 Million annual cap hit.

OriginalPouzar

Yup, I think his QO was apx $4.4MM so he essentially gave up $400K for a second year.

Given the Bruins were willing to sign him for what they did, I wouldn’t think they would have not qualified him.

From accounts, the trade request has “not been rescinded” but an acquiring team, if it happens, has cost certainty which helps.

OriginalPouzar

I wonder if there will be any roster shuffling moves today for playoff eligibility……. for a player to be eligible for the AHL playoffs, they need to be on the AHL roster at the deadline today.

Lets not forget, after today, there are only a small amount of call-ups permitted to the NHL (on a non-emergency basis). I don’t think Skinner matters as, realistically, any call-up would be due to injury (sigh) an on an emergency basis.

Malone, Niemelainen, Broberg (inj) are the guys to think about. I would think Holland wants the all on the AHL roster to be eligible for the Condors in the post-season.

OriginalPouzar

Dreger reporting Karel Vejmelka about to sign 3 X $3MM.

godot10

A good day tomorrow would be

Kassian, Benson, and Samorukov for Lehkonen and Kulak, a 3rd and a 4th.

jp

Those prices seem wishful, but I’d be quite happy to see those two adds.

OriginalPouzar

Yes, of course, that would be fantastic but I don’t think its a reasonable price.

jp

No, it would be essentially Lehkonen, Kulak, 3rd, 4th for Samorukov since Benson and Kassian have ~zero value (Kassian potentially negative).

The cost will be more, but I like those two targets (Lehkonen is an RFA as well).

maudite

Appleton fetching only a 4th when deslauriers gets a 3rd seems strange to me.

jp

Also surprised Lauzon fetched a 2nd.

maudite

Shit I didn’t see that one (that he went for a 2nd). Haven’t looked at that trade yet.

Last edited 2 years ago by maudite
Diablo

26 year old 3rd/4th-line ‘tweener with a good hockey name. That’s not worth more than a 4th. And Deslaurier is not worth a 3rd.

These prices are just crazy … I’m glad Holland does his shopping in the summer.
I also think he should move Kassian while all the other GM’s are blowing caution to the wind.

jp

I’m still hoping there’s an add or two, but perhaps Holland can out-wait the rush and pay semi-reasonable prices.

Ice Sage

Sabres make Rutherfords job easier, taking a point from Canucks

Gerta Rauss

BUF 3-2 final over VAN in overtime

McNuge93

Thanks for the update HH.

Ozoil

Has the rubber hit the road in Vancouver?

Yukon Jerk

Yes, turns out it was a dirt road

maudite

Wedgewood for a 4th is solid move

OriginalPouzar

Would much rather keep the 4th and play Skinner.

maudite

Me as well. Just like goalies moving and not showing up in Vegas.

€√¥£€^$

Is Arizona making room for Smitty? They only have 1 goaltender….

€√¥£€^$

Fussy Britchs via Garfield:

Talbot, if Fleury lands in Minny?

Lehkonen and Kulak rumours, also

jp

Lehkonen and Kulak would be pretty solid adds.

Psyche

Trade deadline with Ken Holland as GM reminds me a bit of how Christmas felt when I was a kid – underwhelming and wondering how the other kids’ parents afforded such nice things! 🙂

I hope he surprises me tomorrow morning.

Last edited 2 years ago by Psyche
Diablo

I’d be happy if Holland took the opportunity to rebalance the books a bit with an eye towards building sustainable success.

Move out Kassian and Klefbom’s cap hits somehow, so that we can sign Kane, and a goalie and get out of LTIR purgatory.

Move Benson and Marody along and recoup some picks while he’s at it, since it’s clear these guys don’t figure into the long term plan.

Jaxon

After this brilliant run with an extra win (TBL and 3 expected wins), the Oilers need to go 10-7-3 down the stretch. This is what 10-7-3 *might* look like:

63 – EDM@COL – L
64 – EDM@DAL – L
65 – SJS@EDM – W
66 – EDM@CGY – L
67 – ARI@EDM – W
68 – LAK@EDM – W
69 – STL@EDM – T
70 – EDM@ANA – W
71 – EDM@SJS – W
72 – EDM@LAK – T
73 – COL@EDM – L
74 – EDM@MIN – L
75 – EDM@NSH – T
76 – VGK@EDM – W
77 – DAL@EDM – W
78 – COL@EDM – L
79 – EDM@CBJ – W
80 – EDM@PIT – L
81 – SJS@EDM – W
82 – VAN@EDM – W

Before they beat TBL, I had game 64 – EDM@DAL – as W… the last 3 games were must wins so they didn’t change what is needed to get to the magic number of 97 points (the highest needed in any playoff year from 2014 to 2019 (the 6 full seasons since the last shortened CBA season).

verite

Do you love censorship?

Fuhrious

Not sure how my deleted reply to RTB was an insult…

BornInAGretzkyJersey

With all due respect LT, and I cannot comment to the post by Fuhrious in question, but at times a policy like that is going to cause issues.

EG, I replied in kind to Tileguy who’d asked if Hall had punched anyone in the face with two words: “Derek Dorsett.” Post was deleted.

There was zero lack of respect, insult, or being a jerk involved — it was a direct exchange of (requested) information. And you deleted it. I didn’t take exception, in fact assumed it was vacuumed up mistakenly as you were cleaning the rug and took no offense. But wanted to offer an opinion based on your replies.

BornInAGretzkyJersey

This is the last I’ll comment on the matter as 0445 comes early, but that doesn’t address my point of a two-word factual reply for info requested by another poster getting deleted doesn’t seem to fit your parameters.

Either my reading comprehension has gone below the equator, or…

verite

Let truth out
and stop deciding what is it is not fair comment
the world is undone with censorship

Diablo

Let’s all give LT a break … he’s provided this amazing forum for us all to discuss Oiler’s-related and hockey-related stuff for years now. Instead of giving him grief, I’m going to send you a virtual bro-hug.

Have a fun trade deadline day LT!

c_tux

You are commenting on a free hockey blog that has better content than most paywall sites out there and yet you still bitch?

LT does this for his enjoyment. Once that enjoyment is gone so is this blog.

There is a choice, world class blog and respect – or no blog and find somewhere else to be a prick and have pissing matches.

Opinions can differ without being rude, that is where true intelligence resides.

Harpers Hair

@PierreVLeBrun
·
1m

Hearing that the Nashville Predators have acquired Jeremy Lauzon from the Seattle Kraken
@TSNHockey
@TheAthletic

c_tux

And Appleton back to Winnipeg.
Seattle is going to be in tough to ice a full roster at this rate.

maudite

38 players on roster – its oddly exciting to see how low they might get.

Can they sign college free agents and get them on the ice for end of this season?

c_tux

An NHL bottom dweller with a shallow prospect pool getting rid of NHL talent…
Francis realizes that they do in fact have to play in the NHL for the foreseeable future right?

Draft picks mean squat when fans were/are expecting a Vegas level competitive team. This haul was supposed to come at the expansion draft not now.

Once the novelty of NHL is gone the Kraken might be Arizona north before they know it

c_tux

Ya I’m pretty certain they are able to, if they can.
I know if I was a college kid with dreams of pro hockey Seattle would be my first choice right now. ELC year burned with a chance to show something – sign me up

Tarkus

Summarizing!

…Don’t be sad, ‘coz two out of three Oilers prospects getting on the scoresheet ain’t bad…

Tullio’s tally-o and Petrov’s aPPle are all the Oilers NA prospects’ points this day, as Lachance was held pointless in a 1-0 win.

Lachance’s goal-scoring streak ends at three games, while Tullio’s extends to three.

Tarkus

Should also mention the bracket is now set up for the ice hockey version of March Madness:

https://www.uscho.com/ncaa/mens-division-i-ncaa-tournament/

It’s possible that Quinnipiac and Denver could meet in the Final Four.

Harpers Hair

Bobby Margarita (@TSNBobMcKenzie) Tweeted:
Sounds like MIN has tentative trade in place to deal unsigned collegian draft pick Jack McBain — as long as the acquiring team can finalize an entry-level contract with the Boston College forward. All eyes now apparently on ARI, but to be clear: no contract; no trade. Stay tuned.

https://twitter.com/TSNBobMcKenzie/status/1505702933182177281?s=20&t=7e8IxjNpUmFRG-vEqHw-0A

Weird.

BornInAGretzkyJersey

How is that weird?

To me, it reads as if McBain isn’t interested in signing in MIN and Guerin knows so he’s trying to get some kind of asset in return. Shades of Vessey to BUF from NSH, Fox from CGY to CAR.

Tarkus

Tullio pots his 34th of the year to tie the game in what’s been a wild third period.

He takes a long stretch pass, goes in alone and snipes glove-side:

https://twitter.com/Oshawa_Generals/status/1505699599486537731?cxt=HHwWhsC-3dzzqOUpAAAA

Last edited 2 years ago by Tarkus
€√¥£€^$

Dallas wins 3-2 over Caps. With 20 seconds left puck skips over Carlson’s stick at the Stars blue line, he races back to retrieve it, Benn is on him and shoves Carlson with a sneaky cross check on his hip and Carlson crashes into the boards. A minor melee ensues and Wilson goes after Benn as Carlson struggles to get up.

End result is coincidental penalties for Benn and Wilson. The dangerous Benn shove is absolute garbage and if the NHL is actually serious about player safety they would actually do something about it. Garbage.

Also, fans banging on the glass…there were a bunch of slap happy window lickers whapping the glass during the melee. Is this part of the fan experience or rink ambience? I hate it watching from home and even more so while at a game. This is a big reason I turn down tickets, I’ll probably never go to another game unless that behaviour is somehow eliminated.

It’s only a matter of time until a a fan or fans and/or players get injured by falling or breaking plexiglass. You heard it here first, like 5 years ago.

Durag

I think the glass that withstands 225 pound guys smashing into each other will be fine with the open hand slaps. I agree it is a very stupid impulse that overcomes people sitting in the first row.

Reja

It got them on T.V and besides showing over exuberance they didn’t do anything illegal.

€√¥£€^$

It isn’t one guy slapping, it is 5 or more and combined with cumulative impacts by two 200+ lb guys and pin point puck impacts over time that has micro fractures. I am sure the glass is only replaced when needed, so the potential exists.

Something’s gotta….give 😀

Bottom line, it’s the NHL’s call. This glass slapping wasn’t a thing until more recently in NHL history. Do they need to borrow aquarium signs. I never saw this behaviour until later in my life, except for maybe randoms in the US, maybe in the early 2000’s, but now it’s the norm. I also think it’s ignorant and obnoxious behaviour.

I remember this, it will happen again, but nothing will be done until there is an injury lawsuit, I guess:

https://youtu.be/QLf7jE5

Last edited 2 years ago by €√¥£€^$
BornInAGretzkyJersey

How is slapping on the glass any different than waving pool noodles in front of a player taking a free throw? Booing opposition players when they touch the puck/ball? The intent is to create ambiance, to distract to opposition. Can’t understand what’s not to like? What about people courtside/ringside who stand up during an intense volley?

On the other hand, fans who stand up and face the camera to wave for attention when the face-off is imminent is annoying as hell. Everyone around that doofus who paid for premium tickets is now obstructed for a bit of egotistical grandstanding; you are not the product, sit down.

€√¥£€^$

Have you ever sat in the 2nd row and one guy or 3 of them are pounding the glass in front of you? Or a guy or 2 run to the bottom of the stairs from 5 or 6 rows behind you and does the same? I think it is irresponsible and disrespectful to the people around you and the facility. Just because it is front of you doesn’t entitle you to strike it.

Pool noodles? At least they’d be quieter, I suppose….

Last edited 2 years ago by €√¥£€^$
BornInAGretzkyJersey

I guess I just see it differently.

I’m coming from the position that it’s weird to go to a rock concert and sit down for the duration of the show, just as it is to be that close to the action and not engage when at a hockey game. If you can’t see when people in front of you stand up to engage in the action, then stand up. That’s what the stadium seating is designed for in the first place.

This isn’t golf.

How many times in the last two seasons have we heard about the cumulative impact of the fans in the stands? The intensity they bring that isn’t replaced by some trite noise piped in over the PA system?

What’s next? Not chirping refs? I get it that kids go to the games as well, but that’s part and parcel with bringing your kids to a public sporting event.

Reja

Watch Sam Ryder making a hole in one on the famous 17th hole at the Phoenix Open earlier this year.

Harpers Hair

Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) Tweeted:
#Oilers continue to grind away on left-shot options for their blue line. They have also checked in on a number of forwards. Price remain high, but they’re looking for ways to improve.

https://twitter.com/frank_seravalli/status/1505689216646320136?s=20&t=_4TRbm4okV8AwzzJJLWmrw

Psyche

I like Frank, but that’s a click-bait post. I get it, everybody has to eat. Next time, he needs to drop a name or two.

rickithebear

Ps. Multi variable Science!
Nonsuch thing as Corelation does not mean causation for any properly calculated +ve variable.
Evga/60
or
open shot success density mapping to find elite open shot Dmen & Fwds.

Munny 2.0

Nick Paul traded to TBL for Joseph anfd a 4th

Munny 2.0

4th is in 2024. Sens retaining 44.5%

Munny 2.0

PuckPedia
@PuckPedia

Why was the 44.5% retention important for Bolts? They added just $11,750 in net cap hit, and now have $4,916 of Cap Space remaining in their LTIR Pool

Randle McMurphy

They continue to lead the way in terms of Cap Management.

No stone left unturned. No detail too small.

childishzamboni

OMG, Frank Mahovlich!!!

My dad’s favorite player was “The Big M”, so he HAD to be mine. For fun, I wanted to invite him to my wedding. Of course, this drove my family an friends UP THE WALL. Additionally, during the same time period, Stompin’ Tim Connors was pretty popular, so he released a music video in which some guy asks him if he is Stompin’ Tom Connors. He replied that he’s “Frank Mahovlich.” This sent the wedding invitation idea nuclear, but I had to relent. The guys in my wedding party told me the RCMP would likely do some sort of investigation if I went forward.

Anyway, my X wife (yes, she still married me anyway) bought me a vintage Toronto Maple Leafs Frank Mahovlich Jersey the Christmas after. When I went to pick it up from Jersey City the guys couldn’t figure out who the heck my favorite player was. They thought there was an outside chance that I was a Darryl Sittler fan. How embarrassing…

Harpers Hair

Jeff Marek (@JeffMarek) Tweeted:
As we reported last night don’t expect the Oilers to make a big splash. Working on picking up a left shot defenceman and that might be it. They like their forwards and the goalie market isn’t there for them.

https://twitter.com/JeffMarek/status/1505635675693109248?s=20&t=e6HO7v2e6KXIGD2QNe474A

OriginalPouzar

That. Is. Brand. New. Information…..

Harpers Hair

Many GMs are flexible and try to take advantage of inefficiencies.

Others sit by their fax machines.

Randle McMurphy

Dubas did alright getting Mark Giordano and Colin Blackwell. (Kraken retain 50% on Giordano.) for two 2nd’s and a 3rd.

And then flipping Dermott for a 3rd.

Giordano Brodie ?

Dude said he wouldn’t trade a 1st and he didn’t

Last edited 2 years ago by Randle McMurphy
Randle McMurphy

If the Oilers land Carson Soucy and Nick Paul on deadline day, I’ll call that a win.

Soucy plays out the 2022-23 season with the Oilers.

After that, my guess is that you will never hear from him again…. And like that (puff of smoke) … he is gone.

maudite

Is there anywhere to bet on LA Kings not making the playoffs at this point?

Harpers Hair
maudite

holy crap, looking at futures for NHL awards there are crazy differences site by site. Definitely appears to likely be a point of inefficiency.

Harpers Hair

That why it’s fun…you get to be the smartest man in the room…or not.

maudite

There is one I saw with roman josi as +10,000 to win hart. Most don’t have him on it and several don’t have Rangers goalie in list either.

Harpers Hair

Yeah..you kind of have to assess the mindset of the voters.

Its very rare for a player on a non playoff team to win and it’s also rare for a D.

maudite

Oh I know but he’s putting together a monster. He got 7th most votes when he won Norris.

I’m honestly amazed he’s not even frontrunner odds wise for Norris at present

Harpers Hair

Makar is a beast at both ends of the ice.

Harpers Hair

Seattle now with 11 picks in each of the next two drafts.

Brogan Rafferty's Uncle Steve

Major weaponization of their cap space.

Good players show themselves early, so we should know by August if any of those picks will NHL players.

Harpers Hair

Elite defensemen show themselves early.

We don’t know yet if Seattle will get one but they have a shot.

Side

Doesn’t mean much if they can’t identify great players. Seattle recently picked a ton of players using their “cutting edge analytics” team, had a weaponized cap space and were supposed to take advantage of all of the other GMs cap situations and it landed them in 2nd last in the NHL.

Harpers Hair

Shane Wright would be quite the consolation prize to go along with Marty Beniers at C.

leadfarmer

So instead of being like Vegas they are back to like every other expansion team
your Seattle projections aged … well actually like all your other projections

McNuge93

They might be a decent team by about 2028 then. Totally different approach vs Vegas.

godot10

Project Stanley Cup 2030.

Harpers Hair

How old McDavid be in 2030?

Harpers Hair

Appparently someone does by suggesting Seattle can’t be competitive by 2030.

Ice Sage

younger than crosby is now

Harpers Hair

Crosby won a cup while on his entry level contract.

Redbird62

Crosby was clearly on the first year of his first standard contract as he won his first cup in his 4th season. Get your facts straight!

Munny 2.0

If Hagg is worth a 6th, what is Chara worth?

Holland clearly didn’t want Hagg despite the cheap acquisition cost, but what does that mean? He’d rather have Chara at about the same price?

Is he aiming one level higher… Staal, Braun etc?

Does he want someone younger with potential to extend… Kulak, Soucy?

Or is he looking to finagle more of a big splash… Leddy?

BornInAGretzkyJersey

As irrational as it is, I’m holding out hope for a Chara+Clutterbuck for Lagesson+Kassian+7th kind of deal.

A guy can dream.

I’d be happy with Braun, depending on acquisition cost.

Munny 2.0

Clutterbuck for Kassian looks kind of do-able. I don’t know what the Isles are thinking on Cal… are they hoping to re-sign him? If they think there’s little chance of an extension, they might be interested in Kassian. Or maybe they’re looking forward to the cap space.

And same with Holland. Is he thinking about his future cap space or present stability? I know Kass is absolutely loved in the room, and adds some versatility as far as playing up the line-up goes… but I feel like that’s not enough for his consistent inconsistency.

Fighting before the cap deadline was a smart move on Mama’s part though.

Randle McMurphy

Carson Soucy was pretty good with Minnesota, and has a better advanced stats line than Adam Larsson this year. (not accounting for QoC)

Positive xGF xGA ratio with heavy Dzone starts.

Positive CF%

He ticks all the boxes that Holland has mentioned publicly, under team control for this yr and next

Carson Soucy’s salary is $3,000,000 and his cap hit is $2,750,000 for the 2021-22 season. He is a 27 year old left defense/right defense He will be a UFA at the end of the 2022-23 season when he is 28 years old.

6’5″ 211lbs

Is Carson Soucy the next Codi Ceci?

At what cost?

Harpers Hair

A 1st round pick.

Or a second and the best Oiler D prospect.

Reja

Wasn’t he in the Usual Suspects?

Randle McMurphy

lol….Not sure…. but I do know that “The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he did not exist.”

I believe in God and the only thing that scares me is missing out on Carson Soucy.

Last edited 2 years ago by Randle McMurphy
Ice Sage

‘In English please…’

Reja

The ending of that movie is classic. Mind you Kevin Spacey isn’t the most popular actor these days.

Ice Sage

Not sure of the cost, but the alliterative possibilities of having both Ceci and Soucy are enticing

Last edited 2 years ago by Ice Sage
OriginalPouzar

Stars up 2-0 on Dallas is not ideal.

Of course, Pacific 2nd or 3rd – that’s the true battle (hopefully… haha).

Ryan

Stars up 2-0 on Dallas is not ideal.

No, that’s even worse than the Stars up two on the caps.

2-1 now.

Diablo

Are we sure the East is any good? – they sure seem to be losing a lot to the Western conference teams.

Gerta Rauss

3-1 DAL now after 2

Munny 2.0

Caps have climbed back to within 1. Six minutes to play.

Harpers Hair

Stars win 3-2.

OriginalPouzar

Light research suggests that Kulak >> Soucey, and cheaper.

I know that he won’t be overly cheap as the Habs don’t want to let him go but that same line can be written about Soucey and the Kraken.

All else equal, is Kulak the “better acquisition”? We know that the scouts have been watching alot of the Habs in recent weeks.

Munny 2.0

Per Weekes…

Confirming Leafs are sending two 2nd round picks and a 3rd round pick to Seattle in exchange for Mark Giordano and Colin Blackwell. Kraken retain 50% on Giordano, whose preference was to go home to play for TOR.

DevilsLettuce

Evander Kane 792gp 526pts 276 goals.

Taylor Hall 742gp 641pts 241 goals.

EvAnDeR KaNe Is So MuCh BeTtEr At OfFeNsE hOw DaRe YoU mEnTiOn TaYloR hAlL.

Shush liars!

DevilsLettuce

Kanes highest point season.. 57pts
Hall..93.

Kanes highest goal total one season.. 30.

Hall.. 39.

I think Kane is awesome, but the Hall disrespect is wild. Straight out lies to pump up your narratives is weak.

Reja

Which player do you take for the next 4 years?

maudite

Which player is a better fit for oilers team makeup?

A guy who is offense is primarily generated by his puck possession and zone entry drives

Or

A guy who generates a lot of his offense by going to hard areas without puck and tipping or finding space to get off effective shots?

As a matter of fit Kane is significantly better with this team’s existing core. On ice at very least.

Redbird62

No question that Hall has had the better career, but NHL is a what have you done for me lately league. The last 3 seasons:

Evander Kane 114 gp, 60 goals, 56 assists, .81 ppg.
Taylor Hall 140 gp, 39 goals, 91 assists, .72 ppg.

And the one ice performance comparison favors Kane even more if you drop it to latest 2 seasons or one.

Just because someone has an opinion that they like one player over another doesn’t mean they hate the second player. Though you seem to be about hate, like with your attitude towards Larsson based on fairly spurious reasons since you have no clue what his personal deliberations were about where he wanted to play and why.

BornInAGretzkyJersey

One takeaway from those numbers over the last three years is that Hall is more available than Kane, which is undeniably a skill.

I like both players. At this point I think Kane is a better fit with this core stylistically, yet can’t ignore the off-ice distractions that are undoubtedly a factor (and have thankfully been absent thus far) in any honest debate between the two.

Redbird62

The gap in games was because Kane was suspended by the league for the vaccination issue, sent to the minors and then terminated by San Jose. That cost him around 40 games altogether this season, which would more than make up the difference in games played. That is also why I added the qualifier “on ice performance” (with the spelling error corrected) as it was off ice issues that made him unavailable. The last time he was meaningfully injured was 2016.

OriginalPouzar

The initial post is akin to posting career attributes for PK Subban and Cody Ceci and emotionally ranting about those that think Ceci is currently the better right shot D-man.

BornInAGretzkyJersey

That’s my point, exactly.

Kane cannot seem to put it together as a professional.

Whether he’s suspended for staying up late playing video games and missing practice, or falsifying health records, he’s got a track record of making himself unavailable.

Even more so that Taylor Hall, who can’t seem to stay healthy enough to put in a full season regularly due to his cannonball style.

Just an observation, not an indictment of either player.

I’m actually hoping Kane has put it together as a pro and can continue to be available to perform as he has in his short stint with us; that’s an absolute asset.

Reja

My eyeballs see Hall’s body as being beat up where Kane looks fresh as a daisy.

OriginalPouzar

He’s no Taylor Hall…. correct, he’s currently a better hockey player than Taylor Hall.

Please note the word “currently” and, related, also further note your rant to others to “read the post”…..

tileguy

Has Hall ever punched somebody in the face?

Side

Possibly a baby based on some peoples feelings towards Hall.

Reja

I believe he fought Clutterbuck a long time ago…

BornInAGretzkyJersey

I had to look that up because it seemed familiar.

I think you’re referring to the knee on knee hit when Clutterbuck was with (I want to say) MIN.

Apparently Hallsy has only had two NHL fights:

  1. 2011 vs Dorsett
  2. 2012 vs Rousell (AHL)
  3. 2022 vs Mayfield

Source: https://www.hockeyfights.com/players/13392

BornInAGretzkyJersey

Hall did have that memorable tilt against Derek Dorsett.

OriginalPouzar

So Rutherford is able to trade Hamonic for a 3rd and then acquire Dermott for a 3rd…….. did he essentially just flip Hamonic for Dermott, somehow?

Diablo

Yes … it remains to be seen whether Dermitt is any good or simply just famous due to the media exposure he got in TO.

Harpers Hair

Dermott is 6 years younger, faster and plays both sides unlike Hamonic.

His cap hit is only $1.5 million….half the $3 million of Hamonic.

Ironically the Canucks used the 3rd round pick originally involved in the Nate Schmidt transaction to acquire Dermottt.

This appears to be an analytics driven trade in that the Canucks acquired a relatively young player who was blocked in Toronto.

No idea why Ottawa would have done this.

Diablo

Doesn’t change the fact that wonderboy analytics genius Dubas gave up on a recent high second round pick for a 3rd round pick. So it still remains to be seen whether Dermott moves the needle in Vancouver and becomes anything more than a replacement level player.

Harpers Hair

Of course the future always remains to be seen.

Dermott was passed on the depth chart by two recent 1st round picks.

Harpers Hair

Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) Tweeted:
Travis Dermott has been traded to Vancouver.

https://twitter.com/DarrenDreger/status/1505643276761710597?s=20&t=1_wTGIOlHrmhL5SYpf_Tnw

Bling

On Kane:

I’ve long been a fan of his game, and was thrilled when he signed here.

While he is for sure riding the PDO pony, my take is that even after letting some air out of his numbers, you still have a very useful, very productive top six player.

Kane is a legit 1st line LW. My impression of him is that he adds dimensionality to the attack. He can lug the puck, shoot from distance, tip it, and score the power forward goal. He does not give it back going the other way.

In the playoffs, dimensionality will be paramount. That’s this year and beyond. We’ve seen 97 and 29 mugged and interfered with. You need two drivers on a line who are legit threats in your top six.

You let go of Kane, and you will spend each deadline looking to add a Kane type. The problem with this — as we’ve seen this deadline — is that prices are stupid. So pay the man, and save your bullets and contend for a decade plus.

The alternative is a window that is one third as long. Maybe.

Choosing between Kane and JP/KY is a false choice. All three can and should be signed.

Your savings are Keith-Barrie-Foegele-Kassian. You grind KY and sign JP super long term ala the ‘Canes with Kotkaniemi.

We’ve seen what a superlative attack looks like. When Kane signed, I said this is the best Oilers forward group since I started watching.

I’ve seen talk of forget Kane, sign him for 1-2 years.

Option C: Give him the Nuge/Hyman contract. That’s plenty of cash. Cap will eventually rise. Kane has the athleticism to age well, like an Oshie.

BornInAGretzkyJersey

I get, and somewhat agree, with the bulk of your sentiment. Problem is, you’re ignoring the track record of the player.

I fear signing him for more than two years, three max, will result in similar regression to what transpired at each previous stop across his career. Maybe he’s a guy who needs to be kept hungry with persistent contract years.

Bling

The only real blips I see with him career-wise are Buffalo, and that’s a terrible franchise. He was excellent for San Jose.

Someone on here brought it up before (can’t remember who, damn it), but even the character issues you have to wonder about given what’s come out regarding Scheifele and Wheeler, and how they behaved towards Laine.

BornInAGretzkyJersey

I just see a guy who constantly put himself first.

Complained to Chevy every offseason demanding a trade. The track suit. The video games. Couldn’t fit in with the group.

Look at the difference between his approach to recent border restrictions and the tact taken by Archie, or Big Bert’s kid.

I’m REALLY liking what I see of him on the ice here — and the fact we’ve heard zilch about any off ice issues so far — but I have my doubts if he’s going to transcend his prior history and make him worth a big dollar contract with any term. I remain cautiously optimistic for a positive result in good ol’ our town.

OriginalPouzar

7-8 years seems aggressive for Kane given he’ll be 31 when that contract starts, no?

Munny 2.0

According to Seravalli, Ekblad is expected back some time during the first round of the playoffs.

Tarkus

[in Dana Carvey’s Church Lady’s voice]:

“How conveeeenient!”

OriginalPouzar

Travis Hamonic was just traded for a 3rd round pick – he’s over $3MM next season and I’m not sure he’s even an every day NHL player any more.

Tyson Barrie can absolutely be traded this off-season, maybe even some value coming back.

I read an opinion about buying out Kass and I think Kass can be traded with a bit of salary retention ($750K-$1M) maybe even for a depth asset.

There is absolutely a way to clear real cap space this off-season.

ArmchairGM

Maybe even some value coming back? For a perennial 50-point puck-moving RHD making just $4.5M? Ya think?

OriginalPouzar

I don’t disagree overall re: some value back but he’s not on pace for 50 this year which would make two out of the last three years being more of a “40 – 45 point” d-man.

That’s neither here nor there though as the post was in response, generally, to the premise that Barrie has negative value due to that contract.

He is a tough one to gauge value on but, if Hamonic, at over $3M for a year, has real value (a 3rd) there can be little doubt that Barrie does as well (even with a bit more term).

ArmchairGM

Seeing as he’s posted 13 points in his past 13 games, I don’t think a 50 point pace is out of reach this year. And in Toronto he scored at a 46 point pace. And of course you’re ignoring 2020-21 (70 point pace), 18-19 (62 point pace) and 17-18 (69 point pace). Over the past 5 season he has 233 points in 325 games (7th best in the league among defensemen), good for an average of 59 points per 82. That that’s an average of 47 points per season despite 3 of the 5 seasons being shortened (2 for COVID, this year is incomplete). There’s no way to frame him as a 40-45 point player.

All that aside, what boggles my mind is that Oilers fans would LOVE to have John Klingberg on the roster. The scuttlebutt is that his value as a rental is a 1st + an A prospect (if he were available) and is in line to score an $8M long term contract in the summer. And yet, Tyson Barrie is the better player, at least by 5v5 Rels.

http://naturalstattrick.com/playercompare.php?fromseason=20192020&thruseason=20212022&stype=2&sit=5v5&score=all&stdoi=oi&rate=r&p1=8475906&p2=8475197&loc=B&gpfilt=none&fd=&td=&tgp=410&lines=single

So why all the Barrie hate among Oilers fans? I blame PTSD from the DoD – many Oilers fans can’t appreciate what they’ve got and overvalue what everyone else has.

If Tyson Barrie is as good / better than John Klingberg (as the numbers show), and Klingberg is worth $8M x term, than Barrie would have massive value on the trade market.

Oilers fans: have some self respect.

Munny 2.0

Stecher to LAK for a 7th.

Psyche

That’s a low cost for LA to add a RHD, who can run PP2 behind Doughty. Although, I’m not sure if he is depth or 3rd pair. I don’t see him being a good fit for playoff hockey with his size (5’10, 180ish).

Last edited 2 years ago by Psyche
Munny 2.0

Doughty is hurt thus they need someone who can help the PP.

Munny 2.0

Well this Giordano trade must be a complicated one. SN has gone all-in and said they have confirmed it has happened but an hour later we still have no details.

Harpers Hair

Have seen some speculation that it’s 3 way deal involving SJS and James Reimer which might explain some earlier Leaf moves.

Tarkus

Petrov is the proud recipient of an aPPle as North Bay breaks a 3rd-period deadlock.

TheTikk

Dorion looked long and hard at the Duncan Keith trade before making that Hamonic deal. Woooooof. Double woof for a rebuilding club.

Psyche

Yeah, that’s a strange deal, in my opinion. Especially considering what Florida paid for Hagg, earlier today. A cap hit of $3 million, for next year as well. Giving a 3rd for Hamonic is an overpay.

TheTikk

This is rough math, but a goalie transitioning from the AHL to the NHL usually gets about a 7 point save % discount.

That means Skinner’s .922 in the A should land somewhere around .915 in the bigs (he’s at .913 in 13GP). Just above average for the league, and by far the best on the roster.

It’s just asinine that he’s not with the big team in tandem with Koskinen, helping them win now and gaining experience toward the playoffs.

Dee Dee

The cool thing about empty slates is that you can project anything you want onto them, it’s only after they have a history do you know what you got.

The coaching staff will be regularly evaluating him and deciding on his progress instead of throwing him overboard and tanking his career (and the teams playoff chances as well).

TheTikk

Yeah, I know this story: you have to have experience to get the role, but you need the role to get experience.

Thankfully, we have actual recent results to look at, and Smith getting NHL starts over Skinner right now spells out “making decisions based on things other than winning”.

jp

Where is the actual math?

Where are the hundreds of goalies who didn’t transition from the AHL to NHL successfully?

Even beyond that, should we subtract 7 points from his best AHL season (21 GP)? Or his .904 AHL career number?

Prairie_Sentinel

Giordano to Toronto, details to follow

Harpers Hair

Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) Tweeted:
Travis Hamonic has been traded to Ottawa. Details to follow.

https://twitter.com/DarrenDreger/status/1505624644707045379?s=20&t=-ycmDZXnNH5FsIOswm1N1w

Harpers Hair

Bruce Garrioch (@SunGarrioch) Tweeted:
#Sens have acquired Travis Hamonic for a third-round pick.

https://twitter.com/SunGarrioch/status/1505625644880863237?s=20&t=J5LAeDCoBq8gzE_z34rhsg

Munny 2.0

Hamonic traded to Ottawa

Munny 2.0

3rd rounder going back per Garrioch

Randle McMurphy

Who is in more jeopardy this year if eliminated in the 1st round?

Ken Holland or Kyle Dubas?

My guess…. Kyle Dubas.

MLSE is stellar at using analytics in amateur and pro scouting. They have built an offensive juggernaut.

But, imho, they have fallen pray to a glitch in the system. Some analytics models do not seem to value the full set of attributes that Defensemen bring to the equation.

In Toronto’s case, it cost them Freddie Anderson. And now they are in a jam.

jimmyneutron

Curious what you mean by “cost them” Andersen? His performance had flagged for two years. Campbell stole his spot. Had the Leafs wanted to resign Andersen, they had room to do it. Of course, we can debate the wisdom of moving on from Andersen. Clearly, the change of scenery has done wonders for his game.

JimmyV1965

Both are gone with a first round loss.

tileguy

Torontos first roun d opponent will be either Tampa, Florida or Carolina. Good times.

Alpine

I think people are being quite optimistic about Ken Holland’s ability to create cap space. He’s done it twice in three years, with two buyouts. He did not clear any space by trading Lucic, actually took on some. I can’t see him adding more dead cap this season with a buyout.

Even if some teams are open to taking Kassian or Barrie, I can’t imagine they will want to do it without sending a contract back.

It would nice to keep Kane and the RFAs. I also think the idea of moving on from the latter to create space for the former is quite a funny idea. If Jesse and Yamo are too ‘expensive’ to keep, then we’re basically saying we have to spend even less on the right side, and further throwing off the team’s balance picture.

winchester

I would like to see a new creative GM take the helm. As soon as possible.

DevilsLettuce

Arizona is one team that has suggested they’ll take on bad contracts for picks, there will be others that are simply trying to reach the salary floor cap. It’s really not as hard as you’re suggesting it is.

OriginalPouzar

Hamonic just got traded straight up for a 3rd rounder.

He may not even be a viable NHL d-man and is over $3MM on the cap next season.

Barrie can be traded with some light value back – no bad contract back needed.

Kass may be harder to move straight up but, with $750K retained (i.e. cap savings of apx $3.25MM) he could almost assuredly be dealt.

maudite

Seattle seems like they definitely would have time for that contract. An elite PP driver would be a big plus on that rosters chances of improving.

I like barrie. He’s just simply not a luxury we can afford with nuge/drai/McDavid on 1st unit. History is well written on that trios effectiveness with alternate parts around it. A halfway decent offensive dman who can hold the line and make solid passes will do just fine in that spot – no premium PP “quarterback” required.

OriginalPouzar

Seattle and NYI could use Barrie, the player. Potentially Dallas as well presuming Klingberg does not re-sign (Miro is there though, of course).

JimmyV1965

Barrie can be traded in the off season for assets in return. And it likely will happen.

leadfarmer

Sounds like Gio is going to Toronto

leadfarmer

I can’t wait for there to be 3 games left, Oilers spot locked and seeing a certain poster post about difficulty of games remaining

leadfarmer

Adam Larsson is having a -1.7 GSVA season. this is why I didn’t want to sign him to 4 years

Genjutsu

Love the player but his style of play can have cumulative negative effects physically and lack of foot speed could really diminish his ability to impact the game.

He’d have different place in all of our hearts if he didn’t cost us Hall.

maudite

Goalies are getting buried out there.