Feats Don’t Fail Me Now

by Lowetide

This is the 2016 Oilers training camp list, including signed players, AHL contracts, junior players and some invites. Seven years later, Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Darnell Nurse, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Jesse Puljujarvi, Tyler Benson and Markus Niemelainen remain on the roster. There are 61 names listed here, how many can we name who will appear at this year’s camp?

THE ATHLETIC!

POSSIBLE TRAINING CAMP ROSTER (50)

It looks like the club could add a dozen or so names (amateur kids, Oil Kings, etc) but I’m always hoping the team will aim higher. I had a list of players that the Oilers would do well to invite, but that list is getting pared down as the summer rolls along. Here’s my original list, with those already committed at the top.

  • LC Theo Rochette, QMJHL. Signed with Lausanne HC (NL).
  • LD Samuel Mayer, OHL. Size, speed, two-way ability.
  • RC Ryan Francis, QMJHL. Signed AHL contract with Laval (Montreal).
  • LW Eric Alarie, WHL. Big skill winger. Accepted camp invite from Florida Panthers.
  • G Brett Brochu, OHL. Quality goalie, undersized. Would be a nice add.
  • LW Owen Pederson, WHL. Big winger with goal-scoring ability.
  • RC Logan Morrison, OHL. He’s 20, scored 100 points.
  • LW Kyle Crnkovic, WHL. He’s small and skilled.
  • RD Simon Kubicek, WHL. Rugged two-way blue. Attended Oilers TC last season.
  • G Ethan Kruger, WHL. Good junior goalie, was at last year’s Oilers camp.

THIS WEEK

We should see Kailer Yamamoto and Ryan McLeod signed this week, and after that the trade (or other move) that gets the roster under the cap will be forthcoming. It’s going to be a late summer loud noise, stay tuned!

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Harpers Hair

So, Lt. Ohuro died today.
She was 89.

My god, some of us are old.

Darryl8843

Not old. We’re experienced

Reja

Old enough to see the Oilers finally beat the Islanders but young enough to jump on the ice and partay.

Mayan Oil

Like me… I’m 14 , with 49 years experience…

Harpers Hair

Lynda Carter

@RealLyndaCarter
·
7h

Many actors become stars, but few stars can move a nation. Nichelle Nichols showed us the extraordinary power of Black women and paved the way for a better future for all women in media. Thank you, Nichelle. We will miss you.

Harpers Hair

Variety

@Variety

Nichols shared one of the first interracial kisses in TV history on “Trek.” Nervous about a reaction, NBC insisted on alternate takes without a kiss, but Nichols and William Shatner deliberately flubbed them so NBC would be forced to air the original. https://bit.ly/3bkYAiq

judgedrude

It wasn’t just her impact on media, Nichols used her stardom on the show to promote NASA as a destination for people of colour.

NASA’s news release:

https://www.nasa.gov/feature/nichelle-nichols-helped-nasa-break-boundaries-on-earth-and-in-space/

Bulging Twine

Todd Nelson got himself a HC gig

AHL Hershey Bears, Washington affiliate

Good for him

OriginalPouzar

He does have 9 years of head coaching experience in the AHL – after jumping up to be a head coach in the NHL, I’m not sure if back to the AHL is progression towards and NHL head coaching job (as opposed to more assistant coaching in the NHL).

In any event, here is hoping he gets that NHL HC gig at some point.

Coilers2021

There’s a site out there that has PJ going to Toronto for Justin Holl. He’s given it an e3.

Personally, I give it no credibility.

Darryl8843

I give you a E5 for that.

jp

Aside from Holl being UFA in 1 year (vs 2 yrs for Puljujarvi), that wouldn’t be a bad trade.

Holl has been playing top 4 RD minutes for the Leafs for the last 2 years. Makes $2M. PKs. Has had solid on ice numbers.

It would presumably be accompanied by a Barrie for draft pick trade, so the Oilers would ‘balance the D’, and open up $5.5M of cap space.

Beyond getting them cap compliant (ie – not over the cap any more), those moves would leave about $4M to add a couple of forwards to replace Puljujarvi.

Rodrigues and Larsson? Kessel? Stastny? Rask?

jp

The lineup could look something like:

Kane-McDavid-Yamamoto
Nuge-Draisaitl-Hyman
Foegele-McLeod-Rodrigues
Janmark-Larsson-Ryan
Shore-Stepan
(Holloway, Benson, Malone, McKeeg in Bakersfield)

Nurse-Ceci
Kulak-Bouchard
Broberg-Holl
Samorukov
(Niemalainen/Koekkoek/Desharnais in Bakersfield)

Campbell
Skinner

I wouldn’t be unhappy with that outcome.

Last edited 2 years ago by jp
defmn

Who would play 2RD for the Leafs who would now be in even more cap trouble?

jp

That’s a great question. Looking from their POV it does sound less sensible, unless they really like Puljujarvi.

They do have RD Liljgren who just re-upped as a possible top 4. And they have Benn and Mette on cheap deals (in terms of experienced D to fill out their roster).

A Kerfoot cap dump (I know, talked about for years) would open up enough space for them to get compliant with Puljujarvi added and the other players they already have under contract.

But yeah, maybe not so likely.

Reja

Hyman. Ceci. Holl. Campbell I’m all in on Campbell, 2 Cups in the next 5 years Jack Campbell does a Billy Ranford impersonation. The Big Smoke goes over the edge followed by Cowtown.

Reja

Since the Coyotes have Kassian how do we wiggle Lawson Crouse into Oilers Silks.

jp

Ha. Would need to be a trade for Puljujarvi and Foegele. Crouse is going to cost $3M I’m sure too.

Reja

Pitter patter let’s get at er! Holland received a gift from the heavens with the Keith retirement and Smith LTIR. I know what he has to do he knows what he has to do. Pull the trigger and surround Connor and Leon with protection that has hands and can skate.

OriginalPouzar

Has he not done exactly that?

He continues to work on incremental improvement but i’m pretty sure he’s pittered and he’s pattered…..

Reja

Awolnation….

€√¥£€^$

I’ve seen Holl good, but if this is the deal, I would want more than Holl, even if it was a 3rd rounder.

Diablo

Leafs are up against the cap so tightly that they are desperately trying to trade Holl without having to give up a sweetener or take money back. How does this rumour make sense, when Jesse makes an extra million in salary.

Harpers Hair

So what happens if Yamamoto gets $3.5 million from the arbitrator?
Do the Oilers accept or do they walk away?

Harpers Hair

Can they walk away?

Darryl8843

Which begs the question. What could he get on the open market? Does he want to take less and see this through on a team he likes and the players like him? Does he want to go to arbitration and possibly open some wounds? It will be intriguing for sure

Harpers Hair

The 20 goals is that story I think.
And I would imagine the $3 million to JP could be a factor in the ask.

leadfarmer

The being Drais winger is gonna be the counter.
I would be shocked if this wasn’t settled before arbitration.
the contract length is likely the issue

leadfarmer

Of course this is the one time of the year that oilers players don’t suck

jp

The 20 goals is that story I think.

And I would imagine the $3 million to JP could be a factor in the ask.

You’re just trying to make that the story.

The two players last 2 seasons:
Yamamoto 133GP 29-34-62
Puljujarvi– 120GP 28-32-61

I’d be very surprised if Yamamoto holds out for notably more than the $3M that Puljujarvi got. I’d bet they settle on a deal before Aug. 9th hearing.

Surely you agree this is by far the most likely outcome.

defmn

The hearing is on the 7th, no?

jp

Yup, my mistake.

defmn

I keep reading that it is on the 9th in various places but the NHLPA site says 7th so . . .

Harpers Hair

Does the arbitrator look at 2 year periods or just the past season?

jp

99% sure they look at more than 1 year.

But as I said, I think it’s highly unlikely it goes to arbitration.

OriginalPouzar

Yup, walk away threshold is over $4.5MM this season – can’t imagine Kailer receives near that in arbitration – I’d also be quite surprised if this goes to arb – would imagine they will settle in advance like 98% of those that file do.

leadfarmer

They take it of course

Harpers Hair

Independent Scout.

Just got off the phone with a guy that knows & I think that Nazem Kadri is done to @NYIslanders
They have to clear out some cap room & then it’ll be announced. I’m FAR from an Insider but I’m very confident that it’s done. Great signing by NYI & Nazem Kadri deserves every penny.

Harpers Hair

This site now makes it difficult to post the source of Twitter content.
Not sure what has changed but it’s been like that for a couple of weeks when posting from iPad.

Harpers Hair

Copy and pasting from Twitter strips out the header on the posts.

Odd.

leadfarmer

Yeah they’ve been saying that for a while. See if it actually happens

Lewis Grant

If a rumoured signing keeps on not being announced, it’s a good bet it’s with the Islanders. Remember how last year Lou Lamoriello announced four major free agent signings on one day in August?

yeraslob

Gretchen Wilson? Well… she is a Wilson, lol.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqQkECIn738

Bad Seed

That’s an ass kicking version of that tune.

€√¥£€^$

So far this summer the following UFAs seem to have some smoke:

1.Kessel – almost seems like a real possibility
2.Milano – heard a few mentions (concerns about his lack of commitment to defense and partying ways)
3.de Haan – Traci Lane (FWIW, this was just a photo of him, no words, but seems like a proper Holland vet target and fits a perceived need)

Are there other names out there that anyone has heard from a reputable or semi-reputable voice? I really like all of Larsson, Rodrigues & Sprong.

Thoughts/Comments/Intel?

Cheers!
This summer the following UFAs who seem to have some smoke:

1.Kessel – almost seems like a real possibility
2.Milano – heard a few mentions (concerns about his lack of commitment to defense and partying ways)
3.de Haan – Traci Lane (FWIW, this was just a photo of him, no words, but seems like a proper Holland vet target and fits a perceived need)

Are there other names out there that anyone has heard from a reputable or semi-reputable voice? I really like all of Larsson, Rodrigues & Sprong.

Thoughts/Comments/Intel?

Cheers!

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

I’m a big Rodrigues fan. Of all the outstanding UFAs, he would be the one I want the most. Reminds me a bit of a smaller Hyman. Would really plug the only hole we still have at forward (RW).

No idea how we’d afford him though. I can’t imagine he gets less than $3m.

If we really do part ways with Jesse, I hope we target Rodrigues as his replacement.

Last edited 2 years ago by Oddspell
Reja

It took him until he was 29 years old to pop. Either Jesse, Foegele or Yamo would have to be driven to the Airport if your signing Rodrigues.

Last edited 2 years ago by Reja
jp

2 of them Reja.

One of them is headed to the airport even without Rodrigues.

pts2pndr

The reality is the best move is moving Barrie for a prospect and a draft choice and picking up a defensive Right D. Having Bouchard play with Broberg on the third pairing is a non starter in my book.Barrie with Nurse in other than PK or protecting a lead late in the game would work but that would mean using Ceci and Kulak as you shut down/PK pairing. While not being a patient individual I trust that there is at least one more move by Holland to get us cap compliant and then a distinct possibility of him moving Barrie at the trade deadline.

OriginalPouzar

Thing is, there isn’t a single UFA d-man that is available for that role except Subban – any other signing would be a massive drop in play.

of course, trades…..

Reja

Right shot D are hard to find when you need one.

jp

I value Barrie lots more than you do (you’ve been saying he’d be addition by subtraction since he arrived), but I’m open to a move for a cheaper RD.

My main concerns with that route are:
1) getting an actually adequate replacement for Barrie, and
2) the direct effect handing Bouchard PP1 will have on his next deal (it would be real, and spectacular).

pts2pndr

I believe Barrie has value. Coming off last season and a good playoffs his value is at peak! He is the only player that we can move without taking cap back. The 4 plus cap plus prospect and draft choice allow us to sign Yamamoto and McLeod.this then could allow of a trade moving Foegele for a defensive right shot D.

OriginalPouzar

1) I believe that both Jesse and Foegele could be moved without taking cap back. Jesse for sure, positive value. Foegele may take a slight sweetener

2) That Barrie trade could only be moved if there was the addition transaction you speak about for a defensive right shot D.

3) If you think that Foegele has negative value in that regard, it would be pretty darn hard to return a defensive minded 3RD of any acumen – i.e. without a massive drop in effectiveness from Barrie right.

jp

I’m not sure Barrie’s value is at peak at all. He had a mediocre regular season overall, but was much better under Woodcroft (and it wasn’t just Kulak being there for the last 18 regular season games). He was solid in the playoffs too, as you say.

Barrie Overall:
73 7-34-41 +3

Under Woodcroft:
35 4-20-24 +12

(so 38 3-14-17 -9 under Tippett)

I don’t expect his value is going to plummet going forward. If a trade makes sense, and you can properly replace his minutes, then I don’t mind moving the player at all. I just don’t think he’s as easily replaced as you do.

And beyond that, recall the extra million or two that moving him will add to Bouchard’s AAV next summer. That’s my single biggest reason for finding another solution to the Oilers cap crunch this year. Moving Barrie would probably cost the Oilers $1-2M extra per year for the duration of Bouchard’s next contract.

OriginalPouzar

I’ve stopped contemplating him as he’s “too good” and will therefor, as you mention, be too expensive.

As of right now, the team needs to move out about a $3MM player end stop – be it Jesse, Foegele, Yamo, Barrie or another.

If they bring in Rodrigues, well, then $6MM need to go out, right.

Straight up, I take Jesse at $3MM over Rodrigues…..

Victoria Oil

For you footy fans, I am in London where England just beat Germany 2-1 in extra time to win the Women’ Euro Championships. It’s a big deal over here as they are calling it England’s biggest win since 1966.

The goal scorer on the winning goal in ET took her shirt off (and got a yellow card) like the American woman at the ’99 World Championships.

Shaun VanAllen's mom

Yes it was a good game – Germany couldn’t convert its early chances. England played well.

Elgin R

I am receiving gifts beyond measure every day by reading this blog and comments on the ole Al Gore!

cowboy bill

It truly is a juggling act for Holland and no doubt he has multiple balls in the air . The good news is he doesn’t have to be cap compliant until opening night .Who knows what the opening night line up will look like . It’s looking like the back end & goaltending is a lock .
Just saying there sure are plenty of inexpensive forwards out there that could be fits on this Oiler roster .

OriginalPouzar

No doubt there is still tinkering to be done.

There is zero chance (realistically) that both Yamamoto and McLeod can be signed and the team can run even a 22 player opening night roster and be cap compliant (including using Klef and Smith on LTIR to get cap compliant and including Holloway on the roster).

There will have to be at least one player out and, ultimately, the 13F or 14F (if there is one) will be a battle between the likes of Shore, Malone, Benson and likely either a $750K depth signing or a PTO that could turn in to the same.

Darryl8843

So LT how come all my comments are awaiting approval?

Darryl8843

Thanks
No need to apologize. To many asses to keep track of.

Side

Now that I know your tricks, I’ll be able to make all of the Dairell Catz posts I have been wanting to make! Aha!

Reja

Which one of Larry’s brother is it Darryl or Darryl?

Last edited 2 years ago by Reja
Darryl8843

The other Darryl

OriginalPouzar

So many guys in the Milano, Larsson, Pitlick range that remain unsigned.

I wonder if these guys will need to wait until the RFA arb cases are settled/awarded to see how much money is left available in the system?

Will these guys find jobs in late August or are we looking at PTOs for some of them?

Is Victor Rask a league min (or thereabouts) depth option? Larsson and Milano and Rodrigues (among others) remain there. The latter two are likely “too expensive” given the Oilers are looking for the league min type 4th liner.

Stastny…… a thought.

Kessel…. remains intriguing.

OriginalPouzar

Tyler Benson remains an unsigned RFA. No doubt he’ll get signed in due course with a league min cap hit of $750K in the NHL. I presume he and his agency are hoping/trying to get a one-way deal but that seems unlikely and the negotiation will come down to agreeing on some sort of higher guaranteed minimum – likely in the $300K range.

I know many have moved on from this player, and I’m somewhat in that boat, but he is likely in the conversation for a depth 13F/14F on this team.

The $750K cap hit (presumed) could be a factor – it only saves $100K over Shore but $100K is $100K.

Benson over Shore saves $100K.

Samorukov over Koekkoek saves $150K.

YYCOil

I tend to agree with this –

also

last year Benson reinvented himself as a guy who finished his check and stuck his nose into trouble – we don’t have enough of those guys on this roster.

BornInAGretzkyJersey

Those are attributes that have been a staple of Benson’s game dating back to juniour. He was captain of the Vancouver Giants due in part to his skill, and his grit.

Bank Shot

Maybe if Benson spends the entire offseason working on his boots he has a chance.

He’s not far away from being an NHL player, but close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.

I’ve never been as high on Samorukov as the rest of Oilers fandom I think. His offence didn’t translate at all to pros, and his skating is also lacking IMO.

jp

I don’t know. Benson is a tweener right now. He’ll need to do something more to be a real contributor, but he won’t hurt you today as 4th line/extra forward/injury cover.

It depends a bit on how much salary Holland moves out (and how much more depth he can bring in), but right now Benson remains very much in the 13/14 forward conversation IMO.

And Samorukov, he’s brought just as much offense with him as Koekkoek did, and more than Niemelainen. Maybe he’s being overrated, but at minimum he’s right in that group with Niemelainen, Koekkoek and Desharnais.

OriginalPouzar

I think he leads that group as the defender with the broader range of skills – best with the puck, best two-way game, best hockey IQ – simply better skill (doesn’t rely on the size/reach for defending as much).

Darryl8843

Has it been officially reported that Klefbom will miss this season or is it just assumed because theres been little info given?

OriginalPouzar

Holland has said he’s not playing this year.

Darryl8843

Thanks

Reja

What about Pronger?

Brad

Looking at that roster position-by-position thinking “is this Stanley quality?” and I am pleasantly surprised. LW is there, and if Holloway can contribute meaningfully it could get even better. C is best in the world. RW needs work, but adding a legit top 6 RW at the deadline could slot everyone properly (Kane…..). LD might need an add, but between Broberg and Kulak I think it’s worth giving them a shot. RD I think is adequate, though no one really slotted as “top quality” in their role (maybe Barrie at 3RD). G, we shall see but it’s the best shot we’ve had since ’17 Talbot.

OriginalPouzar

I generally agree, there are generally two things to “improve” in order to really solidify the roster for a cup run:

1) a legit top 6 RW

2) a legit top 4 D-man, likely LD given the current depth chart

I have little doubt that, presuming the season is going somewhat as planned, Holland will be adding at least one d-man in-season. Unless there truly is a big pop from Broberg to established top 4 (or Sammy, I guess, as a crazy wild card), I would be shocked if Holland didn’t add a vet – he seems to every year.

Unfortunately, given we are in LTIR hell yet again, like last year, there will be minimal cap space so Holland will again be looking at moving money out which is near impossible these days along with cap structuring with retainment, etc. on deadline deals.

It will be very hard to acquire a D and a top 6 winger given the cap situation.

We can hope that Bourgault has a quick transition to the pro game and maybe, just maybe, is NHL ready and top 6 RW ready by March. It seems unlikely but these things do happen so its not out of the question.

See Seth Jarvis, for example.

Silver Streak

Speaking of invitee`s….Was at the Gretzky Hlinka Canada – Finland game on Friday…Kalen Lind, forward, Canada, the best player on the ice. Wicked smart and smooth skater, reminds of another former RD Rebel.. RNH.

norm2015

compare 2016 to 2022 depth charts and wow what a difference on the wings. and 2022 could still use a RW 🙂

Boil-in-the-Oil

Great reference LT. Easily one of my top 3 fave bands of all time, Little Feat. The 70’s produced a whole lot of fine music, none much better than this album. RIP Lowell.

Mayan Oil

Agree! The 0s were a major sea change in music and even in the 80s there were some diamonds among the dross. But the 70s… gold around every corner.

Mayan Oil

oops the 60s not the 0s… typo, my bad.

Tarkus

What was wrong with the 0’s? Don’t you like ragtime? 😀

Mayan Oil

Love ragtime. Still play some Joplin on the piano from time to time. But I just mistyped my original comment.

Cleaned my keyboard thoroughly last night and some of the keys are still a bit wonky.

jojonoshow

These truly are the dog days of summer.

JJS

And in other news, Puljujarvi befriends a Moose and Messier fans voice their displeasure

Mayan Oil

I wouldn’t mind at all if he befriended THE Moose… Messier could show him some things about how to both physically and mentally dominate your opponent. Puljujarvi with a mean streak and a burr in his saddle would be pretty fierce!

Reja

It’s not in his nature if he had a edge to his game he would be a valuable commodity.

OriginalPouzar

Many do consider him a valuable commodity for the Oilers – I am one – based on a few things such as:

1) impact to goal differential (on-ice stats do not, of curse, provide targeted information on individual contribution but when every single player has improved numbers (in many cases, materially) with the player, its not just smoke;

2) the Cult’s “scoring chance contribution” project which backs up the “on ice analytics” in 1 above, Jesse contributes at the high end of forwards; and

3) the eye-test which back up much of the above.

With respect to 3 and the eye test, much of this is related Jesse’s numbers with SA and GA and how low they were this past year. Many (including Staples from the Cult) don’t think wingers really effect scoring chances and goals again all that much – I don’t disagree generally and from a high level but my eye sees Jesse doing many things that keep the puck going the right way, keeping the puck there, etc. He’s generally on “the right side of the puck and I rarely see mistakes leading to jail breaks again.

Others, of course, do not see Jesse as a valuable commodity or valuable to the Oilers on-ice play.

Here is hoping this coming season solidifies the former stance.

Reja

Lots of 15 Goal scorers can be had for a Million. The dynamic’s of the NHL or changing the lower middle class or getting squeezed. Why pay 3-4 Million when there’s 20 PTO chomping at the bit. I believe the last PTO we had scored 22 Goals yet many folks were bitching and whining. They didn’t like him (though no fault of his own) because they wanted Connolly who bailed on the Oilers at the last second.

jp

Last 2 PTO’s were Sceviour and Shore weren’t they?

Point taken though. And yeah, Chiasson’s contract ended up being a hell of a lot better than Connolly’s (Chicago is on the hook for his buyout for a couple more seasons).

Hopefully Holland can convince one or two of those $1M guys to round out the roster.

OriginalPouzar

I’m not sure there are tons of 15 goal scorer available for a million.

In fact, there are 3 UFAs left that scored 15 goals, Kadri, Bergeron and Rodrigues – I don’t think any are coming for a million.

I don’t think anyone had an issue with Chiasson and his PTO nor his signing for $650K nor his 22 goal performance that season.

I think some thought that parlaying that in to a 2 X $2.2MM was aggressive as he was unlikely to come close to replicating – the contract was given based off a career year with a spiked shooting percentage.

Chiasson was a good soldier for those next two seasons – he scored a total of 20 goals over the course of those two seasons – in some ways he came close to value for a bit of that contract.

Reja

Sitting in the peanut gallery I don’t know what to think about the Jake Virtanen situation. I do think someone’s going to get a great value on a 20 goal scorer that has his head down and ass up.

pts2pndr

I still haven’t forgiven him for his attempt to injure McDavid at the young stars in Penticton. Connor only played a couple more shifts that game and they sat him out for the final game!

Reja

It took Colorado loading up on the asshole factor before they won a cup. No way the Av’s beat St.Loo without having Kadri and sneaky dirty Landeskog.

OriginalPouzar

Who is this player? Virtanen has never scored 20 goals in the NHL (or any pro league).

Reja

He scored 18 with a Black Cloud hanging over his head what makes you think he can’t score 20. He’s only 25 6th overall pick who has a new lease on life, somebody’s getting a power forward for cheap. Jesse’s never scored over 15 yet you continuously pump his tires daily till no end.