The hockey is here! European leagues are underway and the WHL got started on the weekend with preseason action. Reid Schaefer (with a comparable courtesy HockeyProspecting.com) scored two goals in his first game, one a shorthanded goal and the other on the power play. It’s going to be cuh-razy this week and the Oilers will be right in the mix. Ryan McLeod contract, PTO’s, invites for Penticton and at some point, cap compliance.
THE ATHLETIC!
- New Lowetide: The truth about Jesse Puljujarvi and the Edmonton Oilers
- Lowetide: Why Edmonton Oilers fans should be worried about waivers
- DNB: Jack Campbell is determined to win in Edmonton: ‘I’m ready for this’
- DNB: What I’m hearing on Oilers’ looming roster crunch, Ryan McLeod contract and more
- Lowetide: How will Oilers deploy free-agent addition Ryan Murray?
- Lowetide: Making the early call on Edmonton Oilers’ 2018 draft haul
- Lowetide: Edmonton Oilers’ most likely recalls from AHL Bakersfield in 2022-23
- Lowetide: Is the Edmonton Oilers’ 2022-23 lineup balanced?
- Lowetide: Oilers prospect Reid Schaefer and what math tells us about his future
- Lowetide: Oilers’ opening night roster will be influenced by salary cap, waivers
- Lowetide: Edmonton Oilers’ European, college and junior prospects for 2022-23
- Jonathan Willis: The Edmonton Oilers are rapidly approaching their “all-in” moment
- Lowetide: Why Oilers trading for Patrick Kane makes more sense at the deadline
- Lowetide: 9 Bold Predictions for the 2022-23 Edmonton Oilers
- Lowetide: Edmonton Oilers reasonable expectations for every player in 2022-23
- Lowetide: Oilers math shows 41 candidates for 23 (or fewer) jobs. Who could play where?
- Lowetide: Who will the Oilers trade for cap purposes?
- Lowetide: 5 Edmonton Oilers training camp surprises
- Lowetide: Four Oilers defence prospects applying for one job. Who wins?
- Lowetide: For Oilers forward Dylan Holloway, the future may come early
- DNB: Oilers’ Brad Holland on AGM role, analytics, working with his dad: Q&A
- Lowetide: Oilers top-20 prospects, summer 2022
POSSIBLE 23-MAN ROSTER
This is 23 men, including both Dylan Holloway and Dmitri Samorukov, with Warren Foegele traded and about $10,000 to spare to reach cap compliance. Ryan McLeod can slide up from the No. 4 line if Holloway can’t get it done, so there’s some protection there, and of course Janmark could also slide up. Tyler Benson and Ryan Murray signing for $750,000 might be the biggest key to making the team. Life is strange. By the way, our friend Scott Wheeler has an article up about NHL Prospects he was wrong about and Benson is included. Link is here.
As I mentioned yesterday, one of the keys to the season to come will be Jay Woodcroft and Dave Manson. The roster looks good, and once they do the voodoo they do, well, the Pacific Division is there for the taking. I’d love to know what Woodcroft thinks about Puljujarvi, Foegele, Holloway and McLeod. Something tells me McLeod will get a push, but who moves down? Interesting days ahead.
A SHORT TALK
- Is this a balanced team? Yes, I believe it is.
- Where is the balance photo? I found it again! I’m glad to finally be linking to the correct photo.
- Looks like the PTO’s are heading elsewhere. I think that’s reasonable, there isn’t a lot of room and there’s no sense bringing in a player who isn’t going to make the team. Give those minutes to the kids.
- No PTO’s, then? Oh I don’t know. The Oilers have several things to do this week and that could impact things. We’re late late late for trades of note, so could see a veteran sent to the farm (Derek Ryan, as an example) until trade options open up.
- What will Woodcroft-Manson do to be innovative this year? I think they’ll try to build on the things accomplished last season. For instance, Darnell Nurse-Cody Ceci became the monster pairing, taking on most of the difficult minutes. I imagine the plan is to form a second pairing that can carry the load, but don’t really know who that might be. One thing we could see this year is fewer minutes for Nurse on the power play, that is a way to manage his minutes.
- What will Woodcroft-Manson do to be innovative this year? I think speed will be a major factor, we’re going to see Steve McQueen flying through San Fransisco in a 1968 Mustang level torque this year.
- Sure, put McDavid out there! More than that. You saw what Ryan McLeod could do when Tippett took over, hell the young forward even got some power-play time. And what about Dylan Holloway? Or Brett Kulak? Philip Broberg? I think this is going to be a damned tough team to catch this winter.
LOWETIDE AND JAMIESON
A busy show as we’re back to work and expecting loud noises from the Oilers. 10-2 today, TSN 1260, we’ll see you the whole seat but you’ll only need the edge. Milt Stegall and Gerry Moddejonge will pop in to talk about the CFL weekend and another disappointing home game for the Elks, and we’ll talk NFL with Josh Alper from Pro Football Talk. 10-1260 text, @Lowetide on twitter. Talk soon!
For a long time I had the impression that when LT says “balance” he really meant “depth”. As in, that 2006 SCF roster was “deep”(3 lines and 3 D pair deep) instead of “balanced”, and last year than rsn an elite pair of D + two serviceable D was “depth”(3 pairs deep) instead of “balanced”.
Then there is this picture, and the back story behind the picture.
What seem like effortless grace was in fact a well placed waterline, a reflector here, a tippy toe here, and a whole lot of balancing in a seabed of lurking sea urchin…
I didn’t hear the segment myself so this is 2nd hand.
BLH (Edmonton Oilers Enthusiast}
1h
According to Bob Stauffer, the #Oilers would struggle to get a pick in the top 45 for Puljujarvi and a trade to Anaheim “makes sense” for the Finn. Also, the club is being told that they will have to include a sweetener if they plan on moving Foegele.
Interesting on Foegele
Another player with good stats who seemed largely ineffective last season to me
Now he may have a much better season this one, settling in more and right from the start with better coaches and system, his speed and size could work very well
Hands ain’t happening though. He’s a 10 goal guy, but given his hockey assets should be an elite 3rd line winger pushing for second
We all knew Holland was going to get squeezed on this. I’d pay the sweetener and keep Puljujarvi except I think we all know he wants out even if we keep trying to tell ourselves it isn’t true.
Too much smoke.
When he signed the 1 year so easily was there a verbal handshake or was there not.
Something was probably promised. Details unknown though like minimum return or no deal.
Thing is, Colorado signed Rodrigues today for $2 million and he is far superior player to Foegele.
At this point, 3rd line wingers are struggling to find work at league minimum.
Hopefully JP will be comfortable staying because his value to the team is higher than those offers
Foegele plus a sweetener this off season and they still lose Puljujarvi next season in all probability.
Rock and a hard place.
Cup this year.
Worry about next year next year.
Well the true test of this (needing a sweetener) is the waiver wire. When can that be opened/used, if willing, and if he clears, does that get you compliant?
Waivers start 12 days before the regular season.
If all they’re going to get for Jesse is a 2nd, then there is no rush to trade him. Get through training camp … if there is an injury, that takes care of the cap crunch for a few weeks. If not, then waive Foegele and start the season with a 21 man roster.
Right now every team has a roster of healthy players. Once injuries start piling up in training camp, or overhyped young players show they’re not ready to play in the NHL, some team will be happy give us future considerations for Foegele or claim him off the waiver wire. Waive him early before any good players would normally get sent down to the minors.
The way to the Cup goes through Colorado
If you can hamper McDavid and Gretzky, you can hamper Makar
I don’t see that happening playing zone on him. His skating is too good and he will break you down
I say get on him with the LW in their D zone and give him no space or time. A good old fashioned shadow. MacKinnon isn’t that dangerous if the team is playing positionally sound
The Bolts if healthy are still the best in the east. Again with strong structural play they are beatable
If you key on Makar, Toews will kill you.
And then Byram comes off the bench.
And then Byram comes off the bench … with a bunch of scrubs in front of a couple of goalies who are probably not much better than backups. They don’t have the same scoring depth that they had last year. Their goaltending could end up looking like a dog’s breakfast by December.
The Cup goes through Tampa Bay, not Colorado.
Yes they have a few guys
Two are not like the other, which is the point
The other two are also top pairing quality D…which is the point.
Who are top pairing?
McDavid+Draisaitl’s offence is generational.
The only way Avs win is Oilers injured and Mike Smith in net.
This season is an entirely new proposition.
Please do not get me wrong. Avs are a strong team and worthy champs. But Oilers with mediocre goaltending but predictable can beat their Denver arses.
its who has the very best players and Makar be damned Mcdavid is the King of the NHL.
Also – Hedman is still the best D-man in the league. If he and Point weren’t injured in the Cup final, the Bolts would’ve won again last year.
Colorado was lucky to face hobbled teams in consecutive rounds – Binnington, Drasaitl/Nurse, Point/Hedman. They’ve been knocking at the door for years, went all-in and got flush draw on the river … good for them.
But they replaced Kadri and Burakowski with Ben Meyers, Evan Rodriguez and they’ve downgraded in net from Keumper to Georgiev.
I look forward to playing Colorado this season.
Are you forgetting that Lehkkonen is better than Burakovski who was a healthy scratch at times in the playoffs?
Are you forgetting that Lehkonen is a 3rd line winger who has never produced offence above that level, but is now being paid like a second line winger?
Good defensive forward that is ideally slotted on a contending team’s third line. He doesn’t bring enough offence to offset what the Avs have lost.
They are going to rely heavily on their 1st line, Makar and their PP to score next season.
1) Nuge said that he focussed on his shot this off-season – he wasn’t happy with this shot and shooting percentage the last few seasons.
2) McDavid says the key will be to keep the puck out of their net…… I know, earth-shattering, right? Tell me I’m wrong but I don’t think trading Jesse Puljujarvi helps them move towards that goal.
3) Rishaug tried to explain his “Jesse the obvious choice” on his pod – spoke about it being obvious that Jesse made it clear at the end of the season that he does not think he’s a 3rd liner and the organization thinks he is and his preference is to go somewhere he’s viewed as a top 6. He thinks they have been trying to trade him. The relationship has been bumpy but if feels to Rishag that it came to a boiling point at the end of the season with how his playoff performance went.
Blah – not sure how the org views him as a 3rd liner when he’s played almost exclusively in the top 6 for two years. Caveat on that is that Woody was on McLellan’s staff when things didn’t go well for Jesse and it was Woody that, eventually moved him down. Tippett always had him in the top 6.
As far as relationship and boiling point – well, avoiding arbitration doesn’t seem to show that and, of course, Jesse seems very excited to be back on the ice with the boys.
There was alot of “I think” in Rishaug’s pod verbal – who knows if that is speculation or based on actual organizational intel. I will say that Rishaug did seem to take the last few months fully off – he did nothing Oilers related out in public – I’m not sure he’s fully up to speed but I’m speculating on that based on the last few months.
I remember when a boiling point with this player saw him head back to Finland for a year. I call this progress!
But in all seriousness. There were a couple of analysts who went all in on the trade JP train back in the spring and I doubt they’ll let up now. But JPs numbers are an interesting lot. Fancy Stats Darling whilst short of 100 career points.
Can’t imagine an org who just watched Val Nichuskin emerge in real time would cast aside that lesson lightly. Especially when a painfully obvious cap dump would leave a rather large hole in the current roster.
I think he stays.
I’m glad to hear Nuge worked on his shot. Hoping JP, Kailer and McLeod also focused on that skill.
Getting close now. Starting to get excited again.
Nuge should have been working on his shot years ago silly baby nuge
15.89%
13.46%
12.79%
11.85%
7.14%
Those are Nuge’s shooting percentage the last 5 seasons. Sure, the trend is not good but I think we can reasonably expect a large spike this coming season, right?
He sure gets a lot of good looks on the PP when teams are over committing on McDavid and Leon. If he could bury that shot he’s all of a sudden getting 30.
His shooting percentage on the PP this past season was 2.38%, two point three eight percent – down from over 21% the year before and between 15%-20% each of the prior 5 years.
I’m thinking his bad luck shooting this past season, in all games states, will turn a bit this season. Yes, bad luck, not a bad shot, clearly, as the shooting percentage data informs.
Hopefully, my issue is how much he misses. He is no finisher. He could have easily had 5 more last year just hitting the net on good chances
With his goal totals and who he has played with I would say he doesn’t shoot enough because he knows, so has sustained a decent SH% shooting more on the easier ones
Connor wouldn’t shoot enough his first year either, but he sorted it out the next summer. As he does
I like Nuge but he could be more productive in the larger sense. I think he’d enjoy it
It is possible that they avoided arbitration by coming to an agreement that they would sign and trade JP.
John Shannon on the radio just now.
Says VGK have not been able to reach a contract extension with Nicolas Hague and are shopping him.
6’6” 210 …left shot…23 years old.
For those who care about such things a video of Campbell’s mask.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1569372518116642817
It doesn’t look anything like a soup can. What gives?
Ziggy, Zaggy, Ziggy, Zaggy, Oi, Oi, Oi!”
Like to watch old Oilers moments on Youtube, and was watching the 1985 final game between Oilers and the Flyers. Interesting to see Gretzky in his Mcdavid prime.
As always watching Paul Coffey skate is worth the price of admission. And vs the tough Flyers Oilers had plenty of their own to scrap with them lol
I will not go into detail about my celebration on Japer Ave (or more precisely just behind Jasper Ave!) the night they won.
I might have heard it.
nah. Wasn’t anywhere near the place.
PS: which end of jasper was the most rocking? Speaking as an old 95th Street resident (Riverdale) lol
Riverdale Boogie & Sporting Society?
So if we got Konowalchuk at 32 overall is that a win? I don’t know. It’s not a loss.
Yes, that would be a win.
1) Good deal for the Avs. As the off-season went on, and the likely price on Rodrigues decreased, I thought he’d be a good final piece to the Oilers RW – likely 3RW but could slide up. He should have a solid season with the Avs given their depth but lets not forget his production was like Jesse’s, it was almost all early in the season and he fell off and played considerable time with Crosby.
2) I’m pretty sure goaltending always matters, even with a high end and deep defence. I’m not sure Girard being cited in a “goalie doesn’t matter” position makes sense – a goalie likely matters very much when he’s on the ice. I presume Georgiev has a better season then his past few but, on the face, Avs ave down-graded on defence (and downgraded from Burakovsky to Rodrigues, and losts Kadri with no replacement).
3) Agree that Benson at 4LW doesn’t inspire great confidence at this point but its: Benson, Shore, McKegg, Malone, Bailey (one he’s off IR and possibly signs an NHL deal), Griffith, etc. I wouldn’t be adverse to bringing in another NHL experienced player to compete but it needs to be in the $750K-$850K range. Sprong may sign for that after a PTO, Milano probably needs more. Virtanen has been offered a PTO.
4) From listening to Frank and Jason on the DFO Rundown this morning, Tyler Motte is looking to get paid so I don’t have interest.
5) Speaking of the DFO Rundown, Bill Scott has a 20 minute interview on there this morning. A good listen.
6) I think the Oilers D depth is quite deep vis-a-vis getting through the regular season and competing for the division (subject to a Nurse term injury): Broberg, Murray, Samorukov, Niemelainen, Koekkoek, Deharnais would be 6-11.
I think we are find going in to the season with the current D and this is likely an area of addition near the deadline.
I see the top of the forwards looking more than good, they are absolutely excellent.
And that quality now bleeds down into the third line.
The last few roster spots, while they will seem to be less critical with a Connor-Leon team, may be a the best and easiest ways to improve the overall team.
First question, will Janmark contribute? Or will he be out by Christmas, similar to those he is replacing? (Turris, Sceviour)
Leaves us with Benson, Shore, McKegg, Malone…? These guys are not likely to make another NHL roster, so what are they doing on a contending team? Expert PK? Speed? Antagonizer? Am i not being fair? These are good hockey players, but just come up a bit short. And Thus, this should be the place to continue roster upgrades.
IF Jessie moves out and Virtanen in, I don’t see that as a replace Jessie move. I see that as a Foegele over Jessie choice, and Virtanen an upgrade on bottom of roster.
Is there a Matt Hendricks out there?
Hendricks didn’t come cheap he cost us a fragile or not Devan Dubnyk.
Having a Hendricks on your team is a weakness – not a strength.
I would suggest that, yes, Janmark will make an impact and the Turris/Sceviour are not legit comparables – Janark is a legit 3LW in the NHL and has been year over year for a while and is only 29. He’s not coming here off poor years and buyout, ala Turris.
I don’t disagree with you on the bottom tier depth although I’m not sure even contending teams have a lineup of NHL ready vets in the minors waiting to fill in (in addition the peculating prospects like Holloway and Bourgault), right?
100% agree about the org choosing Foegele over Jesse if that’s the case – there is no reasonable addition to the forward group that comes even close to what Jesse brings.
I can’t believe Lowetide paid $2400 at auction for that Grace Kelly photo.
Yay or nay on Daniel Sprong?
1) Here is hoping there is a way to get McLeod for 2 years on this contract – can Holland find $1.2MM – $1.3MM for him?
2) I presume we here the Virtanen PTO solidified at some point this week – we know for certainty the Oilers have offered him one (Gregor and Stauffer).
3) Yes, I don’t mind that roster/lineup – Foegele clearly makes sense as the player traded out for cap relief (at least to me), 8D including Samorukov on the roster, Janmark is a legit 3LW and, you know what, McLeod and Holloway could switch spots. I do think Holloway at 2LW makes more sense as he’ll get the minutes – at 4C with no PK or PP there won’t be enough unless Woody can commit to spotting him up. McLeod will get top 2 unit PK time and he should be a mainstay on PK2 so he can get legit minutes at 4C.
4) With that said, Rishaug is back today and all over the “trying all avenues to trade Puljujarvi…..”. Stauff was also on that last week. It seems pretty clear the org would rather move Jesse than Foegele and it may be what it is. I see pictures of Jesse at today’s skate ALL SMILES and I think it will be a mistake if they don’t keep him for this season.
5) I’m not sure these skates mean anything but, from DNB, Broberg is playing plenty of the right side at the informal skates. It may mean nothing or it may be the beginning of the “answer” of who plays RD when an injury comes – someone (Broberg, Murray, Kulak, Sammy) sliding over or Deharnais.
6) DNB has the following at today’s skate (Ceci isn’t there although I belie he is in town, Murray not on the ice
Nurse/Bouch
Kulak-Sammy/Barrie
Niemo/Broberg
7) I think there has to be a 2nd pairing that can play more tough minutes than they did down the stretch last season. I don’t think Nurse/Ceci can be asked to play anywhere close to 50% TOI vs. elites for 82 games plus 2-months of playoffs. There will be nothing left of them by late winter. If a 2nd pairing cannot be formed behind them that can peform in tougher minutes, I think they need to balance the pairings a bit. Of course, Nurse/Ceci will play minutes together almost every game, situationally, if they aren’t a standard pair.
Ryan Rishaug
@TSNRyanRishaug
·
1h
Taking in captains skate today, McDavid likely talking afterwards among others. Couple notes – (as other have mentioned)my sense is Oilers are waiting on an answer from Virtanen about a PTO offer. Several other teams in the mix as well. Could see an additional PTO extended…/
.to another F as well. Continuing to pursue all trade options for Puljujarvi – the most obvious move to clear out some cap space. If it doesn’t happen they can still start with what they’ve got but it’ll be razor thin margin budget-wise and could cause issues later in season…/
Don’t believe Barrie is a likely trade option at this point, they’ll start the year with what they have on the blue-line, see how it goes. Pairings feel up in the air as well, may take shape through camp. Don’t sense a PTO coming on D. Glad to be back at it..!
Say what you want about what they write but they have actual sources. Their sources may not always have the final word but they hear things and report accordingly. I do not believe they just make stuff up.
Are you trying to tell me that paid reporter’s are whatever they’re called these days. The ones that hang around the team everyday and talk to other paid folks in different city’s that follow their team closely know more about the team than me sitting on my deck playing pocket pool on this fine sunny day.
Old Chinese proverb, “man with hole in pocket feel cocky.”
Sportsnet (and all other websites I looked at) have the AVs as the odds-on favorite to win the cup (+400), with the Oilers at +1800 – +2000. Looking at the playoff games last year, there was not a great separation between the two teams except for game 2.
Game 1: 8-6 with an EN
Game 2: 4 – 0 (ouch)
Game 3: 4-2 with an EN
Game 4: 6-5 in Ooooooovertime
Both teams had injured personnel (AVs – Kadri / Oil – Nurse / Drai) – pretty even but man it hurts to lose your #1 dman (see TBL vs CBJ when Hedman was hurt)
Forwards:
The Oilers did not lose any fowards of significance, while the AVs, on the other hand, lost 148 pts (Kadri + Burakovsky) and replaced those pts with 43 (Evan Rodrigues).
Goal:
Oilers replacing Smith / Koskinen with Campbell / Skinner should be a bigger upgrade than the AVs going from Francouz / Kuemper to Francouz / Georgiev.
Defence:
Still a big advantage to the AVs
It does not appear that the Oilers got worse this year (some, including me, would say they are better).
I predict the Oilers not only get to the Conference finals, but win it and go on the SCF.
A bit misleading.
Kadri had a broken thumb, Girard was out with a broken sternum and Nichushkin had a broken foot.
In addition, the Avalanche added Lehkkonen to replace Nichushkin, Ben Myers late in the season and now Rodriguez.
Their goal scoring may well drop a bit but their goal differential last season was overwhelming and of course their young D should continue to progress.
More on how Rodriguez might fit:
https://theathletic.com/3586961/2022/09/12/evan-rodrigues-avalanche-signing/?source=user_shared_article
…yet you only started pimping for them half way through the playoffs.
I’ve been pimping them for years.
The Avs are his ‘ace’ once all the other teams he cheers for don’t make the playoffs or are eliminated in the post season.
Not going to mention the additions of Manson or Cogliano?
Plus we’ve all seen how Colorado’s numbers got better with Girard out of the line up.
Nurse / Drai >>>>> Kadri / Nichuskin
The D group looks ok for a top 8. The Oil used at least 10 d-men (5+ games) each of the last 3 years (as per QuantHockey). Hope injuries do not require too many games from the men in the Bake. I could see Holland follow his usual MO and get a veteran D at the trade deadline.
“The natural glamour of this 25-year-old woman is both timeless and seductive.”
Ah, balance.
Its been many, many, many years waiting for your alter-ego to say those words.
This team is legit….
finally.
Can we discuss?
PTO candidates.
Tyler Motte? Brings energy, strong work ethic, good skating, little offense.
Jake Virtanen? Brings size, speed, scored 18 goals 3 yrs ago, conditioning and work ethic questions.
Daniel Sprong? Iffy defensively, brings some scoring touch and energy.
Viktor Rask? Solid in the faceoff dot, decent defensively, has lost a gear in speed.
i suppose the other option is sonny milano at 1 yr, massive skill but struggles to put it all together, a bit undersized.
I’ve always noticed Motte on the ice in good ways every time we played the Canucks. Always seems to be in quickly on the forecheck. Not much finishing ability, but he’s a player you can play on your fourth line who will be a pain to play against no matter how many minutes he gets. The others need to play higher up in the lineup to produce consistently.
Everytime I see or hear Motte’s name I have a instant craving for a spicy Double Caesar with a Asparagus spear as a stir stick.
he is one guy who i think could give you solid minutes, i worry about the offense first guys in the oils bottom 6, we need more focus on defensive play IMO
Not sure the Sprong intel is recent. He’s got very good underlying FF%, CF%, xGF%, etc. Plus, he scored 6 in their last 16 games.
Would anyone sign Sprong or Rask if they would sign in the $750-850k range? I think they are better than Shore, Ryan, Benson, Malone, and Griffith. I believe that’s Sprong’s range, maybe Rask won’t come that cheap.
Rask is a Bruin, his heart is with the core that is left. He knows he is done and doesn’t need the money.
Wrong Rask. I think Jaxon is talking about this guy.
https://www.capfriendly.com/players/victor-rask
Doh, my bad.
I’d been thinking he’s a worthwhile option, but he’s really fallen off since he signed that big deal with Carolina.
264 41-56-97 in the past 5 seasons.
193 27-39-66 in the past 4.
Doesn’t PK at all. I dunno.
I’ll take Tim Thomas before Rask at least he won’t quit on the team.
Source: https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/bruins/bruins-tuukka-rask-opens-about-decision-leave-nhl-playoff-bubble
Yeah, what a flake.
Speaking of Goalies you never did give your opinion on the Goaltenders that have come through the Oilers system. I’m most interested in your take on who’s just the Heroes and then the Zeroes of the group of 59. Remember this goes back to a time when everyone didn’t get participation ribbons.
sprong would be fine on a PTO, i dont know how much better he is than seth griffith.
He’s decent. He also scored 6 goals in their last 16 games.
Yes, Victor Rask… not Tukka. I like Victor because he can play C (decent FO% too), and his underlying numbers are really quite solid. I’m not sure how much stock everyone here puts in WAR percentile. It may be flawed but is one of the most complete tools out there. Rask is at 78%, Sprong is at 73%. It has McKegg at 5%, Benson at 24%, Shore at 30%, Janmark at 31%, McLeod at 40%, Foegele at 41%, Kane at 46%, Nugent-Hopkins at 50%, Yamamoto at 54%, Ryan at 66%, Puljujarvi at 69%, Hyman at 72%, Draisaitl at 99%, McDavid at 100%. If I understand it, I think it is based on what the WAR rank is out of the top 384 forwards in the NHL. McKegg is in the bottom 19 forwards, Hyman is in the top 108.
There’s gotta be a cheap veteran PTO for 4th line LW that Holland likes better than Benson, no? I mean, we’ve seen this Grace Kelly movie before.
If Woodcroft believes in him so will I, but personally I didn’t see it, and I’m not sure 30 games is a small sample size anymore.
Agreed. People are getting paid 65+ million for 34 career goals these days. Teams are comfortable making that call earlier each year. Benson has shown very little to merit being an everyday NHLer and has had a reasonably fair shot. The days of 200+ at bats are very hard to come by.
To further agree with you, if Woody thinks he’ll work, I’ll believe in him again too.
@frank_seravalli
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6m
Evan Rodrigues signs with #Avs: 1 year x $2 million. He had 19 goals and 43 points last year, hoping for a launch pad year with the defending Champs.
Well that’s a fine deal for the Avalanche.
Hopefully, Mr. Rodrigweeze will play up to par this season.
Chai Chai
This is a nice signing. Kind of surprised it wasn’t HH giving us the good news. I wonder if he’s okay?
Another one bits the dust .
Avs are still the team to beat, I’m picking them to repeat this year, but I definitely don’t want them to. They’re still a deeper of a team than we are, but I believe we are finally a legitimate contender. Their goaltending isn’t as good as last year IMO. I’m hoping the Oilers can catch fire in the playoffs where anything is possible especially since our goaltending should be better!
Maker, Girard and Byram should all be better.
Goaltending might not matter much.
Goaltending always matters, but your point is made.
I believe Makar will score over 30 Goals this year who will only interestingly be the 9th D-man ever to crack the elusive 30 mark. Without cheating try to name the other 8 D-men to hit 30. I bet you get to 5 and then get stumped.
To be fair, Bouchard will too.
If he was on the 1st PP I think he would score 20.
Bouchard, Nurse (like Girard, injured at critical time last year) and Broberg improving will bring balance.
I missed four that were on the list and guessed two that weren’t. I guess that’s a fail for me…
I doubt anyone can get all 8 and if they did my hats off to you. Before the internet there would be arguments and wagers bet at work, bars or elsewhere on this kind of conundrum. The internet took all the entertainment out of many things in today’s world including this question.
Orr, Coffey, Souray, Green, Macinnis, Leetch, Zubov, Potvin, Turnbull.
You’re right. This is tough. I’m going to Google now and see how many I got right.
There are 3 totally unexpected or mostly-forgotten players not on your list. Won’t spoil it but it’s an eye-opening exercise for stats-geeks.
Bouchard, Macleod, Broberg will all be better. So far the Avs have subtracted. It will be interesting to see how Georgiev does. If he will fill in nicely for Kuemper. Does Rodrigues and his 182 lbs take Kadri’s spot? If so that is a 43 point guy in 80 games compared to 87 point guy last year in Kadri. And who is replacing Burakovsky and his 61 points and 201 lbs ? So they will obviously need huge gains from people already on the team to make this up. Many who are already playing at a high standard and may only improve marginally. No doubt though the Avs are a very good team. It will be interesting at the end of the year to see which players improved more. Injuries and lack of, could have more of an impact on these two teams and how they match up than Makar going from super star results to super star results with a few more goals. Avs are still the class of the West, but… there’s plenty of slips between the cup and lips, as my grand daddy’s mom always said.
Av’s definitely are the class of the league. The loss of Kadri and his career year as well as steady eddy Kuemper in my opinion brings them back to the pack.
This is true on D, but I’m not seeing it up front.
With Rodrigues, their forward lines are looking like:
Landeskog-MacKinnon-Rantanen
Lehkonen-Compher-Nichushkin
Meyers-Newhook-Rodrigues
Cogliano-Helm-O’Connor
Not exactly a murderers row after that top line.
Rodriguez is a natural centre and right handed to boot.
Gives the Avalanche another option and don’t be surprised if Rantanen moves to #2C as he did at times in the playoffs.
OK, that will help them cover center ice, but shuffling the deck chairs still doesn’t give them any kind of quality depth up front.
They’re an excellent team to be sure, but deep is not the appropriate word to describe their forwards.
More on expected role.
https://theathletic.com/3586863/2022/09/12/colorado-avalanche-evan-rodrigues-contract/?source=user_shared_article
The Avs lost a lot of secondary scoring between Burakowsky and Kadri leaving. That first line and Makar will keep them competitive … but they have major questions in goal and whether any of their other lines can produce enough offence. Add in the Cup hangover and ongoing speculation about MacKinnon’s next contract … personally, I think they’re being over-rated big time this season.
Dang. That’s a steal.