I’m not fond of doing these, haven’t done a breakdown like this in years. Why am I doing it now? The season went so late, and we’re on top of the draft then free agency in the next three weeks. I’m doing it because it’s important. Here we go.
THE ATHLETIC!
- Lowetide: Oilers’ pivotal summer and what fans want to see from Ken Holland
- Lowetide: Is this Oilers’ year to find a world-class agitator in NHL Draft?
- Lowetide: 10 free agents for Edmonton Oilers to target this summer
- Lowetide: What Oilers assets should Ken Holland trade this summer?
- DNB: Oilers commit to coach Jay Woodcroft
- DNB: Which Oilers are most likely to return next season? Who goes?
- Lowetide: Are Oilers prospects Philip Broberg, Dylan Holloway NHL-ready?
- Lowetide: How Edmonton Oilers would benefit from signing Andrei Kuzmenko
- DNB: What if Edmonton Oilers trade Jesse Puljujarvi? The case for and against
- Lowetide: Edmonton Oilers’ Tyler Benson is at a career crossroads
- Lowetide: What does Oilers’ optimal roster for Jay Woodcroft look like?
- DNB: Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl’s playoffs for the ages: What’s the legacy?
- DNB & Scott Powers: Oilers’ cap situations if Duncan Keith retires
- Lowetide: Oilers pro scouts have to get it right in free agency this summer
- DNB: Edmonton Oilers offseason priorities: A 10-step plan for success
- Lowetide: What will Edmonton Oilers do in first round of 2022 NHL Draft?
- Lowetide: Can the ‘Connor McDavid will ask Oilers to be traded?’ group please sit down?
- DNB: What Oilers goalie Mike Smith’s unclear future could mean for offseason plans
- Lowetide: Why Jordan Dumais could be NHL Draft steal for Edmonton Oilers
PLENTY OF TALENT
No matter how much we complain about drafting and developing in this era, it’s miles better than 20 years ago. Edmonton has quality amateur scouts, have been lucky in the draft lottery, and for more than a decade the coaching for these Oilers prospects has been quality. In the fall of 2015, Edmonton had just drafted Connor McDavid but traded much of their gold from a rich draft that summer. Here are the players who were in the system (counting Euros, college and all other jurisdictions) and their NHL career games played from 2015-16 until today.
- Leon Draisaitl 558
- Connor McDavid 487
- Darnell Nurse 477
- Tyler Pitlick 298
- Jordan Oesterle 297
- Jujhar Khaira 285
- Brad Hunt 241
- Ethan Bear 190
- John Marino 189
- Brandon Davidson 180
- Caleb Jones 144
- Anders Nilsson (G) 142
- Iiro Pakarinen 117
- Laurent Brossoit (G) 106
- Anton Slepyshev 102
- William Lagesson 60
- Griffin Reinhart 29
- Andrew Miller 6
- David Musil 4
- Dillon Simpson 3
- Bogdan Yakimov 1
That’s a lot of talent in a system at one time. A total of 21 players, seven who played more than 200 NHL games. There’s no chance the current crop will produce a McDavid or a Draisaitl, but there’s talent bubbling under for sure. Here’s a position by position look at what’s on the way.
GOALTENDER
Stuart Skinner, Olivier Rodrigue, Ryan Fanti. The system has produced a goaltender who is headed for the NHL. That’s a positive outcome. We don’t know if Skinner will exceed the totals delivered by Anders Nilsson and Laurent Brossoit, but we do know he’s going to get a good look in 2022-23. He looked good in 13 NHL games and 35 AHL games last season, so might be able to stretch past 40 in the NHL if things are looking good.
- Is this an area of strength? Edmonton is very weak in this area. It isn’t fatal, because this has been the case for most of the last 20 years. Goaltending is a weird spot, because as much as the Oilers have a need, a signing of a free agent or a trade for a quality stopper changes the equation immediately. The Skinner development is an encouraging sign, the first such development since Devan Dubnyk a decade ago.
- What’s the next step? Edmonton has just four picks at this time, and only one in the top 100 overall. There isn’t an obvious choice at No. 29, so it’ll be a late choice. I think it’s also possible we see the team devote heavy minutes in the minors to both Fanti and Rodrigue. Find out what you have.
- Will everyone be back next season? Mikko Koskinen is already gone from the NHL roster. Skinner will be in the NHL backing up Smith or other, Fanti and Rodrigue will see AHL time and someone will play in the ECHL. A veteran who will be the first recall option is needed, he’ll be signed in NHL free agency but won’t be a long-term player.
- Will any prospects be gone next season? Ilya Konovalov is no longer in the system and the team dealt Alex Stalock (not exactly a prospect) during the season. The depth chart is changing in a big way.
LEFT DEFENSE
Philip Broberg, Markus Niemelainen, Dmitri Samorukov, Luca Munzenberger. This is a fine group of young defensemen, and it’s possible we could see two or even three men in this group emerge as 150+ GP NHLers. Broberg could emerge as a top-four defenseman and represents one of the most promising futures on the list. Niemelainen and Samorukov show promise, their NHL future is less assured.
- Is this an area of strength? No, although it could be in short order. Darnell Nurse is the top option and he played well again last season (against elite opposition). Duncan Keith and Kris Russell played second and third pair last season, with help from names like Slater Koekkoek and William Lagesson. A late trade for Brett Kulak, plus the kids mentioned above, gave the position a turnstile feel. It’s likely we’ll see growing pains again next year, but the talent is here to make it an area of strength.
- What’s the next step? Graduating Broberg, Niemelainen and Samorukov to the NHL as regulars. It’s easier said than done, because a team focused on going deep in the postseason can’t devote two spots to rookies every night. Expect Broberg to emerge as the strongest option in short order and Niemelainen brings a physical edge Edmonton needs. Samorukov probably has more potential but can’t stay healthy.
- Will everyone be back next season? No chance. Keith is apparently considering retirement, Russell won’t return and Koekkoek’s future with the team is unknown despite one more year in his deal. Expect Nurse, Broberg, Niemelainen, Samorukov and possibly Brett Kulak if he’s signed.
- Will any prospects be gone next season? Samorukov is waiver eligible, and could be lost. Among prospects, he’s the only obvious candidate. Munzenberger remains in college in 2022-23.
RIGHT DEFENSE
Vincent Desharnais, Mike Kesselring, Phil Kemp, Max Wanner. This is not the equal of the LH side. None of these men is assured of playing in the NHL for any extended period, but Jay Woodcroft made a point to include Desharnais in the group of promising AHL players who were close when speaking on Lowetide and Jamieson last week. I think Kesselring has the highest upside, but all have reasons to recommend them at a fringe level.
- Is this an area of strength? I think we can say it will be an area of strength by this time next season. Cody Ceci fit like a glove and his contract looks like a real value deal moving forward. Evan Bouchard is about to explode as an offensive impact player and is learning on the job defensively. Tyson Barrie is more than adequate as a third pair RH blue, but may be dealt to ease cap pressure.
- What’s the next step? If Barrie is traded, there is no obvious internal option for the third pairing. Broberg and others have played on their offside, but ‘sticks along the wall’ is becoming universal piece of wisdom in the NHL. A free-agent signing or trade may be necessary.
- Will everyone be back next season? Barrie is the big question, and if he leaves, a replacement on the roster is not clearly identifiable (Broberg aside). The prospects will be in Bakersfield or the WHL (Wanner). I would be surprised if any of the Condors aside from Desharnais make it to an NHL game this season. Desharnais GP with Edmonton would be as an 8-9D on recall.
- Will any prospects be gone next season? Filip Berglund will play in Sweden 2022-23.
CENTER
Noah Philp, James Hamblin, Skyler Brind’Amour, Maxim Denezhkin, Tomas Mazura. Noah Philip is an interesting player, we’ll need to see him in Bakersfield for the season before projecting him beyond the AHL. Hamblin’s speed is intriguing and although NHL time is unlikely, it isn’t impossible. The rest of this list is in the distant bell category, although Skyler Brind’Amour’s defensive ability is reportedly impressive.
- Is this an area of strength? God yes. Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Ryan McLeod (I have Nuge on the wing) give the Oilers the best depth chart in the NHL. Devin Shore or Derek Ryan could be the No. 4 center this year, or we might see Mcleod in that spot if Nuge runs No. 3 C.
- What’s the next step? I believe we’ll see McLeod solidify his spot in the middle and take on more PK time. None of the prospects will play in the NHL this season, or possibly ever. This depth chart is Everest.
- Will everyone be back next season? Players like Ryan and Shore are vulnerable because their contracts can easily be buried, but I can’t see a Hamblin pushing them off the roster.
- Will any prospects be gone next season? No exits, but plenty to watch. Hamblin building on his resume, Philp getting a full season to produce in Bakersfield. No decisions are likely on Brind’Amour, Denezhkin or Mazura. We’ll know more about each man one year from now.
LEFT WING
Dylan Holloway, Carter Savoie, Matvey Petrov, Maxim Berezkin, Jeremias Lindewall, Scott Lachance. This is a great list of prospects, with four of the team’s best youngsters pushing for time on left-wing. Holloway can play center, and Petrov RW, but the competition from this group as they push for NHL employment will be fun.
- Is this an area of strength? Yes. Ken Holland overhauled the position and did a great job. Zach Hyman had a strong first season, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored 50 points in 63 games and then delivered some important goals in the playoffs. Warren Foegele added offense to the bottom six and Tyler Benson got his first extended NHL look.
- What’s the next step? Holloway will be first up among the prospects on LW, and has enough talent to carve out a top-nine role. That may come at the expense of Foegele. Savoie will land in Bakersfield and will spend most or all of the season in the AHL. Matvey Petrov may start with the Condors but is a good bet to return to junior. Berezkin is an outstanding if obscure prospect, watch his numbers this season in the KHL.
- Will everyone be back next season? Evander Kane’s return is uncertain, and Tyler Benson is getting squeezed into an AHL job if he returns. The opening night depth chart for Edmonton could be Kane, Hyman, Nuge, Holloway.
- Will any prospects be gone next season? Benson, Brendan Perlini and Ostap Safin are in some danger. Matej Blumel exited the system some time ago and recently signed with the Dallas Stars.
RIGHT WING
Xavier Bourgault, Raphael Lavoie, Tyler Tullio, Jake Chiasson. This group isn’t as deep as the LW’s, but it is possible Bourgault emerges as a more productive player than Holloway. Lavoie career bell curve looks a little flat for a man on his way to a feature role in the show, it’s safe to say he’s off the pace. He needs a strong recovery season in Bakersfield. Tullio had a strong junior career and his NHL future depends on how much offense he brings with him to pro. Chiasson needs to have a healthy and productive season in the WHL.
- Is this an area of strength? No, and it could use the same kind of makeover Holland delivered on LW a year ago. Kailer Yamamoto is a fine young winger who can find chem on any line, he is a free agent and should be back. Jesse Puljujarvi’s future with the team is less certain, but he is a productive player and should be retained. Derek Ryan was more productive here than at center last season, and Zack Kassian appears to be headed out of the city as Holland needs the jaws of life to find cap room.
- What’s the next step? The fine performance of Bourgault this season, combined with Lavoie’s struggles, make the Shawinigan winger the next man up on the depth chart this fall. He has a strong resume, and things to work on, and Lavoie could surprise. I’d bet on Bourgault being the first recall on RW.
- Will everyone be back next season? It’s highly unlikely. Kassian and Puljujarvi are mentioned often as exiting the system, and where there’s smoke there is often fire. Honestly, I don’t think anyone on the Oilers RW depth chart is completely safe.
- Will any prospects be gone next season? No one during the season, but Lavoie is in danger and a second pro contract is not close to guaranteed based on his progress so far in the AHL.
LOWETIDE AND JAMIESON
A busy show today, TSN1260, 10-2. Bob McKenzie’s final draft list hits the Al Gore at 9:30, and we’ll have Glen Suitor to talk CFL and Bruce Arthur to talk SCF and NHL offseason. 10-1260 text, @Lowetide on twitter. Talk soon!
Look forward to the Brain Lawton hire announcement this week.
Him and Bob have been talking about it since Xmas. To an “undisclosed location” of course. Be nice for that innuendo to end, although I’m going to miss Brian’s weekly segment. Out of ON’s regular guests, I thought Lawton was the most astute.
Just a thought before bedtime … I don’t have a problem with Smith going on to LTIR. He’s broken right now, but it’ll give him time to heal and maybe be an insurance policy if whichever goalie we get this off season to replace him or Skinner can’t rise up and take over the crease.
If he can’t make it back, well then the former 5th round pick from 2001 sure did have a hell of a career.
I’ve been looking for under the radar F picks at #29 based on LT’s list.
How about LC David Gaudette (5’11” 175)?
He’s #22 on LT’s and Button’s lists but only #45 on Mackenzie’s list.
Scored 66 33-40-73 in his rookie OHL season, slightly later birthday (March), played on a poor team and only -6, had 23 points more than next highest scorer (50).
He’s somewhat undersized but not as small as Firkus (5’10” 151), who played on a much better team (and not many more points at 66 36-44-80, #12 on LT’s list, #34 Mackenzie’s).
Interestingly, Gaudette likely had more 5v5 points than Firkus.
Gaudette: PP 6-9-15, non-PP 27-31-58
Firkus: PP 12-17-29, non-PP 24-27-51
Know nothing about him but the numbers with the context you provided sound intriguing.
We had our first time out in some time this evening. A reminder time outs last until the following Monday. Now, the individual who is in timeout won’t have a chance to post about any trades, etc that happen in the days to come. If you would like to join that person, please proceed with your current verbal.
Wow, that’s a bold statement and I’m not buying it. Ryan McLeod at 3C is the best depth chart in the NHL?
For a handful of years the comments section of this blog has endlessly championed (and demanded) 3 unicorns at centre. Quite the change around here.
It will all be about matchups, some teams will see.
97
29
93
71
Others
97
29
71
XX
Some
97
93
71
XX
Others
97
29
93
XX
With Jay Evens I think it’s safe to assume things will be adjusting by the opponent, by the period, by the shift, by the smell in the wind. But in ways that contribute to winning, which is foreign to watch.
I think XX will be Leon’s fellow countrymen, Nico Sturm.
…waiting for a better sample from the the other 31 teams…
McDavid, Draisaitl, McLeod will be an exceptional depth chart next season. Nuge, imo, can move up and down the top three wings, depending on who else is over there. McLeod will surprise you.
Speed will keep you in this league for a very long time.
He already has! And you even tried to tell us.
(though I wouldn’t be all that surprised if he’s the one moving up and down the wing while Nuge plays 3C – I don’t think it matters much either way)
I have no worries that next season will finally be the break out year for this team.
Just peruse the final playoff leaders and its our intrepid duo. Forget Austin Matthews, and screw the leafs.
And the Avs look weaker than they’re getting credit for. If they win next season I’ll respect them, but they got gifted a tired and weird Tampa team that was falling apart by the finals. Plus a banged up Oilers who were in effect beaten from the start.
I can’t remember a team that won the cup that didn’t suffer through injuries and Colorado was no different. Their depth players made a huge difference and were outstanding.
They barely made it past St Louis and probably wouldn’t have if Kadri hadn’t taken out Binnington.
Curb stomped includes essentially three one goal games??
You’re a tool.
They beat STL 4 games to 2 and outscored them 22-18.
Looks like a solid series win to me.
So tied with 12 other team for 14th place with a .800 winning percentage in the playoffs since WWI is one of the best? Hell Montreal had a .838 winning percentage over 4 seasons from 76-79 and .816 over 5 season from 56-60.
… and might I add, some very, very friendly officiating.
Stauffer floating Kassian + Foegele for Connor Brown. Boy that would be a coup.
That saves around 1.5 mil cap space, and then you let Brown walk after next season and have Bourgeault step in.
Another option would be to flip Brown for a pick or prospect and really open up some cap space.
That would be a resounding win getting Brown, as a player and old teammate and buddy of Connor
If Kassian + Foegele, and later Barrie, can be moved with net cap savings, that opens things up nicely. If Smith and Keith retire you can easily keep everyone important.
Did he offer any idea why Ottawa would do this?
Maybe they like both those players, or just Foegele?
Why wouldn’t the Sens do it?
Because Brown is a 2nd line winger with two-way ability that could likely return at least a 2nd- if not a 1st- in a deadline deal. Meanwhile, Foegele is likely worth a mid round pick at best and Kassian is a cap dump that’s likely to cost around a 2nd to move out.
Further to the Bobfather’s draft ranking linked below:
His list has Luca Del Bel Belluz at #29. Every time I hear that name, I think of an R&B group from the early 90’s named Bell Biv DeVoe. You might remember them from such hits–and maybe only hits–such as “Poison” and “Do Me!” (which latter song could be known in Quebec as “Dumais”).
I am picking up what you are putting down!
So what your saying is, Holland will trade the pick for lower picks and draft Noah Warren and Jordan Dumais.
hehe
I think of the same R&B group, but for a different reason
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIqn3Dzs77g
A whole lotta milka
I just don’t get this Smith retiring talk. If the man is broken down why wouldn’t he just LTIR all year and make a measly 2.2. Million. Wasn’t Eakins squealer Ference participating in Iron Man Triathlons while he was on the LTIR dole.
His salary is actually $2.5M.
If he does end up retiring rather than going on LTIR, I think that would be because he’s he’s a ‘stand up guy’, or however you want to put it. He might not want to lie or exaggerate about his injuries, or take his employer’s money because he’s decided he’s not willing to put the effort in any more.
That said, it’s likely he does end up on LTIR if he doesn’t play, and I don’t think it would be questioned by anyone since it sounds like he battled injury the entire season and through the playoffs.
Oilers need to tell Smith that he’s not in their plans for next season. Cost the team a place in the finals.
We’d all like a more consistent goalie who’s got enough track to be around for a few more seasons, but cost them a place in the finals is going too far.
He played a big role in getting them to the conference finals, and he finished the playoffs with a SV% 11 points higher than the guy who won the cup.
I’m worried the Oilers are going to pay a lot higher AAV for a ‘more consistent’ goalie with a worse SV%. We’ll see.
This is objectively false when considering his role in the team’s 2-month year end heater and early in the playoffs.
Lots of Woody’s record was lines up with Smith being the best goalie in the NHL for 6-weeks and ending the season close to .915.
Yup. And it is $2.5 in actual salary.
Could you imagine Mike telling his wife and 4 or 5 kids that he’s giving up 2.5 million dollars because a couple of guys on social media think it’s the Manly thing to do. lol. If Mike decides his body can’t take it then he’s collecting LTIR.
Oilers players making decisions based on online chatter is as much a thing as NHL referees making calls based on Kelly Hrudey’s thoughts.
I do believe NHL higher ups listen to comments by media and fans if it becomes a thing. You would have to be pretty Naive or living in a Bubble to think otherwise.
lol @ Eakins squealer Ference.
Love how the fans remember this filth that the honest fans were subjected to.
I would pick up the bill on the suds at a fun horse track to Bullshit with Hall, Eberle and Nuge and get their take on Eakins and Captain Iron Man Ference.
Simply ask former Oilers defenceman Ryan Whitney at his spittinchicklets show. Whitney is having a blast in retirement as a colourful NHL commentator and insider.
Paul Coffey would have trouble beating Ray for pure Oilers enthusiasm ha ha.
“Retiring by way of LTIR”, presuming league approval has the same effect as far as the Oilers cap situation goes (as long as Klefbom is still on the books and the team will be over the cap in LTIR reserves in any event).
What about Robin Lehner as the possible goalie addition? I know there’s lots not to like, but the guys has a career .917 SV% (.916 in the playoffs), is 30 and has 3 years left on his deal for $5M per. Vegas has to shed salary, Thompson has played really well at every level, they’ve got Brossoit also. And Lehner can’t have endeared himself to the team this season.
There is a lot not to like, as I said, but the guy is also 7th among active goalies in SV% (Campbell is 8th, FWIW, though in barely a third of the games, and at the same age). But Lehner isn’t too old, is on a pretty good deal, is conceivably available, and shouldn’t cost a ransom if Vegas is willing to trade him… Could do a lot worse.
My concern with Lehner is in the dressing room. Seems to bring a lot of drama. I am okay with Kane because he can’t afford to mess things up again or it’s game over, Kane is a consistent performer and he seems a fit with the team from his audition. You get neither of these assurances with Lehner.
Yeah, no question there’s risk there. I also see a ton of risk in many of the others names that could conceivably be paid $4M+ to mind net for the Oilers (Gibson, Bobrovsky, Price, Husso, etc).
A quick look shows he’s played previously with Keith, Kane, Ceci, Turris, Koekkoek, Griffith, so at least you can get some opinions on him. Moving teams a lot isn’t a great look either. Definitely not ideal, but he does have the upside of an elite goalie.
The thing about Smith is his “I don’t give a f&%$ what is said or written about me outside the dressing room” attitude served him well in Edmonton. I could be wrong, but I don’t sense Lehner is up for that pressure here, which would dwarf anything he has seen in Vegas from a hockey perspective.
That’s a good point. ‘Thin skin’ and ‘goaltender for the Edmonton Oilers’ wouldn’t be the greatest match.
Avoid Vegas retreads with their lurid “I used to live in LV” schtick.
That was a great mentality to have, considering the feeble support offered players by the franchise since Sather left for Broadway.
Something, something 300 lb goaltender….
Absolutely, but one who stops pucks pretty well.
Other options being thrown around have bullet points such as:
-29 years old, $6.4M AAV, 5 years, will cost major assets, .904 SV%
-35 years old, $5.25M AAV, 4 years (w/ 50% retained), injury and off ice issues, .905 SV%
-34 years old, $5M AAV, 4 years (w/ 50% retained), .906 SV%
-24 years old, $4M AAV, will cost significant assets, .902 SV%
-25 years old, $2.8M AAV, injury issues, .898 SV% last 2 seasons
-33 years old, UFA, .899 SV%
(all SV% numbers are 3 year totals unless noted)
Pick your poison.
I have. You keep making my argument for me. 😉
Haha.
I do think there are a number of better options than these (ie – worth pursuing).
I don’t mind some of the one year guys either, and it certainly is possible Skinner shows himself worthy.
I just think that most probably in that scenario you’re looking for the same thing again next summer, so why wait? (Though clearly you need to have a list of the guys deemed worth committing to rather than trying to force a solution).
Yup. If Skinner can’t grab the job it remains a problem. I just don’t see any long term solution that screams at me that this is the summer to go big on a goalie.
Lots of good to very good goalies available, to astute GM’s.
Mike Smith included…..
Yes that’s fair. But there might not be anyone screaming next year either.
And to be fair, the only guy screaming last year might be available again. And this time only for (2x the) money! 🙂
I’m glad I’m not a GM.
I’ve said it before, not a popular route, but I’d bring in 3 experienced pros on inexpensive deals, one as the vet in Bakersfield and the other 2 as a “3 headed monster” until 2 of the 3 come out as clear top 2 options.
In watching NHL goalie development very closely over the past several seasons, many of the more obscure tenders often seem to hit their stride around 27-28 years old. My 3 targets are:
Kevin Lankinen 27 yrs old
GP 69 W 25 L 29 T 11 0.901
Charlie Lindgren 28.5 yrs old
GP 29 W 15 L 12 T 2 0.913
Ken Appleby 27 yrs old
GP 3 W 0 L 1 T 0 0.945
I think these are lower risk bets than an older, more expensive, erratic and oft injured goalie, as many of the available options out there are.
Ultimately Holland should be signing a minimum of 2 vet guardiens. One for Edmonton, the other for the AHL. Fanti can get plenty of reps in Witchita, while Rodrique plays in Cali.
These are interesting players (how has Ken Appleby continued to play so much in the ECHL with those numbers??).
I think the risk there is the “until 2 of the 3 come out as clear top 2 options” just never comes.
i think he keeps running into situations where prospects get priority. Or in a few cases Corey Schneider, lol.
It is a curio for sure. Those are some great numbers, pretty much all down the line.
He is a player I’ve been keeping an eye on since his stint in Jersey. But Wedgewood and Blackwood were drafted prospects and he was an OHL UFA. But he seems to stand out like a sore thumb to me.
if I were him I’d find a new Agent, seriously.
Just my opinion, but the longer it goes for Keith and Smith, the more likely it is they retire.
Smith might not even be fit to train until later in the summer. Keith could come back, but the salary is negligible for him and it’s extremely likely he will have to compete for ice, particularly with Samorukov/Broberg/Kulak all chomping at the bit.
How appealing is it to play half the games and be away from family?
I like your train of thought but I don’t think Samurokov will actually challenge Keith for ice time. Broberg and Kulak sure.
Smith no doubt believes he has a chance and at 40 he might be able to pull off another season, or more even, but it cannot be for any team that is depending on him.
The recent playoff sweep proves this.
Both will want to return but Smith needs to be put out to pasture, like as a goalie coach or even a team dressing room agitating coach lol
Over the last two seasons combined, Smith is 6th in the NHL in save percentage and, last year alone, even after all those struggles trying to “get up to speed”, he plays so well that his save percentage was closing in on .915 on the season, and better than that of many goalies being suggested as “upgrades”.
Of course, continued health would be a concern going forward but, as far as regular season on-ice performance, he remains a very good NHL goalie – objectively.
I don’t think there is anything really “going on”.
Holland said he asked them to let him know their plans by months’ end and that he’d speak to him at this point.
Us (and Holland) not knowing isn’t any indication that Mike and Duncan themselves “don’t know” – they just haven’t had that conversation with Holland yet.
These guys are enjoying the beginnings of their summer – they aren’t rushing out on the phone to call Holland one their “mind is made up” – i think Holland will simply reach out to them or their agent at some point this week and get their thoughts.
Let Kane walk, and sign Nino. Trade JP, Kassian and a sweetner to Carolina for Necas. Mix and stir and serve at room temp.
There is no way Carolina goes for that deal.
Kane is a higher end option than Nino. Bunch of guys like Hyman/Nuge/Yamo etc to play middle six roles. I’ll take the elite guy, provided the number is reasonable.
Nino at 2 – 2.5m less a year is more value than paying Kane for something he has already done IMO. JP and Necas are almost identical in stats and both seem to need a change of scenery with both players falling out of favor.
Nino is a good player, but I’m the opposite: an extra 2.5 mil / year is a small price to pay for 40 plus goal upside.
I wasn’t under the impression Necas was out of favour. Even if he is, Carolina is not the type of team to rate Kassian.
Kane has a proven track record of success ( small sample size)with Connor. The good fit is not a guarantee with another player coming in! Chemistry is real and extremely important for success.
Kane also brings an edge that the team needs!
If ever there was a summer for it, this is the one. Calling it right now, LT’s long standing suggestion….. the 3 for 1 trade! No idea on the players/assets involved, but feel free to offer suggestions.
How about Barrie, JP, and the 1st for Helly?
All day long but I don’t believe Winnipeg would ever do that deal!
One can dream right?
In all seriousness, I think Winnipeg is somewhat in flux with their player personnel and might want to explore shedding salary. Not saying they’re going to dump salaries for the sake of it, but many of the players might not want to go through the rebuild they might go through.
Skilled forwards possible picks at #29
McGroarty
Snuggerud
Gleb Trikozov,
Howard
Kulich
Miroshnichenko
Ohgren
Ostlund
Lutz
I’d be happy with Ostlund
From that list I’d go Kulich, Ostlund in that order
The D Oilers might consider at #29
Pickering
Bichsel
Chesley
Rinzel
I’d be happy with Chesley
2- way grinding 200 ft players who maybe available at #29.
Beck
Gaucher
Schaefer
Perevalov
I’d be happy with Beck at #29
If Smith retires now, could he UNretire in February 2023?
He could, yes. As long as the Oilers agree to it at that time.
No, its not that easy.
Not without approval of all 32 NHL franchises.
That prospect list from 2015 is just horrible. If you take out the guys picked #1, #3 and #7 there are only two players (Pitlick and Marino) who are anything other than replacement level at best.
Still don’t know why the Oilers let Pitlick walk as a UFA – oh right ChiaPet.
4-9 11 and 14 are all players in the NHL. Just because they aren’t 2 MVP’s and a top 10 pick doesn’t make them useless.
Pitlick went on record saying that he was hoping some org would offer a one-year one-way deal and was shocked when Dallas offered three years and jumped at it.
Imo Holland should be sacrificing all the rfa and ufa wingers and defenders and picks to get Helly into the fold.
The Oilers goaltending is a area of AIDS. Imo Skinner is maybe a 1b someday, maybe. Then there’s literally nothing else.
Get Helly, bring back the rfa’s that fit and cut the rest.
If you can’t get Helly, Holland probably needs to sign 2 tenders and Kane.
Kassian, JP, Samu, 1st rounder, something else for Helly.
Pitts is unable to retain Letang, they grab Barrie for a pick.
If Holland can’t land Helly, chase Kane, sign DeSmith, maybe Holtby too. Skinner could end up looking up at a Holtby/DeSmith tandem ahead of him.
Hoping in all of this they figure out a way to keep Kulak around.
Waiting for Chevyldayoff to make a decision on a trade is a recipe for ulcers and hair loss. If the Jets season goes down the toilet we might see him do something with a 4th line RW around the trade deadline.
I don’t expect Skinner to grab the starting gig, and I don’t think the Oilers should enter the season in a position where they’re hoping he will.
I do think though he’s fully earned, and is probably ready for, half of the net (or 1/3 or 1/4).
He’s no longer waivers exempt, and there’s no way I’d block him and potentially lose him in favor of two other question mark goalies.
(Agreed on Hellebuyck, I’d be all over that if he’s available. My guess is the cost would be something like JP/KY, 2022 1st, Holloway/Bourgault/2023 1st. Guess that’s a 3 for 1 as well, though he probably won’t be made available)
I don’t expect Skinner to grab the starting gig
====================
Oh, ye of little faith. 😉
To be clear I don’t either out of camp. But I think he will be by the half way mark of the season. After that he either runs with it or Holland is shopping at the TD.
It’s true, I don’t have enough faith in him being an average/above starter in the short term to not look seriously at other goalie options.
And I know, I didn’t mean out of camp either. But I’m not a big fan of any plan that has Skinner 50/50 on finishing the year as starter.
I realize I am out on that island by my lonesome.
Well, I think Godot10 and OP are with you 😉 (on the 1 year stop gaps only)
Hopefully Skinner convinces all of us his was the right island all along.
I am fully comfortable with Skinner paired with a guy that should be able to play 50-games and signed for 1-year.
Skinner has all but proven he’s ready for a 30-game back-up role. He could be ready for more right away or in a year or never – we don’t know.
I don’t discount him being ready for a true starter split at some point this year but it can’t be “counted on”.
He does have rebound control issues and Mikko-like playing the puck.
I’m with you on the island but believe it mandatory to have a backup plan/option.
I can’t help but wonder if the Oilers will sign Josh Manson at RHD. Colorado is going to lose multiple players with so many free agents getting raises. I only say this because his dad is a coach here, maybe I’m way off. But I wouldn’t mind seeing him signed if Barrie is traded.
I think the fact that his father is a coach here (we hope) probably ensures that he doesn’t play for Edmonton.
Not sure where it comes from but I have also heard it mentioned that he doesn’t want to play for any Canadian team. He prefers it south of the border.
His California wife would have a few words about a Canadian destination.
Back to Anaheim?
Wouldn’t bat an eye if LA was the spot at a mild discount to market.
Also possible. I think it was Sevarelli who speculated he wanted to go back to Anaheim but I suspect either or will work for him.
This is the correct answer. She does not want to be in Canada. He even sold his beautiful lakefront cabin at Christopher Lake, SK last year, which he had owned for a long time.
Am good friends with the neighbours there. Small world.
The Robin Hood Strategy.
Sign Josh Manson and Nick Paul.
Rob from the rich; Give to the poor.
Is Brett Kulak Josh Manson light?
Does the Kulak contract come in at half of the AVV of the Manson contract?
They are very different players!
I thought the team’s motto was ‘buy high, sell low’. 😉
If that is your strategy then Ruuta and Nichushkin should be your targets.
Nic Paul is really slow. Not for me. Manson will get salary and term and has a couple seasons left at most before he’s a complete pylon like bogosian
Agreed!
From accounts, he may be very interested in heading back to Anaheim and, generally, players do NOT want to play with their dads as coaches.
Taking all that way, I would stay FAR away. Josh has an OK playoffs but I think that was much do to team – he has regressed over the last few years and wasn’t very good in the regular season with the Avs.
He’s at the massive regression years for the type of d-man he is – big, physical, stay at home.
Buyer beware on his up coming 4 year contract (the Adam Larsson contract).
Mckenzie says Juraj Slavkovsky edges out Shane Wright…because (among other things) he’s bigger!
In other news McKenzie says both 5’10” Firkus and 5’9 and 1/2 Mesar will be available to the Oilers at 29
Not McKenzie who said that. His list is a survey of 10 scouts and one of them referenced the size difference. Interesting that half the scouts are unsure if either guy will be a top line forward. Sounds like a pretty thin group of prospects compared to other years.
Good year to trade the first and have few picks
Bob Mckenzie
https://www.tsn.ca/juraj-slafkovsky-shane-wright-bob-mckenzie-nhl-draft-ranking-1.1818585
What most interests me about Ken Holland’s summer is getting a better view as to his commitment to building for the long haul.
Isn’t that exactly what Holland always talks about: Building a team that will be in the playoffs year after year after year – got to get in year after year and give yourself a chance.
“The current state of some in the fan base is hot, tinder dry, and waiting for a spark.”
Runs to junk drawer, pulls out BIC lighter
Click, Click, Click
Ken Holland built a roster that made it to the final four; This offseason, he needs to amend that roster to actually “belong” in the top 4.
Headline reads “Ken Holland shocks the hockey world! Trades…… “
And click, click, click,…Corey Perry is an Oiler!
Awesome, guaranteed trip to the final.
He is under contract with the Bolts for 1 more season.
We could of had a 400 plus goal scorer for a 100 grand.
My feeling on Lavoie is that he’s supremely talented but doesn’t have that crazy drive one needs to be a successful pro athlete.
Tullio is the type of guy who could Brad Malone down the line I think.
An interesting comp for Tullio is Hyman. They went in almost exactly the same place in the draft and both spent a good chunk of their developmental years playing on team’s owned by their fathers. The desire to prove that they are on a team by merit can be a powerful motivating factor.
Isn’t Hyman a much bigger player (and didn’t Zack play like a full college career)?
I do recall reading/hearing some soft accounts of the coaches/management not being overly-enthused with his “give a shit”/work effort/commitment to improving.
Even a “soft-crtisisim” related to AHL player is something given how overly-positive everyone associated with the org is in public.
Trade Kassian, Klefbom and Smith’s contracts (total value of $9.6M annually) for Bobrovski with $3M retained and a prospect or draft pick for us. Florida can LTIR Smith and Klef for one year and buy out Kassian. In a year, they are much better off cap-wise.
We get a goalie who we can pair with Skinner, picks or a prospect and $3M in new cap space for this year. Maybe that lets you keep both Jesse and Kailer.
I think the RW depth could be setting. Up quite well. In a few years, Bourgault could be legit top 6 RW along with Jesse and Kailer at 3RW is championship level depth.
That trio should come in cost-effective at well.
Hyman, Nuge and Holloway on the left side.
McDavid, Drai, McLeod down the middle.
Just find a way to keep the forward group intact.
I believe there would need add some dept to the right wing for next season if Bourgault is the first call-up Only had a limited view of him in the memorial cup. He shows outstanding offensive instincts, learnings on the defensive side may take time in the AHL. (i.e. first goal by the Bulldogs yesterday)
If
Bourgault
JP
Yamo
Is the plan…..
Then we’re just waiting out the Avalanche Dynasty?
I prefer the Lincoln strategy:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-VpvcuKEA4
LW…”The opening night depth chart for Edmonton could be Kane, Hyman, Nuge, Holloway.”
So let it be written; So let it be done!
That could/would be the best LW roster in the enitre NHL
Strategy: Outscore the opponent.
#1984MiamiDolphins
#Creeping Death
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAOMEqMXiXI
Creeping Death?…or Ride the Lightning?
Goaltending “Edmonton is very weak in this area. It isn’t fatal”
It may not be fatal, but it is certainly “life threatening”
Although I must say that times may have changed. It wasn’t long ago that an Elite Goalie could steal you a game or two, even a series. But in todays high octane NHL, it’s more like the Grant Fuhr era….you just need your Goalie to make the important stops at the right time and to allow one less goal than the opposing tender.
Is that 4 Non Blondes…What’s going on?
“And I scream from the top of my lungs
“What’s going on?””
“25 years and my life is still
Tryin’ to get up that great big hill of hope
For a destination”
Lowetide KNEW this song would get stuck in our heads and I consider the article title an act of violence.
The title of that song isn’t “What’s Going On” but rather “What’s Up?”
I really hope HH is playing hardball with the goaltending, like sending a message to Smith that if he isn’t retiring he still may sign a goalie and potentially bury Smith. I just don’t think we can go with Smith and Skinner this year. The goalie market is a tough one, but I’d rather go with a Husso or de Smith paired with Skinner.
Any scenario where Nuge is not considered to be in the top 6, he is far more likely to the 3rd on the center depth chart. If the Oilers sign Kane or find another alternative in that spot, Nuge will not be the team’s 3rd LW.
Agreed
Kane XXX XXX
RNH XXX Hyman
Holloway McLeod XXX
Now if only we could find the XXXs to center those top two lines….
Kane MVP XXX
RNH MVP Hyman
Holloway McLeod XXX