Guyle Fielder played forever in the minors, and did see the big leagues for a brief time. He played in 9 NHL games (played at least a couple on the same line as Gordie Howe) but never scored a point.
Fielder had a long (looooonnnnngg) career in the minor leagues. He won the AHL Rookie of the Year Award (52-53) when he had 61 assists in 62 games. He was 22 years old. Twenty years later he was still setting up goals in the minors (the old WHL pro league) and earned the reputation as the finest minor league player in hockey history.
THE ATHLETIC!
- New Lowetide: Edmonton Oilers are about to start a major makeover at right wing
- New DNB: How Oilers’ Stuart Skinner learned to be a pro — and an NHL All-Star
- Lowetide: Is Edmonton Oilers coach Jay Woodcroft saving another season?
- DNB: Why Ryan Nugent-Hopkins matters more to the Oilers now than ever before
- Lowetide: Edmonton Oilers ride high-flying offence to strong January finish
- DNB: Are the Oilers actually good again or are they simply benefitting from an easy schedule?
- Lowetide: Are the Oilers getting enough out of their AHL prospect pipeline?
- DNB: Oilers give a third-string university goalie the experience of his lifetime
- Lowetide: Oilers rookies Philip Broberg, Dylan Holloway arriving right on time
- DNB: Oilers trade target: Scouting Blue Jackets defenceman Vladislav Gavrikov
- Lowetide: 3 trades that could help the Oilers this season and beyond
- New DNB: Oilers’ Zach Hyman subscriber Q&A
- Lowetide: The 5 biggest reasons for Edmonton Oilers’ recent turnaround
- DNB: What I’m hearing on Oilers’ trade deadline plans
- Lowetide: Is Oilers’ Vincent Desharnais an NHL defenceman?
- DNB: Oilers must act at the trade deadline
- Lowetide: Oilers midseason review of 2022-23 reasonable expectations
- Lowetide: Oilers top 20 prospects, winter 2022
IT’S A LONG ROAD, SOMETIMES (first published spring 2008)
Bill James used to do a “Minor League All-Star” lineup in each of his Abstracts. I looked forward to them because there was always an Expo (“Mike Stenhouse could be the next Ken Phelps!”) mentioned as being a possible future major leaguer. The idea was to identify 9 guys who could play in the bigs if they only had the chance. Math loved these men, but the scouts kept worshipping at the feet of the Juggs gun and never gave them a chance.
In honor of Mike Stenhouse, Dave Hostetler, Wallace Johnson (remember the triple?), Jeff Huson and others, here’s my first (of an annual) Minor League All-Stars.
- Goalie: Michael Leighton (Albany). He had a .968SP in the playoffs this spring, leading the AHL. During the regular season he led the league in SP with .931 for an Albany team that didn’t score much (they finished tied for 22nd in a 29-team league in GF) but gave up very little (only 3 teams allowed fewer goals). Leighton got into 3 NHL games (with Carolina, 2.66 .897SP) and is 27 years old. Won the Baz Bastien Award (top goalie) in the AHL for 07-08.
- Defense: Sami Lepisto (Hershey). 23-year old Finn saw his first AHL action this past season and went 55gp, 4-41-45 +29. The plus minus total was third in the league and the next Hershey defender was +18. It’s unlikely Lepisto was playing the tough competition (the Bears had a couple of D with NHL experience in Josef Boumedienne and Ben Clymer) but on a team that looks like it was about a dozen goals to the good at EVs +29 is pretty damn good. Plus he can obviously move the puck and picked up some points (1-18-19) on the powerplay and also delivered pretty well at even strength. 6-0, 180, described as a very confident player.
- Defense: Andrew Hutchinson (Hartford). 28-year old won the Eddie Shore award as top defender in the AHL and then signed an NHL contract with a team that has no defensemen. Not a bad 12 months. 67gp, 18-46-64 +28 with a very good club. I would rather have had a defensive defenseman here but both of these guys stood out to me.
- Center: Jason Krog (Chicago). 33-years old this fall, you can’t tell me he can’t put up points with a legit NHL shot (80gp, 39-73-112 in regular year and 24gp, 10-26-36 in the playoff). He’s played in almost 200 NHL games but size and speed concerns have kept him out of the show (as a regular) since 03-04. Krog signed with the Canucks for next season.
- Left Wing: Jeff Tambellini (Bridgeport). 57gp, 38-38-76 -2 in the AHL this season. Good wheels, apparently plays an intelligent game and has been knocking on the door for what seems like ages. His NHL coach (based on reports) was hesitant to play him in some offensive situations last season, so today’s events on Long Island may benefit him.
- Right Wing: Teddy Purcell (Manchester). 23-years old this fall, Purcell has a beauty chance to make the big leagues with Los Angeles. Has good size (6-3, 180) and had a nice offensive season in the AHL (67gp, 25-58-83). He had a wonderful year on the PP (13-36-49) in Manchester.
Teddy Purcell would go on to play 561 NHL games, including two seasons with the Oilers. Sami Lepisto had 169 more after the 2007-08 season, Jeff Tambellini 163, Michael Leighton 60, Andrew Hutchinson 45, Jason Krog 4. I haven’t done one of these in years, but may run it after the AHL season is complete. Dustin Wolf would be on that list.
AHL ROOKIE FORWARDS (AGE 20) POINTS PER GAME (15+ games)
- LW Ridly Greig, Belleville Senators (28 games, 12-11-23, .82 pts-game)
- RW Fabien Lysell, Providence Bruins (27 games, 8-14-22, .81 pts-game)
- RW Luke Evangelista, Milwaukee Admirals (40 games, 8-23-31, .78 pts-game)
- LW William Eklund, San Jose Barracuda (43 games, 12-19-31 .72 pts-game)
- RW Martin Chromiak, Ontario Reign (25 games, 8-9-17 .68 pts-game)
- LC Jiri Kulich, Rochester Americans (33 games, 8-14-22 .67 pts-game) (age 18)
- LC Vasily Ponomarev, Chicago Wolves (35 games, 10-12-22 .63 pts-game)
- LC Aatu Raty, Abbotsford Canucks (27 games, 7-8-15 .56 pts-game)
- LC Hendrix Lapierre, Hershey Bears (42 games, 10-13-23 .55 pts-game)
- LW Cross Hanas, Grand Rapids Griffins (29 games, 8-8-16 .55 pts-game
- RW Isak Rosen, Rochester Americans (34 games, 5-13-18 .53 pts-game)
- LW Will Cuylle, Hartford Wolf Pack (41 games, 14-7-21 .51 pts-game)
- RW Xavier Bourgault, Bakersfield Condors (42 games, 10-11-21 .50 pts-game)
- LW Daniel Gushchin, San Jose Barracuda (41 games, 9-11-20 .49 pts-game)
- RW Tyler Tullio, Bakersfield Condors (37 games, 8-10-18 .49 pts-game)
One of the things I’ll be looking for in the second half of the season are signs that one of the kids who are 20 and AHL rookies can deliver enough offense to eventually play on an NHL skill line. Recent Oilers graduates who have done the trick are Jesse Puljujarvi (No. 11 in 2016-17, age 18, with a .72 pts-game average) and Kailer Yamamoto (No. 10 in 2018-19, with a .67 pts-game average).
LAST NIGHT
The Condors beat the Calgary Wranglers last night, Ryan Holt said during the broadcast that if Bakersfield won it would be the most impressive win of the year. Holt would know, he’s seen every minute of every game.
The team is getting terrific performances from all quarters, including the prospects who will push for NHL jobs in the next few seasons. Three kids at 20, Xavier Bourgault, Tyler Tullio and Carter Savoie are finding their way and have enjoyed varying degrees of success.
I’m reminded of the 2011-12 season and three rookies who were high draft picks in 2010. Each had injury and deployment issues and the overall numbers by season’s end were disappointing.
- RW Tyler Pitlick 62, 7-16-23 (.37 pts-game) (.27 even strength pts-game)
- LW Curtis Hamilton 41, 5-6-11 (.27 pts-game) (.20 even strength pts-game)
- LC Ryan Martindale 16, 0-2-2 (.13 pts-game)
Pitlick was the only one of the three who landed an NHL career (now at 361 games) and I would call him a successful draft pick. Per 82 games, Pitlick has scored 11-11-22 in his career and carved out a bottom-six role successfully.
I believe (nothing is sure) this year’s group will have more success offensively. How many will make it? We have to wait for the story to unfold.
- Xavier Bourgault 42, 10-11-21 (.5 pts-game) (.29 even strength pts-game)
- Tyler Tullio 37, 8-10-18 (.49 pts-game) (.43 even strength pts-game)
- Carter Savoie 33, 8-3-11 (.33 pts-game) (.24 even strength pts-game)
This is the point where I would point out the spike in special teams points for Bourgault and give you the Rob Schremp “empty calories on the power play” speech. Bourgault does have strong PP numbers (4-3-7) but has also scored two PK goals. Describing him as one dimensional would be unfair to this player. I like this group, and separation seems to have more to do with injury and opportunity than a spike by any of the three. Early days.
LAVOIE
Raphael Lavoie is eating their lunch, he just is. His performances have been exceptional over the last while and that includes 10 goals and 20 points in the last 18 games. Lavoie’s unusual debut season in pro looked good (Europe plus 19 games in Bakersfield) but the second year and pre-Christmas this one looked a lot like Curtis Hamilton and Ryan Martindale. He’s ready for a look. I don’t think it comes until next season but would be delighted to see it. Who’s next? Raphael Lavoie. Great job, young man.
LOWETIDE AND JAMIESON
A busy Friday show, TSN 1260 starting at 10 this morning and continuing non-stop verbal for four incredible hours! Tyler Yaremchuk will join us LIVE from the beach in Florida for All-Star weekend updates. Steve Lansky will join us from a rustic cabin near Vermillion to talk Super Bowl, Pro Bowl and NHL All-Star Game. Lee “Hacksaw” Hamilton will talk to us about an amazing week in the NFL. 10-1260 text, @Lowetide on twitter. See you on the radio!
These young fellows who are all stars are all buddies with each other the passion, disliking is not present at all. They must have a good laugh with each other how much money they’re raking inn.
Summarizing!
This may be the first time I’ve written this phrase: Mazura led the prospects in scoring tonight. He picked up two assists in a 6-0 win.
Brind’Amour scored what turned out to be the GWG in a 3-0 win while being a witch on the dot, going 17-for-27 (63.0)%.
Schaefer assisted on Seattle’s OT winner and had 6 SOG.
Lachance (despite game-high 5 SOG) and Wanner were held off the scoresheet.
Another angle I am pondering, your thoughts? As we often go 11/7, trade for a RW/LW/C who is on LTIR but expected back by the playoffs. Or even a depth defence,man same situation? Pull a Tampa…
If extra term after this year are they someone we woul entertain and the other team may let go…
I am thinking: frrom BOS Jake Debrusk RW/LW 4M cap ufa 24/25,.from PIT Jan Ruuta LD/RD 2.75M cap ufa 25/26, from FLA Anthony Duclair LW/RW 3M cap ufa 24/25, from WAS Connor Brown LW/RW 3.6M cap ufa 23/24 and Carl Hagelin LW 2.75M cap ufa 23/24, from MTL Sean Monahan C/LW/RW 6.375M cap ufa 23/24, from Vegas Zach Whitecloud RD 2.75M cap ufa 27/28 and Nolan Patrick C/RW 1.2M cap rfa 23/24.
Anything here make sense? I’m trying to think outside the box but it is late and my brain is sun addled today, so forgive my verbosity!
Debrusk, Monahan, Whitecloud and Duclair are all going to be back before the season ends.
Patrick may never play hockey again.
Not sure what the status on Hagelin or Brown is.
Not sure that Ruttu is better than any of our other D + he’s got extra years left on his contract
Gracias, amigo. I don’t know all these players and their injury situations that well. I appreciate your take. Looking for sneaky stuff tonight!
Hmm Hagelin hasn’t played 60 games a year in the past three seasons, and pretty horrible scoring. Probably not useful.Connor Brown a 35-40 point player but no points in only 4 games played this year. Wassup wid dat?
Ah! Connor brown is rehabbing an ACL surgery out 6-8 months reported on Nov 1. So might be back in time but maybe not!
Debrusk seems pretty happy these days playing on their first line and scoring points again.
Plus next year is up in the air with Bergeron, Krejci aging out and Pastrnak’s contract uncertainty.
Good thing I am not the GM cause if the Bruins decide to trade Pasta at the deadline (or risk losing him as a UFA getting nothing) I’d back the Brinx Truck up for him.
/Cam Robinson/
@Hockey_Robinson
Connor Bedard failed to record a point for the first time in 35 WHL games.
He had 44 goals and 90 points over that span.
What a bum.
2 minutes after the game is over and there is still pushing and shoving. There may have been a spear. Condors coming back up from downtown he tunnel……
After 7 straight penalty kills, for which they only gave up one goal (on one of the two lengthy 5 on 3s) and only half the calls were actually legit infractions, on a play where Kesselring is illegally taken down in front of his own net, the Wranglers score the go-ahead goal with 5 seconds left.
This game has been UGLY. Cheap shots. Fights. Chirping chirping chirping….
Condors refusing to lineup for the face-off or something like that.
Not to mention the winning goal was clearly offside.
One of the worst officiated games I’ve seen.
Question from my addled brain…. is there any advantage at this point in the season to dumping expiring LTIR contracts for picks and removing the LTIR barrier from roster building? Or conversely, any advantage in taking on more LTIR contracts in exchange for some more lower draft picks?
Asking for a friend.
I am wondering if wee are not going big game hunting and doing dollar in/dollar out deals, can we take on expiring LTIR contracts in echange for some more draft capital? Would there be any appeal for the other team to get out of LTIR hell this late in the season?
We do have room on the 50 contract list so is there an oportunity here or am I dreaming?
Yhere are about 17 teams using LTIR this year. and most are right up to the cap. But a couple have low to mid 6 figure cap room and might make a difference in making a trade without cap retention I am thinking…
1) If the Oilers got out of LTIR completely they would be able to pro rate the cap hits of acquired contracts.
2) Adding an LTIR contract does not in itself create any cap space but it could indirectly if the Oilers send out someone like a Foegele or a Jesse in order to acquire the LTIR contract. There is also the benefit if the LTIR player will be out for the season but potentially back in the playoffs, like Nyquist potentially.
I am wondering if we have an opportunity to exact a price for getting some other team out of LTIR. We can carry the contracts as we only have 45/50, and will have a net zero effect on out available room in reality. It woul have to be a contract that expires this offseason, unless we want the player for the future…
I think, technically, it would be possible.
This would have made sense early in the season. But doing so now would not allow the theoretical team who is trading us their LTIR player enough time to accrue very much cap space.
But those extra roster spots will allow the Oilers to go after some US college free agents soon.
Forget that angle. I checked, cannot find anyone who makes sense, either too many players on LTIR or signed for too long a term for what you get. And, in the case of Max Pacioretti they aren’t trading him anyway.
The skills competition is a remarkably poor production.
If only I wasn’t babysitting my friends kid at their house and knew how to use this remote.
OMG, that’s so common, I’m surprised it wasn’t a Seinfeld episode.
It is good entertainment…. if you are 12 years old.
I thought the splash challenge was a fun idea … but the guys in the dunk tank should have been mic’d up and told to start chirping the shooters.
Kambietz picks of an awful outlet pass at the blue line, walks in and rips home the early 1-0 goal.
Just like last night, 3 seconds in to his first shift, Lavoie gets the puck with some open ice and drives towards the Wrangler net for a shot.
He finishes the shift going one on four, spin more and gets a shot on net.
90 seconds in, 3 shots on net for Lavoie.
Jeez Connor goes 4 for 4 in under 10 seconds in the accuracy shooting. Drai on the other hand was taking clappers and backhanding it by the end of his effort hahaha.
Looks like the same lineup for the Condors tonight (including Pickard starting back to back….).
Brind’Amour opens the scoring in period 2 with a PP marker.
Video evidence:
https://mobile.twitter.com/QU_MIH/status/1621677687042641920?cxt=HHwWgMDUxfXQrYEtAAAA
Who else can we pick up who’s currently on LTIR, is on an expiring contract, is on a bottom barrel team, and should be healthy around mid April?
Monahan?
John Moore, Nutevarra…
BROSSARD, Que. – Sean Monahan was nearing a return to play. Three weeks ago, the Canadiens said he was “progressing well” in his rehabilitation of a lower-body injury and that he’d likely be back in two weeks. Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes, in his midseason review on Jan. 18, even said he thought Monahan would be activated soon.
But the 28-year-old centre returned to practice in a non-contact jersey just three days after Hughes said that and we haven’t seen him on the ice since. And our multiple requests for updates on Monahan’s status over the last week have been ignored, which doesn’t exactly inspire confidence he’s still “progressing” at all, let alone well.
https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/canadiens-notebook-on-monahans-concerning-status-suzukis-challenge-kovacevics-family/
Based on the Oilers’ play, as well as other Pacific teams faltering, the Division is as wide-open as any point during the McDavid window. Heck, even Dallas or Colorado don’t seem all that scary as a Conference Finals opponent. This is our year!
Last week I was advocating that Ken Holland should trade anything besides the 1st round pick, or recent 1st round picks, to upgrade the team. After all, this is the deepest draft since 2015.
But I’ve changed my mind. There’s wisdom in spending high picks or prospects to truly bolster the team.
Looking at the 2015 draft, there were all-stars drafted everywhere in the first round. Or were there? Picks 21-32 in 2015 went as follows:
21 – Colin White
22 – Ilya Samsonov
23- Brock Boeser
24 – Travis Konecny
25 – Jack Roslovic
26 – Noah Juulsen
27 – Jacob Larsson
28 – Beauvilier
29 – Gabriel Karlsson
30 – Nick Merkley
31 – Jeremy Roy
32 – Christian Fischer
That’s three decent forwards and a goalie. None of which have been consistent impact players.
If the Oilers can trade their 1st and Bourgault and get a solid top-4 D like Chychrun they should do it and not think twice.
That’s the pattern for the last 3 Cup winners, at least
“3 months ago I would’ve said no on Chychrun, 2 months ago I would’ve said probably not. Now I’m thinking, if you’re going to trade something, might as well be for something good.” Stauffer on @OilersNow
Kulak, Foegele, Bourgault and 2 firsts for Chycrun and Bjugstadt. Dollars in = dollars out, it’s destiny!
or ceci, foegele, bourgalt and 1 sts.
Kulak > Ceci?
I disagree, AND you’re unbalancing the lefty-righty unnecessary.
Kulak for sure, 100%.
Fuck that’s a lot.
There would have to be one less 1st. And I believe we would still have to make another trade to get compliant. Both Foegele and Pujo would be gone from the wings.
Yes, 1st + Bourgault, or 2 x 1sts, would be a lot more appealing.
And good catch, you a right the Oilers would only have cap space for 20 skaters with the trade as stated. If Puljujarvi went the other way instead of Foegele they’d at least have room for Desharnais as the 21st body.
According to Friedman the Flames may be in on Luke Schenn.
Vinny Desharnais:is better in each and every way.
Luke Who?
I hope the Flames get him, spend assets, miss the playoffs.
No.
No, no he isn’t.
What is Vincent weekness? Vinny seems like a very teachable student of the game. He’s learning to use his wing span like no other player in the league. Manson has done wonders with kid.
Deharnais has been fanastic.
Of course, he’s played less than 100 minutes at the NHL level, 83 minutes at 5 on 5 – the majority against bottom six comp (only 9 minutes against elites) and 70 out of 113 shifts were on the fly. He’s been as sheltered as can be, his PDO is materially high, etc., etc.
I wouldn’t take him out of the lineup for Luke Schenn on Tuesday but am going to stop well short of simply stating that “he’s better” – maybe he proves to be but, at this point, well, we aren’t there.
Lack of experience.
Just like Dustin Wolf, who is not the best goalie in the Flames organization.
Would also be a disadvantage in the playoffs.
If the Oilers don’t play Broberg and Desharnais and Bouchard in the playoffs this year, they will be having the same problem again next year.
The Oilers have inexperienced D and 3rd pairing D (everyone except Nurse) coming out the wazoo. They do not need another one. The Oilers defensive need is a legit #3D, preferably left shot, nof #5’s and #6’s It is their greatest need.
The Oilers most pressing need is a legit #1RD.
Playing 3 relative newbies is not going to change that.
Acquiring that player is going to cost one of them.
Erik Karlsson come on down.
Strange moment from Bob on ON.
He reads a text asking if he thinks Puljujarvi gets moved by the TD and to who.
His response was “I think the team will surprise you, IF he gets moved.”
Emphasis his.
Makes you wonder what he knows that we don’t. Perhaps a team is wanting another piece (Foegele, or Yammamoto). Or perhaps there’s an injury we don’t know about (just like, we didn’t really know about Yams going on LTIR until just before Kane was activated).
Or something else.
Would seem to indicate this is a very fluid situation and Holland is keeping his options open. As long as we don’t wind up with another Jered Smithson I can live with this.
Friedman: “something like five teams are after Lafferty”
Apparently they thought the email said Rafferty.
The post that you responded to answers the question that you are asking. PK, helps drive goal share, draws penalties, etc.
What exactly is Klim Kostin bringing in the last while? In his last 5 games, he has zero points and, in fact, been on the ice for zero goals for…….maybe the NHL is on to him?
I would note that Yamo scored more goals last season than Klim Kostin has in his entire NHL career (and Yamo is 4 months older….).
Yam is a good top 9 player.
The league is on to Yamo his 3.1 million salary is a negative asset just like Kassian. If Yamo doesn’t up his game he could be bought out this summer.
I’d go as far as:
Present constraints (flat cap, increase in defense cap costs) have dynamically altered market conditions and teams appear to be primarily compensating for this on percentage of cap devoted to wingers. The biggest “losers” due to this appears to be more veteran contract controlled age wingers and bottom 6 type older wingers. It is exceptionally pronounced likeky until cap increases on more normal scale in 2-3 years.
Due to this wingers like yams are priced slightly above best value. Given likelyhood of injuries with him on top of that, due to size -> he wouldn’t be a great bet on a long term deal for higher end of market value for what he can and does bring when healthy.
I dont know anyone in the league personally so I can’t vouch that they are “on to him”. I do believe he has some value though.
Buying out Yamo? That’s absurd.
I’m not necesaarily suggesting the Oilers buyout Yamo, but I don’t think it would be absurd. Because of his age, the buyout cap hit would only be $433k next year and $533k the year after that (per CapFriendly).
Sure. But Yamo has positive trade value. So why buy him out?
Actually, the buyout cap hits on Yamamoto are $433K and $533K the next two seasons – so very very management.
Of course, I don’t imagine it happens nor think it should – even though the league is “on to him” – I don’t know what that means really but I’ve read it 4 times so it must be true, right?
Stone hands Yamo is best used as utility winger up and down from the 2nd line if there’s injuries to the 4th line. Only a team tanking would have Stone Hands pencilled in their top 6. We could of had Slepyshev instead for a Million who was very conscious defensively and opened up ice for Leon.
Yamo has the flop down perfect Hass must of gave him pointers. The only problem with the flop is that the Refs are onto it. If you get Physical with Yamo he becomes neutered.
FYI Yamamoto has the highest rate of penalties drawn this season (since he was called up to stay).
His drawn penalty rate has increased year over year for each of the last 4 years.
So his claim to fame is he’s weak. Yamo has stopped going to the net the puck is a hot patatoe. Someone needs to light a fire under this kids ass. If Yamo doesn’t respond replace him. It’s go time we need everyone to do their Job and be accountable if this team is really serious about winning the hardest Trophy in Sports.
I honestly don’t know what you’re seeing Reja.
Yamamoto had a tough first 3 weeks after the injury in camp. He went 13 0-3-3 in those games (Oct 15 to Nov 8th).
After he returned at the start of December he scored 18 4-5-9 over the next 5 weeks, which is what he always does. He also took 4 penalties and drew 9 in those 18 games.
He hasn’t stopped going to the net. He hasn’t stopped turning over pucks (2GV and 17TK in those 18 games). He’s still a 0.5 points/game player. He hasn’t stopped drawing penalties.
He seems to take more penalties too…not sure where to find this stat.
No, also not true.
He’s taking penalties at a lower rate than the previous 2 seasons this year.
19-20 27GP 5 penalties/ 7 drawn/ +2 differential
20-21 52GP 13 penalties/ 13 drawn/ 0 differential
21-22 81GP 15 penalties/ 23 drawn/ +7 differential
22-23 31GP 5 penalties/ 12 drawn/ +7 differential
You can see the differential from this season is equal to his best from last season in only 31 games.
The rates are here (lowest penalties taken since 19-20 and most penalties drawn of the 4 seasons): https://www.naturalstattrick.com/playerreport.php?fromseason=20222023&thruseason=20222023&stype=2&sit=all&stdoi=oi&rate=y&v=p&playerid=8479977
This is also made up/incorrect.
The Oilers could have had Slep for a million?
Well, that is just made up – the Oilers reached out to Slep after his last KHL contract expired and he opted not to sign with the Oilers.
Slep and Leon were 3-3 goals in the playoffs and Leon without Slep was 9-3 goals. The following year, Slep/Leon were 1-5 goals.
Leon/Yamo have massively positive goal share when put together – always.
The above post is essentially a combo of incorrect and just made up fake info.
Do you realize Yamo scored 20 last season and 40 points?
He has been injured this season. It is that simple. Buying out Yamo is laughable.
Kassian was older, less productive, with a larger and longer contract, and he was still tradeable.
Buying out Yamo. Wtf?
Phil Esposito scored 7 goals as a 39 year-old maybe we should sign him. what’s yeasterday has to do with the present. So Yamo gets a pass because Why? I’m tired of watching Stone Hands Yamo, JP and Foegele combined 13 Goals make these 3 accountable bring up Malone, Hamblin Lavoie etc.
Yup, AHL-struggling Malone and zero career NHL points Hamblin – that’s the duo we need to replace stone-hands Yamamoto…..
Kassian wasn’t tradeable, he had negative value and we bribed ARI to take him.
If Maroon scored 30 in our top 6….and Yamo only scored 20…what does that tell you?
Maybe that it’s not as easy to score goals in the best league in the world with top players as everyone makes it out to be?
By the way Maroon never scored 30 goals, he scored 27 in 81 games once. His next best was 14 in 57 games which is 20 goals evened out. His best point was 42 in 81 games. Also it’s silly to act like Maroon hasn’t been a good NHL player, considering he is still playing over 10 minutes a night on one of the best teams in the league in his mid 30’s.
Yamamoto has his weaknesses like every player. He also has his strengths, being injured isn’t a fair comparison to when he’s healthy. This is the type of comments that get us Ryan Spooner for Ryan Strome or Strome for Eberle.
Maroon Scored 30g in 94 games counting playoffs during the 2016-2017 campaign.
I never said Maroon wasn’t a good player…He’s a bottom 6 guy on a championship team…and he’s better than Yamo….hence Yamo shouldn’t be anywhere near our top 6 if we expect to win a championship.
For the 20-year old rookies that were playing last night (Savoie is injured again) Tulio currently has arrows up and Bourgault arrows down (based on recent play and production).
I would note that Tulio is playing with the red-hot and, as LT likes to call him, the bully, Ralph Lavoie.
On the other hand, Bourgault is playing with the struggling vet Brad Malone. Malone has been a huge boon to the Oilers org over the last few years as an on and off ice presence in the AHL. He has been a very good on-ice AHL player but, to my eye, is struggling big time recently and may be assisting with cratering the offence of Bourgault.
I wonder if Captain Malone is starting to see that cliff….?
Had three assists the other night, no?
He did, in the 7 goal outburst but, to my eye, he’s been struggling for much of the year since his re-assignment and hasn’t been good with the puck on his stick generally.
Here’s the per 82 GP boxcars for current Oiler players under Woodcroft (there have been 104 total games, this season and last, regular season and playoffs combined).
The team’s record has been 62-35-7 (131 points in 104 games, a 103 point pace). 3.82 GF/game, 3.13 GA/game.
In just regular season games they’ve played at a 107 point pace, 3.77 GF/game, 3.02 GA/game.
Here are the players:
Forwards– GP G A TP +/- PIM SH FO% TOI/game
McDavid — 82 57 92 149 33 37 337 52.4 22.28
Draisaitl— 82 48 79 126 19 34 258 52.0 21.83
Hyman —- 82 41 42 83 14 39 298 38.3 20.42
Nuge —— 82 29 52 81 3 41 189 44.4 19.35
Kane —— 82 45 31 76 27 131 298 41.7 19.42
Yamamoto 82 18 26 44 7 46 117 55.6 16.97
Kostin —– 82 21 10 31 17 104 99 50.0 10.65
Janmark — 82 10 22 31 5 34 109 37.5 15.50
McLeod — 82 14 15 29 -4 23 114 46.3 14.32
Ryan——- 82 13 13 26 6 25 91 53.0 11.37
Puljujarvi – 82 9 13 22 4 30 140 0 12.73
Foegele— 82 11 9 21 1 28 128 57.1 11.60
Holloway– 82 5 11 16 2 48 70 35.0 9.50
Shore—— 82 5 10 14 3 10 58 47.1 9.16
(under 30 GP)
Malone — 82 4 4 8 -29 82 57 53.7 7.93
Benson — 82 7 0 7 -7 82 34 0 8.03
Hamblin — 82 0 0 0 -25 16 98 64.3 8.86
Defense– GP G A TP +/- PIM SH FO% TOI/game
Barrie ——- 82 10 41 51 11 32 156 0.0 18.87
Nurse ——- 82 11 28 39 34 82 189 0.0 23.31
Bouchard— 82 7 29 37 0 22 187 0.0 17.82
Ceci ——— 82 5 19 24 23 28 95 0.0 20.62
Kulak ——– 82 4 20 23 16 46 109 0.0 17.71
Broberg —– 82 2 10 12 16 8 76 0.0 12.83
Niemelainen 82 0 2 2 0 14 57 0.0 11.02
(under 30 GP)
Desharnais- 82 0 31 31 51 82 51 0.0 12.39
Murray —— 82 0 19 19 -25 25 50 0.0 13.12
Awesome.
When I looked at it the thought “definitely a strong FO guy for bottom 6 would be a low cost big gain”
Combine that win munny2.0’s dig and acciari has huge Asterix
Having six 20+ goal scorers over the course of a full season would be incredible. And it’s not inconceivable that there could be another two potentials (Yamamoto and a defenseman like Barrie or Bouchard, even Nurse).
jp does it again! Great post. Thank you!
Lifted from Spector’s Hockey. I mentioned this possibility yesterday:
Chris Johnston reports Gustav Nyquist could remain a trade chip for the Columbus Blue Jackets despite suffering a shoulder injury that could sideline him for the remainder of the regular season. Johnston suggests that a team already using long-term injury reserve has the ability to acquire Nyquist and stash him on LTIR until the playoffs when he could be activated into the lineup.
So, if you could send Pujo to CBJ to be re-united with Laine and get Nyquist in return, Pujo’s contract no longer counts against the LTIR buffer and the buffer is increased by Nyquist’s AAV.
This move would create $8.5M in LTIR room, allowing the Oilers to add the likes of a Toews or an Ekholm, if they were inclined to go after a Big Ticket player.
I don’t think it would increase the Oilers available cap space. It would basically just be taking Puljujarvi’s $3M salary and transferring it to Nyquist.
Once Nyquist is on LTIR, the Oilers could then use the $3M for deadline acquisitions, plus have Nyquist available to activate come playoff time (assuming he’s healthy). Pretty sure it wouldn’t open up the full $5.5M of Nyquist’s salary though.
That would give them cap space to work with. If nothing else, they would be able to activate Yamamoto, if he’s healthy enough, or call up Lavoie for a looksee. Sounds like a Holland type of move.
No, it wouldn’t increase cap space at all. That’s why I avoided using that phrase. But it would increase the amount of LTIR buffer, or more practically in this case, move the buffer space Yams is providing to Nyquist.
But I see what you’re saying, we would still need to account for Nyquist’s salary against the regular cap, which would wipe out what we gained on the LTIR ledger.
Yes, it’s still a useful loophole, but unfortunately wouldn’t make a big ticket acquisition much easier.
Be interesting to see how interested GMs are in Nyquist, and what Columbus gets for him (their owner will save real dollars on that type of transaction as well).
That might be the home run play. I think your on to something sweet.
Nope. The buffer increases in theory, but Nyquist’s cap hit has to be added to both sides of the equation.
Trade him for klefbom. Play the game!
Klef (4.2) Smith (2.2) foegle (2.75)
9.15 (6.4 ltir)
Garikov (2.8) nyquist (5.5)
8.3 (5.5 ltir)
Foegle or puj makes garikov incoming capable
I’d pay pretty well in package to do something along those lines.
I’d add:
If oilers won cup with this deal being part guarantee Bitterman changes rules. Because he does hate canadian teams winning anything.
There’s no advantage to be gained by trading CBJ our LTIR contracts. None of them run past this season, and you wouldn’t be able to accumulate extra cap space with Nyquist on LTIR. Paying for them to take our LTIR contracts, just to add another LTIR contract in Nyquist is pretty much pointless.
CBJ will still want a first round pick for Gavrikov, and probably more to take Foegele off their hands for Nyquist, as Foegele still has a year left on his deal.
It’s not pointless because Nyquist will be healthy for the playoffs…klef will not.
Great news from the farm. Heading to the game tonight in Calgary with the family. A lot easier to get to an AHL game than to take a family of four to see the Oilers. Four seats on the glass for $60, total. Excited to see Lavoie. Kid looks massive out there.
Wallace Johnson, always a smiley happy trip down memory lane when you bring up these Expos moments. I feel like eating a chaude chein.
Oilers are healthy they added the edge as well as push back they were missing with the a additions of Kane, Kostin and Deshairnais. With the new Jack Campbell in the house this team can beat anyone in a series as is. I hope Holland doesn’t break up the chemistry this team is starting to develop. If Holland can pick up a depth D man and maybe the likes of Domi for cheap I’m all in but please do not burn your first- rounder.
How about Yamo plus a pick for Domi?
I like Yamo. A lot. But I can see this as a very good move if we can pull it off.
Hard to trade a player with a history of concussion injuries. Should of dealt him prior to the start of this season when his value was at a all-time high.
I believe that Holland will trade JP so trading a RW (KY) for a LW (Max) would appear to weaken the team.
Domi: 5-10 / 192 lbs / 1.75 pts per 60 at EV with a .938 SV% and 102 PDO. Also with 58 PIMs and 53.2 oZS%. $3.0 then UFA
KY: 5-8 / 153 lbs / 1.5 pts per 60 at EV with .918 SV% and 101 PDO. Also with 10 PIMs and 45.9 oZS%. $3.1 + 1 year
Not a lot of difference between the two so not a fan of giving up an asset for this.
Counter – Always upgrade. “The chemistry” when you’re not at the tip-top is no excuse not to.
Just because someone is doing a job mid-season doesn’t mean you can do without your Samsonov and your Spacek.
Dump the firsts. Win it all. Trade some inflated value “winners” afterward to restock.
Rinse and repeat.
Dump the firsts & bam! Stanley Cup.
I hear what your saying and would be in full agreement if it was Sather, Muckler or even Lowe doing the trading. I quess I just don’t trust Holland to win a important trade. If who ever identified Kostin was the man they wanted for Sami has a say in the trade of the 1st plus I would change my tune.
I hear you on the fact it’s not Sather etc. Fair.
This year’s market looks pretty ripe though.
Toronto has been dumping their 1st round picks and haven’t won shit. Florida did the same last year and that was a big mistake. That’s just off the top of my head. I can probably find way more failures than successes using that approach.
Dump is definitely wrong term. Strategically improve short term by cashing longer term investments using the 1st.
Toronto has dumped 1st rnd picks.
Florida added offense to crazy hot offense again dumping 1st in questionable least efficient place for beyond incremental improvement
Ben Chiarot = offence?
Trading picks for Chariot (Or Edmunson, or any slug defenceman) is the same as throwing them on a fire and watching their value disappear.
Toronto doesn’t have the two best players in the world. Nor the top end support the Oilers now have to play with them.
I love to rag Dubas but this is selling the Leafs short.
Damn fine hockey club that signed too many Forwards to too many long deals. And they keep running into playoff buzz saws (Habs collapse notwithstanding).
Once Tampa reached the critical mass for cup winning potential they traded their first round pick 3 times in 5 years as well as trading one of the picks they did make for immediate help.
seems to have worked out okay.
Colorado had only 2 late picks in the 22 draft and only 11 total in the past 3 drafts.
Lol Bruce – that was funny.
They lost in the finals twice and added a few final four appearances before doing that.
They began trading firsts when they were already top contenders and to extend the window for a core that had already won Cups.
Only one of those first round picks was traded for a rental though.
The others were for players with term.
A little out of left field, but thinking about Yamamoto’s health prognosis (partly inspired by LT’s Athletic article this morning).
So, reportedly the Oilers held off on trading Puljujarvi recently due to Yamamoto being out (and I think there was talk in the fall about not moving Puljujarvi due to other injuries on the roster as well).
If they do in fact trade Puljujarvi in advance of Yamamoto being activated on the 12th, does that indicate the team isn’t particularly concerned with his injury risk?
Relatedly, was there any clear indication that Yamamoto’s current LTIR stint is related to his head? I know it’s been speculated and assumed, but wondered if there’s been any more direct intel one way or the other?
In the last pre-All Star skate Yamo appeared quite annoyed about being on LTIR.
Pure speculation is that hijinx is afoot so they could test drive every bubble player.
Second training camp with all of Ryan, Janmark, Foggy, JP, McLeod and Kostin fighting for spots.
Competition. It’s a good thing.
LTIR is always the solution to cap issues
I recently heard neck, not head, from either Woody or Bob (or Woody on Bob’s show)… can’t recall exactly.
Thanks for passing that on. If it isn’t his head that’s great news for the long term prognosis.
Gregor mentioned it on his show last week as well I believe. Stating it’s a neck/alignment issue.
Yes, that’s where I heard it, thanks for the reminder/confirmation.
Nagging from when he got buried from behind in pre-season games.
I heard whiplash way back when on Yam.
That was a filthy hit in the preseason, just gross.
Interesting to see Tullio and Daniil Gushchin neck and neck (or chin and chin as it were) given the draft day pick swap that remains a personal favourite of mine: Tullio + Savoie for Gushchin.
That was a sharp piece of business. The Oilers traded #76 for #100 (Savoie) & #126 (Tullio) & before the day was done I had convinced myself I would have been happy with either player taken at 76.
Yup – I believe many were hoping to select Savoie at 76….. got him later, plus Tulio.
A bit of chatter around Domi this week. Is he a great fit for the top 6 if he can stay disciplined?
Domi and Kane on different lines is a fearsome dynamic for the playoffs.
I haven’t watched him much however. What say you?
I totally agree with getting Domi.RW and Center,feisty like his old man,can shoot and score,and irritates the opposition.I would trade Yamamoto and a pick for him!
Except he’s a lefty who plays C and LW, rumoured to cost a 1st round pick plus, and will likely want a raise on his $3MM AAV on his deal next year.
Steep cost for a rental.
Put Gary Bettman on that dunk tank and I will actually tune in and watch the All Star skills comp for the first time in one forever.
Actually… put Gary Bettman on that dunk tank and I will friggin fly to Florida this weekend, line up and pay $20 a wrist shot for the chance to dunk him myself.
(That is Erin Gray of Buck Rogers getting dunked on BOTNS)
B…dee-b..dee, b…dee. Get ‘im, Buck.
Gotta love the late Seventies natural look.
I would love to see
Harry ButtmanGary Bettman get dunked.Prospectsylvania!
Tonight’s NA prospect docket features a quintet. Don’t look now, Scott Lachance, but you’ve got Matvey Petrov in your rearview mirror for the prospect goal-scoring lead…and objects are closer than they appear. Lachance has 23 goals entering tonight’s play, up one on the Petrovian One.
Brind’Amour and his Quinnipiac Bobcats are up to #2 in this week’s NCAA rankings, and their mission to reclaim top spot continues this eve.
Youngstown (Lachance) @ 5 p.m.
Quinnipiac (Brind’Amour) @ 5 p.m.
St. Lawrence (Mazura) @ 5 p.m.
Moose Jaw (Wanner) @ 7 p.m.
Seattle (Schaefer) @ 8 p.m.
All times, at all times, are Woking time.
Woking’s namesake, in Surrey, was the inspiration for A Town Called Malice by the Jam
Was listening to 1260 this morning on the way in to work and the topic came up of whether the Oilers could finish this season with 4 100 point players. Seemed crazy…but maybe it’s not!
From what I can see the 70-71 Bruins did it (they also had the ONLY 4 100 point players in the league that year), the 83-84 Oilers (Anderson was 1 point away from making it 5) and the 92-93 Penguins have done it.
Connor and Leon are locks, Hyman is on pace on points per game and Nuge is just slightly off.
The Oilers had 4x 100-point scorers on 3 different occasions: 1982-83, 1983-84, & 1985-86.
In ‘82-83 Paul Coffey was 5th with 96 points, & the next year Glenn Anderson had 99. Alas, a scorer’s decision in Montreal cost him: Anderson tipped a point shot which created a rebound & a goal, but wasn’t credited, instead Coffey got an undeserved 2nd assist.
2 consequences of that: those Oilers missed being the only squad with 5x 100-point scorers, & Wayne Gretzky won the scoring title by “only” 79 points over Coffey, not 80 (a significant number in an 80-game season).
That 1983-84 team was the pinnacle of the dynasty’s offensive firepower, with 446 GF that is still the record. Won the pre-Presidents’ Trophy by 15 points & rolled to their first Stanley Cup.
That the Oilers are the only NHL team in history to have scored 400 goals in a season, and that they did it 5 times, always seemed to me like one of the most impressive illustrations of their offensive firepower.
There are lots to choose from though.
I love that stat/factoid and often cite it myself!
Bring Lavoie for a cup of Java. Maybe it would spark him even more. Be nice for the kid to show him you are impressed with his play of late.
And he plays RW, also has a reputation as a shooter.
Tough with no cap space – Shore will already be going down when Yamo is activated on Feb 12 (if not earlier) – in addition to clearing the additional cap space (i.e. a $1.125MM player out of down), if cap isn’t opened up, this would require a Deharnais or a Holloway or someone else down.