Choosing the Edmonton Oilers ‘best farm team’ ever is a difficult task. How many games in the minors qualifies a player as a member of the team? Do championships count? What about coaching staffs? It’s a difficult choice, and maybe there’s no good answer, but I say we try. Today, I’ll recommend five teams for you, and ask you to vote (by mentioning your choice in the comments section) and we’ll have a winner in this little corner of the world. Here we go.
The Oilers have stepped up in the first round in every year since 1979 save one. This year might be a good year to break tradition and trade the pick for immediate help. Here are the options, and 12 impressive players for selection. https://t.co/6GpzKVjPUH
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1981-82 WICHITA WIND
D Charlie Huddy. 1,017 regular-season games, 183 playoff games and he hung around for all five Stanleys. You would have loved him: Rugged, smart, effective.
G Andy Moog. Played in 713 regular-season games, 132 more in the playoffs, and won three Stanley’s with Edmonton. A seventh-round pick in 1980, he was a fabulous goalie.
F Walt Poddubny. He played 468 NHL games, but only four for the Oilers. Effective, and had a few terrific offensive seasons.
C Marc Habscheid. He played in 345 NHL games although only three for this Wind club (all in the playoffs). I always liked him, but the team was loaded at the position.
D Don Jackson. He made it into 311 NHL games, won two Stanley’s and was a fearsome fellow. I always liked to see him on the ice, between Jackson and Semenko everything had a way of getting calm in a hurry.
D John Blum. He played 250 NHL games, only nine as an Oiler. He was a tough customer, I remember him best as a Boston Bruin.
C Tom Roulston. He played in 195 NHL games, and is one of the few Oilers of that era to play a bunch of playoff games (21) for the Oilers without winning a Stanley.
1992-93 CAPE BRETON OILERS
R Kirk Maltby. He payed in 1,072 NHL games and another 169 in the playoffs—while taking part in all four of the Detroit Red Wings modern Stanley’s. I assume you know his style, he was a very famous player.
C Scott Thornton. He played in 941 NHL games and 79 in the playoffs. A painful trade saw him arrive in Edmonton (Fuhr, Anderson to the Leafs) and he was a role player until being dealt to the Montreal Canadiens.
C Shaun Van Allen. He played 794 NHL games and another 61 in the playoffs—mostly for Ottawa. He was perceived as being a draft failure for a long time, but broke through seven years after he was chosen.
L Shjon Podein. He played in 699 NHL games and another 127 in the playoffs. Rugged checker was part of two famous teams, the Flyers of the mid-90s and the Avalanche a little later. Won Stanley in 2001.
R Steven Rice. He played 329 NHL games and two in the playoffs for the New York Rangers. This is a painful name in Oilers history—he was partial payment for Mark Messier.
D Francois Leroux. He played in 249 NHL games and 33 in the playoffs. I remember chatting with Rod Phillips and John Short about him as a young player. The feeling was that with his size (6.06, 247) he could be effective if he could catch you. They were right.
C Peter White. He played in 220 NHL games and 19 in the playoffs. White was a bit of an NHL tweener, but an outstanding AHL player.
R Roman Oksiuta. He played in 153 NHL games and 10 in the playoffs. If you want to know what kind of player he was, put skates on your fridge.
L Vladimir Vujtek. He played in 110 NHL games and was an effective junior and minor league player. He was one of the early draft picks to come over and play, Montreal traded him to Edmonton in the ill-fated Vincent Damphousse deal.
2001-02 HAMILTON BULLDOGS
L Jason Chimera: He played 1,107 NHL games and another 71 in the playoffs. His speed was always a calling card and no doubt contributed to his staying power. Scored 186 NHL goals.
D Marc-Andre Bergeron: He played 490 NHL games and 57 in the playoffs. Because of the playoff play (Roloson injury) there is a tendency to devalue his contributions—he was a legit NHL player.
R Fernando Pisani: He played 462 NHL games and is the most famous playoff Oiler of this century. An effective two-way winger the Oilers have not yet replaced.
G Ty Conklin: He played in 215 NHL games, and two in the playoffs. I will spend the rest of my life trying to forget one of those playoff games.
D Alexei Semenov: He played 208 NHL games, and eight more in the playoffs. A giant defender who offered defense-first but mobility was an issue.
D Alex Henry: He played 177 NHL games, mostly as an enforcer on defense.
D Sven Butenschoen: He played in 140 NHL games, mostly as a 6-7D.
G Jussi Markkanen: He played in 128 NHL games
2013-14 OKLAHOMA CITY BARONS
D Oscar Klefbom: He played 378 NHL games, 16 more in the playoffs. He had the complete range of skills and had the look of a 15-year solution until the Hockey Gods robbed him of his future. A bitter, bitter pill.
RW Tyler Pitlick: He has played 325 NHL games and 22 in the playoffs. When healthy he delivers solid two-way play and more offense than credited for (12 goals per 82 games during his career). Always a favourite of mine.
LD Jordan Oesterle: At 297 games currently, he can wheel and has learned how to play in the NHL. At 29, he could have several seasons left.
D Brad Hunt: He is up to 241 NHL games now, his offensive prowess on full display and his defensive chaos less obvious with each passing season. He worked like a bugger to make it, credit to him.
D Martin Marincin: He has played in 227 NHL games and adds a few each season it seems. He would have been more useful in the 1970’s when that giant wingspan could have been used without penalties.
C Anton Lander: He played 215 NHL games, while not yet establishing himself as a regular. I think he could have made it without all the coaching changes.
D Brandon Davidson: He has played in 180 NHL games. Davidson’s rookie season shines like a diamond compared to other rookies over the last decade. What a player he was! Dustin Byfuglien and Matt Tkachuk shortened his career by plenty.
C Mark Arcobello: He played in 139 NHL games, and emerged as a useful player during a time when Edmonton had few worthy options at his position.
RD Taylor Fedun: Smart player who overcame injuries to play 127 games. Impressive athlete.
G Laurent Brossoit: He has passed the 100-game mark (106) and posted some fine seasons.
R Linus Omark: He has played in 79 NHL games, and I think he would have had a more substantial career had he played for a more organized team.
2015-16 BAKERSFIELD CONDORS
C Leon Draisaitl: He has played in 558 NHL games (six games in the AHL) and won the Ross, Hart and Lindsay. Draisaitl’s career is already legend, and my strongest memory of his trip to the minors is how angry he was, and how quickly he proved himself upon return. All-time favourite Oiler list already, he’s a giant.
D Darnell Nurse: He has played in 477 NHL games and those nine games in Bakersfield were a blur. Nurse has superhuman recovery powers and can play ridiculous minutes because of it. Averages nine goals per 82 games, many at even strength. Another favourite of this blog’s author.
R Tyler Pitlick: He has played 325 games in the NHL. Injuries caused a detour but he built a career.
D Jordan Oesterle: He has played 297 games so far in the NHL.
C Jujhar Khaira: He has played 285 games but his rugged style is getting him injured and it’s a worry. His work ethic in making the NHL and then staying there was an awesome thing to experience.
LD Brad Hunt: 241 NHL games.
G Laurent Brossoit: He is now at 106 games.
R Anton Slepyshev: He has played 102 games and I’m not sure he’s done. Edmonton reached out a year ago but no sale, perhaps he’ll be tempted later.
D Griffin Reinhart: He played 37 games in the NHL, reports recently have him retiring. He was part of a devastating trade by Edmonton. Not his fault he played during a difficult time in team history, he’ll be remembered fondly for brilliance as a member of the Oil Kings.
You make the call! What season delivered the most and best talent?
As someone who first saw the Oilers live in the WHA, there is only one possible answer: 81-82 Wichita Wind.
I loved Tom Roulston, my all time favourite Oilers prospect ever. Why Joe Mullen had a hall of fame career and Roulston never popped at the NHL level (their stats in the minors were comparable, and fantastic) is just one of those mysteries about prospects. Right opportunity in the right situation at the right time, early success, confidence.
I was at the game the Wind played at Northlands in the playoffs that year (they couldn’t play one home game in Wichita, and the Oilers didn’t need the building that spring thanks to the Miracle on Manchester). Curt Brackenbury played that night — if you didn’t love Brack, you didn’t like hockey.
Tom Roulston reminds me of the trade for Kevin McLelland who scored that massive goal in 1984.
Both players wore #24 and earlier in the season but just after the trade, McLelland scored in Northlands. Whoever operated the scoreboard forget to update name tied with 24 and I had a good laugh when Roulstons name flashed on the screen.
My other memory of that era of Oilers was watching Don Jackson get into a fight with Willie Plett, a gigantic helmet less tough guy on the North Stars. After they squared up, Jackson got a hold of Pletts arm, pulled at it and must have separated Pletts shoulder. He collapsed to the ice and the trainer ran out on the ice.
There’s no one who enjoyed seeing Peplinski get his ass kicked on a regular basis more than myself except maybe Rod Phillips. Neil Sheehy the dirty bastard was a close second.
“The answer is blowing in the wind”…I actually think was simultaneously literal and metaphorical. Dylan meant “take out your geiger counter, and you will get the answer from the wind.”
Smith is struggling on whether to come back, and he’s slated to make 2.5. How do you think Keith feels, at 1.5?
A big difference, I believe, is that, from his own account, Smith had a really really tough year dealing with injuries all year long. I don’t think we can say the same for Keith – just another regular year for him in that regard (missed a short stretch with the concussion, I think).
Todd Macallan
June 12, 2022 2:33 pm
15-16 Barons.
I was gonna go with Wichita but I found out the people’s train actually runs out of Stubbsville.
oilersjo
June 12, 2022 12:51 pm
1981-82 Wichita
Kert
June 12, 2022 11:59 am
If you ask the rest of the NHL, the best Oilers farm team was probably the decade of darkness Oilers NHL team.
Best farm team has to be the 1992-93 team that won the Calder Cup. The team that had the best players that graduated to the big club is a different debate. Probably the Draisaitl-Nurse team if you ignore the # of games played or the Huddy-Moog-Jackson team
teddyturnbuckle
June 12, 2022 11:43 am
What a great final this year. Two best teams in the League by far. Xavier Bourgault is a stud and the Oilers may have a great player there. Can’t wait to see him for the Oilers along with Holloway. Oilers scouting staff deserves a lot of credit these days especially with limited picks. Would like to see what they could dot with all their picks.
I don’t expect we’ll see them with all their picks for the next long while.
dessert1111
June 12, 2022 11:34 am
I’ll say the Hamilton team, but those first few are all close. I didn’t pick the latest team because the biggest names were only down for a reverse cup of coffee.
Randle McMurphy
June 12, 2022 11:21 am
Alright, Alright….Sarcastic Randle is going to grab a snickers bar. Peace Out.
Kinger_Oil.redux
June 12, 2022 11:18 am
— those first two teams on list: Wichita and Cap Breton sure had a lot of NHLers: back then was it more common for more players to come up this way
—. Interesting that the Oil are “enquiring” into the status of Keith and Smith in terms of retirement plus. I never understood why when this was suggested it was dismissed as out of hand by some.
— I don’t know if it will happen but the benefits to doing so are massive and unless Keith wants to play for another contract the risks of playing one season for very little $ are considerable. The Oil would “do” a lot to not have a $5.5mm cap hit to Keith. Between Keith Klef Smith almost $14mm that could be allocated differently next year: a potential massive swing.
— maybe your right. If it’s true that Chicago wants to tear it down they’d be pretty happy to be “limited” by the salary cap recapture if he retired: One would imagine.
— so the two main thrusts against are gone : “he’d never do that to his old team” is now “he’d be doing them a solid”. And he’s not walking away from $5.5mm. He earned over 70mm and has a $1.5mm choice to make. If he wants to play, all the power to him. But compelling reasons to retire as well IMO and not many impediments.
— Plus lots of wealthy well paid athletes have retired in this era given the understanding of long term health implications of concussion, quality of life, and the multi generational wealth accumulated
1) Duncan Keith is on the record as wanting to play in the NHL beyond his current contract.
2) Duncan Keith is on the record as wanting to be close to his kid(s) in Kelowna.
3) I believe it’s likely (almost certain) that Ken Holland knew of Keith’s desire to play beyond his current contract AND it is possible that that was one of the reasons he was willing to take on so much cap in the deal. Knowing that he would be getting Keith as a premium 3rd paring defender at less than $1m in 23-24
But like everyone here, I hope you are correct, and that first point of yours makes things very interesting. So thanks for that.
I’ve speculated on #3 before, which is one of the reasons I give him more of a pass for taking on the cap hit. I don’t know if I would put the number at less than $1M though. Probably be more like the $1.5M he’s actually banking.
OriginalPouzar
June 12, 2022 11:14 am
What about the 2012/13 team that included:
Eberle
Shultz
Nuge
Hall
Hartikainen
Fedun
Magnus P.
Lander
Pitlick
Davidson
Clearly the 2015/16 team delivered the most given the future Hall of Famer and the top 15 NHL d-man. Does it count though given they played 6 and 9 games in the AHL that year?
The funny thing is that Sutter made Treliving blow a good chunk of their future to barely get past the first round. Sutter upon losing to the Oilers said it was a successful year because they had made the playoffs lol
lol Neither of those two would ever go to Calgary….
meanashell11
June 12, 2022 10:46 am
15-16 Condors
OriginalPouzar
June 12, 2022 10:20 am
We just don’t know what we have in Stuart Skinner at this point. While I think most of us are comfortable that he can handle a “true back-up role”, we don’t know if he can be a 35-40 game 1B, let alone a 1A.
Problem with the “true-back up role” is that (1) Smith can’t handle 55 games and (2) who is out there than can handle 55 games? Kuemper is as big an injury risk as Smith has been. Gibson would be way too expensive via acquisition cost and comes at a risk given his “stats” over the last few years (team matters, of course).
For me, I still want to find out what he have in Skinner before committing term and dollars to a “meh” option like Kuemper (meh due to injuries) or Campbell.
Reimer is an option for me – one-year commitment.
Talbot is an option for me if MAF re-signs there.
I’m not aginst DeSmith in Pit.
What I think might make the most sense is trying to pry Varlamov out Brooklyn. One year at $5MM but I think he can handle the 55 games, I think.
He does have a 16 team NTC so it may be a non-starter but we don’t know if Edmonton would be on his list.
We do know that Lou L. has mentioned he wants more offence from his back-end so Barrie could be something they week.
Something around Varlamov and Mayfield for Barrie plus ?????
Lou would love to move Valamov because of Sorokin and the need for cap space to improve in other areas, such as his stated need for offence from the D.
Perhaps his mind is changed given Sorokin has taken over as the clear number 1 and he’s one year from wanting a new contract. Being the clear #1 in Edmonton for one year might be something he’d “struggle through” for his future?
He made that decision before seeing the Oil go to the Conference finals, so maybe he changes his mind.
That said he’s always struck me as a guy with a rock star, supermodel kind of attitude. Even if he was to deign to safari in our hinterland who’s who for a year, I think the odds of re-signing him are minimal.
Also, out of the One-years, he’s the most expensive. Probably the best of the bunch though too, taking into account game load.
Yes, also possible the Oilers run has changed his mind.
I have no idea about his attitude, but agree he’s likely the most expensive 1 year guy, and probably the least likely to re-sign (he’ll also be 35 next spring).
I do think he’s clearly the best of the bunch. He’s very near the top of the SV% leader board looking at a few years of data (7th over 3 seasons if you look at 60+GP, and 5th among 80+GP). He’s also had 2 long playoff runs in that time, with a .920+SV% both times.
Randle McMurphy
June 12, 2022 10:17 am
What about the 2012-13 Oklahoma City Barons?
The year that Hall Nuge Ebbs (Schultz) lit up the AHL?
Or perhaps a radio segment with Kevin Woodley on the same subject.
#AnyWoodIsGoodWood
Prefer Darcy because he does such a deep dive.
Last edited 2 years ago by Randle McMurphy
Randle McMurphy
June 12, 2022 10:15 am
“between Jackson and Semenko everything had a way of getting calm in a hurry.”
Those were the days!
Randle McMurphy
June 12, 2022 10:09 am
2015-16 Bakersfield Condors
J-Bo
June 12, 2022 9:58 am
I’ve got to go with the 15/16 Condors. Drai is the best player considering all the teams. Plus Nurse and Todd Nelson. Todd Nelson should be an NHL head coach.
Brantford Boy
June 12, 2022 9:46 am
I have to go with the 2001-02 Hamilton Bulldogs as I was living back there in that era and was able to attend a couple games with those players.
Last edited 2 years ago by Brantford Boy
jp
June 12, 2022 9:36 am
15-16 with Draisaitl and Nurse has the high end covered like no other, but neither player played even 10 games on the farm so I wouldn’t go there.
81-82 with Moog and Huddy is next for impact players, that that would have to be my choice today.
92-23 with incredible (depth player) GP totals definitely deserves honourable mention though.
And I’ve got high hopes that 18-19 (Bouchard, Yamamoto, McLeod, Skinner, among others) ends up being the winner down the line.
For those with an interest in sports marketing:
The previously moribund BC Lions have a new owner and a new attitude…paid off with more than 30 thousand attendance last night.
https://twitter.com/BCLions/status/1536026621320351744?s=20&t=VOhLHRDq_ALypnl0_XaoOQ
(Click for Video)
@JameyBaskow
The Flyers Head Coaching vacancy is now down to 2 lead candidates Barry Trotz and John Tortorella.
I believe John Tortorella will become the 23rd coach in Flyers history. In addition, I think it will be announced when the Stanley Cup is complete.
Torts in Philly just seems like a perfect match. Though I’m really hope Trotz stays in the Eastern conference.
Vitali Kravtsov returns to the Rangers on a one year deal.
https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/report-rangers-sign-vitali-kravtsov-to-one-year-extension/sn-amp/
As someone who first saw the Oilers live in the WHA, there is only one possible answer: 81-82 Wichita Wind.
I loved Tom Roulston, my all time favourite Oilers prospect ever. Why Joe Mullen had a hall of fame career and Roulston never popped at the NHL level (their stats in the minors were comparable, and fantastic) is just one of those mysteries about prospects. Right opportunity in the right situation at the right time, early success, confidence.
I was at the game the Wind played at Northlands in the playoffs that year (they couldn’t play one home game in Wichita, and the Oilers didn’t need the building that spring thanks to the Miracle on Manchester). Curt Brackenbury played that night — if you didn’t love Brack, you didn’t like hockey.
Tom Roulston reminds me of the trade for Kevin McLelland who scored that massive goal in 1984.
Both players wore #24 and earlier in the season but just after the trade, McLelland scored in Northlands. Whoever operated the scoreboard forget to update name tied with 24 and I had a good laugh when Roulstons name flashed on the screen.
My other memory of that era of Oilers was watching Don Jackson get into a fight with Willie Plett, a gigantic helmet less tough guy on the North Stars. After they squared up, Jackson got a hold of Pletts arm, pulled at it and must have separated Pletts shoulder. He collapsed to the ice and the trainer ran out on the ice.
Jackson was strong as hell
How many times against the Flames did Jackson square off against Jim Peplinski and Semenko against Tim Hunter?
And when I say square off against, I mostly mean pound the crap out of.
There’s no one who enjoyed seeing Peplinski get his ass kicked on a regular basis more than myself except maybe Rod Phillips. Neil Sheehy the dirty bastard was a close second.
That’s my exact order, too. Peplinski had that damnable smirk all the time. Sheehy was just rotten to the core.
https://youtu.be/YtcSR_5fidQ
Amazing YouTube has the Plett fight online. Haven’t seen it in 37.5 years but happened just as I remembered.
Now to lookup some Peplinski / Jackson matchups 🙂
The answer my friend is blowin in the Wind.
“The answer is blowing in the wind”…I actually think was simultaneously literal and metaphorical. Dylan meant “take out your geiger counter, and you will get the answer from the wind.”
Tyson took “Blowing in the Wind” as an ante and raised Dylan “Four Strong Winds”.
And then the Scorpions shoved all-in with “Rock You like a Hurricane.”
😉
And then REM won the day with “It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)”.
How about the Eberle Hall Schultz crew??
I see the Answer below 🙂
The 15-16 Condors is the only team likely to deliver two 1000 game NHL careers. i think I’d have to give it the nod.
If I could pick 2012/13 I would
But 1981-82 WICHITA WIND it is
My read on Keith/Smith is that both must have asked for some time to decide on next season at their exit meetings.
Smith we knew, Keith we did not, but if Keith was such a slam dunk to return I suspect he would have said so.
Smith is struggling on whether to come back, and he’s slated to make 2.5. How do you think Keith feels, at 1.5?
If Kulak resigns and Broberg grabs a job, Keith may not even play all that much.
A big difference, I believe, is that, from his own account, Smith had a really really tough year dealing with injuries all year long. I don’t think we can say the same for Keith – just another regular year for him in that regard (missed a short stretch with the concussion, I think).
15-16 Barons.
I was gonna go with Wichita but I found out the people’s train actually runs out of Stubbsville.
1981-82 Wichita
If you ask the rest of the NHL, the best Oilers farm team was probably the decade of darkness Oilers NHL team.
Former oilers still pay dividens Cogs this year
92-93
Best farm team has to be the 1992-93 team that won the Calder Cup. The team that had the best players that graduated to the big club is a different debate. Probably the Draisaitl-Nurse team if you ignore the # of games played or the Huddy-Moog-Jackson team
What a great final this year. Two best teams in the League by far. Xavier Bourgault is a stud and the Oilers may have a great player there. Can’t wait to see him for the Oilers along with Holloway. Oilers scouting staff deserves a lot of credit these days especially with limited picks. Would like to see what they could dot with all their picks.
I don’t expect we’ll see them with all their picks for the next long while.
I’ll say the Hamilton team, but those first few are all close. I didn’t pick the latest team because the biggest names were only down for a reverse cup of coffee.
Alright, Alright….Sarcastic Randle is going to grab a snickers bar. Peace Out.
— those first two teams on list: Wichita and Cap Breton sure had a lot of NHLers: back then was it more common for more players to come up this way
—. Interesting that the Oil are “enquiring” into the status of Keith and Smith in terms of retirement plus. I never understood why when this was suggested it was dismissed as out of hand by some.
— I don’t know if it will happen but the benefits to doing so are massive and unless Keith wants to play for another contract the risks of playing one season for very little $ are considerable. The Oil would “do” a lot to not have a $5.5mm cap hit to Keith. Between Keith Klef Smith almost $14mm that could be allocated differently next year: a potential massive swing.
“dismissed as out of hand by some.”
~ Randle read this as “dismissed by handsome” ~
imo…Duncan Keith is an Oiler beyond his current contract.
— maybe your right. If it’s true that Chicago wants to tear it down they’d be pretty happy to be “limited” by the salary cap recapture if he retired: One would imagine.
— so the two main thrusts against are gone : “he’d never do that to his old team” is now “he’d be doing them a solid”. And he’s not walking away from $5.5mm. He earned over 70mm and has a $1.5mm choice to make. If he wants to play, all the power to him. But compelling reasons to retire as well IMO and not many impediments.
— Plus lots of wealthy well paid athletes have retired in this era given the understanding of long term health implications of concussion, quality of life, and the multi generational wealth accumulated
Those are all good points.
That first point is especially intriguing.
My points are/have been:
1) Duncan Keith is on the record as wanting to play in the NHL beyond his current contract.
2) Duncan Keith is on the record as wanting to be close to his kid(s) in Kelowna.
3) I believe it’s likely (almost certain) that Ken Holland knew of Keith’s desire to play beyond his current contract AND it is possible that that was one of the reasons he was willing to take on so much cap in the deal. Knowing that he would be getting Keith as a premium 3rd paring defender at less than $1m in 23-24
But like everyone here, I hope you are correct, and that first point of yours makes things very interesting. So thanks for that.
I’ve speculated on #3 before, which is one of the reasons I give him more of a pass for taking on the cap hit. I don’t know if I would put the number at less than $1M though. Probably be more like the $1.5M he’s actually banking.
What about the 2012/13 team that included:
Eberle
Shultz
Nuge
Hall
Hartikainen
Fedun
Magnus P.
Lander
Pitlick
Davidson
Asked and Answered
#GreatMinds
#Angles
Clearly the 2015/16 team delivered the most given the future Hall of Famer and the top 15 NHL d-man. Does it count though given they played 6 and 9 games in the AHL that year?
Yes. Yes it does.
~ I can prove it. It’s in the list above ^. ~
I had a bad dream last night. johnny Yahoo doesn’t sign and the phlegms goes all-in on Kane.
They do seem to make a habit out of beating us out in Free Agency.
~ Apparently it’s only a bad dream if he (Kane) signs with the Flames for less than $7m and/or less than 4 years. 🙂 ~
With Chicago apparently willing to sell everything that’s not tied down, it’s possible that another Kane will shake loose for Calgary…Patrick.
And, of course, it seems DeBrincat is being shopped that would be another option for the Flames.
Your narrative has changed once again. I thought the Flames were going to resign all their RFAs and UFAs with money to spare?
I said nothing of the sort.
What I did say is that Calgary can, relatively easily, re-sign their free agents.
Both Gaudreau and Tkachuk have said they would like to stay but not is sure until they sign.
If they don’t, Calgary will have reams of cap space to find replacements and it seems some high end talent is going to be available.
Calgary blowing all their futures to try and stay relevant when Gaudreau leaves is best case scenario
There are a couple of teams I can think of that have been “blowing all their futures” repeatedly.
Tampa Bay and Colorado.
For all the talk about the Oilers bleeding draft picks, they have more and better picks remaining than the Flames over the next 1, 2, 3 years.
I believe the flames have a 2nd, a 5th and 7th this year…. I like it.
I’m not sure the Tyler T. trade was a win given performance, age, cap hit and acquisition cost.
Yup. The Flames have worse picks remaining than the Oilers in 2023 and 2024 as well.
And Tofolli. He’s got another year on his deal at least, and he should have more of a chance to make an impact once Gaudreau walks.
The Flames gave up the 26th overall pick to Montreal in the Toffoli deal and got a 25 goal defensively strong forward in return.
The last 26th overall pick to be an impact player is Jake Oettinger.
He was drafted in 2016.
The Decade of Darkness has warped Oiler fans perception of the actual value of draft picks.
Did you see how invisible Toffoli was in the playoffs??
He probably is a deadline trade next yr so they can rebuild through the draft
The funny thing is that Sutter made Treliving blow a good chunk of their future to barely get past the first round. Sutter upon losing to the Oilers said it was a successful year because they had made the playoffs lol
Yeah…they have more and better picks than Colorado too.
I have it on good authority that Joe Sakic is going to get fired as a result.
Why would Sakic get fired? His team has done quite well.
Ask your buddy in this thread.
He has said it repeatedly.
They will be overpaying and be worse off.
Calgary isn’t going anywhere no matter who they sign.
lol Neither of those two would ever go to Calgary….
15-16 Condors
We just don’t know what we have in Stuart Skinner at this point. While I think most of us are comfortable that he can handle a “true back-up role”, we don’t know if he can be a 35-40 game 1B, let alone a 1A.
Problem with the “true-back up role” is that (1) Smith can’t handle 55 games and (2) who is out there than can handle 55 games? Kuemper is as big an injury risk as Smith has been. Gibson would be way too expensive via acquisition cost and comes at a risk given his “stats” over the last few years (team matters, of course).
For me, I still want to find out what he have in Skinner before committing term and dollars to a “meh” option like Kuemper (meh due to injuries) or Campbell.
Reimer is an option for me – one-year commitment.
Talbot is an option for me if MAF re-signs there.
I’m not aginst DeSmith in Pit.
What I think might make the most sense is trying to pry Varlamov out Brooklyn. One year at $5MM but I think he can handle the 55 games, I think.
He does have a 16 team NTC so it may be a non-starter but we don’t know if Edmonton would be on his list.
We do know that Lou L. has mentioned he wants more offence from his back-end so Barrie could be something they week.
Something around Varlamov and Mayfield for Barrie plus ?????
A good hockey trade, do those happen any more?
Deal with Lou? No Thank You. (he may be in New York, but the dude is still a devil)
Why would Lou move Semyon for less than a king’s ransom.
On a one year show me deal, MAF. (but I don’t think he wants to play in Canada)
Lou dealt Toews for two 2nds…..
Lou would love to move Valamov because of Sorokin and the need for cap space to improve in other areas, such as his stated need for offence from the D.
~ OK. One occasion where Lou let Assistant GM Steve Pellegrini manage a trade ~
#MentorshipHasItsPrivledges
I do like your trade proposal. I just don’t think Lou will.
How would you sweeten the pot?
What if Lou’s counter was Varlamov/Mayfield for Barrie, the 1st (29th) and Samorukov?
For what it’s worth, lots of Isles ACGM teams value Varly at a 2nd and 3rd and a fair number trade for Jesse, not much interest in Barrie.
I’m be surprised if there isn’t interest in Barrie from a few teams and, given the Isles stated intent to improve offence from defence…..
UBS Arena is not in Brooklyn, it’s in Queens.
I thought it was reported around the deadline this year that Varlamov wasn’t willing to come to Edmonton (sorry, don’t have a link).
I like the idea well enough, but he likely isn’t an option unfortunately.
I now have a link:
https://oilersnation.com/2022/03/09/apparently-semyon-varlamov-wont-waive-his-no-trade-clause-for-the-edmonton-oilers/
Sure, fair, thank you.
Perhaps his mind is changed given Sorokin has taken over as the clear number 1 and he’s one year from wanting a new contract. Being the clear #1 in Edmonton for one year might be something he’d “struggle through” for his future?
Yes, possible. But the ‘no thank you’ was also only 3 months ago, and I think it was clear then, as now, that Sorokin is the NYI number 1.
He made that decision before seeing the Oil go to the Conference finals, so maybe he changes his mind.
That said he’s always struck me as a guy with a rock star, supermodel kind of attitude. Even if he was to deign to safari in our hinterland who’s who for a year, I think the odds of re-signing him are minimal.
Also, out of the One-years, he’s the most expensive. Probably the best of the bunch though too, taking into account game load.
Yes, also possible the Oilers run has changed his mind.
I have no idea about his attitude, but agree he’s likely the most expensive 1 year guy, and probably the least likely to re-sign (he’ll also be 35 next spring).
I do think he’s clearly the best of the bunch. He’s very near the top of the SV% leader board looking at a few years of data (7th over 3 seasons if you look at 60+GP, and 5th among 80+GP). He’s also had 2 long playoff runs in that time, with a .920+SV% both times.
What about the 2012-13 Oklahoma City Barons?
The year that Hall Nuge Ebbs (Schultz) lit up the AHL?
Shultz looked like a million bucks!
That was a lockout year, I DQ’d it because there was no NHL available. It wouldn’t be a fair fight.
I knew that, but Randle can’t help himself …. he insists on working the angles. 🙂
~ Speaking of angles, I might take the 2014-15 Edmonton Oilers NHL Roster. ~
#HeartOfDarkenss?
Hey, any chance you can ply Woodguy with some scotch and get him to do a Goalie Evaluation for us?
Top 3 Whales
Top 3 Stop Gaps
Top 3 Trade Targets
Or some such thing
Seems like THE most important “hinge point” for the coming season. ( and perhaps for any future Cup hopes)
( P.S … I can’t believe that you take your laptop to church with you 😉 )
Or perhaps a radio segment with Kevin Woodley on the same subject.
#AnyWoodIsGoodWood
Prefer Darcy because he does such a deep dive.
“between Jackson and Semenko everything had a way of getting calm in a hurry.”
Those were the days!
2015-16 Bakersfield Condors
I’ve got to go with the 15/16 Condors. Drai is the best player considering all the teams. Plus Nurse and Todd Nelson. Todd Nelson should be an NHL head coach.
I have to go with the 2001-02 Hamilton Bulldogs as I was living back there in that era and was able to attend a couple games with those players.
15-16 with Draisaitl and Nurse has the high end covered like no other, but neither player played even 10 games on the farm so I wouldn’t go there.
81-82 with Moog and Huddy is next for impact players, that that would have to be my choice today.
92-23 with incredible (depth player) GP totals definitely deserves honourable mention though.
And I’ve got high hopes that 18-19 (Bouchard, Yamamoto, McLeod, Skinner, among others) ends up being the winner down the line.
At a loss.
Did not know Shaun and Shjon were farmmates.