There’s no chance Xavier Bourgault makes the Edmonton Oilers out of training camp, so it’s unusual for him to show up this early in what will be a series of five ‘hopefuls’ featured over the next six weeks. The Oilers currently have very few skill RH wingers, and with Jesse Puljujarvi rumoured to be going, it will leave a population of Zach Hyman, Kailer Yamamoto and Derek Ryan. Sure, Warren Foegele could surprise, but Bourgault is a high-end skill player entering a training camp where the organization suddenly lacks what he brings. This might get interesting.
Lowetide: Oilers’ pivotal summer and what fans want to see from Ken Holland
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DNB: What if Edmonton Oilers trade Jesse Puljujarvi? The case for and against
XAVIER BOURGAULT
What role will he play in Bakersfield? He has competition, but I do believe Bourgault will emerge on one of the top two skill lines in short order. Seth Griffith is a lock for the No. 1 RW and feature player on the power play, after that is gets interesting. The other prospects (Raphael Lavoie, Tyler Tullio) could beat him out but Bourgault is the better prospect. Dino Kambeitz and Filip Engaras (a center, but also RH) would also be in the mix.
What kind of offense will he bring? You’d like to say plenty, but a number of skill wingers have arrived in Bakersfield and started slowly. Anton Slepyshev was 13-8-21 in 49 games, Kailer Yamamoto was 10-8-18 in his first 27, Dylan Holloway was 33 games, 8-14-22. A teenage Jesse Puljujarvi (39 games, 12-16-28) might have been the best in the group as an AHL player.
Did anyone do well? Tyler Benson and Cooper Marody, both close to point-per-game players as rookies in 2018-19, didn’t make it in the NHL as skill line forwards.
SO the key is don’t stay too long in the minors? Exactly. The real skill forwards often spend fewer than 40 games in the minors. I believe Bourgault is that player.
Does he shoot the puck much? I’d say he’s more of an accurate shooter than a volume type. He is likely to resemble Yamamoto in this area.
What will keep him out of the NHL? I’m no scout or coach, but he has a fairly complete range of skills. He is smaller, but at 6.0, 180 would be just shy of average. His hands are magic, that’s going to get him tons of chances with skill. He is good at uncovering pucks, and was used in a two-way role at times during the WJ’s. I’d describe him as a multi-dimensional talent. Great passer.
He doesn’t like to get into the corners? I don’t think that’s his game, but he will develop the strength to compete. Probably never going to be a strength. Oilers do have players who can turn over picks with quickness (Yamamoto, Nuge) so that may be an area he can develop with help from others.
Is he good enough to eventually play on a line with McDavid or Draisaitl? I think he was drafted for that purpose and I do think he could see time there not long after his NHL arrival. He is the top skill right wing prospect in the system.
A year away? I think he could play NHL games in 2022-23, especially if Jesse Puljujarvi is traded.
What is the current depth chart at his position? Jesse Puljujarvi, Kailer Yamamoto lead the group, they are both RFA and need contracts. Derek Ryan slots in on the bottom six, either at center or right wing. Zach Hyman will be a RW on one of the skill lines if Pujujarvi is dealt. The opportunity is there for this player.
Do you think he’ll make it? The only prospect I’m more sure of is Philip Broberg. Bourgault and Holloway have a clear path to the NHL, just need finishing school in the AHL.
Are the Oilers better at drafting than a decade or 20 years ago? People often criticize the Oilers scouts, but for me since 2015 the club has been both drafting well and developing players at a new level. The general managers are going to have to stop trading so many draft picks, but the ones Edmonton does use are hitting often enough to sustain the big club. I believe Bourgault is a perfect example.
Yes, unless this year repeats itself and they are in or near a playoff spot come the deadline, no way will they trade either in that case, and again risk losing them for nothing if they’re not signed at that point.
They’ve got about 8 months to sign these players or trade for someone who will sign. Otherwise liquidate, one playoff run is not worth it. But I think they will sign.
Given the situation I think it’s a pretty good deal for the Flames but they are still grabbing a F that is 5 years older than the one that they are giving up. The 1st rounder is 3 years down the road and won’t be helping anytime soon. I think getting Weegar is the huge get in the deal for them. A lot of risk in not having either of these guys locked in, but I’m assuming they at least have an idea if there may be interest.
Looking at the Flames roster today compared to the end of the season it is still worse. They have time to make some moves but after Mangiapane and Kylington deals and sorting out their D they will only have around $3-4 million for 2-3 more F on the roster. I suspect they will now look to make a move or two on the backend, potentially just moving Kylington to free up some cap space to use for a more impact F.
Sierra
July 23, 2022 8:06 am
Pretty good trade for the Flames given the situation they were in, and especially if they sign one of the 2 UFA before the trade deadline.
They are building a Sutter team from the goaltender out.
I agree they seemed to get great value given their situation, but they risk simply kicking the can 1 year down the road if they remain competitive (which they should, despite the team overall being downgraded compared to last season) and thus cannot trade these rentals at the deadline in that position, again risking both walk as UFAs should they not agree to extensions pre or during the season.
Also, Huberdeau strikes me as least superficially, as one of the least Sutter players in the league.
Yeah Huberdeau is not a Sutter player but Gaudreau didn’t appear to be and he rounded out his game nicely last year. I still think Sutter is a good coach, but I think we have a better coach here so it doesn’t really matter. Let the media fawn over Sutter and that team like they did last year.
Scungilli Slushy
July 23, 2022 7:21 am
Quite a deal
It is possible the flames may actually be a better ‘team’ next season
Florida has lost in this, but Zito got more edge and maybe they feel they have enough skill and really needed more edge after many playoff disappointments. Flip side they locked in a player they covet for 8 and perhaps were looking at losing both for nothing a year down the road. Their first doesn’t have great value really but you need higher picks
I value really good defenseman a lot, I feel they impact the game more than forwards other than really elite ones
Treliving may also be in a position to flip a D for a forward if they feel they aren’t deep enough up front. Very risky but that’s the game he’s been playing
Tkachuk Gaudreau vs Huberdeau Weegar may be a wash overall. Although losing Hockey for nothing is still fireable to me.
Also, the flames will likely make the playoffs, playoff teams don’t deal out at the deadline, so a tightrope again next offseason for the bad guys
Harpers Hair
July 23, 2022 6:44 am
EvolvingWild
Per our GAR projections, we projected Bjorkstrand to be the second best player on the Blue Jackets next season (after Gaudreau) – 22nd highest GAR projection among forwards for next year. Unreal move for Seattle.
Between Zito and McCrimmon in Vegas, two people who were highly sought after as GMs by fans and management alike, both have essentially mortgaged their franchise’s future with their inept asset management.
Again, Trelivving could have been held over a barrel and he comes away with that over Zito. Unbelievable.
Anyway, I think Calgary has kicked the can down the road for one year in terms of free agency. They’re hoping beyond hope that Sutter’s style will convince Huberdeau and Weeger to stay. I don’t see it happening for lots of reasons. Playing in the west, wear and tear on the body, TAXES.
The Tkachuk’s have shown the world what they are all about. The $$$. Classless tweet by Brady Tkachuk IMO and I wouldn’t want either of them on my team.
Thing is…if Huberdeau and Weegar walk after one season with Lucic and Monahan coming off the cap the Flames would have an additional $20 million in cap space next offseason.
Pretty easy to upgrade their roster with that kind of walking around money.
Although I think that this deal makes Florida worse for next season I can understand their PROCESS here.
Undoubtedly they have talked extension with the two outgoing players who are entering the last year of their deals. They know what it those players are looking for in terms of a contract, importantly how long of a contract that they are looking for.
They look across the State at their fierce rival and see the Lightning trading away 33 year old core players, not re-signing their 31 year old core players and re-upping their 24/25 year old core players to 8 year terms.
Are Florida then going to sign their core 28 year old players to 8 year deals and watch them fade on their dime or use them to acquire a 24 year old player who they view as “generational” (if one is to believe their press release – if they do believe that, I would disagree with their valuation but that is besides the point)
I like Huberdeau though. I like the way he hangs onto the puck in the offensive zone and finds players for scoring chances.
Duclair and Bennett benefitted greatly from his excellent playmaking ability.
Sutter should be good for his defensive game
I don’t like the deal for Florida, but I understand what they are doing.
They now have a player through his 24 to 31 year old seasons.
I do think that Tkachuk power game is overrated though but he plays with emotion and that Florida team lacked that this playoff after showing it in droves last playoff.
Yeah I don’t like this argument for Florida. Weegar and Huberdeau are high end players that are only 28, 29 years old, you pay those players all day long. It’s even worse because their Stanley Cup window is the next 2-3 years not in 5-6 years. And by giving up both players and not having someone to replace Weegar they made their team actively worse and paid assets to do it! Complete panic move by Florida IMO
Kraz
July 22, 2022 11:45 pm
Man Florida is really closing their window fast. They are now a completely capped out team with no first round pick until 2026. They will still be a playoff team but after this trade they are not a true contender. Giving up Weegar was absolutely insane as their defence is now Ekblad, Forsling, Montour and Gudkas. Pretty rough top 4 and combine that with Brobovsky who is only getting older and other than last was pretty terrible. They still have Spencer Knight but again he is only 22. They still have great forward depth but I have a feeling their defence is going to sink them.
It pains me to say that Calgary won that trade. Don’t know what Florida was thinking.Off to bed In a bad mood, now.
Bling
July 22, 2022 10:46 pm
I was extremely impressed with Weegar when the Panthers played Edmonton. SSS obviously, but IMO he defends really well and did a very good job against 97.
97 was held to just 2 A in 2 games. I think that’s a big, big add for Calgary. What will FLA do about their LHD?
I really like Huberdeau as well. In my old age, I’m becoming less afraid of old-ish players, particularly if they are elite. It’ll be fascinating to see what Huberdeau does with Lindholm.
I’m curious as to whether Tkachuk is really as good as he was this past season. He’s a great player, don’t get me wrong. I thought he was poor against the Oilers in the playoffs and generally not noticeable during the regular season, aside from his usual schtick of cheap shots. JMO.
he played his offside with Ekblad mostly. Hell of a player
Munny 2.0
July 22, 2022 10:41 pm
Looking at PuckIQ, Huberdeau is 5th among forwards in TOI against elites and 12th in terms of DFF%. I don’t put a lot of stock in the TOI number b/c almost every F spent more time against Grits than Elites, which seems counter-intuitive, but it is the ordinal which is important.
He’s had 10 playing seasons, been above 90 points twice and hasn’t broken 80 any other season. His playoff performances have had mixed results. It’s almost like they traded Tkachuk for Gaudreau.
Lindholm will be pleased he has a great passer to replace Gaudreau who assisted on 17! of Lindholm’s 5v5 goals.
One big difference though: Johnny was a puck transporter, Huberdeau isn’t.
Our Edmonton Operation
July 22, 2022 10:26 pm
I was curious to see what Flames fans thought. Calgary Puck is overwhelmingly in favour of the trade, although there is some concern about re-signing Huberdeau and Weegar. In the early minutes of the trade, some made comments that it’d be funny if Sam Bennett came back.
I highly doubt it being from the Montreal area and playing in Miami area.
Elgin R
July 22, 2022 10:20 pm
I see the flames being good up until the trade deadline. When JH and MW refuse to sign they will both be traded. Then the flames are done for a few years. Great choice by Markstrom. 😂
If both players want to leave, you’ll get a nice haul at the deadline, but then you’ve got a bunch of picks/prospects, a team that has missed the playoffs, and you’ve been (essentially) forced into a rebuild/reload
If Treliving has any indication that both players will not sign with Calgary next year, he might be inclined to move them both right now and get on with it
If Flames are in playoff contention, which they certainly should be, trading Huberdeau at deadline would be a very difficult decision to make as a GM, because you’re usually getting futures for any rental. Unless, of course, they could find another sign/trade partner.
Surely Treliving isn’t going to do the exact same thing he just did with Gaudreau is he? If he goes into the season with them unsigned (re) or traded…..that will be amazing.
btw the Canucks are doing the same with Miller. GM Allvin said that they don’t have to do anything until the trade deadline. But what if they are in a playoff spot? Does he not think they will be in a playoff spot? If they continue their Boudreau winning pct they will be in a playoff spot.
Guessing they want money and term, they are olderish. Treliving will pay them, problem solved. He and the Flames live to fight another day.
gogliano
July 22, 2022 10:18 pm
The key to Florida’s reasoning on this probably comes down to seeing Tkachuk as a contributor and at least as good as Huberdeau (present value) for the next 9 years — which only brings him to his early thirties. Huberdeau’s about to start the downslope of his career. Even if you value the players as a wash, Florida gets a ‘best or equal player’ for significantly longer term.
That said, I’m also a Huberdeau skeptic. Tkachuk strikes me as the better player, and certainly the better goal scorer.
Calgary still made out very well, particularly when dealing from weakness, but a 1-for-1 with the sign and trade would have been a big W for Florida.
Based on our tax calculator, and assuming that his salary is $9.5M next season, Matthew Tkachuk will make $652,884 more next season in Florida than he would have in Calgary.
And there are some tough hombres in the east that he’s now going to be expected to deal with. Good luck.
Munny 2.0
July 22, 2022 9:51 pm
I read a post on Calgary Puck a couple of days ago where the poster was happy that Gaudreau and Tkachuk were gone and going because he was bored. He needed a change… the team needed a change.
Well, the monkey’s paw granted him his wish… Now they have a different set of playoff non-performers.
He had hip surgery in April. Some reports question if he’ll be able to return for the upcoming season. I guess there is no guarantee that he won’t be out for the year and Treliving will have to keep cap space available in case he does return to play. That’s tricky. Either way, he would be next to impossible to trade coming off the hip injury to go along with his big cap hit.
He’s certainly unlikely to provide value on his cap hit. I mean you’re right that the guy’s body has been to the wars and back and there’s probably a material possibility he does stay on LTIR But I also imagine if he thinks he can play and wants to, he will, somewhere.
They can’t buy him out because he was on LTIR to end the season (even though they do have a 2nd buyout window which will open after their last arb case is settled – or awarded).
You indicated yesterday he was going back to the Avalanche. Sober second thought this AM. Asking for a friend!
GarbanzoHumanBean
July 22, 2022 9:41 pm
Breaking News: Florida Panthers Hire new GM Florida Man. As his first act he is shipping off Hart contending Forward Huberdeau and Top line Defensemen Weeger along with a first round pick and a prospect for Brady Tkachuk’s Brother.
Ranford.85
July 22, 2022 9:40 pm
Even Huberdeau alone for Chucky is an overpayment by FLA hah! Unless it does turn out to be for only one year of Hubes…
Decent haul by Cgy to make up for two home grown stars leaving town.
OriginalPouzar
July 22, 2022 9:39 pm
The 1st rounder to Calgary is 2025….. so there is that.
Decidedly Skeptical Fan
July 22, 2022 9:39 pm
Looks like this once pristine, remote, internet outpost has finally been discovered. Congratulations and welcome to the big leagues, LT.
OriginalPouzar
July 22, 2022 9:12 pm
My goodness, what a trade for the flames.
Huburdeau is the best player in the trade:
Frank Seravalli
@frank_seravalli
·
1m
Full trade, per sources:
To #FlaPanthers:
Matthew Tkachuk (extension in place)
To #Flames:
Jonathan Huberdeau, MacKenzie Weegar, Cole Schwindt and a 1st round pick.
I guess, with Weegar also a UFA after next season there is risk to the flames that both bolt but, then again, if that’s the case, they can get a big haul at the deadline.
They can only get a big haul if they can find a sign/trade partner, which may not be as easy at the trade deadline. Otherwise they will get mostly picks for a rental.
Where is the extension then HH? You think it would be part of the the trade. Sources reporting this too, but I know you’re reading every living thing on twitter about this deal already.
If Huberdeau wants to test free agency the Flames will be forced to trade him at the deadline. BT just likely hopes he can convince him to stay.
You sound like my friend who told me they were already working on an extension for Huberdeau, minutes after the deal was announced, with no credible source. You were in journalism, right?
When you consider that all the players in the trade were rentals (1yr) before the deal was done, it’s a good deal for Calgary even with Tkatchuk resigning.
Florida was not happy with Weeger in the playoffs, Cole Schwindt maybe turns into a NHL player, 1st rd pick will be in the upper 20’s. They like Tkachuk more than Huberdeau. No guarantee they(Huberdeau and Weeger) will sign after the year.Huberdeau is 29
I like Huburdeau over Tkachuk but I think we can agree that’s close to a wash, a small win one way or the other.
Plus a 1st, plus Weegar….
The only issue is if the two don’t re-sign.
Given the clear player haul for the flames, I don’t think they have any contact with the players prior to the trade – I think Treliving is taking on risk here but, if he can re-sign them, reasonably, that’s a massive win.
I like Tkachuk over Huberdeau. He’s a better goal scorer.I think Huberdeau played with a better C in Florida than Tkachuk . However I think this is the best trade Calgary could make.
Wow. I’ve got to hand it to Treliving. I have some crow to eat – I thought he was going to lose trading the turtle. This looks like a big win.
Harpers Hair
July 22, 2022 9:11 pm
Jeremy Rutherford
@jprutherford
· 1m
BREAKING: Matthew Tkachuk has been traded to Florida and has signed an eight-year contract extension worth $76 million, per source. #stlblues
Tkachuk is better than Huberdeau right now and is younger and signed to a decent long term deal. But great deal for Calgary- Weeger is really good. Now Calgary has to sign two Giys who are UFA in a year
BT did pretty well. Huberdeau and Weegar will be trade bait and probably get at least another 2 1st picks in next year’s draft.
Kinger_Oil.redux
July 22, 2022 8:11 pm
— Just was talking with Dan Carcillo whose kind of a buddy. He’s got 3 kids: one thing I top him on: with 4. Not sure if it’s verboten but Hockey Canada makes me nervous as a hockey Dad and just shamed as a guy who likes hockey. Disgusting criminal loser Clowns.
You think he’ll be fired from the OEG whose chairman was just falsely accused of having a sxual relationship with a minor (the chairman and the minor have now both denied the allegation)? Do you expect him to get the Bowman/Quenneville treatment?
While I don’t disagree that this player likely could use a bit of added “man strength” to help battle, etc., this is not a prerequisite to success for skilled forwards, see the likes of Zegras, Newhook, Caufield, etc.
Bourgault is the Oilers prospect I’m most excited about seeing in camp this year.
Judging by Hollands track record Xborg is almost certain to be sent down to the A for half a season but a strong camo and solid play in the minors could see him back up this year.
If Xborgs offence can transfer to the bigs, the Oilers top six goes from scary to terrifying.
He’s an intriguing player. My recollection was that he was sneaky good at keeping the play alive on the forecheck during the preseason, not a banger or puck battler nor quick like Yamamoto, but he found ways to keep the play alive. Great passer. Really high end hockey IQ on the offensive side.
Oliver Bjorkstrand, traded to SEA, is a play-driving two-way scorer who’s one of those players who’s good at pretty much everything. An excellent forechecker and especially good at creating shots. #SeaKraken
No longer in competition with expansion teams like Seattle. Or concerned with the ins and out of what’s going on in Vancouver who are now clearly a step behind.
Instead in competition with cup champions Avalanche and former champs Blues. If Holland keeps his head and from everything I have seen so far from him he probably will…
Ha ha. Seattle is going to be steamrolled by the Oilers this season and beyond. Wright is a raw rookie. Justin Schultz is not exactly a Norris candidate. Keep reaching.
He’s using you to reply to HH, because he is forbidden from doing so directly on threat of perma-ban from LT. Despite hjs legal background, I’m guessing the spirit of the law here is irrelevant.
CBJ seem to be putting together one of those regular season success stories teams that get flattened by the end of the playoffs, without fail.
Like Vancouver and their diving divas in 2011, or Ottawa way back when and now Toronto who are reduced to brag about getting “respect” in the handshake line.
Harpers Hair
July 22, 2022 4:11 pm
Pierre-Luc Dubois accepts a one year $6 million qualifying off from the Jets.
A trade to Montreal, in case you thought I meant a trade to the Oil… otherwise, do not understand the downvote…
Last edited 2 years ago by Mayan Oil
kgo
July 22, 2022 3:13 pm
If I’m Holland, I prefer to sign McLeod long term right now even if it means sacrificing one of Yamo or PJ.
We should make a bet on McLeod, what does it take to get him signed up for 6 years? $3M? He’ll be 28 with $18M in career earnings ready for a payday…. He’s only 22 so if the bet goes sour we can buy him out after 1 or 2 seasons for only 1/3 value.
Let’s face it, even if we manage to shoehorn all 3 RFAs onto this roster it will only fit for one more season…
Why do that? Sign him for two years at around $1M per season. That’s $4M cap savings compared to your deal. After that, you can sign him for 4 years at $3M even if his next two seasons are better than expected.
I’d prefer to sign Bouchard long term right now (it wouldn’t kick in until 2023/24) than McLeod.
I think McLeod is going to be a big part of this team over the next number of years but I don’t see his offensive production exploding.
Of course, signing him long term early, if possible, would keep the AAV lower but I don’t think there is risk of a massive 3rd contract even after the up coming bridge.
If we did go $3M X 6 – finding that extra $2MM would be tough.
Well, Holland has expressly acknowledged the need to take in to account Bouch’s future contract and cap hit. Now, I’m not sure that equates to him actively trying to get working on it this off-season but you never know.
Well, that could be said about numerous players in a similar position – yet some of them do sign for term.
If Bouch was offered $30MM over 7 years – well, that’s alot of guaranteed money for a 22 year old – Klef took it (thereabouts).
Ya, he’s taking away some potential upside but its a guaranteed $30MM and he’s still be young enough to get another massive contract when it expires.
I don’t think it happens either.
kgo
July 22, 2022 2:59 pm
I have a prediction. Nurse is going to blow the doors off this year…and finish top 2 in Norris votes. Darnell has steadily improved year over year, he’s reached physical maturity and finally approaching mental maturity.
I think being forced to play high level hockey without his physical tools improved his processing capabilities (high biggest weakness)
The pressure of the contract, the pressure of expectations, and the momentum of this squad should propel Darnel onto another level.
If Darnell could theoretically improve his poise and decision making does he start to look like Pronger?
Counter – he’s already had his peak offensive year as an Oiler. He won’t touch it again.
He’s also always been limited as a defensive player despite being a superior athlete. This is the only area in his game where he might be able to improve, though I’m not sure how much is there. He’s shown very little aptitude in terms of the skill associated with being able to shut another team down.
He was also AWFUL in the last 2 rounds of the playoffs. He didn’t learn anything playing that hurt.
He’s not in Pronger’s league and likely never will be. That’s not an insult. Pronger is one of the best to ever do it.
Bouchard blows by him offensively this year and never looks back. Their defensive games will look more and more similar.
I think Darnell took a step back last year in the area he had improved the most in the prior year – his decision making in the defensive zone structure game. I think it may have been the weight of the new contract (even though it wasn’t in effect yet) but he started to go walkabout and puck chase in the defensive zone again – I think it was a function of “trying to do too much”.
I know he’s a massive film watcher and likely goes over all his tape in the off-season. Here is hoping he gets back to where he was in the 2021 season where he would stick to covering the danger area and not leave it exposed to puck chase.
If he does that, he reverts back to a top 10 d-man in the NHL (which he was in 2021).
Of course, his injury decimated his on-ice abilities in the playoffs but, over the course of the 82 games, prior to the injury, I think he had regressed a bit in the defensive zone structure game – he had taken such huge strides the previous season.
Here is hoping he “reverses the regression” this coming season (and for the future).
Completely agree on this last season. I think he was incredible the season before and took a bit of a step back this last year. If he goes back to the prior year I have no problem with that contract. It’s not even the points that came the year before it was the decision making. He had taken a huge step forward offensively and mostly defensively. Hopefully it was just the contract and now he can keep it simple and go back to just thinking about hockey. I think he bounces back this year. Inder the new coaching he should bounce back
I don’t know about looking like Pronger. But, he’s one of only 2 dmen to go through a WJHC without being on the ice for an EV goal against. He still hasn’t hit his peak yet. Nobody really knows what he’s going to end up being. The dislike of Nurse by many Oilers fans baffles me.
It appears youtube links are no longer allowed, so my response has been kiboshed.
Keeper_13
July 22, 2022 12:44 pm
I would rather see our prospects “beat NHLers for jobs” than “have a clear path to the NHL.” That said, skill RW looks like it’s going to be a problem. Not ideal, but not insurmountable.
Laine’s agent seems to be playing the long game here.
His client is just 24 years old so this contract expires when he is 28 and the cap is expected to rise substantially by then setting up Laine for a huge payday when this contract expires.
The Metropolitan Division is going to finish about the same as it did last year. The four top teams plus maybe the Islanders have a better season than last year. The BJ’s, Devils, and Flyers will be golfing early.
But he’ll cost them 50 the other way. He’s the equivalent of playing 5v5 short handed in their own zone
Bjorkstrand is a very underrated player and the best forward on that team before Gaudreau came
There’s a reason every single cup winning team talks about how the D side has to come up to a massive effort part of the team to actually win
You need goals but it’s outscoring when everything is horrible and hurts that’s necessary
Johnny doesn’t exactly have that rep. We’ll see if his incredible defensive acumen transfers over from last season
It doesn’t seem to often other than for the Hossas. Most players are dependent on line mates and everything else – the guys that do it no matter who and what team are hen’s teeth
he didn’t sign with Colorado so what’s the point even?
Jaxon
July 22, 2022 12:37 pm
Re-Post:
There are still a few interesting, and likely cheap, contracts out there for forwards.
Edmonton’s own Sam Steel (24yrs, 20 pts in 68GP), Jonathan Dahlén (24yrs, 22pts in 61GP as a rookie), Daniel Sprong (25yrs, 20pts in 65GP, 20pts in 42GP the previous year), Evgeny Svechnikov (25yrs, 19pts in 72GP), Danton Heinen (27yrs, 33pts in 76GP).
Any guesses on what these players can command on the market?
I like that Steel’s a local kid and has puck skills and I’d like to see him succeed as an Oiler. I’m sure he had a tough go when his brother died after a hockey practice in Canmore almost 11 years ago. Dahlen is Ulf’s son and had a great rookie season. Sprong is very fast and could turn into a great checker that can produce a bit too. I like Svechnikov’s size but his skating might still be a bit questionable. I’m not sure Heinen can be signed cheaply. He has a pretty good resume already and he is fast and big and has some grit to go along with ok hands.
Sprong might be the best gamble if he’s cheap. Steel would be a favourite in Edmonton. Dahlén’s 22 points as a rookie is nothing to sneeze at (albeit an older rookie).
With Puljujarvi, Yamamoto, and Foegele in question, signing 1 or 2 of these guys might be a smart move.
DieHard
July 22, 2022 12:17 pm
LT
Not a lot of talk regarding Savoie. Couple years of US college. Played quite well. Why can’t he make the team. He came up thru the ranks during the 2 year Covid crap. If Covid did not exist he might have ranked as a first rounder like his brother. Will be watching this guy closely.
He could make the team but it seems HIGHLY unrealistic.
Of course, the smallest of all sample sizes but, in his 2 AHL games, he wasn’t even close to AHL ready – of course, 2 games and it doesn’t mean much (or anything) but I suspect Carter Savoie will need considerable pro development time – probably his entire ELC.
However, he will have to really work on his game to make it for even a cup of coffee. IMO he looked slow (slightly slower than Benson slow) in the AHL and he looked slow to me during the Billy Moore Cup.
He has some parallels to Lavoie, except for the 7” taller thing..
Tullio I think could get there, but it will be as a bottom sixer. Can he re-make himself? That will be his test. Has a decent motor slash work rate.
OriginalPouzar
July 22, 2022 12:14 pm
A teenage Jesse Puljujarvi (39 games, 12-16-28) might have been the best in the group as an AHL player.
I’ve been saying this for years, Jesse’s 18 year old season in the AHL does not get enough talk – it was almost historic – putting up those numbers as an 18 year old in the AHL – the youngest player in North American pro hockey – that was an exception performance.
Last edited 2 years ago by OriginalPouzar
OriginalPouzar
July 22, 2022 12:12 pm
As far as cap structuring goes, I think its a 100% lock that both Broberg and Holloway are on the opening night roster due to their performance bonuses ($800K and $600K, respectively, I believe).
Lets not forget that, if they aren’t on the opening night roster and are recalled in-season, a portion of their potential performance bonuses hit the cap – this is not the case if they are on the opening night roster.
This may be a thing with Bourgault – he may be on the opening night roster in order to avoid any increase in his cap hit if he’s recalled in-season – it might not be needed though as his yr 1 performance bonuses are very nominal – less than $200K. With that said every cap penny counts.
The Oilers currently have very few skill RH wingers, and with Jesse Puljujarvi rumoured to be going, it will leave a population of Zach Hyman, Kailer Yamamoto and Derek Ryan. Sure, Warren Foegele could surprise, but Bourgault is a high-end skill player entering a training camp where the organization suddenly lacks what he brings. This might get interesting.
I believe it was DNB who wrote that “a league source” does not consider Foegele overpaid for value at his $2.75MM. I know money is tight around the league but, for me, that means he’s tradeable and, worst case scenario is a nominal sweetener or even a nominal retainment ($500K).
Moving on from Foegele has to be the play for the cap space to fit in Jesse and Kailer, even at a combined $6.5MM.
Look at the RW depth chart.
Moving Hyman to the right is not ideal, his game is better on the left side (at least from what we’ve seen).
There is also the possibility of running McDavid/Nuge/McLeod/Ryan at center with Drai on the right side (potentially not even with McDavid) but that is also not ideal, in my opinion.
Not hard to agree that moving Foegele should be the play. I would be very happy if we could do it for a ‘nominal sweetener’, but I worry that it could be more if there are a few more Janmarks out there willing to sign for $1.25 mln. Pure speculation (not advocating for this per se), but maybe something like Foegele + Samuroukov for future considerations or Foegele + Lavoie and a 4th for a 7th in return, might be required?? Hope it’s less than that. Don’t think Kenny wants to retain any $$ if he can help it.
Also worth noting there, And I could be wrong but it seemed like Foegle was brought in not only because of the skill he has that they were after but also because he may be close with mcdavid. Don’t they train together in the off season. Winning is the most important, but if you can do that and keep around some guys that mcdavid is buddies with it will help that next contract.
No doubt the Oilers missed on draft day, along with many other teams. But you can’t go back in time. I thought you were referring to his recent availability.
As of right now, they have a massive win with Yamamoto and where he was picked
OriginalPouzar
July 22, 2022 11:18 am
Bourgault looked great in camp last season and in his couple of early exhibition games. That was expected and I expect the same this Sept/Oct. High pedigree, high skill offensive players always look good at camp and in early exhibition games.
I expect this player will last much longer in camp and, ultimately, will be assigned to Bakersfield where he’ll learn the pro game, on and off the ice, how to play against strong men who are playing to feed their families, etc.
I do suspect he’ll put himself in the conversation for NHL games during the season.
I am expecting both Jesse and Kailer to be Oilers in October but there is a path forward ob right wing and Bourgault will be a material part of the Oilers Conrad if while proving extreme value on his ELC.
I am in agreement with LT that if Bourg is going to be a top 6 forward in his career he most likely sees 40 or less games in the AHL. Now maybe Holland’s slow play of prospects means closer to 60 but with the lack of true RW puck talent there’s a large claim of land with Bourgs name all over it unless Patrick Kane ends up riding into town, which we all know you believe is an impossibility.
I’m expecting JP’s agent to continue to make this a toxic situation until he’s in a new town doing the same. I don’t believe Holland will have that situation around when training camp begins. Jesse is gonezo.
ps: then, if Burns wants out then you trade him asap.
Now and for as long as the band is together:
McDavid/Draisaitl/Kane are attracting some of the best NHLers who want to play with the best in the NHL, hands down from the last playoffs.
Shamus23
July 22, 2022 11:04 am
Let’s see what happens at camp. The kid needs to put on at least 10 lbs of muscle this summer ( currently 182 ish) . If we move Jesse ( Foegel is not an option in the top 6 R side. IMO). Maybe they give him a few games to see what he does. Going back to junior is not an option and the kid must do Bakersfield at the least for advancement in his development
To be fair McKinnon literally knocked Draisaitl over for the first time ever all at the same time flattening another Oilers top 6er it might have been Hyman.
Ekholmsbeard. Formerly brobergstan
July 22, 2022 10:58 am
Have been very impressed by bourgault.
I would like to see him add a few lbs of strength this summer and work a little bit more in the corners. I do think this player has a high ceiling and have a lot of hope for him.
For me he needs a minimum of half a season in the AHL to get used to playing against older men and the heavier style.
What a steal for Calgary
even if they can’t sign either they can flip them for a load
Yes, unless this year repeats itself and they are in or near a playoff spot come the deadline, no way will they trade either in that case, and again risk losing them for nothing if they’re not signed at that point.
They’ve got about 8 months to sign these players or trade for someone who will sign. Otherwise liquidate, one playoff run is not worth it. But I think they will sign.
Given the situation I think it’s a pretty good deal for the Flames but they are still grabbing a F that is 5 years older than the one that they are giving up. The 1st rounder is 3 years down the road and won’t be helping anytime soon. I think getting Weegar is the huge get in the deal for them. A lot of risk in not having either of these guys locked in, but I’m assuming they at least have an idea if there may be interest.
Looking at the Flames roster today compared to the end of the season it is still worse. They have time to make some moves but after Mangiapane and Kylington deals and sorting out their D they will only have around $3-4 million for 2-3 more F on the roster. I suspect they will now look to make a move or two on the backend, potentially just moving Kylington to free up some cap space to use for a more impact F.
Pretty good trade for the Flames given the situation they were in, and especially if they sign one of the 2 UFA before the trade deadline.
They are building a Sutter team from the goaltender out.
I agree they seemed to get great value given their situation, but they risk simply kicking the can 1 year down the road if they remain competitive (which they should, despite the team overall being downgraded compared to last season) and thus cannot trade these rentals at the deadline in that position, again risking both walk as UFAs should they not agree to extensions pre or during the season.
Also, Huberdeau strikes me as least superficially, as one of the least Sutter players in the league.
Yeah Huberdeau is not a Sutter player but Gaudreau didn’t appear to be and he rounded out his game nicely last year. I still think Sutter is a good coach, but I think we have a better coach here so it doesn’t really matter. Let the media fawn over Sutter and that team like they did last year.
Quite a deal
It is possible the flames may actually be a better ‘team’ next season
Florida has lost in this, but Zito got more edge and maybe they feel they have enough skill and really needed more edge after many playoff disappointments. Flip side they locked in a player they covet for 8 and perhaps were looking at losing both for nothing a year down the road. Their first doesn’t have great value really but you need higher picks
I value really good defenseman a lot, I feel they impact the game more than forwards other than really elite ones
Treliving may also be in a position to flip a D for a forward if they feel they aren’t deep enough up front. Very risky but that’s the game he’s been playing
Tkachuk Gaudreau vs Huberdeau Weegar may be a wash overall. Although losing Hockey for nothing is still fireable to me.
Also, the flames will likely make the playoffs, playoff teams don’t deal out at the deadline, so a tightrope again next offseason for the bad guys
EvolvingWild
Per our GAR projections, we projected Bjorkstrand to be the second best player on the Blue Jackets next season (after Gaudreau) – 22nd highest GAR projection among forwards for next year. Unreal move for Seattle.
Not what you were saying yesterday
Find some Kraken fans, then maybe stay there?
Between Zito and McCrimmon in Vegas, two people who were highly sought after as GMs by fans and management alike, both have essentially mortgaged their franchise’s future with their inept asset management.
Again, Trelivving could have been held over a barrel and he comes away with that over Zito. Unbelievable.
Anyway, I think Calgary has kicked the can down the road for one year in terms of free agency. They’re hoping beyond hope that Sutter’s style will convince Huberdeau and Weeger to stay. I don’t see it happening for lots of reasons. Playing in the west, wear and tear on the body, TAXES.
The Tkachuk’s have shown the world what they are all about. The $$$. Classless tweet by Brady Tkachuk IMO and I wouldn’t want either of them on my team.
Thing is…if Huberdeau and Weegar walk after one season with Lucic and Monahan coming off the cap the Flames would have an additional $20 million in cap space next offseason.
Pretty easy to upgrade their roster with that kind of walking around money.
Yea players will be lining up just to get stomped out.
Except the die has been cast with 4 high profile players choosing not to play in Calgary. Sets a precedent and Calgary will have to grossly overpay.
I will never in my life understand the tax argument for living in Florida.
Yeah you save some money…but now you live in Florida.
Calgary is head and shoulders a better place to live, same goes for many places in Canada and the US.
Gaudreau assisted on 28 of Lindholm’s goals
Tkachuk who stirred up the BoA now goes to the Battle of Florida
Although I think that this deal makes Florida worse for next season I can understand their PROCESS here.
Undoubtedly they have talked extension with the two outgoing players who are entering the last year of their deals. They know what it those players are looking for in terms of a contract, importantly how long of a contract that they are looking for.
They look across the State at their fierce rival and see the Lightning trading away 33 year old core players, not re-signing their 31 year old core players and re-upping their 24/25 year old core players to 8 year terms.
Are Florida then going to sign their core 28 year old players to 8 year deals and watch them fade on their dime or use them to acquire a 24 year old player who they view as “generational” (if one is to believe their press release – if they do believe that, I would disagree with their valuation but that is besides the point)
I like Huberdeau though. I like the way he hangs onto the puck in the offensive zone and finds players for scoring chances.
Duclair and Bennett benefitted greatly from his excellent playmaking ability.
Sutter should be good for his defensive game
I don’t like the deal for Florida, but I understand what they are doing.
They now have a player through his 24 to 31 year old seasons.
I do think that Tkachuk power game is overrated though but he plays with emotion and that Florida team lacked that this playoff after showing it in droves last playoff.
Yeah I don’t like this argument for Florida. Weegar and Huberdeau are high end players that are only 28, 29 years old, you pay those players all day long. It’s even worse because their Stanley Cup window is the next 2-3 years not in 5-6 years. And by giving up both players and not having someone to replace Weegar they made their team actively worse and paid assets to do it! Complete panic move by Florida IMO
Man Florida is really closing their window fast. They are now a completely capped out team with no first round pick until 2026. They will still be a playoff team but after this trade they are not a true contender. Giving up Weegar was absolutely insane as their defence is now Ekblad, Forsling, Montour and Gudkas. Pretty rough top 4 and combine that with Brobovsky who is only getting older and other than last was pretty terrible. They still have Spencer Knight but again he is only 22. They still have great forward depth but I have a feeling their defence is going to sink them.
I hate the Flames, but that seems like an insane return for Tkachuk.
It pains me to say that Calgary won that trade. Don’t know what Florida was thinking.Off to bed In a bad mood, now.
I was extremely impressed with Weegar when the Panthers played Edmonton. SSS obviously, but IMO he defends really well and did a very good job against 97.
97 was held to just 2 A in 2 games. I think that’s a big, big add for Calgary. What will FLA do about their LHD?
I really like Huberdeau as well. In my old age, I’m becoming less afraid of old-ish players, particularly if they are elite. It’ll be fascinating to see what Huberdeau does with Lindholm.
I’m curious as to whether Tkachuk is really as good as he was this past season. He’s a great player, don’t get me wrong. I thought he was poor against the Oilers in the playoffs and generally not noticeable during the regular season, aside from his usual schtick of cheap shots. JMO.
Did he play left side in Florida? He is a right hand shot so I just assumed he played right side.
he played his offside with Ekblad mostly. Hell of a player
Looking at PuckIQ, Huberdeau is 5th among forwards in TOI against elites and 12th in terms of DFF%. I don’t put a lot of stock in the TOI number b/c almost every F spent more time against Grits than Elites, which seems counter-intuitive, but it is the ordinal which is important.
He’s had 10 playing seasons, been above 90 points twice and hasn’t broken 80 any other season. His playoff performances have had mixed results. It’s almost like they traded Tkachuk for Gaudreau.
Lindholm will be pleased he has a great passer to replace Gaudreau who assisted on 17! of Lindholm’s 5v5 goals.
One big difference though: Johnny was a puck transporter, Huberdeau isn’t.
I was curious to see what Flames fans thought. Calgary Puck is overwhelmingly in favour of the trade, although there is some concern about re-signing Huberdeau and Weegar. In the early minutes of the trade, some made comments that it’d be funny if Sam Bennett came back.
My buddies here in Calgary seem to think Huberdeau spends time here in the off-season. Has anyone heard this?
Gosh I really hope they don’t extend him. I could easily hate Tkachuk and Gaudreau, not sure it will come as easy against Huberdeau.
I highly doubt it being from the Montreal area and playing in Miami area.
I see the flames being good up until the trade deadline. When JH and MW refuse to sign they will both be traded. Then the flames are done for a few years. Great choice by Markstrom. 😂
That’s the catch 22 isn’t it..?
If both players want to stay, it’s a nice trade
If both players want to leave, you’ll get a nice haul at the deadline, but then you’ve got a bunch of picks/prospects, a team that has missed the playoffs, and you’ve been (essentially) forced into a rebuild/reload
If Treliving has any indication that both players will not sign with Calgary next year, he might be inclined to move them both right now and get on with it
If Flames are in playoff contention, which they certainly should be, trading Huberdeau at deadline would be a very difficult decision to make as a GM, because you’re usually getting futures for any rental. Unless, of course, they could find another sign/trade partner.
Surely Treliving isn’t going to do the exact same thing he just did with Gaudreau is he? If he goes into the season with them unsigned (re) or traded…..that will be amazing.
btw the Canucks are doing the same with Miller. GM Allvin said that they don’t have to do anything until the trade deadline. But what if they are in a playoff spot? Does he not think they will be in a playoff spot? If they continue their Boudreau winning pct they will be in a playoff spot.
Guessing they want money and term, they are olderish. Treliving will pay them, problem solved. He and the Flames live to fight another day.
The key to Florida’s reasoning on this probably comes down to seeing Tkachuk as a contributor and at least as good as Huberdeau (present value) for the next 9 years — which only brings him to his early thirties. Huberdeau’s about to start the downslope of his career. Even if you value the players as a wash, Florida gets a ‘best or equal player’ for significantly longer term.
That said, I’m also a Huberdeau skeptic. Tkachuk strikes me as the better player, and certainly the better goal scorer.
Calgary still made out very well, particularly when dealing from weakness, but a 1-for-1 with the sign and trade would have been a big W for Florida.
I agree. Pretty sure if the trade had been 8 years of Tkachuk for 1 year of Huberdeau, even with the 1st, the Cowfire wouldn’t be happy.
CapFriendly
@CapFriendly
·
14m
Based on our tax calculator, and assuming that his salary is $9.5M next season, Matthew Tkachuk will make $652,884 more next season in Florida than he would have in Calgary.
Did Barkov make Huberdeau?
According to his Wikipedia page, Huberdeau’s biological father is not Barkov.
can’t trust Wikipedia
this past season Huberdeau played with Duclair and Bennett
didn’t play much with him the season before either
He did the year before though
What a bizarre trade for the Panthers.
Hub > Turtle.
Hub is older and only one year left. But still.
Bizarre is putting it mildly. Unless there are other things to drop, this is a trade that is perplexing.
I had thought Brobrovsky would have been on the move this summer. Not Huberdeau.
Now that Chucky is in the same Div as Tampa, some of his antics might actually get called.
Maybe.
Very true.
And there are some tough hombres in the east that he’s now going to be expected to deal with. Good luck.
I read a post on Calgary Puck a couple of days ago where the poster was happy that Gaudreau and Tkachuk were gone and going because he was bored. He needed a change… the team needed a change.
Well, the monkey’s paw granted him his wish… Now they have a different set of playoff non-performers.
HAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Huberdeau is going to LOVE Coach Sutter. 😉
I wish I had a monkey’s paw
CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR!!!
(that was pretty funny, Gerta)
How does Jonathan Huberdeau not have CGY on his NTC lol?
It was only an 8-team NTC.
lol, your point?
Fairly evident….
PedanticPouzar strikes again.
Complete lack of a sense of humour, locked into a prison of pedantry.
I wonder if the Flames would consider flipping Weegar to the Oilers. What would that deal look like?
I guess we would be better off targeting a LHD anyway.
So Calgary still has more than $9 million in cap space remaining but with Mangiapane still to sign.,
However, they also have 10 D on the roster.
Kadri?
They need to sign Kylington too. Don’t think they have the money unless they unload Lucic or Monahan.
Monahan is on LTIR for the season.
When did that happen?
He had hip surgery in April. Some reports question if he’ll be able to return for the upcoming season. I guess there is no guarantee that he won’t be out for the year and Treliving will have to keep cap space available in case he does return to play. That’s tricky. Either way, he would be next to impossible to trade coming off the hip injury to go along with his big cap hit.
Last I heard the official story was he is expected for training camp.
Okay, so then they will have to make room for his cap hit or possibly buy him out if he’s not injured anymore and the buyout window is still open.
He’s certainly unlikely to provide value on his cap hit. I mean you’re right that the guy’s body has been to the wars and back and there’s probably a material possibility he does stay on LTIR But I also imagine if he thinks he can play and wants to, he will, somewhere.
They can’t buy him out because he was on LTIR to end the season (even though they do have a 2nd buyout window which will open after their last arb case is settled – or awarded).
You indicated yesterday he was going back to the Avalanche. Sober second thought this AM. Asking for a friend!
Breaking News: Florida Panthers Hire new GM Florida Man. As his first act he is shipping off Hart contending Forward Huberdeau and Top line Defensemen Weeger along with a first round pick and a prospect for Brady Tkachuk’s Brother.
Even Huberdeau alone for Chucky is an overpayment by FLA hah! Unless it does turn out to be for only one year of Hubes…
Decent haul by Cgy to make up for two home grown stars leaving town.
The 1st rounder to Calgary is 2025….. so there is that.
Looks like this once pristine, remote, internet outpost has finally been discovered. Congratulations and welcome to the big leagues, LT.
My goodness, what a trade for the flames.
Huburdeau is the best player in the trade:
Frank Seravalli
@frank_seravalli
·
1m
Full trade, per sources:
To #FlaPanthers:
Matthew Tkachuk (extension in place)
To #Flames:
Jonathan Huberdeau, MacKenzie Weegar, Cole Schwindt and a 1st round pick.
@DailyFaceoff
Thanks goodness those that wanted Zito didn’t get their wish…
I guess, with Weegar also a UFA after next season there is risk to the flames that both bolt but, then again, if that’s the case, they can get a big haul at the deadline.
They can only get a big haul if they can find a sign/trade partner, which may not be as easy at the trade deadline. Otherwise they will get mostly picks for a rental.
The ONLY issue with this trade is if Huburdeau won’t re-sign and is a one-year rental.
Huberdeau and Weegar are both on one-year contracts. Great players but there’s a high risk of losing both.
You can bet the Flames have a pretty good idea about their intentions.
Just like Johnny. Lol.
As they did with Johnny no doubt
Where is the extension then HH? You think it would be part of the the trade. Sources reporting this too, but I know you’re reading every living thing on twitter about this deal already.
If Huberdeau wants to test free agency the Flames will be forced to trade him at the deadline. BT just likely hopes he can convince him to stay.
So that means they’ll be traded soon?
Huberdeau probably plans to go to Montreal with Dubois! -).
You sound like my friend who told me they were already working on an extension for Huberdeau, minutes after the deal was announced, with no credible source. You were in journalism, right?
Maybe the Panthers know something – Huberdeau wanted to go to another team.
For sure a risk but DAMN what a great return. At a minimum the Flames extend their window as a top team for at least another year.
When you consider that all the players in the trade were rentals (1yr) before the deal was done, it’s a good deal for Calgary even with Tkatchuk resigning.
If that is true…wow. Complete win for the Flames.
Amazing trade by Treliving considering the position he was in. Wow!
The BoA lives on! I want to see these teams continue to meet in the playoffs.
From Florida vantage point
Florida was not happy with Weeger in the playoffs, Cole Schwindt maybe turns into a NHL player, 1st rd pick will be in the upper 20’s. They like Tkachuk more than Huberdeau. No guarantee they(Huberdeau and Weeger) will sign after the year.Huberdeau is 29
I like Huburdeau over Tkachuk but I think we can agree that’s close to a wash, a small win one way or the other.
Plus a 1st, plus Weegar….
The only issue is if the two don’t re-sign.
Given the clear player haul for the flames, I don’t think they have any contact with the players prior to the trade – I think Treliving is taking on risk here but, if he can re-sign them, reasonably, that’s a massive win.
I like Tkachuk over Huberdeau. He’s a better goal scorer.I think Huberdeau played with a better C in Florida than Tkachuk . However I think this is the best trade Calgary could make.
So, no 1-for-1? Lol. That Treliving pulled a nice rabbit(s) out of his hat. He must be the GM Whisperer!
Capfriendly now has a conditional 4th round pick going to FLA in 2025 (not sure what the condition is)
The Calgary 1st in 2025 is also top 10 protected – (not sure what happens if the pick IS top 10…I’m assuming it’s bumped ’til 2026)
Wow. I’ve got to hand it to Treliving. I have some crow to eat – I thought he was going to lose trading the turtle. This looks like a big win.
Jeremy Rutherford
@jprutherford
· 1m
BREAKING: Matthew Tkachuk has been traded to Florida and has signed an eight-year contract extension worth $76 million, per source. #stlblues
Elliotte Friedman
@FriedgeHNIC
·
3m
Tkachuk extension in FLA is 8x$9.5M
Friedman tweeting Tkachuk has been traded to Florida.
What the hell – Huburdeau, Weegar and a 1st, did I just read that?
Huburdeau > Tkachuk alone.
Tkachuk is better than Huberdeau right now and is younger and signed to a decent long term deal. But great deal for Calgary- Weeger is really good. Now Calgary has to sign two Giys who are UFA in a year
BT did pretty well. Huberdeau and Weegar will be trade bait and probably get at least another 2 1st picks in next year’s draft.
— Just was talking with Dan Carcillo whose kind of a buddy. He’s got 3 kids: one thing I top him on: with 4. Not sure if it’s verboten but Hockey Canada makes me nervous as a hockey Dad and just shamed as a guy who likes hockey. Disgusting criminal loser Clowns.
Bob Nicholson is in a heap of trouble.
— I could get banned for saying what I want to say so I won’t. Storms clouds ahead I suspect.
Yes.
You think he’ll be fired from the OEG whose chairman was just falsely accused of having a sxual relationship with a minor (the chairman and the minor have now both denied the allegation)? Do you expect him to get the Bowman/Quenneville treatment?
Do I need to shave or bleach anything?
Yes…everything.
Already do, what’s next.
Just sit back and start making $92/hour.
The reason those 2 Flames dudes want out of Dodge is, in my opinion:
Calgary got burned by McDavid and both know their team cannot compete
The Covid situation gives Americans the feeling that they’re trapped in a Iron Curtain country.
Jays are up 25-3 on the Bosox in the 5th.
You read that correctly.
The Boston pitchers are just brutal tonight; the defense have looked like the keystone cops at times.
Club record was 24. MLB record is 30.
BlueJay in 30 will have to be in 60 to see all the runs.
— inside the park grand slam. : wicked!
I call that one a 4-run error…… for me.
That’s what I thought, too. It was a fly ball that should have been caught.
Bourgault will be in the top 9 if not top 6 by the conference finals.
I’m not sure he’ll have enough strength this season to do what he can
It seems most guys need to see it up close to realize how much gym they need to compete with the best men hockey players in the world
While I don’t disagree that this player likely could use a bit of added “man strength” to help battle, etc., this is not a prerequisite to success for skilled forwards, see the likes of Zegras, Newhook, Caufield, etc.
Agreed, he’s an outstanding prospect.
Better if he’s around by the Finals.
Bourgault is the Oilers prospect I’m most excited about seeing in camp this year.
Judging by Hollands track record Xborg is almost certain to be sent down to the A for half a season but a strong camo and solid play in the minors could see him back up this year.
If Xborgs offence can transfer to the bigs, the Oilers top six goes from scary to terrifying.
He’s an intriguing player. My recollection was that he was sneaky good at keeping the play alive on the forecheck during the preseason, not a banger or puck battler nor quick like Yamamoto, but he found ways to keep the play alive. Great passer. Really high end hockey IQ on the offensive side.
David Perron vibes
#CBJ have traded Oliver Bjorkstrand to Seattle for third-round and fourth-round draft picks in 2023.
This is the salary cap move to get compliant after signing Gaudreau and keeping Laine.
Make that 11.
The San Antonio Spurs have 5 draft picks in 2025.
Or $3.6 million….pretty close HH
Yep…Mibad.
Yeah but that $3.6 million is weaponized!
JFresh
Oliver Bjorkstrand, traded to SEA, is a play-driving two-way scorer who’s one of those players who’s good at pretty much everything. An excellent forechecker and especially good at creating shots. #SeaKraken
Maybe he helps them finish second last in the division instead of last?
That is what is great about these current Oilers.
No longer in competition with expansion teams like Seattle. Or concerned with the ins and out of what’s going on in Vancouver who are now clearly a step behind.
Instead in competition with cup champions Avalanche and former champs Blues. If Holland keeps his head and from everything I have seen so far from him he probably will…
Whistling past the graveyard.
Seattle has added Matty Beniers, Shane Wright, Andre Burakovsky, Oliver Bjorkstrand and Justin Schultz in the past 6 months.
The Oilers have a new goaltender and are likely to lose a top 6 winger.
Ha ha. Seattle is going to be steamrolled by the Oilers this season and beyond. Wright is a raw rookie. Justin Schultz is not exactly a Norris candidate. Keep reaching.
Due diligence is not your strength.
67 goals in the last 3 seasons, traded for a 3rd and 4th rounder. Cap Space is as precious as gold in the NHL.
FWIW, Laine has 66 goals over the same time frame.
28 goals last season as he hits his prime.
FWIW…this was a move to accommodate Gaudreau not Laine.
Oilers, not only added a goalie in the last 6 months, but a solid 2/3LD and 1LW power forward.
Also, new heard coach and lead assistant coach.
Amber does need new guidance.
?
He’s using you to reply to HH, because he is forbidden from doing so directly on threat of perma-ban from LT. Despite hjs legal background, I’m guessing the spirit of the law here is irrelevant.
CBJ seem to be putting together one of those regular season success stories teams that get flattened by the end of the playoffs, without fail.
Like Vancouver and their diving divas in 2011, or Ottawa way back when and now Toronto who are reduced to brag about getting “respect” in the handshake line.
Pierre-Luc Dubois accepts a one year $6 million qualifying off from the Jets.
Greasing the wheels for a trade perhaps?
A trade to Montreal, in case you thought I meant a trade to the Oil… otherwise, do not understand the downvote…
If I’m Holland, I prefer to sign McLeod long term right now even if it means sacrificing one of Yamo or PJ.
We should make a bet on McLeod, what does it take to get him signed up for 6 years? $3M? He’ll be 28 with $18M in career earnings ready for a payday…. He’s only 22 so if the bet goes sour we can buy him out after 1 or 2 seasons for only 1/3 value.
Let’s face it, even if we manage to shoehorn all 3 RFAs onto this roster it will only fit for one more season…
Why do that? Sign him for two years at around $1M per season. That’s $4M cap savings compared to your deal. After that, you can sign him for 4 years at $3M even if his next two seasons are better than expected.
I’d prefer to sign Bouchard long term right now (it wouldn’t kick in until 2023/24) than McLeod.
I think McLeod is going to be a big part of this team over the next number of years but I don’t see his offensive production exploding.
Of course, signing him long term early, if possible, would keep the AAV lower but I don’t think there is risk of a massive 3rd contract even after the up coming bridge.
If we did go $3M X 6 – finding that extra $2MM would be tough.
I want the summer to end with the press release that Holland has signed Bouchard to a long-term contract.
#SummerofGeorge
#OppositeOilers
Well, Holland has expressly acknowledged the need to take in to account Bouch’s future contract and cap hit. Now, I’m not sure that equates to him actively trying to get working on it this off-season but you never know.
His agent wouldn’t advise that methinks
Well, that could be said about numerous players in a similar position – yet some of them do sign for term.
If Bouch was offered $30MM over 7 years – well, that’s alot of guaranteed money for a 22 year old – Klef took it (thereabouts).
Ya, he’s taking away some potential upside but its a guaranteed $30MM and he’s still be young enough to get another massive contract when it expires.
I don’t think it happens either.
I have a prediction. Nurse is going to blow the doors off this year…and finish top 2 in Norris votes. Darnell has steadily improved year over year, he’s reached physical maturity and finally approaching mental maturity.
I think being forced to play high level hockey without his physical tools improved his processing capabilities (high biggest weakness)
The pressure of the contract, the pressure of expectations, and the momentum of this squad should propel Darnel onto another level.
If Darnell could theoretically improve his poise and decision making does he start to look like Pronger?
I’m with ya!
Full Health with Ceci? who knows put in 20 G again would make me feel good
Counter – he’s already had his peak offensive year as an Oiler. He won’t touch it again.
He’s also always been limited as a defensive player despite being a superior athlete. This is the only area in his game where he might be able to improve, though I’m not sure how much is there. He’s shown very little aptitude in terms of the skill associated with being able to shut another team down.
He was also AWFUL in the last 2 rounds of the playoffs. He didn’t learn anything playing that hurt.
He’s not in Pronger’s league and likely never will be. That’s not an insult. Pronger is one of the best to ever do it.
Bouchard blows by him offensively this year and never looks back. Their defensive games will look more and more similar.
I think Darnell took a step back last year in the area he had improved the most in the prior year – his decision making in the defensive zone structure game. I think it may have been the weight of the new contract (even though it wasn’t in effect yet) but he started to go walkabout and puck chase in the defensive zone again – I think it was a function of “trying to do too much”.
I know he’s a massive film watcher and likely goes over all his tape in the off-season. Here is hoping he gets back to where he was in the 2021 season where he would stick to covering the danger area and not leave it exposed to puck chase.
If he does that, he reverts back to a top 10 d-man in the NHL (which he was in 2021).
His injury I have had myself and it feels like walking on thin ice over a river on a sunny day.
Of course, his injury decimated his on-ice abilities in the playoffs but, over the course of the 82 games, prior to the injury, I think he had regressed a bit in the defensive zone structure game – he had taken such huge strides the previous season.
Here is hoping he “reverses the regression” this coming season (and for the future).
Completely agree on this last season. I think he was incredible the season before and took a bit of a step back this last year. If he goes back to the prior year I have no problem with that contract. It’s not even the points that came the year before it was the decision making. He had taken a huge step forward offensively and mostly defensively. Hopefully it was just the contract and now he can keep it simple and go back to just thinking about hockey. I think he bounces back this year. Inder the new coaching he should bounce back
Top ten is good enough for me.
I don’t know about looking like Pronger. But, he’s one of only 2 dmen to go through a WJHC without being on the ice for an EV goal against. He still hasn’t hit his peak yet. Nobody really knows what he’s going to end up being. The dislike of Nurse by many Oilers fans baffles me.
Bourgault has to be a vet by the playoffs. Since the division is weak. He starts on Draisaitl’s wing game 1, and doesn’t leave for a decade.
This doesn’t actually ring true to me nor seem like the right path nor reasonably reasonable.
We can run them out of town in a hurry lol
Kassian is gone, btw.
Thoughts?
It appears youtube links are no longer allowed, so my response has been kiboshed.
I would rather see our prospects “beat NHLers for jobs” than “have a clear path to the NHL.” That said, skill RW looks like it’s going to be a problem. Not ideal, but not insurmountable.
Brennan Klak
@nhlupdate
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3m
#CBJ re-signs Patrik Laine to a four-year deal at a 8.7M cap hit
@frank_seravalli
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5m
Patrik Laine’s new deal with #CBJ is 4 years x $8.7 million. Buys one year RFA and three years UFA.
Does he score 50 with Johnny?
He might…and don’t forget Voracek who had 62 assists last season.
Who will play center?
Cole Sillinger and Kent Johnson just died and went to heaven.
Columbus now $6.3 million over the cap with 25 players on the roster.
They will have to move out some salary with Gustav Nyquist and his $5.5 million cap hit a likely casualty.
Laine’s agent seems to be playing the long game here.
His client is just 24 years old so this contract expires when he is 28 and the cap is expected to rise substantially by then setting up Laine for a huge payday when this contract expires.
Smart move 4 years of Johnny place setting it on a tee for him should garner a huge payday.
Wow they spent more cap and got worse today
impressive
Yep…30-40 goal scorers always make a team worse.
Wasn’t he on the team last year? They have added Johnny Runaway and subtracted a talented Oliver Bjorkstrand. Going to be a long winter in Columbus.
26 goals in 56 games last season…should easily hit 40 if healthy.
With full seasons of Sillinger and Kent Johnson, they should be lethal offensively.
The Metropolitan Division is going to finish about the same as it did last year. The four top teams plus maybe the Islanders have a better season than last year. The BJ’s, Devils, and Flyers will be golfing early.
But he’ll cost them 50 the other way. He’s the equivalent of playing 5v5 short handed in their own zone
Bjorkstrand is a very underrated player and the best forward on that team before Gaudreau came
Idk, Laine did a pretty good job getting the puck out of his zone and down to center ice here:
https://gfycat.com/crazyhelpfulaustrianpinscher
I’m here
There’s a reason every single cup winning team talks about how the D side has to come up to a massive effort part of the team to actually win
You need goals but it’s outscoring when everything is horrible and hurts that’s necessary
Johnny doesn’t exactly have that rep. We’ll see if his incredible defensive acumen transfers over from last season
It doesn’t seem to often other than for the Hossas. Most players are dependent on line mates and everything else – the guys that do it no matter who and what team are hen’s teeth
Cups seem to follow them around
he didn’t sign with Colorado so what’s the point even?
Re-Post:
There are still a few interesting, and likely cheap, contracts out there for forwards.
Edmonton’s own Sam Steel (24yrs, 20 pts in 68GP), Jonathan Dahlén (24yrs, 22pts in 61GP as a rookie), Daniel Sprong (25yrs, 20pts in 65GP, 20pts in 42GP the previous year), Evgeny Svechnikov (25yrs, 19pts in 72GP), Danton Heinen (27yrs, 33pts in 76GP).
Any guesses on what these players can command on the market?
I like that Steel’s a local kid and has puck skills and I’d like to see him succeed as an Oiler. I’m sure he had a tough go when his brother died after a hockey practice in Canmore almost 11 years ago. Dahlen is Ulf’s son and had a great rookie season. Sprong is very fast and could turn into a great checker that can produce a bit too. I like Svechnikov’s size but his skating might still be a bit questionable. I’m not sure Heinen can be signed cheaply. He has a pretty good resume already and he is fast and big and has some grit to go along with ok hands.
Sprong might be the best gamble if he’s cheap. Steel would be a favourite in Edmonton. Dahlén’s 22 points as a rookie is nothing to sneeze at (albeit an older rookie).
With Puljujarvi, Yamamoto, and Foegele in question, signing 1 or 2 of these guys might be a smart move.
LT
Not a lot of talk regarding Savoie. Couple years of US college. Played quite well. Why can’t he make the team. He came up thru the ranks during the 2 year Covid crap. If Covid did not exist he might have ranked as a first rounder like his brother. Will be watching this guy closely.
He’s a left wing, so it’ll be tough to beat Kane and Hyman/Nuge. I don’t think they’ll keep him on a depth line.
He could make the team but it seems HIGHLY unrealistic.
Of course, the smallest of all sample sizes but, in his 2 AHL games, he wasn’t even close to AHL ready – of course, 2 games and it doesn’t mean much (or anything) but I suspect Carter Savoie will need considerable pro development time – probably his entire ELC.
He is small and he is not fast.
His weapon is his elite shot.
However, he will have to really work on his game to make it for even a cup of coffee. IMO he looked slow (slightly slower than Benson slow) in the AHL and he looked slow to me during the Billy Moore Cup.
He has some parallels to Lavoie, except for the 7” taller thing..
I don’t see an NHL player there either.
Tullio I think could get there, but it will be as a bottom sixer. Can he re-make himself? That will be his test. Has a decent motor slash work rate.
I’ve been saying this for years, Jesse’s 18 year old season in the AHL does not get enough talk – it was almost historic – putting up those numbers as an 18 year old in the AHL – the youngest player in North American pro hockey – that was an exception performance.
As far as cap structuring goes, I think its a 100% lock that both Broberg and Holloway are on the opening night roster due to their performance bonuses ($800K and $600K, respectively, I believe).
Lets not forget that, if they aren’t on the opening night roster and are recalled in-season, a portion of their potential performance bonuses hit the cap – this is not the case if they are on the opening night roster.
This may be a thing with Bourgault – he may be on the opening night roster in order to avoid any increase in his cap hit if he’s recalled in-season – it might not be needed though as his yr 1 performance bonuses are very nominal – less than $200K. With that said every cap penny counts.
So many weird things. Capology.
I believe it was DNB who wrote that “a league source” does not consider Foegele overpaid for value at his $2.75MM. I know money is tight around the league but, for me, that means he’s tradeable and, worst case scenario is a nominal sweetener or even a nominal retainment ($500K).
Moving on from Foegele has to be the play for the cap space to fit in Jesse and Kailer, even at a combined $6.5MM.
Look at the RW depth chart.
Moving Hyman to the right is not ideal, his game is better on the left side (at least from what we’ve seen).
There is also the possibility of running McDavid/Nuge/McLeod/Ryan at center with Drai on the right side (potentially not even with McDavid) but that is also not ideal, in my opinion.
I would also go this route. Beginning to suspect if the team was going to, they would have by now.
Not hard to agree that moving Foegele should be the play. I would be very happy if we could do it for a ‘nominal sweetener’, but I worry that it could be more if there are a few more Janmarks out there willing to sign for $1.25 mln. Pure speculation (not advocating for this per se), but maybe something like Foegele + Samuroukov for future considerations or Foegele + Lavoie and a 4th for a 7th in return, might be required?? Hope it’s less than that. Don’t think Kenny wants to retain any $$ if he can help it.
Also worth noting there, And I could be wrong but it seemed like Foegle was brought in not only because of the skill he has that they were after but also because he may be close with mcdavid. Don’t they train together in the off season. Winning is the most important, but if you can do that and keep around some guys that mcdavid is buddies with it will help that next contract.
Debrincat was a miss.
How do you afford Debrincat? He’s good but way too expensive.
He was cheap labour on his ELC. I was glad with the Benson pick just goes to show you the draft is a crapshoot.
No doubt the Oilers missed on draft day, along with many other teams. But you can’t go back in time. I thought you were referring to his recent availability.
They missed on that pick for sure.
As of right now, they have a massive win with Yamamoto and where he was picked
Bourgault looked great in camp last season and in his couple of early exhibition games. That was expected and I expect the same this Sept/Oct. High pedigree, high skill offensive players always look good at camp and in early exhibition games.
I expect this player will last much longer in camp and, ultimately, will be assigned to Bakersfield where he’ll learn the pro game, on and off the ice, how to play against strong men who are playing to feed their families, etc.
I do suspect he’ll put himself in the conversation for NHL games during the season.
I am expecting both Jesse and Kailer to be Oilers in October but there is a path forward ob right wing and Bourgault will be a material part of the Oilers Conrad if while proving extreme value on his ELC.
I am in agreement with LT that if Bourg is going to be a top 6 forward in his career he most likely sees 40 or less games in the AHL. Now maybe Holland’s slow play of prospects means closer to 60 but with the lack of true RW puck talent there’s a large claim of land with Bourgs name all over it unless Patrick Kane ends up riding into town, which we all know you believe is an impossibility.
I’m expecting JP’s agent to continue to make this a toxic situation until he’s in a new town doing the same. I don’t believe Holland will have that situation around when training camp begins. Jesse is gonezo.
I’m with OP, I think Jesse is staying. Holland knows he is good, but will squeeze him like the RFA he is. The asset is his for two more years.
And or a happy camper. We don’t know what we don’t know! I am not going to write him off until it’s official!
I hope he has a good summer gaining strength and mass. As we all know NHL games get more difficult as the season goes along.
Just looking through some stuff and, my goodness, Brent Burns played 26 min per game last season and had 54 points.
The man is 37 – holy hell
I wouldn’t like that beard around the team. It makes him look like a Sinbad movie monster that doesn’t scare you.
If he wins the Norris Trophy, 1st team All Star, or Oilers win the cup then he can keep it.
Not wanting to appear too harsh.
ps: then, if Burns wants out then you trade him asap.
Now and for as long as the band is together:
McDavid/Draisaitl/Kane are attracting some of the best NHLers who want to play with the best in the NHL, hands down from the last playoffs.
Let’s see what happens at camp. The kid needs to put on at least 10 lbs of muscle this summer ( currently 182 ish) . If we move Jesse ( Foegel is not an option in the top 6 R side. IMO). Maybe they give him a few games to see what he does. Going back to junior is not an option and the kid must do Bakersfield at the least for advancement in his development
Take a look at Yamamoto’s size! Speed and ability will not be denied! Ideally I agree but in life there are few absolutes!
Yamamoto if I recall was Dick Butkus Linebackered out of the recent playoff game by none other than the Avalanche’s star player McKinnon.
Up until then he had been an effective player. I think.
To be fair McKinnon literally knocked Draisaitl over for the first time ever all at the same time flattening another Oilers top 6er it might have been Hyman.
Have been very impressed by bourgault.
I would like to see him add a few lbs of strength this summer and work a little bit more in the corners. I do think this player has a high ceiling and have a lot of hope for him.
For me he needs a minimum of half a season in the AHL to get used to playing against older men and the heavier style.
Not understanding hockey development very much; isn’t it better for players to grow naturally into their man strength, like RNH?
RNH you suspect is still possible to emerge like a 1st line centerman.