Time flies in the minors, and prospects turn into suspects every hour on the hour. Consider the 2017-18 Condors. Goalie Laurent Brossoit was one of four goaltenders that season and the only one to emerge with an NHL career. Ethan Bear and Caleb Jones were the only two of eight defenders who made the grade. None of the 10 forwards emerged as a bona fide NHL regular of note. How about the 2021-22 Condors? Quality.
THE ATHLETIC!
- Lowetide: Can the ‘Connor McDavid will ask Oilers to be traded?’ group please sit down?
- DNB: Oilers end-of-season takeaways
- Lowetide: Young Oilers players poised for bigger roles after playoff run
- DNB: What Oilers goalie Mike Smith’s unclear future could mean for offseason plans
- DNB: Oilers’ season ends, and critical roster decisions will define what comes next
- Lowetide: In defence of Edmonton Oilers defenceman Darnell Nurse
- Lowetide: Oilers’ Warren Foegele may be victim of cap crunch this summer
- Lowetide: WHL’s 2022 defence crop attractive target for Oilers at NHL Draft
- DNB and Dan Robson: Connor McDavid is the best skater NHL’s skating greats have ever seen
- Lowetide: Why Jordan Dumais could be NHL Draft steal for Edmonton Oilers
GRADUATIONS
- LC Ryan McLeod 71 games, 9-12-21
- LD Philip Broberg 23 games, 1-2-3
- LW Tyler Benson 29 games, 1-1-2
- LD Markus Niemelainen 20 games, 0-1-1
- G Stuart Skinner 13 games, 2.62. 913
No matter how you slice it, that’s a strong crop of rookies on the recall from AHL, and Evan Bouchard played his first full season, too. Edmonton’s pipeline delivered some nice talent this season, and notably it’s up the middle (G, D and C) and that’s an area the club needed help.
If a prospect can establish himself as an AHL regular at 20, it bodes well for an NHL career, but does not guarantee it.
There are 18 players since 2010 who played successfully as AHL regulars age 20. They are: Teemu Hartikainen, Tyler Pitlick, Magnus Paajarvi, Martin Marincin, Martin Gernat, Bogdan Yakimov, Jujhar Khaira, Ethan Bear, Caleb Jones, Tyler Benson, Evan Bouchard, Ryan McLeod, Kailer Yamamoto, Dmitri Samorukov, Raphael Lavoie, Mike Kesselring, Philip Broberg, Dylan Holloway.
The shocking number: eight of the 18 came in the last three seasons. Holland’s new pros are headed to Bakersfield. We should expect Xavier Bourgault, Carter Savoie and Tyler Tullio to play most or all of next season in the minors. Matvey Petrov if he turns pro, too.
One final note: AHL points are important, but not a guarantee. Benson was just shy of a point-per-game at age 20, but has not been able to establish himself as an NHL player.
Pretty much everyone who is in the AHL past 21 is having some issues and may spend time meandering.
Ken Holland slow-plays prospects, so this isn’t quite the exclamation point it once was, but I think it still applies overall. Mike Kesseling and Phil Kemp have some work to do but show promise, but a player like Raphael Lavoie is in some trouble.
I think Stuart Skinner and Dmitri Samorukov are examples of players the organization would have deployed in the NHL opening night in the past. A subtle but important change in development timeline. Note: Samorukov was injured in training camp, so the point would have been moot, but I don’t think he was going in danger of making the 2021-22 Oilers.
Cooper Marody is also in this category, I remain uncertain of what more he could have done, aside from avoiding injury. Marody is one of the Oilers best AHL players over the last 20 seasons, with just seven NHL games to show for it.
If you haven’t established yourself as a prospect by age 22, you’re in trouble. The players who will be successful have played at least some games in the NHL during entry deals.
James Hamblin got in just under the wire on this one, he has a real chance to play some NHL games in the future. On the other hand, Ilya Konovalov, Filip Berglund and Ostap Safin are not destined to be Edmonton Oilers.
Olivier Rodrgiue is heading in this direction but in truth the young man hasn’t been able to get much game action in over the last couple of years.
Players in this spot over recent seasons: Jujhar Khaira, Anton Slepyshev, Griffin Reinhart, Jordan Oesterle, Iiro Pakarinen, Laurent Brossoit, Joe Gambardella, Josh Currie, Patrick Russell. Not everyone makes it from here.
Exceptions are college men, who often turn pro at 22.
There’s a significant list, but I want to point out that Vincent Desharnais got his NHL contract at age 25. You kids stay in school. He worked hard and improved in the minors, this is a nice payoff. Ryan Fanti, a goaltender, along with Noah Philp have just arrived. Players like Kesselring and Kemp also qualify here. Three AHL seasons for Kemp will make him 23. It takes time.
I always think the Oilers should get more from the college men, but it’s a struggle. Marody is the poster player for the idea, but Gambardella had great forechecking ability and Shane Starrett’s career looked promising at one time. Tyler Vesel had some checking skills, too.
No matter what you and I think about a specific AHL player, the largest category of player in the minors is ‘tweener’.
Depending on how soon you want to make the call, it’s possible to conclude Hamblin, Desharnais, Lavoie, Kesselring, Kemp, Filip Berglund, Tyler Benson and Cooper Marody are all in this category.
The truth is that ‘tweeners’ are the biggest AHL category and point totals can fool you. Rob Schremp was a tweener, he scored 53 points in 69 AHL games at age 20 ( not quite Benson levels). Anton Lander was a tweener, Ty Rattie a tweener. Tyler Benson? Looks like a tweener.
Marc Pouliot, Teemu Hartikainen and Linus Omark land as tweeners despite my belief they had more in them. There’s luck, good and bad, in making it from the tweener division. Part of luck is injury, and part of luck is management changes.
If we make a list of rfa’s each summer, we can probably pick the cuts and be pretty close.
It’s like shooting fish in a barrel this summer. Ryan McLeod will get a full NHL deal, but the minor league RFA’s (Brendan Perlini, Benson, Safin, Filip Berglund) could all go. I’m not sure about Perlini and perhaps someone in the organization believes Benson could be a depth player but Holland runs a tight ship.
Dan Cleary, Fernando Pisani and Jason Chimera are the success stories in this study.
It’s the key takeaway. The skill forwards, the ones who make it as top-six NHL forwards, spent little or no time in the minors. It isn’t a stop that is required.
This is important and it might offer us some advice on a player like Holloway. A real talent, but he didn’t score at a point-per-game clip at the AHL level. That doesn’t mean he’s doomed to a life on the third line but it is an indicator.
Too soon to know, but if Holloway becomes a solid two-way winger that still has value. If he gets sent out again this fall, and stays for a time, we’ll have another indicator.
FUTURE NHLERS VIA THE MINORS, BY YEAR
- 2009-10: Devan Dubnyk (542).
- 2010-11: Jeff Petry (803), Linus Omark (79), and Teemu Hartikainen (52).
- 2011-12: Magnus Paajarvi (467) and Tyler Pitlick (325).
- 2012-13: Anton Lander (215) and Martin Marincin (227).
- 2013-14: Oscar Klefbom (378) and Mark Arcobello (139).
- 2014-15: Jordan Oesterle (297), Iiro Pakarinen (134).
- 2015-16: Jujhar Khaira (285) and Anton Slepyshev (102), Griffin Reinhart (37).
- 2016-17: Jesse Puljujarvi (259) and Laurent Brossoit (106).
- 2017-18: Ethan Bear (190).
- 2018-19: Kailer Yamamoto (186); Caleb Jones (144); Cooper Marody (7).
- 2019-20: William Lagesson (60); Tyler Benson (36).
- 2020-21: Evan Bouchard (102); Ryan McLeod (81); Stuart Skinner (14).
- 2021-22: Philip Broberg (23); Markus Niemelainen (20); Dmitri Samorukov (1), Dylan Holloway (1).
During the period 2009-18, the Oilers graduated 12 players I would consider legit NHL players (200 GP for skaters, 100 GP for goalies). Beginning 2018-19, it looks like at least six bona fide NHLers have arrived in four seasons. No one can reasonably argue the Oilers fast track prospects, and the Condors have strong prospects on opening night rosters every year. Note: Numbers in brackets are NHL games so far by individual player.
NEXT YEAR
- Goal: Veteran, Ryan Fanti, Olivier Rodrigue
- Left Defense: Slater Koekkoek, Markus Niemelainen
- Right Defense: Vincent Desharnais, Mike Kesselring, Phil Kemp
- Center: James Hamblin, Dylan Holloway, Noah Philp
- Left Wing: Raphael Lavoie, Carter Savoie, Matvey Petrov
- Right Wing: Seth Griffith, Xavier Bourgault, Tyler Tullio
There will be AHL contracts added in as time goes on, but there’s some nice talent here. The defense has enjoyed a strong run in the last few years. looks like Condors fans are about to see some nice skill forwards.
I’d ask Montreal about Jake Allen. 1 year @ $2.875 million.
Since Montreal is probably trading Petry (say Dallas to replace Klingberg UFA).
Barrie for Allen.
Allen and Skinner.
I don’t hate that
I really like the 1 year contracts of Varlamov/Talbot/Allen – they all come with risk but an expiring contract allows for a course correction at the deadline if absolutely necessary
And I think the org owes it to themselves, and to Skinner, to give him the backup position and 35 games
They’ve invested a draft pick and 4 years of pro development, it’s time they play him
The one year expiry is what I’m looking for so that the team doesn’t commit long term to a middling medium attribute goalie (i.e. Campbell) before they see what they have in Skinner.
I add Reimer to the one-year goalie contract list.
Smith is one win away from 300 for his career
I can remove this post if it violates the sites policies re: posting new links
This is behind the Athletic’s paywall but this quote made me laugh out loud – it’s about Pat Maroon’s mom and dad and their viewing habits when their son is playing
Her neighbors can usually hear her yelling, and she tends to throw things, which is probably the biggest reason Phil likes to watch elsewhere.
Michael Russo
https://theathletic.com/3360628/2022/06/11/pat-maroon-lightning-4-cups/
LoL
Jim Matheson
@jimmathesonnhl
·
1h
Smith thinking retirement maybe but I haven’t seen anything with Keith where he won’t play out last year of contract. Duncan talked a lot about how he enjoyed having his boy around Oiler rink. Still got some game left
I have no idea where these retirement rumours come from. Keith is on the record as wanting to ply beyond this contract.
imo…It’s probable that Keith is a 3rd pairing Oiler at $1m beyond his current contract.
Just watched the 2nd intermission panel and Friedman said the Oilers have asked both Smith AND KEITH to let them know their plans for next season in advance of the draft – if they plan on retiring or coming back.
“Keith didn’t say much publicly but I think the Oilers know that both players have decision to make and they’ve asked for their answer by around July 1” – Friedman
Maybe there is a chance that Keith retires. This is the first time I’ve read or heard any inkling that he’s not for sure wanting to continue playing.
I would be as surprised as Matty:
Jim Matheson
@jimmathesonnhl
·
1h
Smith thinking retirement maybe but I haven’t seen anything with Keith where he won’t play out last year of contract. Duncan talked a lot about how he enjoyed having his boy around Oiler rink. Still got some game left
Makes more sense for Keith almost. Gets paid less than Smith next year and has made more over his career.
I’ve been wondering about this since the Kulak trade. But you’re right. Nothing has been said publicly.
Makes more sense if the only factor was money for these guys, right?
One of them retiring would be more than you could ask for- both of them…dare to dream!
Smith retiring could be a “careful what you ask for” given how much more expensive it will be to improve.
Truth be told, Smith has been on MASSIVE value contracts for the last couple of years.
I see your point, but while they have been massive value, they’ve also been massive risk
When that cliff arrives for Mike Smith, the Oilers will be like Wile E Coyote holding out the HELP! sign as he drops to the valley floor
This will be the 3rd summer in a row with the “Smith decision” and it’s time to move on imo
They may have to re-think the salary priorities to accommodate a goalie
I agree with this. I think they’re going to have to pay a replacement well more than $2.2M to have a reasonable expectation of .915 regular season/.913 playoff SV%.
And quadruple that for a goalie that gives the Oilers a chance to make the Cup Finals.
We are not an elite defensive team.
The “cliff” has arrived for Mike Smith…..It’s called “the playoffs”
I think with Smith being out most of the year and out a lot the year before, we can’t afford to risk that again. My target is Campbell @ 5M, Holtby a backup option. Kane may still be possible but it will be a lot of work.
I appreciate Smith, he had some good games and got us to the third round. But Skinner is looking ready and eligible for waivers. We need a reliable #1.
Is Jack Campbell a true starter? He’s played 49 games, once. Gets hurt. Didn’t have a good playoffs… there’d still be risk there.
Yes, there is risk. Varly might be preferable but it sounds like he’s not interested.
Very true about the risk.
I understand the risk and concern.
I don’t have the desire to throw $5MM at Jack Campbell for 4-5 years of term. I don’t think he’s “good enough” to warrant that type of commitment while we don’t know what Skinner is.
That’s why I’m looking for Varlamov (or Reimer) as a one-year commitment – maybe DeSmith.
Only Varlamov would prove real comfort of a 1A (Reimer to a lesser extent).
Yes Please. I’ll take a heaping helping of TheGreatBigMac and a hot bowl of Soup.
What flavour do they drink from the Cup?
Something hearty Beef with vegetables and Barely?
98% Fat Free Cream of Vezina?
It even says right their in the directions, “Pour contents into The Cup and add boiling water”
What’s the potential cap recapture benefit on that Keith deal again?
$3.4MM
Not convinced the league would approve it….
What’s the precedence for not approving it? Was it Hossa retiring that was mentioned the other day? Are there other examples (if that’s even a correct one)?
I don’t think it’s ever been applied
The only contract that has had cap recapture penalties has been the Luongo contract
The ‘others”…Hossa, Keith, Weber..have either aged out or are in the process of aging out
If I have time I’ll try to dig up the details of the Luongo retirement
*edit-Ryan Suter and Zach Parise were “bad” contracts as well but they both got bought out last summer so cap recapture won’t apply
Shea Webber has cap recapture penalties if he retires. It was a factor (not the biggest) in why Nashville stayed so far under the cap last season – and have to be wary for next year as well.
I don’t believe there has ever been a negative recapture cap bonus applied and this isn’t a CBA stated provision.
https://www.sportingnews.com/ca/nhl/news/nhl-teams-facing-the-scariest-salary-cap-recapture-situations/hfn0h1qwc57m1whe1k2dg3o00#:~:text=Luongo's%20retirement%20last%20summer%20meant,over%20the%20next%20three%20years.
The above link is ugly but it lists all of the contracts that were eligible for cap recapture penalties (and their aged out dates)
-that link is 3 years old, and the Weber penalties were addressed last year
-the link mentions the Luongo penalties but doesn’t mention the recapture benefit (it may or may not have applied, I just don’t know)
Just 1 last update with this
https://www.tsn.ca/luongo-retires-hitting-canucks-with-3-million-cap-recapture-penalty-1.1328964
This link mentions the Luongo penalty, and also states that Florida was penalized as well ($1.09M x 3 years)
In addition, it says that LA was penalized for the Mike Richards contract (I remember the penalty, I didn’t realize it was calculated under the cap recapture formula)
Thanks for this. I was trying to find older payrolls to see what happened with these deals but couldn’t see any mention of Luongo or Hossa in on there anywhere.
Hossa had the “itch”, and spent his remaining years on LTIR – I think the contract aged out last summer so cap recapture never applied
Yes I found articles on that and realized he did end up on LTIR (his LTIR, like cap recapture penalties, for VAN and FLA, doesn’t show up on older the capfriendly archive rosters.
Warning – wall of text describing how I view the Keith retirement recapture scenario – it is a little complicated.
The CBA really doesn’t fully address the situation that arises for Keith, the Blackhawks and the Oilers if he retires. The point of the recapture was an adjustment made to this CBA to apply to long contracts signed under the prior CBA (like Keith’s and Luongo) to take away the Cap Advantage that would accrue to the team from signing a player to a long front loaded player that went well into his late 30s when a lot of players retired. Prior to this Recapture being added, if the player retired early, when their salary was well below the AAV, the club would have had several years of the AAV being below the cash salary, and that advantage would not be evened out during the latter years of the contract when the salary would have been well below the AAV. That loop hole became clear when several players were signed to really long contracts 12 years + with very low back end salaries. The NHL even voided one that I think approached 20 seasons.
The Cap Advantage Recapture in this CBA calculates how much cap advantage the team(s) got during the years the player actually played that isn’t being reversed in the final years of the contract if the player retired early, and makes the team or teams effectively pay that back in their cap going forward. In the case of Luongo, because he was traded to Florida by Vancouver while his cash salary was still above his AAV, both Florida and Vancouver enjoyed a lower team salary for cap purposes so both have to repay the net benefit they had each received over the term that remained in his contract.
In Keith’s situation, Chicago enjoyed a cap benefit over 10 seasons. They paid him $68.4 million over that time period, but only had ~$60.8 million count against the cap. Once he got to Edmonton though, his salary was below his cap hit, so the Oiler absorbed a cap hit of ~5.5 million but only paid a cash salary of $2.1 million, a cap disadvantage of $3.4 million. In total now, Keith has been paid $70.5 million and teams have recorded cap hits of ~66.5 million, a cap benefit of about $4 million remaining to be repaid. That would be the sum of what Chicago gained in the first 10 years, less the disadvantage the Oilers has last season.
In all the examples given and the discussion in the CBA the total Cap Advantage Recapture will always calculate to the ~$4 million. They provide no language or example that would suggest in the allocation of that recapture value to two participating teams that they could allocate a negative number to one and make up the difference by allocating a higher number to the other. Puckpedia assumes they would though. It is however, possible the NHL will say that since over the 11 seasons, the cap advantage was ~$4 million, Chicago gets all of that, and call it even, since the $66.5 million in total has already been accounted for in past year’s cap hits, rather than going back further and saying Chicago gets ~$7.5 million hit, while Edmonton gets a recapture of the ~$3.4 million from last season. That to me seems like the more likely ruling but since these facts appear to be unprecedented, but we’ll only find out if Keith actually retires (which I currently doubt). If he did though, the Oilers would have at least $5.5 million more cap room (minus his actual roster replacement – people often forget that).
thanks for the effort – I appreciate that
Thank you for that.
The Oilers did carry a cap disadvantage relative to salary paid, so it seems the ‘correct’ interpretation would be they get the $3.4M in recapture (were Keith to retire). The NHL doesn’t always follow the correct course though.
You also have to consider the value given and received in the trade. Chicago traded away 2 years of Keith’s services for Jones a 3rd and 2 years of the higher cap hit. The Oilers willing took on 2 years of the higher cap hit relative to his cash salary for 2 years of Keith’s services. If he retires one year early, the Oilers are made whole by just not having his salary and higher cap next season. From Chicago’s perspective, they were willing to trade Keith for just Jones and a 3rd, because of Edmonton taking the full 5.5 in cap for the 2 seasons. They would argue it would not be balanced if they had to eat the $3.4 from this past season after Edmonton got that year of service.
I don’t believe that logic works the same for Florida and Vancouver as both were on the same side of the ledger relative to Luongo’s contract at the time of that trade.
Well they don’t have to consider the trade, though I agree it wouldn’t be ‘fair’ from a Chicago-Edmonton POV (the recapture penalties aren’t really fair to anyone though, given that they were allowed at the time they were signed).
I agree also that VAN-FLA was a different situation, But it’s the only precedence we have, and the recapture seems to have followed a clear formula – you ‘repay’ the cap hit benefit you received from the contract. VAN and FLA had to do that, in a straightforwardly calculated way. Seemingly no consideration (or need for consideration) of other factors.
Following that precedence, the Oilers were at a cap disadvantage due to Keith’s contract (difference between AAV and real salary), and thus should have that repaid.
Going through the exercise has definitely made clear how uncertain things are though. The decision would be in the hands of the league, and it’s impossible to know what they’d decide to do, even if we were to all agree here.
But the precedence and the language deal with repaying a cap advantage, not a disdvantage. If one team had a player sign a back end loaded contract and that player shockingly retired before their last few seasons while their cash salary was higher than the cap hit, there is no provision for a recapture benefit to the team. Besides when has Edmonton ever gotten a ruling on an ambiguous issue that was even slightly in their favor?
Fair enough. I think a cap benefit being paid is a natural, logical extension of the Luongo situation, but it’s definitely clear as mud. And agreed it would be folly to expect a league ruling be made that would benefit the Oilers.
Ya, I mentioned last night this isn’t contractually documented in the CBA and the “negative cap recapture benefit” has never been awarded (this has only come up a few times, i.e. Luongo) so I’m not convinced the league would approve it.
Just watched the clip. This might be notihng more than housekeeping and making sure there are no surprises. Or it might be a subtle hint from the org. Or there might be something real from both players. To tell you the truth, I didn’t think even Smith was that serious. It sounded to me like he thought he couldn’t be a number 1 any more. I know he’s a proud guy, but I’m not sure that means he retires.
Great Thread!
Well Done By All.
Thank You.
Shawinigan won’t begin play at the Memorial Cup until Tuesday the 21st.
They have a favorable schedule, as they won’t play on consecutive days unless they go to a tie-breaker.
Should be a whopper of a final – it’s everything the modern NHL fan could ask for
3rd year in a row to the final for Corey Perry (spits) 0W 2L thus far (Dal, Mtl, now TBay)
4th year in a row to the final for Patty Maroon 3Wins for him
Never thought I’d be cheering for the Lightning to 3-peat, but here we are!
That 1-1-3 trap for the Bolts. Avs have their work cut out for them. Probably the safest scheme to match against them and the Bolts play it. But that speed…
Gross.
Go Avs.
Yeah, gross on gross.
MacKinnon and co. with the questionable hits and constant head flicks turned me the other way. Also the complaining about receiving only a 2:1 penalty differential. And of course they also employ Nazem Kadri.
Oilers were the last team to get to the Finals three years in a row. That’s how friggin hard it is. I think Avs prevail, they’re too fast, but they can beat themselves so not a lock. If Bolts win, they’re the first since the Isles for three Cups in a row
Couldn’t have asked for a better final.
The two best teams in the league going to head to head with the upstart trying to unseat the silverback.
Upstart lol.
Patty Maroon.
We gave away the Lucky Charms.
Maroon vs Perry
The classic White Hat Black Hat scenario.
Who says the good guy never wins. 🙂
Two wins away. Such a hard nut for a team to swallow.
That Mika shot might eb the best chance they get.
Ken Holland and trading down at the draft:
2021
#20 (Wallstedt)
for
#22 (Bourgault)
#90 (Munzenberger)
2020
#76 (Gushchin)
for
#100 (Savoie)
#126 (Tullio)
2013
#18 (Mueller – 185GP)
for
#20 (Mantha – 353GP)
#58 (Bertuzzi – 276GP)
2011
#24 (Puempel – 87GP)
for
#35 (Jurco – 221GP)
#48 (Ouellet – 178GP)
2009
#29 (Ashton – 54GP)
for
#32 (Ferraro – 77GP)
#75 (Nestrasil – 128GP)
2006
#29 (Summers – 70GP)
#152 (Bendfeld)
for
#41 (Emmerton – 139GP)
#47 (Matthias – 551GP)
Did this from CapFriendly and they only go back so far, so there may be a number of other examples pre-2006.
Looks like all 4 trade-downs with enough track to call were clear wins, with the Savoie/Tullio one showing clear arrows in that direction too. We’ll see about Bourgault/Wallstedt.
Overall, Holland trades down pretty frequently, and has come out way ahead of his trade partners to this point (1923 NHL games played to 396, totaling up the 4 Detroit trade-downs).
I had no idea he had done it that often, thank you.
Prior to 2006, draft trades…
Trades up in 2001
Send Det 5th (#164-Yuri Trubachev) & 7th (#226-Pontus Petterstrom)
for Calgary 5th (#157-Andreas Jamtin)
Again in 2000
Gets Rangers 2nd (#38-Tomas Kopecky) for Det 2nd (#64-Filip Novak)
& 3rd (#95-Dominic Moore)
Straight across too
Det 2001 3rd (#95-Patrick Sharp) goes to Nash for their 2000 4th (#102-Stefan Liv)
In 1999
Sharks get 2000 5th (#166-Nolan Schaefer) Detroit gets 1999 5th (#149-Andrei Maximenko)
Finally a trade down in 1998
StL gets Det 2nd (#41-Maxim Linnik) for STL 2nd (#55-Ryan Barnes) & 4th (#111-Brent Hobday)
I believe that was Holland;s first draft as GM.
Great Post. Thank You.
Oilers cap situation.
If Mike Smith retires you need another goalie. I don’t believe Smith’s replacement will cost $2.2M like Smith will, and everyone agrees an upgrade is needed anyway (even Holland presumably, considering he chased Markstrom and Kuemper seriously each of the past 2 summers).
Kane was also an important player, and having him or a different significant top 6 piece would be awfully nice.
How the heck do you find the money for both?
Potential money out:
Smith $2.2M off the books (or I guess LTIR, though that’s a bit more complicated)
Barrie $4.5M
Kassian $3.2M
Foegele $2.75M
Puljujarvi traded (looking like a real possibility)
Yamamoto returns at $2.0M (maybe an optimistic number)
McLeod $1.1M
Kulak (or Soucy) at $2.5Mish
If all those things happen, that leaves about $15.5M to fill 6 roster spots (top 6W, starting G, and 4 bottom of the roster forwards). If you fill the bottom of the roster guys at $1M each that leaves $11.5M for the two important slots.
I was a bit surprised that it is possible (definitely not easy) that the Oilers could add two significant pieces this summer.
It might not be enough for Kane, but there could be enough cap to add both a $4-$7M forward (Kane, Giroux, Perron, Copp or similar) and a $4-7M goalie (Kuemper, Campbell, Husso or similar).
It’s definitely not ALL doom and gloom in terms of the Oilers cap situation this summer.
How many assets do you have to give up to get rid of Barrie, Kassian and Foegele?
Perhaps Barrie is a wash but the other two are overpaid.
I think very close to a wash overall.
I think Barrie is a +, Foegele cap neutral, Kassian a -.
This is correct imo.
AND So what if you have to give up assets to move Kass. Just do it!
(Also LT points out how buying out Kass is sort of a natural cap fit wherein we save approx $2.5m in year one where we need it the most, and the biggest buyout portion approx $1.8m comes in year two where the Keith contract/cap hit no longer exists).
If Holland lands Kane and Goalie he deserves a statue in Ford Hall.
I think Smith is easy. He established he is a legit backup at a reasonable price, easy to trade and he doesn’t have protection. If he decides he doesn’t want to move then he can retire. Either way the cap is off the books.
I thought he did have trade protection for some reason (you are correct that he doesn’t). I agree he’s easy to move at that price if the Oilers add someone else.
If Smith is out (and his money off the books), I think they need to start with some faith in Skinner’s ability to be a 1B of 30-35 games and try and acquire a Reimer like 1A. DeSmith
Even with Holloway and Broberg taking two roster spots on ELC’s, money is tight and I don’t think they can spend more on the tender without effecting the skaters as a group too much.
Its a risk but they need to find out what Skinner is going to be over the short and medium term.
I still like DeSmith but that’s even more of a risk – he’s been consistently good but never played many games in a season.
I disagree.
I think 25-35GP backup/1B is the appropriate spot for Skinner.
I guess the question is what do you think his upside is? IMO the likelihood it’s “quality 1A goalie”, “in the next two of years”, isn’t high enough to wait on.
Everyone want’s something more reliable than Mike Smith. I don’t think Skinner plus Reimer/DeSmith/other $2M goalie is that.
My post intimated 30-35 games for Skinner which, to me, is bordering on 1B. 35/47.
If they could get Varlamov for the one-year, that would be best.
I just don’t have the desire to give 4 years and $4M to the likes of Campbell, Husso, etc. before we have more information on Skinner.
Its not idea, but that’s where my head is at.
I hear where you’re coming from. I’d still rather give $4M or more to to someone more likely to be a 1A for multiple years (and agree Varlamov makes lots of sense).
I don’t disagree but there aren’t really any locks out there for someone to be that 1A….. Husso? Cambell? Not even Kuemper given his injury history.
Every single player comes with some degree of risk, but Kuemper and Campbell are very clearly high end 1A’s (perhaps not 60 game starters, but these are goalies with excellent track records over multiple years).
I can understand folks wanting to wait on Skinner. I don’t think it’s very likely he becomes a goalie of Kuemper or Campbell’s quality in the next year or two (which I think he would need to for a Kuemper/Campbell add to be the wrong move).
And if Skinner does ‘pop’ like that then you 1) have great goaltending depth for a few years, and 2) deal with it further down the line (hopefully the guy you added has played well and has value around the league).
JMO. Probably after all the discussion Smith will be back in net next fall.
Jim Matheson
@jimmathesonnhl
If DeBrincat available Oilers should give up their first round draft pick plus all day long
Matty seems to be unaware that DeBrincat will have a $9 million qualifying offer.
Who’s playing?
Is he going to be a UFA?
He’s very good, but I wonder if anyone is willing to pay him $9M…
No.
He has one year left at a cap hit of $6.4 million but his contract was massively backloaded so he is due $9 million in salary next season before he becomes a RFA with arbitration rights.
I guess we’ll find out what a 40 goals scoring winger is worth.
Sorry, potentially a UFA next summer.
Pretty effective contract for his agent to negotiate.
Ya think?
I guess the Hawks were thinking the cap was going to explode.
Oops.
DeBrincat’s qualifying offer will be $7.68MM.
Qualifying offers are capped at 120% of AAV.
Facts!
Thanks. I was aware of that detail but forgot about it.
https://www.thefourthperiod.com/jun-2022/hawks-gauging-trade-interest-in-debrincat
I made a mistake, the 120% max is only for contracts signed after July 10, 2020.
As Foghorn Leghorn has noted, the change to qualifying offers was signed in an MOU in 2020.
DeBrincat’s qualifying offer is indeed $9 million.
Facts!
“Matty seems to be unaware”… you spelt your own name wrong.
You had me at “Matty seems unaware”
He doesn’t understand what it takes
Undersized opportunistic wingers isn’t what the Oilers need
They need big pants players to get to the next level
Look at who’s still playing
Speed size skill and thoroughly comfortable with NHL playoff hockey
Agree completely.
Key Dates:
Thursday, June 30 – Last Possible Day of Stanley Cup Final
Thursday, July 7 – Round 1 of 2022 NHL Draft
Friday, July 8 – Rounds 2-7 of 2022 NHL Draft
Wednesday, July 13 – RFA/UFA Signing Period Begins (12 p.m. ET)
Summarizing!
After trailing 3-1 in the second, Shawinigan came back to tie the game and forced OT. Once again, the Cats made short work of the extra frame and won 4-3. They are the QMJHL champs and will advance to the Memorial Cup in Saint John.
In becoming the Champs, the Cats took out three teams that finished ahead of them in the regular season standings, two of which were top 10 in the CHL at season’s end (#5 Quebec, #7 Charlottetown).
The Bourg finished with the two apples, giving him 5+4 in the final and 12+10 in 16 postseason games.
Prospecting takes a break until the Memorial Cup begins on the 20th.
Busby thanks you…:)
Thanks again Tarkus. Season extended again.
Fun fact:
The last Oilers prospect to play in the Memorial Cup was Dmitri Samorukov (Guelph) in 2019.
The last Oilers prospect to win the Memorial Cup was Mitch Moroz (Edmonton) in 2014.
Atta baby, Bourg off to the Mem Cup!
Shawinigan down 3-2 with 15 minutes to go in 3rd. Bourgault with 2 assists, both secondary.
NEW for The Athletic: What will Edmonton Oilers do in first round of 2022 NHL Draft? And why you should know the names Ben King, Reid Schaefer and Tucker Robertson.
https://theathletic.com/3359824/2022/06/11/edmonton-oilers-nhl-draft-2022-preview/
Everyone should already be familiar with Ben E. King.
When the night has come,
And the land is dark…
The thing that stands out to me regarding the Oilers recent draft history, sort of reads like a (off coloured / gallows humour) joke,
A bear, a pubis bone and a thumb walked into a bar…….
The Bartender “Mr. Jones” strikes up a conversation.
Man, when I look at the Oilers history of drafting outside the first round and college players, I think …. You have to shuck A LOT of oysters to find just one pearl.
How much does the process cost?
Because it sometimes seems like the ROI is completely negligible.
What would it cost to just go off of Mackenzie’s list and pick the player position you need most in relation to your spot on the list.
And use all of you picks round 3 through round 7 to trade up.
And don’t take chances if you have the luxury of picking in the top 10 (20?)
Take the bigger guy with the faster boots and the boxcars who played in the CHL, preferably in the OHL (followed by the WHL, followed by the Q)
Then just purchase your 4th liners from the “known commodity” pool of replacement level players (based on Analytics)
Most folks want to trade down for more picks
To me if you can trade into the second round from down the odds are so much better Id want to do that if someone was interested
Graduations:
Yeah, but Tyler Benson graduated with a Liberal Arts Degree in Art History.
AND he took a semester off to tour Europe.
Another Finish article with quotes from Jesse.
https://yle.fi/urheilu/3-12486136
I mentions Jesse went for shoulder surgery (with a 4-6 week recovery) but I though I read that Stauff said he didn’t……. who knows on that.
Quotes are via Google Translate:
– It’s hard to say anything yet, but I want an NHL agreement. Let’s see in peace where we’re going.
– This is a tough world and anything can happen here. I don’t know if I’ll be back here anymore or what the leaders will end up doing then. Surely with that in mind, a booking opportunity is an exciting time to see if something happens. However, the NHL deal is the most important thing for itself. I definitely want to keep playing here.
pakeha
@pakeha1
·
44m
Replying to
@LonnbergMari
and
@BeerLeagueHeroe
He finished the season wanting more, wants an NHL contract next year, is aware of the media hype, not sure where he will be, continue to train in Oulu.. no indication he is dissatisfied with Edmonton or wants to be traded. Handled the interview very well.
This sounds fantastic!
Now if his Agent is a reasonable dude with JP’s best interest at heart, this might actually end very, very well.
My preferred training option for JP in the offseason?
Judo and Rugby.
And his leisure time can be spent going to clubs and concerts; But only ones that still have a mosh pit.
He needs some snarl in his game come Playoff time. It was nice to see it finally from RNH so there still is hope for a younger J.P.
In hind-sight, I’m glad to hear about the shoulder. Because for awhile there, he was starting to use his big frame a little more. Then it stopped.
Give the Bison King his $2m
He suffered the shoulder injury in the last game…..
OH SHIT!
$1.5m
I think I have this right…
When you look at the 2020 pro draft and compare the NFL,NBA and NHL some really stark differences emerge. All the kids drafted in the first round of the NFL and NBA are pros today. 12ish of the 32 first round picks are in the NHL today.
I suspect age has a lot to do with this. generally you’re 20 when you get drafted into NFL, 19 for the NBA and 18 for NHL. (I think? I’m no NBA / NHL expert)
A year or two more information will help avoid busts and a year or two more development help the players make an immediate, positive impact on the game.
NFL and NBA use the NCAA as there development league. The NHL has not completely caught on to the value of the NCAA and Usports as development option.
The NFL and the NHL can’t really be compared when discussing how they acquire and use players through the draft. First as others mentioned, most football players aren’t drafted till they are 20 to 22. Second, once they are drafted, other than the CFL or the arena league, those players have no where else to go. Their NCAA career is officially over when they declare themselves for the draft. Third, the NFL has 53 player rosters so way more job opportunities at the NFL level. And finally, the NFL churns through players at a staggering rate. The median NFL career is between 2.5 to 3 years. A huge number of NFL players get replaced every season, so every first round pick drafted is almost guaranteed an NFL contract on day 1.
The number of undrafted/unsigned players is very large in comparison to those in hockey.
Looks about right (and its going to be fun to watch the group).
I may add Samorukov to the list.
If Barrie and Russell are out and Kulak and Broberg are in, I think a more “veteran” 7D/4RD needs to be added and Sammy may start in the AHL.
Yes, waivers would be a concern but much more famous names than Sammy seem to clear every year in early October.
Also, i wouldn’t be surprised if Petrov started in the AHL but then was returned to junior.
I think its going to be tough starts, big learning curves, for Tulio and Savoie – not sure Holland will want a 3rd rookie in that category (plus Bourgault, but he’s a few tiers higher).
Where do you see him fitting on the AHL?
If he is placed as a LW and Holloway is sent down ( if Holland builds this roster right, Holloway does not win an NHL job out of Training Camp), so with Petrov, I don’t see a place for him in Bakersfield.
I have run a few scenarios and as big of a booster I am of Holloway I want to see him to produce more in the AHL before he moves up a level. Given his prospect development track record, I suspect Holland would prefer this as well.
Please explain the comment if Holloway wins a job out of training camp Holland is not building this real right! Enquiring minds want to know. Note wins a job or gifted a job out of training camp are very different scenarios.
I would posit that the only current tweeners in that list are Benson and Marody.
The the other guys aren’t even there yet. Deharnais may establish himself as a tweener – Holland specifically mentioned him when talking about internal development and kids pressing.
Kemp, Kesselring, Lavoie all have chances but aren’t NHL options in the least as we sit – they hope to get there in the next 12 months.
Maybe “tweener” also means “plus KHL player” given the KHL careers of Omark and Teemu H.?
Of note, it seems MAP has now played a full decade in the Swiss-A league – good for him, I hope he’s enjoyed his life as a pro hockey player in Europe. I bet he’s living well!
I would also note that lack of high end production (PPG or so) doesn’t negate being being a good or very good NHL player.
Prior to his call-up, I was very adamant that Yamamoto’s box-cars under-represented his effectiveness – he was a scoring chance machine, shift after shift.
This past season it was similar with Holloway, I believe his box-cars massively under-represent how good and effective he was on the ice – zone exits, zone entries, all over the puck in all zones, retrievals, high end passing, etc.
In both cases, these players saw alot of “middle six AHL linemates”.
Agree on Holloway. He touched the puck pretty much every shift. That said, the math is telling us something.
Agree it is, but we should also acknowledge he wasn’t 100%, so it’s really tough to get an accurate read.
Likewise his short exceptional final season in college. A great up arrow, but only half a season so the arrow is worth a bit less than if he’d played 40 games.
Yup, he was a different player with the puck after his 3-4 weeks off with the thigh injury. Full willingness to shoot the puck, and looking to do so – a complete opposite from prior to that month off.
Maybe you need to add pucktouch/60 to your math!
Hard to say whether the math was accurate on Holloway – he was still recovering from his hand injury + a long span away from competition …
SportLogiq uses touches in the NHL. Oilers will have access to those numbers.
Given his numbers at a lower level and the fact that he was around the puck a lot in the AHL the question I have is was this on Holloway or were his line mates at least partially to blame.
The quality of his linemates were indeed “uneven” through the season and were often middle six AHL level.
He consistently created high danger chances with his attacking and passing.
Also, lets not forget, his thumb/hand was clearly not 100% until late in the season when he came back from his subsequent injury.
Zack Hyman scored 15 goals and 37 points in 59 games as a 21/22 year old with the Marlins. That was a very good, high scoring team as well with a few future NHLers. Yamamoto’s production in the AHL really wasn’t any higher than Holloway’s has been. Like Holloway, Yamamoto’s AHL time was hampered by injuries. Very short sample size, but Leon only got 2 points in his 6 AHL games. The math from outside the NHL is subject to even more uncertainty than the math derived from the inside the NHL. Three players on the Oilers listed here are outperforming their AHL math.
I wouldn’t were to much about Holloway’s AHL production yet. How he is playing and what he is learning is more important. Just look at the difference between Dylan’s first seasons and second seasons in the AJHL and the NCAA. He learned one year, popped the next.
One interesting trade target could be Brock Boeser. Apparently those contract talks have been difficult.
RNH might waive his NMC to play in Vancouver and if you trade him for Boeser, you’re then bringing in a younger scoring winger for the Top 6.
This would enable the team to avoid the risk of an excessive term contract with Kane and leave some cash in the coffers to bulwark the D & G.
Personally, I don’t love it. Boeser is streaky and doesn’t have the fastest boots so I don’t consider him as elite as Kane. In a perfect world, you could land Boeser for Jesse and a pick but I don’t see the Canucks biting on that.
1) I don’t see Holland going to Nuge and asking him to waive, one year in to the 8 year deal.
2) Boeser needs to be qualified at $7.5M – he can accept that one year deal and take himself to UFA land – I believe.
3) Where is his wrist at and where is his mental health at – he’s struggled with his dad’s illness, from accounts, and now he’s recently passed…..
Multiple media reports in Vancouver yesterday that the new regime may “blow it all up” and effectively start over.
Apparently Rutherford referred to the team culture as a “country club”.
Could get interesting if true.
That’s brutal for a team that already has a young core, plus some older guys on difficult to move contracts.
NO NO not Brutal….
Rutherford and Holland…two old goalies with similar career paths. This just screams “synergy”
Thatcher Demko please!
I would imagine they would retain Pettersson, Hughes, Podkholzin, Rathbone and Demko while seeing what Boeser will sign for.
Oel Myers because no one would take them. Actually the team will look very similar except for Miller sale because the guys they want to move no one wants
There is reportedly interest in Myers.
If Vancouver retained, say, $2 million, he would be easy to move.
OEL would be tougher since he has a NMC.
They could also get significant assets for Horvat.
Tanner Pearson and Conor Garland also have value.
Struggling with those rose coloured glasses again?
I think its important to note that Bob Stauffer just absolutely spit-balling his opinion that the Oilers should go after Josh Anderson if they don’t get Kane, does’t mean that Oilers management is even thinking about it or would consider it.
It sounded like an absolute personal preference spit-ball from Bob and, in response, without being totally express, Friedman was not on board in the least.
This is just a non-story as it relates to actual off-season transactions but, I guess, something to chat about as we wait.
Surely Bob has spitballed lots of other stuff too? Good and bad. We could chat about that as well.
Of course, but I’m not sure some (many) realize (care) that it doesn’t seem like anything management is considering. This wasn’t information that the org is looking at this but Bob’s preference.
We’ve already seen management bashing due to the “rumor”.
OP, you can’t expect me to sit here and not shoot down terrible ideas as I see them, particularly coming from the organizational mouthpiece. I think you’re conveniently omitting how many horrendous decisions the Oilers have made over the years.
Even now, you’ve got a third line LW making ~3, a 4th line RW making 3+, a third pairing D making 4.5, and a “second pairing” Derek Zoolander LHD who can’t turn with a cap hit of ~5.
Of course, Kane, a premiere LW at 7 would be horrifying. Unthinkable! Yamo and Puljujarvi at 7 combined on long term deals unfathomable!
The Oilers just signed Nurse for 9 because they overpaid plugs and damn it if they won’t make the same mistake over and over again.
The difference between you and I, OP, fundamentally, is that I see the house burning and I’m like, “call 9-1-1! get the extinguisher!” whereas you will wait until the house is ash before calmly filing an insurance claim.
Are you suggesting Ken Holland lacks contract negotiation skills? lol
My post was not directed at any singular person or poster (and was’t just about posts in this community).
No doubt, Bob is very connected within the org. At the same time, he routinely speculates about his personal preferences for team buildig that have no connection to the org and this seems clearly one of those case.
No, the main difference is that you believe a house is on fire prior to it being on fire. You even posted that the shine of the season is already off because you know management is going to eff up. Your not trying to put out a fire, you are predicting a fire.
My view?
It’s not Bob’s job to be a pro scout for the Oilers.
It’s also not his job to telegraph which players the management might be interested in. (in fact, it’s more likely misdirection)
His Job? To set the ground work for changes to come. To get it our there that change is afoot, so that when if happens it is not a total shock.
That and acting as a pressure valve for fans to float there ideas, and vent their anger/displeasure. To add just enough “perspective” to keep things “on the rails”
Fans just want to be heard.
But I still like hearing his “guesses” 🙂
Anderson for Kassian and Barrie would be a good deal.
Anderson for Bourgault would be a horrible deal.
A good or bad trade is entirely dependent on “price”.
With five years left and, arguably, one of the worst contracts in the last few years, nope, I do not agree that is a “good trade” – I don’t want any piece of that contract.
Barrie has to be used to get Mayfield
Anderson has Oiler’s shoulders so there’s that
To me
Nurse Ceci
Bro Mayfield
Keith Bouch with the O push
Would be pretty formidable come playoffs. Barrie’s offense buys the cap from Lou. And they need the O. Even out the TOI and save Nurse for the playoffs. He was getting worn down I think, but they needed that to get in. Hopefully not next season
Mayfield is your analytics value contract. Everything I can find says he’s pretty mobile and can pass. Gets point shots through. He doesn’t mind being mean which is key for me
Puck IQ says Trotz played him against elites and he held his own. He’ll have to take care of Bro at first, with easier comp, but I think by season’s end Bro will be pretty dialed in. He’s been used as a defensive D through his seasons and internationally
When Keith is gone or 7th D maybe he can go RD with Sammy or The Hammer
I have suggested the Barrie/Mayfield deal structure as well (although definitely not the only, the thought is “out there”).
Lou L. has expressed that he wants more offence from the D.
Looking at how it only cost a 7th round pick for Sabres to take on Bishops contract Holland needs to be on the phones for someone to buyout Keith and re-sign him at a better cap hit. Shouldn’t cost that much. Buying out Keith will only cost a team about 300k than taking on Bishops LTIR, but it’s spread out over 2 years (Don’t know the exact technicality of Bishops contract insurance but insurance covers up to 80% so 700k)
I don’t imagine Keith would agree to this trade – even if there is an agreement for re-sign. I’m not sure the league was too happy with the Orpik trade, buy-out, re-sign, and likely wouldn’t allow it either.
Why wouldn’t he if you paid him more than his 1.5 mil for playing along. Give him a extra million for playing along. Shaves 3 mil off cap and gives him a 2.5 mil pay day
just because league doesn’t like it doesn’t mean they won’t allow it, which they will. Smart people expose loopholes until they are plugged
You’re underestimating Bettman’s propensity for revenge.
The Canucks signed Luongo to a long back loaded contract which was perfectly within the letter of the law but were then forced to carry a $3 million cap hit for years afterward because Gary determined it violated the “spirit” of the CBA.
At the same time, Lou got a retroactive pass for his shenanigans with Ilya Kovalchuk.
https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/devils-kovalchuk-penalty-reduced-get-first-round-pick-back/
Who you know.
Except this exact same thing has been done by another team and was allowed and the loop hole was not closed.
Im sure the league wasn’t thrilled with Tampa Bays 100 mil cap team last year yet Vegas was allowed to grab Eichel this year
As long as loop hole is open it is available for use
The loophole was open when Luongo signed in Vancouver but was slammed shut retroactively.
No one is talking about Luongo
apples/oranges
Cap circumvention is cap circumvention.
Firstly, I’m not sure that league would OK that series of transactions. There is wide discretion in the CBC re: cap circumvention.
Secondly, I don’t think its all about money for Keith. I could be wrong but there is likely some personal pride to playing out the contract he signed a decade ago and, of course, traded to be bought out would be kind of contrary to that.
I’m sure if doing a paper transaction that allowed 3 mil cap space gave him a chance at a cup by giving team a boost he would not blink twice especially if someone threw a million dollars at him
I’m not so sure he would agree to this – so we will just disagree on this one.
I’m also not sure the league would permit the series of transactions, in fact, i presume they would not.
“The skill forwards, the ones who make it as top-six NHL forwards, spent little or no time in the minors. It isn’t a stop that is required.”
and also
“We should expect Xavier Bourgault, Carter Savoie and Tyler Tullio to play most or all of next season in the minors.”
LT, this sounds like you wouldn’t project Bourgault as top 6, is that right?
I’d say Holland is the wildcard here, but yes, Bourgault could land as a middle-six winger. He doesn’t have a high shot volume, and his shooting percentage is very high. That will decrease in pro. How much? We don’t know.
Youth sports changed significantly for kids born in about 1997. Amateur sports went from community hockey/soccer/baseball to businesses. The best, motivated kids whose parents could foot the bill were separated from the herd. In the NEW herd they had paid hockey coaches, nutrition, strength, and psychological were all manage and ingrained at a young age. The 20 year now is significantly more ready for pro hockey than those before 1997.
From my vantage point I think the kids born in 2007 are significantly ahead of the 1997s. As these youth sport business refine their model, the young adult athlete is going to get better and better.
All this to say the AHL’s role for smart club will change.
There are some downsides to this but IMO there are also significant upsides.
The emphasis on skills development, as an example, is a huge plus. The intricacy of skating mechanics, optimizing stride, edge-work, etc is worlds ahead of when I was a kid. Same goes for puck skills.
I always give this small example: no one ever taught me the mechanics of shooting the puck, besides “put your weight into it / shift your weight / etc ”
Look at the golf swing as a counter example. Oodles of theory, teaching, etc. Have you read Hogan? That sort of mentality is coming to hockey now. The net result is a product — at all levels — that is much, much more fun to watch.
Prospectigality!
Shawinigan couldn’t close out the Q final vs. Charlottetown, but will get another crack at it this afternoon on the Island. The Cataractes were beaten from pillar to post in a 7-0 loss in Game 4, and The Bourg was not only held scoreless, but shotless. Will being routed fire up the Cats this day, or will the Islanders continue to ride the wave and force Game 6? We wait.
Checking in on the other CHL finals:
The Kings of Oil can clinch the Dub title tonight, as they lead Seattle 3-1 in the series.
Over in the O, Windsor and Hamilton are knotted at 2 games apiece.
Puck drop for SHA-CHA @ 2 p.m. Alder Flats time on TSN 4.
Hockey was (is) played on a community built outside rink for two towns, Buck Lake and Alder Flats with the rink located in Alder Flats. Great memories of our time there.
Disturbing to see Oilers with so little by way of draft picks, but keeping the 1st round pick is key hopefully.
Knock that out of the park and this is a great 2022 draft.
ps: And Oilers prospects may have permission to turn up at camp ready to star for the big team, ok?
I think some of the trades we make will replenish some of the draft picks.
I suspect #29 (not Draisaitl!!) will get dealt for a slightly lower pick + 2/3/4-rounder, much like last year’s swap.
If we hang onto 29 I’d actually be shocked if a trade down like that doesn’t happen.
Holland makes those trades a lot too, and has had some real nice successes in the past with them.
Yup, I opined the same the other day.
Barrie will probably get a 3rd and 4th
Barrie got Kadri when he was dealt before
He’s shown he’s more committed defensively and physically now
Maybe Holland can’t get more but a good GM dealing one of the top 10 established offensive D in the league on a good contract would get a good player or a first
I do agree that Barrie has some positive value but I’m not sure that he’s more committed defensively now. Except for his one year in Toronto, he’s always been good/plus in the playoffs and a positive goal share player.
Also, if we are being honest, lets not forget Kerfoot was part of that trade, a big part of it at the time.
I also don’t think that he’s got “first rounder value” as much as I do think he can bring back an positive value asset.
Thanks for that refresher, LT – with the dust settling on the Oilers’ season, it’s nice to get back to tending the farm.
re: the ‘rule of 21’, I wonder if there’s some wiggle room for the current crop due to the pandemic development pause?
the ‘veteran’ spot on the Bakersfield G roster will be intriguing.
I think it’s more development loss, then pause. Or maybe a mixed bag of both.