Oscar Klefbom is the best Oilers draft pick from Sweden in franchise history. I don’t think that will come as a surprise. What might shock you is how many of the top Oilers picks from the kingdom of Sweden have been drafted in the last 15 years. In career NHL games played, the top drafted Swedes (from Sweden on draft day) are Magnus Paajarvi, Erik Gustafsson, Klefbom, Anton Lander and Linus Omark. Edmonton’s scouts knew the Tornio River by 1980 (Jari Kurri), but set course for Finland for the first 30 years of franchise history. Damndest thing.
If this coming season is really about “Cup or bust” then this is the way for Edmonton. 7 ways the Oilers can build cap room for 2023-24. https://t.co/NDFeqE34YF
LD Albert Wikman, Farjestad (J20 Swe). Shutdown blue with speed and good coverage.
LC Jakub Stancl, Vajxo (J20 Swe). Smart two-way pivot with size and skill.
LD Axel Landen, HV71 (J20 Swe). Impressive defensive defender.
LD Arvid Bergstrom, Djurgardens (J20 Swe). Mobile defender, quality in coverage.
LW Noel Nordh, Brynas (J20 Swe). Two-way W, more passer than shooter.
LC Isac Born, Frolunda (SHL). A 2004, he’s a center who played quite a in the SHL.
LW Arvid Sundin (J20 Swe). Undersized burner spiked in junior age 18.
RD Axel Landon, HV71 (J20 Swe). He’s 6.01, 185 and scored 10 goals in Swedish junior this season.
LC Zeb Forsfjall, Skelleftea (SHL). Undersized, smart center whose speed is average.
LD Oscar Asplund, Almtuna (Allsvenskan). A 2003, puck mover, bit of a sleeper but has talent.
Sweden has a stunning group of prospects to offer the NHL this summer. Oilers fans should be happy if any of these names land on Edmonton’s draft list when all is said and done. Since Tyler Wright arrived on the scene, Edmonton has chosen a Swedish player twice (Jeremias Lindewall, Samuel Jonsson) in 16 selections. I’d bet money we see another pick from Sweden this summer.
LOWETIDE 2022 SWEDEN LIST
RW Jonathan Lekkerimaki (Sweden). Skill winger with exceptional shot.
LC Markus Kasper (Sweden). Range of skills, safe pick, can help on offense.
LW Liam Ohgren (Sweden). Goal scorer had a strong season.
LD Lian Bichsel (Sweden). Big, mobile defenseman with two-way skills.
RD Elias Salomonsson (SHL). Effective two-way D.
G Hugo Hävelid, (Swe U20). Small, brilliant goalie.
LC Filip Bystedt (SHL). Big (6.04, 205) C with passing skill.
LW Alexander Suzdalev (Swe U20). Outstanding stickhandler, can make plays.
LW Arvid Sundin (SHL). Underzied burner has breathtaking shifts.
LD Simon Forsmark (SHL). Responsible D with size.
LD Calle Odelius (Swe U20). Two-way defender.
LC Gustav Karlsson (Swe U20). Pure scorer.
There were seven names drafted who I didn’t have on my list in the top 125. Sweden has more talent this season. The biggest miss was Mattias Havelid, drafted No. 45 by San Jose Sharks. I did rank Hugo Havelid, he passed through the draft and struggled this season. I also ranked Arvid Sundin, and have included him again this season.
PROJECTED PICKS
No. 25 overall (traded to Nashville in the Mattias Ekholm deal)
No. 57 overall
No. 89 overall (traded to Arizona in the Nick Bjugstad deal)
No. 121 overall (traded to Philadelphia in the Derick Brassard transaction)
No. 153 overall
No. 185 overall
No. 217 overall
MOCK DRAFT
No. 57 overall: LC David Edstrom, Frolunda (SHL). He has enough skill to project as a No. 2 center and plenty of two-way acumen. He is 6.03, 187 and a February 2005. He went 2-2-4 in 11 SHL games, just under eight minutes a game. I think he may go much higher.
LW Arvid Sundin (J20 Swe). Undersized burner spiked in junior age 18.
LC Zeb Forsfjall, Skelleftea (SHL). Undersized, smart center whose speed is average.
LC Justin Cote, Drummondville (QMJHL). Under the radar, but he has skill. July 2004.
LC Cole Burbidge, St. John’s Sea Dogs (QMJHL). Slick center turned a corner.
OILERS IN 2023-24
We don’t know what we don’t know about the salary cap at this point, so pondering summer is less than ideal at this time. I wrote about possible options at The Athletic today and for me the way is clear. Ken Holland remains the general manager of the team, and his trading of Tyson Barrie to make room for Evan Bouchard informs the way forward in my opinion.
What does that mean? If we’re playing along at home, the idea is to find equal or superior options to replace prominent roster players.
Bouchard replaced Barrie, and for this current team I think Philip Broberg is poised to replace one of Cody Ceci or Brett Kulak. That doesn’t have to happen this summer, but my guess is one of the two will be dealt by the deadline (unless things are humming).
I also believe Dylan Holloway and Klim Kostin are in position to move into more important roles with the team. There are question marks. Holloway isn’t the strongest offensive option to come down the pipe over the last several years:
Kailer Yamamoto 2019-20 (3.16)
Jesse Puljujarvi 2016-17 (1.45)
Anton Slepyshev 2016-17 (1.34)
Ryan McLeod 2021-22 (1.29)
Evan Bouchard 2020-21 (1.27)
Joakim Nygard 2019-20 (1.27)
Dylan Holloway 2022-23 (1.2)
Drake Caggiula 2016-17 (1.13)
Philip Broberg 2022-23 (.92)
I understand the idea that Holloway didn’t get the same opportunity as Yamamoto due to the improved state of the roster, but 1.2 pts-60 is a concern. I hope he does well, but that’s going to be a factor in where he plays.
Kostin has the opposite problem. He can score but isn’t stellar in positioning and being responsible. I like both men as replacements for the people we assume are exiting the system goodbye.
As the rumor and intrigue swirl in Leaf Land think its worth pondering two choices from the frame of does a math whiz on the cutting edge of hockey do this?
1) You identify the forward position AND the franchise’s player leadership as the most pressing area of need to pay the highest salary in the league to a guy who doesn’t deserve it.
2) You identify Freddie Andersen and his .917 avg as part of the problem.
There are a lot of people calling Shanny the voice in the room and the mature adult looking to save a franchise. Two of the franchise’s most consequential player moves reek of an Old Boy mentality much more than they look like math based enlightenment. In fact if you look at a bunch of signings and trades they sorta have a very 90’s Detroit feel about them don’t they? Add into it Shanny’s signing of Babcock as Bully Coach to toughen up those whipper snappers…
I think they operated together more than apart. I see a bunch of putz moves that look more Old than New school.
Three GMs and three coaches… how long until Leaf fans decide to #FireTheShanaplan?
Last edited 11 months ago by SayItAin'tSo, Gretz, SayItAin'tSo!
I feel like the Leafs moves in recent years reek far more of impatience, inexperience and a need to act than they do of an ‘old boy mentality’.
Also a bit of an odd comparison to 90’s (and 2000’s) Detroit. They were tremendously successful (4 Cups and arguably the last Dynasty team). And they also weren’t at all known for knee jerk reactions to perceived problems.
Moving on from 31 year-old veteran Frederik Andersen and his career .915 looks more old than new school?
hunter1909
May 22, 2023 9:42 pm
Re the Oilers: Any fool can see both McDavid and Draisaitl were completely gassed by the time the playoffs started.
Next season try not to tank at the start: those President’s Cup winners(like Florida) have extra cachet in the playoffs ahead.
You stated that McDavid and Drai were gassed by the time the playoffs started. Now, upon some facts being provided you are switching to saying they were gassed by the time the Vegas series started.
I would note that Leon scored 6 goals in the first 2 games of that series.
I would agree that McDavid was not at his peak through the entire playoffs but would posit that was more injury than fatigue.
McDavid looked fully energized from start to finish – just limited in effectiveness.
I would agree that Drai did seem to fatigue a bit during the 2nd round – seemingly.
hunter1909
May 22, 2023 9:40 pm
New Panthers Bandwagon fan:
If That ex-Flame manages to win the cup he’s going down in NHL history.
Am I the only one who thinks it’s a massive blunder to not buyout Campbell?
If we start with the assumption that Draisaitl will sign another contract with the Oilers, then there’s still only two years of extreme value left on his current contract. The Oilers would still be competitive after that, but he’ll be paid in full and then some on his next contract.
The cap on his next contract will make it increasingly difficult to have a balanced roster. Given that we don’t have a tidal wave of emerging talent on the horizon (No 2023 1st rounder, Bourgault, Holloway, and Broberg are currently trending as “underwhelming.”)
Factor in aging etc, and the next two years are the Oilers best chance to win the cup.
If Campbell doesn’t rebound next year and you miss the buyout window, there’s not much you can do.
Now Stauffer has previously intimated that Draisaitl could end up in LA. If we can’t extend him, then you have to trade him in a year so you don’t walk him to free agency like Gaudreau.
Then your window is now basically a year and you’re all in on Campbell and Skinner. That’s one hell of a bet to make.
The play would be to find a cheaper backup for Skinner, someone who’s tradeable at the deadline if you need an upgrade.
If we start with the assumption that Draisaitl will sign another contract with the Oilers
You didn’t even see the assumption through till the end of your comment.
I guess the hope/expectation is that Campbell will be better next season and you may not want to buy him out so much.
Even if he was a terrible bet as a starter, the guy had a career .916 SV% when he signed with the Oilers. It seems reasonable to expect that he can at least be a useful part of a tandem going forward.
A buyout would clear $3.46M and $3.86M the next 2 seasons, but the big picture is it adds $1.73M on average to the cap for the next 8 seasons. $13.8M total. He’d be ~$2.5M on the cap in years 3 and 4.
You very well could come out ahead the next 2 seasons, but you might also look like an idiot for buying out a goalie who rebounds to being average or above.
So if Campbell continues to provide.888 SV% goaltending, and the Oilers make the playoffs in spite of it again, what do you do at the deadline? Run Campbell/Skinner?
If Skinner’s year is similar to this one (.914-ish SV%) then yes, absolutely.
.888 from Campbell again is also basically the worst case scenario. Most universes have him at least as a capable backup.
And it’s not like your alternate scenario (buy Campbell out, replace with a goalie under $3.5M, and if Skinner and that guy look suspect add someone else at the deadline) has a terribly high probability of success.
And it’s not like your alternate scenario (buy Campbell out, replace with a goalie under $3.5M, and if Skinner and that guy look suspect add someone else at the deadline) has a terribly high probability of success
It has maneuverability.
With Campbell, the only out you have if he struggles is the remote possibility of LTIR.
You’re right. Actually signing Campbell to that contract was the real massive blunder.
I’ve said for years here now, goalies contracts carry the most risk of any contract in the NHL. Smart managers find ways to mitigate risk rather than to tie millstones around their necks.
It’s too bad that Woodcroft went all in on Skinner like he did. Campbell was in the zone, I don’t understand how a coach could have the blinders on like that. I was ready to bet money (and I’ve never bet on any sport in my life) on Campbell if he started game 6.
in March, I was prepared to write off Campbell, but after 2 consecutive stellar games to close out the season it was very clear to me his game was back.
He will be a top 10 goaltender next season, mark my words.
northerndancer
May 22, 2023 8:44 pm
Only a fan of Carolina or Florida would pay to watch this form of hockey. Like soccer, good systems and bad reffing stultifying offense, no creativity, trapping all night long. And good goalering. sad, so sad.
dangilitis
May 22, 2023 7:27 pm
So you know how we rightfully and mercilessly criticized the Oilers for bringing the Old Boys Club into positions of power?
Well, with hiring Conroy and Iginla, the Flames are essentially doing the same thing, but if they fuck up, then they don’t even have 5 cups to fall back on. Conroy 12 years experience, blah, blah, blah. His biggest pros are that he’s not Stan Bowman, he played for the Flames, has done everything but be a GM, and is a “fan favourite.”
Also concerning that Conroy as GM was part of King’s master plan. Promoting loyalty and hard work is all well and good, but it seems like external competition was perhaps a facade in this process?
And what the heck has Iginla been up to?
All this to say, I hope this blows up in their faces.
AND he draws penalties. That’s why I think he could be a key player for the Oilers next season. I think he’s worth the risk but needs to recognize danger in time.
Both NST and NHL.com have Kostin at 4 block shots for the playoffs – I know there were a couple of high profile blocks and he was certainly trying to get in the lane more than, say, Kassian used to but he wasn’t blocking a ton.
He was trying live to the need to be responsible, get in lanes, etc. and that’s important – its poor plays on the boards (in all zones) and passing the puck back at bad times that gets him in trouble.
I think he came a long ways from where he was in October in Bakersfield to where he ended the year in this regard.
I love his emotion and his love for Edmonton, but I don’t think he is the player-type this organization needs to take the next step.
I would earmark Lavoie for his slot. He has come further as a 2-way player and he has a potential higher upside, IMO. Plus he will come cheaper over the next 2 seasons. I would try to get a 3rd rounder for him during the draft.
My master plan to clear cap space would be an Erik Karlsson trade at 50% retained (this saves SJ ownership $33 million, leaving only $750K on their books in year 4) and to fill out the bottom 6 with larger defensively responsible UFA’s.
Engvall, Kampf, Hathaway and Joona Koppanen would be at the top of my list as depth forward targets.
Last edited 11 months ago by €√¥£€^$
Bobcaygeon
May 22, 2023 7:10 pm
The way Broberg played & minutes played during the playoffs vs how Kulak played nobody on the Oilers is giving Broberg that job.
Oilers need to improve 5×5 scoring and cutting down on goals.
Oilers need another top 6 RW scorer & I believe they’ve targeted that player (Hunch)
I still believe Yamamoto gets bought out, but a possibility that he’s involved in a bigger trade.
Campbell stays unless Staois becomes GM.
I think both Broberg & Ceci are odd men out.
What do you see as the connection between Staios and Campbell?
And you seem to have Yamamoto, Ceci and Broberg all on the way out. You mention a top 6 RW scorer, what are you expecting to happen on RD to replace Ceci?
Kulak is a good third pair. He shines post season but doesn’t play that way all reg season which is why to me he’s not able to take a higher spot from someone
Diablo
May 22, 2023 6:44 pm
Brandon Carlo strikes me as a player of interest this off-season if he were to become available as a casualty of Boston’s impending cap crunch and likely fall down the standings without Bergeron and Krejci.
Carlo in and Ceci out would add less than 1 million to our cap hit.
The cost would be dear though … I’d move Broberg + 1st for him, then flip Ceci to another team for a pick. Doubt Boston considers it this summer, but I wonder if he’ll shake loose the way Ekholm did at the trade deadline.
I’d still like to see what Broberg can do with regular minutes.
Scungilli Slushy
May 22, 2023 6:42 pm
Hello LT. I hope you are enjoying Victoria Day! My comments are all awaiting approval
There’s no one way to win the Cup HH … but cap efficiency is paramount. One way to do that is to have players on ELC contracts outperform. Another is to have the veteran foot soldiers take under market deals – this is why UFA will be a real test for Holland this summer. Neither Ryan nor Janmark should be paid more than the minimum – they are replaceable. Bjugstad, if he wants to stay, should not get more than 1.25 million (Ryan and Janmark’s previous deal).
The Oilers have 4 players who are obviously overpaid relative to their ability: Nurse, Campbell, Yamamoto and Foegele.
Foegele has 1 year left on his deal, and is overpaid by 1.5 million. We’ll have to eat that this season,
Yamamoto can be bought out for very little penalty to the Oiler’s cap sheet. If they can’t get a pick for him, then buying him out is a no-brainer.
Campbell gets another year to rebound … if he can’t, then a buyout may be necessary, though I think they can get creative with trading him away somewhere with less pressure, where he can get the proverbial fresh start.
Nurse is overpaid by 2 million. That’s not crippling though it is a bit galling when you watch him in the playoffs making one bad defensive read after another.
All these inefficiencies add up though, making it impossible to get Bouchard under a long-term contract this summer.
Cap efficiency is everything. There can be any age player as long as there is enough cap to have enough depth. A player like Ryan is perfect when they will take a salary the team can afford
This is why that Holland over terms and overpays regularly bothers me. I don’t want key players regretting their deals, but I also want most players at this point to take deals that help the team, if they want to be a part of this thing
Also worth noting that Carolina goes into the offseason with $24 million in cap space so any inclusion of players on ELCs will be on merit rather than necessity.
Lol – yep, that’s another way to find cap efficiency … exploit loopholes in the CBA and hope that Gary Bettman doesn’t get mad. Works for the glamour teams like Vegas and Tampa … not so much for the Oilers.
It’s interesting that Vegas has $3.4 million in cap space next season with Howden and Barbashev needing new contracts and the need to figure out goaltending.
I would imagine they let Barbashev walk and sign Adin Hill on the cheap.
OriginalPouzar
May 22, 2023 1:12 pm
I also believe Dylan Holloway and Klim Kostin are in position to move into more important roles with the team. There are question marks. Holloway isn’t the strongest offensive option to come down the pipe over the last several years:
Whether Yamo is moved out this summer or not (its likely), I think we can all agree that 6F remains a hole in the Oilers’ roster. Jesse wasn’t able to grab it. Yamo hasn’t been able to grab is. Holloway was given 3-4 tries up the lineup last season and wasn’t able to grab it. Foegele can pinch hit but the team is best served with him in the bottom six.
Aside from the potential of a Connor Brown on the cheap (may with bonuses they won’t limit the cap next season, if necessary), its likely going to be tough to find the money to fill that spot externally. As of now, even with Yamo out, there isn’t enough room to make a single external material upgrade, bit it RD or 6F.
Holloway will likely be given every opportunity to fill that spot and he likely breaks camp in that spot – can he keep it during the regular season? That would be more than excellent.
It would be absolutely phenomenal if:
1) Holloway could “replace Yamo” as 6F and success.
2) Lavoie could replace Foegele as 3LW
3) Philp could replace Bjugstad
Perhaps Kostin is in that conversation for 3LW and Lavoie for more of a depth role.
That would be ALOT of reliance on the kids and its not reasonable to expect all 3 to happen – maybe 1?
I know, I know – its “win now” – plugging kids in to the lineup doesn’t jive but, at the same time, kids that provide value in excess of nominal cap hits is indeed something championship teams need.
This could lead to more daily cap space being accrued and banked and used at the deadline, etc., etc., etc.
I’m not projecting this at all but just, well, blabbing I guess.
Plugging in the kids at the start of the season could pay dividends down the road at the trade deadline. We all saw how Van fans ate up the line about Raty having played NHL games, thus making him more valuable (aka – a first round level talent).
Avoiding costly UFA deals, will allow the Oilers to accrue some actual cap space before the 2024 deadline … they will have 3 quarters of the season to figure what their needs are prior to the 2024 playoffs, and hopefully have enough cap space, that they don’t need to pay an exorbitant price in assets.
“Win now” is the mindset you have at the trade deadline … “build now” should be the thought process going into next season. Getting Kostin and Broberg more comfortable in bigger roles and getting all of Holloway, Lavoie and Bourgault some NHL experience will build up their value to organization or as trade bait.
Don’t disagree (except with respect to including Bourgault in the group).
I think Broberg should have been playing every day last season and in the playoffs and could have, should have, been given more minutes and responsibility.
Lavoie will need to show that he is ready for those minutes in the NHL – he’s done what he can to get the next opportunity but we won’t know if he actually is ready until he starts playing regular season NHL games.
I’d throw Philp in there with Lavoie and remove Bourgault. I look for him to have a pop development year in his second pro season, after a full off-season of knowing what he needs to outperform at the AHL level. As at April, he’s not close to ready for that NHL opportunity and experience – perhaps come February – one step at a time.
If Wyatt Johnston is playing a regular shift for the Stars, then Bourgault should be ready for the NHL soon as well. I don’t see him earning the job over Lavoie, but I do think he should be called up mid-season to see how he’s progressing.
The fact that Johnson was drafted after Bourgault and how he has developed and performed since draft day has zero relevance to how Bourgault has developed and performed and where he is assigned within the org.
Sure, if he shows real progression and development, a mid-season recall could very well be warranted – I alluded to exactly that in my post.
All I know is that he wasn’t in that place the last time he played a pro hockey game and Wyatt Johnson is a non-factor.
who
May 22, 2023 12:59 pm
Hey LT, if the draft goes according to your top 100, we should be able to snag Fantilli with our 2nd rd pick.
Thoughts?
😀
Oops.
I was wondering why no one else mentioned this.
Now I know. 🥴
Harpers Hair
May 22, 2023 12:47 pm
@RachelDoerre
The MLSE board nearly cost the Raptors Masai Ujiri. They’ve plunged Toronto FC into chaos. Now, they’ve ushered out Kyle Dubas and it may cost them Auston Matthews.
This is more about MLSE’s board than it is about the Leafs, and that’s the major issue.
Dubas lost his job because of his roster choices and his media avail
He’s a younger guy and misread his situation with the avail. If he worked for an individual owner that might have not mattered. But he worked for a conglomerate and he put them in a spot that they had to assess what he said
Which I’m sure is why Shanahan said he would like an experienced GM. Enough ‘wonder boy’ for him it seems
I’ll summarize what I wrote below …. since he was named GM in May 2018, Dubas traded away all of their first round picks from 2019 to 2025. In the next three drafts, they have 5 picks in the first 4 rounds (12 rounds total). Aside from Matthew Knies (who has played a grand total of 10 NHL games), and Joseph Woll (who has played 15 games in the NHL since being drafted 7 years ago) they didn’t have a single player that they drafted from rounds 2-7 over the past decade playing for them in the playoffs this season.
They have 9.9 million in cap space with only 14 players on their NHL roster for next season, with all of O’Reilly, Acciari, Kerfoot, Bunting and Samsonov needing new deals.
The Leaf’s will have to pay someone more picks to take Murray off their hands, as I see no reason why Murray would agree to go to Robidas Island at the age of 28 … and the Leaf’s desperately need that cap space, if they want to ice a team capable of competing in a stacked division/conference.
His trade history is awful … seriously, find me a deal where he clearly hosed the other team. Other GMs will miss him dearly … cause he gave away value on every deal he made.
Maybe it’s not such a good idea to let 30 year olds without much experience run billion dollar franchises.
McSorley33
May 22, 2023 12:39 pm
The problem with this off-season, unlike any in recent memory, not much we can do here.
( cap and otherwise)
Lets just assume we dump Yamamoto for a 3rd.
What else?
The Nurse pairing got killed. ( lets concede Ceci injury) The errors here on first pairing were – were mental. I doubt we are going to change up this set next year.
The middle 6 got killed. No idea how you pretend to play RNH at wing again in the top 6 of playoffs ( worse metrics than Kailer in a lot of areas)
I mean aside from Yamamoto out – we are not changing much in those key areas that let us down.
This team simply has to commit to play better D – top to bottom.
Holland’s presser was pretty great. Same team in 06 that lost to Edmonton in round 1 won the Cup in 08. The summer additions will come by way of everyone getting a little better at specific things, everyone getting a little hungrier from the sting. Nobody coming in from elsewhere can have that impact.
As long as he also recognizes having D playing above their level doesn’t fly when there are several teams that can push in the playoffs with depth and balance
Last edited 11 months ago by Scungilli Slushy
Kurri17
May 22, 2023 12:10 pm
We need to merge Kostin and Holloway into one player.
I too would love Eric Lindros c.1993 on this team.
Victoria Oil
May 22, 2023 11:49 am
I’ve been thinking about Milic so it’s nice to see him in the mock draft. I would be happy if we added either of him or his teammate Ratzlaff. Ratzlaff hasn’t had the big game experience that Milic has, but is younger and has similar stats.
The Oilers have always wanted their very own Lucic, even when they had the actual Lucic.
judgedrude
May 22, 2023 11:36 am
I like the rolling 125 and recommend it long term. It is interesting to see how the cogs turn as new information is added to the Bat-computer.
Tarkus
May 22, 2023 11:14 am
CapFriendly has the Oilers picking at #56, #152, #184 and #216. Assume that, in a vacuum, these are all the picks they’ll have entering the draft.
Using LT’s suggestion of cashing the 2nd for two 3rds as a template, some possibilities are:
ANA for 65 + 85. They already have 3 2nds, might a fourth entice them to accelerate their rebuild?
ARI has 70, 72, 81 + 88. I dunno whether they wish to deviate from their strategem of “trade everything that isn’t bolted down for picks”, but might be worth a try.
CHI has 67 + 94. With Bedard already in hand, can they be enticed like ANA in the above scenario?
STL has 74 + 76.
VAN has 75 + 89.
Personally, I like the STL idea. And then perhaps trade one of those to, say, PHI for 93 + 103.
I suspect the Oilers could add 4 more picks on draft day, I will be watching this Draft (on the 2nd day) as closely as any other.
jtblack
May 22, 2023 9:47 am
2022 – EDM lost to the Cup Champs
2023 – EDM lost to the possible Cup Champs (Vegas). Or at least it looks like Vegas will represent the West.
2024 – ??
Edm had a slow start last season. IMO they need to start on time, secure top seed in the West, add at the Deadline and then be the last Western Team standing.
Woody needs to improve the 5×5 play slightly and the rest will take care of itself.
Re: 5×5 defensive play.
Hopefully they watch the tape from games 5 & 6 against Vegas.
They locked the Oilers down down down.
Every team that plays for the Cup has this in their repetoire.
If the coaches could get the team to buy into this, they would be cooking with gasoline.
They played that way a few times late last season and look at the wins they gathered in Bos. Colorado. Seattle & L.A.
It’s as much about team D as it is about knowing how to attack when teams do that so you can still score something 5v5
I didn’t see the Oilers coping well game in and out. They beat the neutral zone LA trap but have always struggled with teams that take the slot away like Vegas
The Leafs also weren’t prepared for it or a heavy forecheck. D not up to it like some Oiler D. Forwards not supporting enough when they needed to
Players, coaching and likely both
Bling
May 22, 2023 9:46 am
Apropos of nothing, I would love for the Oilers to consider bringing in Dubas as an advisor, similar to what happened with the Dodgers and Alex Anthopoulos after he and the Jays parted ways.
I know there are some strong feelings regarding Dubas.
However, do you want to win? He could kickstart the modernization of hockey ops. Holland will be replaced next season.
Dubas/Staios as POHO/GM would be an enticing combination. Excellent plate coverage, to borrow from the baseball vernacular, in the sense that you’d have, in combination, diverse experiences and skills.
Is Dubas an analytics savant or is he just a (former) G.M. that listens closely to the big computer brains?
If it’s the former, do the Oilers really need him for that?
I think i would rather the current group just do a better job of listening the the data miners they have.
I don’t want Kyle Dubas anywhere near the high level contract negotiations that are on the horizon.
The post-war world confused efficiency and data analytics with “progress” as states came to understand all human relations as quantifiable data sets. Governments could see anything so long as they were staring directly at it. But life isn’t lived in the ledger. Any good organization needs a post-modernization push, balancing data with critical analysis, context. Qualitative methods. Lived experience.
Not to be confused with Shanahan, who shows himself as pre-modern, built on pride and petty disputes. I think the data analytics revolution in hockey was a reasonable and expected reaction to the Coke Machine Monarchies. If Dubas has the pendulum swinging too far in the direction of data, in Shanahan we have the revanchist, pulling it back too hard and for the wrong reasons.
If Dubas were to join Staois, I would enroll Staois in some courses on human geography, get him to do some ethnographic writing, have him well versed on post-colonial social movement theory. Etc.
Data will not save any team. There is no all seeing eye. This is not north Vietnam and its not baseball. This shit is played on the ice.
Last edited 11 months ago by Chelios is a Dinosaur
I agree. I my time as a manager and accountant, I quickly saw the deleterious effects of decision makers and influencers who know the price of everything but the value of nothing (mostly Auditors haha). Balance in assessing data is key to success.
How exactly would rocks for jocks improve Staois’ ability to be an NHL GM?
On one hand you talk about “lived experience” and then on the next you crap on Shanahan, who has lived more experience at the highest levels of the NHL than you will ever know. There are reports that Shanahan vetoed some of Dubas’ moves … maybe those moves were terrible, and Shanahan was trying to protect his organization?
If Dubas were to join, I’m pretty sure Staois would exit the organization in search of an opportunity to operate as an NHL GM away from Dubas’ shadow.
I would much rather Dubas go to the Flames, were he can apply his post-modern ability to bleed first round draft picks chasing after and then paying to get rid of veteran players in decline.
I’m equating the analytics revolution in hockey to how moderniztion is perceived in other fields where space and humans exists together, i.e. a massive failure.
I’m equating Shanahan to the pre-moderns who ruled by force and reputation.
Post-modernism goes beyond seeing the world as a duality where on one side you have nature (god), and on the other side human progress (science and math).
To oversimplify, Shanahan and Dubas both played this grand narrative out live in duelling press conferences.
I was trying to answer your question, “What is exactly is the “modernization of hockey ops”?” I think a successful organization is post-modern because it doesn’t render the world in absolutes. Its intersectional, it contains multiple points of view and it uses a variety of methods. Asking Staois to go take some human geography courses (my understanding is “rocks for jocks” is simply an easy physical geography course, not a rigorous, post-Marxist course that breaks down complicated themes of difference, power, and change) was a rhetorical device simply meant to encourage through exaggeration the kinds of thinking that would do well to offset the Moneypuck World that Dubas represents.
I don’t blame Dubas that much for the contracts he handed out to his big players in Toronto. If I am remembering correctly, all of their big four forwards were signed before the pandemic was on the horizon, and even now, I wouldn’t blink if I was constructing a roster from scratch at adding Matthews for about eleven and a half, Marner for a shade under eleven or especially Nylander at a touch under seven. I think Dubas did a relatively strong job of building up the Leafs as a franchise. Was there something tangible missing in how he built his roster, or did his teams just have poor luck in the post-season? I don’t know, but I would bet on a man on his thirties to grow from his experiences over a man in his fifties or sixties.
If they bring Dubas along in an advisory role this year as maybe the heir apparent after Holland’s contract is up, I would be for it.
Tavares was a problem when he was signed. They now lose a much younger skill player bcs it’s hard to move him with his trade protection and huge cap hit for his production. It was predicted
Don’t disagree on Dubas/Tavares. But I would say drinking the Toronto Koolaid on Hyman was a tasty bevvy indeed! Campbell not so much, but if he rebounds, it may be an acquired taste.
Exactamundo. Dubas signing of Taveres and inability to get Marner or Nylander on value deals resulted in the severe bleeding of talent that is reminiscent of Chiarelli. We’ve been to that movie and seen how it ends. No need to go back for 2nds.
Hyman is good. But he’s an upscale Foegele. He’s a forechecker with mediocre skill for a top 6 on a contender. He also apparently isn’t a great two way player which I find odd. It may not end well because of the term
Let’s recap the highlights of the past few years of Dubus’ time as GM of the Leafs from May 2018:
Stepped into a team already sporting Matthews, Marner, Nylander, Kadri and Reilly.
Signed John Tavares to a crippling unmoveable deal, that would later cost them the ability to resign Zach Hyman.
The Tavares deal also made it necessary to send Patrick Marleau away with 1 year left on his deal away to remain cap compliant at the cost of a 1st round pick in 2020, that became Seth Jarvis.
Traded for Jake Muzzin, sending away Sean Durzi, Carl Grundstrom and another 1st round in 2019 (Thomas Bjornfort).
Traded Kadri for Tyson Barrie and Alex Kerfoot. Barrie was a poor fit, lasted one season, and then rehabilitated his value in Edmonton. Kerfoot is gone this summer as a UFA.
Traded Mason Marchment for Denis Malgin.
Traded for Nick Foligno, sending away another 1st round pick in 2021. Foligno played 11 games for the Leafs.
Traded two 2nd round picks and a 3rd round pick for Giordano, who is now washed.
Signed Petr Mrazek instead of Fredrick Andersen, then had to trade out of the 1st round in 2022, to unload his contract.
Traded away 2023 1st and 3rd round, 2024 2nd round and 2025 4rth round picks to get O’Reilly and Acciari … strong likelihood that neither of these players will return to the Leafs.
Traded 2025 1st, and 2026 2nd round picks to the Hawks for McCabe and Lafferty. Then traded Sandin for lower 1st from Boston, who then went on a tear putting up 15 points in 19 games for Washington. Debatable whether McCabe will help them more over the next few seasons than Sandin, who was one of their few home grown talents playing in the NHL.
Traded a 2023 3rd for Luke Schenn … who is also UFA this summer.
He managed to mine a couple of good players in UFA – Bunting and Samsonov … but both are UFA again, and they don’t have the cap space to keep both.
In all, Dubus traded away all of the Leafs first round picks from 2019 to 2025. In the next three drafts they have 5 picks in the first 4 rounds. They won one playoff series. Neither Marner nor Matthews gave them much of a discount on their last deals, and both need to be resigned in the next couple of seasons. Nylander was their only value contract (aside from Bunting and Samsonov), and he also needs a new contract after this season.
Morgan Reilly is the only one of their top players taking in less than market value on a long-term deal.
Honestly, Dubas’ record is Chiarelli-level bad despite starting with an amazing core of top-end talent. No wonder Shanahan decided to part ways with him.
Sometimes I think we must be related….this is exactly what happened to the Leafs.
I blame it all on the photo of 5 yr old Taveras in his Leafs pyjamas !!
Gut feel Pete – overreached with the Lucic signing
Analytic Dubas – overreached with the JT signing Analytic Tulsky – overreached with the Kotkaniemi signing
And nobody can consistently predict the players to put out on the next shift on real time.
Modern Hockey ops might want to reconsider what it needs to focus on to win the Stanley Cup.
I think he has a bit of the Puljujarvi in him, from the neck up
jtblack
May 22, 2023 9:41 am
I put Holloway in my Top 9 and get him 14 – 16 mins a night. Time with McD, Leon and McLeod. His skating could allow him to be a defensive presence on a scoring line.
Look how balanced Vegas top 3 lines are. Copycat league says; let’s copy that. We have the Centres and overall skill to do it.
RNH needs to go back to the middle and stay there. He’s was a black hole at 5v5 in the playoffs, but is still masterful on the PP and is a decent PKer. Move RNH back to 3C, let him get his minutes on special teams, and let’s start to see what we have in the young wingers … at least 2 of them need to be entrenched as contributors in the lineup at 5v5 for the next playoff run … that’s on Woodcroft … DeBoer has Wyatt Johnston playing a regular shift right now, and making contributions.
Yamomoto out.
Both Kostin and Holloway up to the 2nd and 3rd lines along with Lavoie and Bourgault into the lineup.
No overpays for Janmark, Ryan or Bjugstad … these guys are 3rd and 4rth liners by the 2024 playoffs.
Kane – McDavid – Lavoie/Bourgault
Kostin – Draisaitl – Hyman
Holloway – RNH – Bjugstad
Janmark – McLeod – Ryan
Stick to rolling McDavid, Draisaitl, RNH, McLeod on separate lines when everyone is in the lineup. Give the lines that are performing well on a given night more playing time at 5v5 … stop trying to force-feed McDavid, Draisaitl and Nuge minutes … it doesn’t work, cause some nights those guys just don’t have it.
Woodcroft needs to listen to his own mantra … “win as a team” … he’s been falling into the same trap that ensnared TMac and Tippett by going to the “nuclear option”, which does not work come playoff time against good teams.
I presume you aren’t a watcher of the Condors’ games?
Lots of road ahead but Bourgault isn’t a realistic option for the NHL in 2023 – in my opinion.
Ralph Lavoie and Noah Philp have earned real opportunities. We won’t know if either is actually ready yet until mid October at the earliest (exhibition seasons means nothing in that regard) – here is hoping that at least one, if not both, force a roster spot out of camp.
1RW for Lavoie seems a tad unrealistic to me.
Lets not forget, he played almost exclusively LW during this past AHL season.
I agree mostly. The Canes are losing to the Panthers bcs their coach has no jazz
They are missing some skill for sure. Rod says they’re playing well and ‘need to find a way’. They are playing well but they are too locked down, too systematic
They were like the Oilers against Vegas. Mostly on the outside with token efforts at traffic and no timing to the net. I saw Rod on the whiteboard at the end and his play was pass along the blue to the middle and shoot. Lowest percentage type of shot
Burns made a great pass to Necas (a player I like) who made a nice curl into the slot off a face off, but Martin was looking into the corner for some reason and didn’t even see the pass. Would have been a tip in
But those are the plays you have to try over and over when there is no room and a good goalie. You have to create the missed coverage and leave the goalie with a much lesser chance to make a save. You need guys coming into a scoring position and open and time a pass to them and then get to the net if there’s a rebound
They had guys going to the net but the were standing in coverage (like the Oilers) and everyone was still, so the puck carrier looks around and around and there is no play. There will never be a play if all you have is ‘go the the net’, ‘get traffic’, ‘bare down’, bury your chances’, ‘find a way to win’. These things are true but are euphemisms
What you actually need are tactics to counter specific defensive systems. Like Vegas did to our lame Mano a Mano
jtblack
May 22, 2023 9:39 am
Do you think Holland will try to add a couple picks before the draft?
Potentially. If they are moving on from Yamo, I expect a pick as part of the return, if not the total return. Either directly or indirectly, I can see any trades resulting in an upgraded RD for the top four. Pickings in FA are meh at best in that area.I can also see them on draft day moving down a bit on their second rounder to get an extra shot, but not out of the top 75.
Paulie
May 22, 2023 9:24 am
Who gets a better shot in the middle 6 – Holloway or Kostin? I guess it comes down to whether Holloway can find more offense or Kostin can become more responsibly defensively. To me, it seems the latter is more likely. If Kostin works on the defensive details of his game, he should have the advantage over Holloway. Most players can become better defensively, but offensive instincts/skills seem harder to develop at this stage. Kostin is a bull, plays a good N-S game, and has that wicked shot.
If it were easy for Kostin to become more defensively responsible, he would never become an Oiler. He would be in the top 9 in St. Louis.
The probability is higher that Holloway becomes an top six player than Kostin.
Kostin is valuable though, like Maroon is valuable in the bottom six, where one is playing againt more offensively challenged forwards who cannot take advantage of the defensive mistakes.
I agree, 100%, that Holloway is the more “natural fit” as a complimentary winger in the top 6 and has higher overall potential than Kostin.
With respect to ability to “become more defensively responsible”, I don’t think its unusual to have fairly high pedigree players than take a number of years before there is a shift in their mind-set or the commitment to improve in this area.
A trade to a new org after, once again, clearing waivers, more AHL time, and then the words and advise of a new coaching staff – well, perhaps something “popped” in Kostin’s mind and he understands what’s needed, not just to stay in the lineup and play up the lineup, but to stay in the league?
This player did show massive development in this area this season. I watch his 7-8 games in the AHL early last season – he was absolutely awful from the red line back to start.
Rondo
May 22, 2023 9:22 am
Do you think Oilers will try to get into the 1st rd of the draft?
As the rumor and intrigue swirl in Leaf Land think its worth pondering two choices from the frame of does a math whiz on the cutting edge of hockey do this?
1) You identify the forward position AND the franchise’s player leadership as the most pressing area of need to pay the highest salary in the league to a guy who doesn’t deserve it.
2) You identify Freddie Andersen and his .917 avg as part of the problem.
There are a lot of people calling Shanny the voice in the room and the mature adult looking to save a franchise. Two of the franchise’s most consequential player moves reek of an Old Boy mentality much more than they look like math based enlightenment. In fact if you look at a bunch of signings and trades they sorta have a very 90’s Detroit feel about them don’t they? Add into it Shanny’s signing of Babcock as Bully Coach to toughen up those whipper snappers…
I think they operated together more than apart. I see a bunch of putz moves that look more Old than New school.
Three GMs and three coaches… how long until Leaf fans decide to #FireTheShanaplan?
Interesting flip of the script.
I feel like the Leafs moves in recent years reek far more of impatience, inexperience and a need to act than they do of an ‘old boy mentality’.
Also a bit of an odd comparison to 90’s (and 2000’s) Detroit. They were tremendously successful (4 Cups and arguably the last Dynasty team). And they also weren’t at all known for knee jerk reactions to perceived problems.
Moving on from 31 year-old veteran Frederik Andersen and his career .915 looks more old than new school?
Re the Oilers: Any fool can see both McDavid and Draisaitl were completely gassed by the time the playoffs started.
Next season try not to tank at the start: those President’s Cup winners(like Florida) have extra cachet in the playoffs ahead.
Didn’t Drai have 13 goals and 17 points in the first 8 games of the playoffs. Not sure he was so gassed by the time the playoffs started.
Sure he might have nevertheless he looked gassed by Vegas series. This proves my point.
McDavid seemed off for the entire playoffs by his usual standards. Please feel to argue.
You stated that McDavid and Drai were gassed by the time the playoffs started. Now, upon some facts being provided you are switching to saying they were gassed by the time the Vegas series started.
I would note that Leon scored 6 goals in the first 2 games of that series.
I would agree that McDavid was not at his peak through the entire playoffs but would posit that was more injury than fatigue.
McDavid looked fully energized from start to finish – just limited in effectiveness.
I would agree that Drai did seem to fatigue a bit during the 2nd round – seemingly.
New Panthers Bandwagon fan:
If That ex-Flame manages to win the cup he’s going down in NHL history.
Finally a team both Alberta teams can root for.
Plenty of people were fans of the Panthers in Alberta. Avs vs Panthers was a division between myself and my brother in 96.
Am I the only one who thinks it’s a massive blunder to not buyout Campbell?
If we start with the assumption that Draisaitl will sign another contract with the Oilers, then there’s still only two years of extreme value left on his current contract. The Oilers would still be competitive after that, but he’ll be paid in full and then some on his next contract.
The cap on his next contract will make it increasingly difficult to have a balanced roster. Given that we don’t have a tidal wave of emerging talent on the horizon (No 2023 1st rounder, Bourgault, Holloway, and Broberg are currently trending as “underwhelming.”)
Factor in aging etc, and the next two years are the Oilers best chance to win the cup.
If Campbell doesn’t rebound next year and you miss the buyout window, there’s not much you can do.
Now Stauffer has previously intimated that Draisaitl could end up in LA. If we can’t extend him, then you have to trade him in a year so you don’t walk him to free agency like Gaudreau.
Then your window is now basically a year and you’re all in on Campbell and Skinner. That’s one hell of a bet to make.
The play would be to find a cheaper backup for Skinner, someone who’s tradeable at the deadline if you need an upgrade.
You didn’t even see the assumption through till the end of your comment.
I guess the hope/expectation is that Campbell will be better next season and you may not want to buy him out so much.
Even if he was a terrible bet as a starter, the guy had a career .916 SV% when he signed with the Oilers. It seems reasonable to expect that he can at least be a useful part of a tandem going forward.
A buyout would clear $3.46M and $3.86M the next 2 seasons, but the big picture is it adds $1.73M on average to the cap for the next 8 seasons. $13.8M total. He’d be ~$2.5M on the cap in years 3 and 4.
You very well could come out ahead the next 2 seasons, but you might also look like an idiot for buying out a goalie who rebounds to being average or above.
So if Campbell continues to provide.888 SV% goaltending, and the Oilers make the playoffs in spite of it again, what do you do at the deadline? Run Campbell/Skinner?
If Skinner’s year is similar to this one (.914-ish SV%) then yes, absolutely.
.888 from Campbell again is also basically the worst case scenario. Most universes have him at least as a capable backup.
And it’s not like your alternate scenario (buy Campbell out, replace with a goalie under $3.5M, and if Skinner and that guy look suspect add someone else at the deadline) has a terribly high probability of success.
It has maneuverability.
With Campbell, the only out you have if he struggles is the remote possibility of LTIR.
It has some maneuverability, yes.
It also has the certainty of $14M in dead cap.
No, I don’t think not creating an 8-year dead cap hit for a player highly likely to have a rebound season is a massive blunder.
You’re right. Actually signing Campbell to that contract was the real massive blunder.
I’ve said for years here now, goalies contracts carry the most risk of any contract in the NHL. Smart managers find ways to mitigate risk rather than to tie millstones around their necks.
It’s too bad that Woodcroft went all in on Skinner like he did. Campbell was in the zone, I don’t understand how a coach could have the blinders on like that. I was ready to bet money (and I’ve never bet on any sport in my life) on Campbell if he started game 6.
in March, I was prepared to write off Campbell, but after 2 consecutive stellar games to close out the season it was very clear to me his game was back.
He will be a top 10 goaltender next season, mark my words.
Only a fan of Carolina or Florida would pay to watch this form of hockey. Like soccer, good systems and bad reffing stultifying offense, no creativity, trapping all night long. And good goalering. sad, so sad.
So you know how we rightfully and mercilessly criticized the Oilers for bringing the Old Boys Club into positions of power?
https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/craig-conroy-tops-list-of-flames-gm-candidates-people-love-him/
Well, with hiring Conroy and Iginla, the Flames are essentially doing the same thing, but if they fuck up, then they don’t even have 5 cups to fall back on. Conroy 12 years experience, blah, blah, blah. His biggest pros are that he’s not Stan Bowman, he played for the Flames, has done everything but be a GM, and is a “fan favourite.”
Also concerning that Conroy as GM was part of King’s master plan. Promoting loyalty and hard work is all well and good, but it seems like external competition was perhaps a facade in this process?
And what the heck has Iginla been up to?
All this to say, I hope this blows up in their faces.
He’s been busy a non participating owner of the Kamloops Blazers!!
And coaching his kid’s team.
I saw Kostin block a lot of shots this spring, that has some semblance of a defensive conscience.
He does a ton of nice stuff on the defensive side (I like how he can ‘settle’ a play down and get the puck out under control).
But he also makes his fair share of mistakes, and risky plays, and takes lots of poor penalties.
If he could consistently do all of the good things he does then he’d be a fixture in any teams top 6. Maybe he gets there.
I second
AND he draws penalties. That’s why I think he could be a key player for the Oilers next season. I think he’s worth the risk but needs to recognize danger in time.
Both NST and NHL.com have Kostin at 4 block shots for the playoffs – I know there were a couple of high profile blocks and he was certainly trying to get in the lane more than, say, Kassian used to but he wasn’t blocking a ton.
He was trying live to the need to be responsible, get in lanes, etc. and that’s important – its poor plays on the boards (in all zones) and passing the puck back at bad times that gets him in trouble.
I think he came a long ways from where he was in October in Bakersfield to where he ended the year in this regard.
I love his emotion and his love for Edmonton, but I don’t think he is the player-type this organization needs to take the next step.
I would earmark Lavoie for his slot. He has come further as a 2-way player and he has a potential higher upside, IMO. Plus he will come cheaper over the next 2 seasons. I would try to get a 3rd rounder for him during the draft.
My master plan to clear cap space would be an Erik Karlsson trade at 50% retained (this saves SJ ownership $33 million, leaving only $750K on their books in year 4) and to fill out the bottom 6 with larger defensively responsible UFA’s.
Engvall, Kampf, Hathaway and Joona Koppanen would be at the top of my list as depth forward targets.
The way Broberg played & minutes played during the playoffs vs how Kulak played nobody on the Oilers is giving Broberg that job.
Oilers need to improve 5×5 scoring and cutting down on goals.
Oilers need another top 6 RW scorer & I believe they’ve targeted that player (Hunch)
I still believe Yamamoto gets bought out, but a possibility that he’s involved in a bigger trade.
Campbell stays unless Staois becomes GM.
I think both Broberg & Ceci are odd men out.
just one fan’s opinion
Some standard stuff there and some bolder stuff.
What do you see as the connection between Staios and Campbell?
And you seem to have Yamamoto, Ceci and Broberg all on the way out. You mention a top 6 RW scorer, what are you expecting to happen on RD to replace Ceci?
Kulak is a good third pair. He shines post season but doesn’t play that way all reg season which is why to me he’s not able to take a higher spot from someone
Brandon Carlo strikes me as a player of interest this off-season if he were to become available as a casualty of Boston’s impending cap crunch and likely fall down the standings without Bergeron and Krejci.
Carlo in and Ceci out would add less than 1 million to our cap hit.
The cost would be dear though … I’d move Broberg + 1st for him, then flip Ceci to another team for a pick. Doubt Boston considers it this summer, but I wonder if he’ll shake loose the way Ekholm did at the trade deadline.
I’d still like to see what Broberg can do with regular minutes.
Hello LT. I hope you are enjoying Victoria Day! My comments are all awaiting approval
Something you wish me to do differently?
Nope. All good.
Cheers
There is a developing narrative that you need kids on ELCs on the roster to win a cup. Is that true?
The youngest Vegas forward on the roster is Brett Howden..he’s 25.
Their youngest D is Nicolas Hague at 24.
Neither is on an ELC.
Dallas has 3…Wyatt Johnson, Ty Dellandrea and Thomas Harley.
Florida has one…Anton Lundell.
Carolina has two…Jack Drury and Seth Jarvis.
There’s no one way to win the Cup HH … but cap efficiency is paramount. One way to do that is to have players on ELC contracts outperform. Another is to have the veteran foot soldiers take under market deals – this is why UFA will be a real test for Holland this summer. Neither Ryan nor Janmark should be paid more than the minimum – they are replaceable. Bjugstad, if he wants to stay, should not get more than 1.25 million (Ryan and Janmark’s previous deal).
The Oilers have 4 players who are obviously overpaid relative to their ability: Nurse, Campbell, Yamamoto and Foegele.
Foegele has 1 year left on his deal, and is overpaid by 1.5 million. We’ll have to eat that this season,
Yamamoto can be bought out for very little penalty to the Oiler’s cap sheet. If they can’t get a pick for him, then buying him out is a no-brainer.
Campbell gets another year to rebound … if he can’t, then a buyout may be necessary, though I think they can get creative with trading him away somewhere with less pressure, where he can get the proverbial fresh start.
Nurse is overpaid by 2 million. That’s not crippling though it is a bit galling when you watch him in the playoffs making one bad defensive read after another.
All these inefficiencies add up though, making it impossible to get Bouchard under a long-term contract this summer.
Cap efficiency is everything. There can be any age player as long as there is enough cap to have enough depth. A player like Ryan is perfect when they will take a salary the team can afford
This is why that Holland over terms and overpays regularly bothers me. I don’t want key players regretting their deals, but I also want most players at this point to take deals that help the team, if they want to be a part of this thing
For sure.
Thing is, Vegas doesn’t have even one bad contract IMO depending on the health of Stone.
Despite their reputation as profligate spenders, their cap is actually pretty well managed.
Also worth noting that Carolina goes into the offseason with $24 million in cap space so any inclusion of players on ELCs will be on merit rather than necessity.
How many did Colorado have last year?
Vegas is doing cap circumvention.
Lol – yep, that’s another way to find cap efficiency … exploit loopholes in the CBA and hope that Gary Bettman doesn’t get mad. Works for the glamour teams like Vegas and Tampa … not so much for the Oilers.
It’s interesting that Vegas has $3.4 million in cap space next season with Howden and Barbashev needing new contracts and the need to figure out goaltending.
I would imagine they let Barbashev walk and sign Adin Hill on the cheap.
Whether Yamo is moved out this summer or not (its likely), I think we can all agree that 6F remains a hole in the Oilers’ roster. Jesse wasn’t able to grab it. Yamo hasn’t been able to grab is. Holloway was given 3-4 tries up the lineup last season and wasn’t able to grab it. Foegele can pinch hit but the team is best served with him in the bottom six.
Aside from the potential of a Connor Brown on the cheap (may with bonuses they won’t limit the cap next season, if necessary), its likely going to be tough to find the money to fill that spot externally. As of now, even with Yamo out, there isn’t enough room to make a single external material upgrade, bit it RD or 6F.
Holloway will likely be given every opportunity to fill that spot and he likely breaks camp in that spot – can he keep it during the regular season? That would be more than excellent.
It would be absolutely phenomenal if:
1) Holloway could “replace Yamo” as 6F and success.
2) Lavoie could replace Foegele as 3LW
3) Philp could replace Bjugstad
Perhaps Kostin is in that conversation for 3LW and Lavoie for more of a depth role.
That would be ALOT of reliance on the kids and its not reasonable to expect all 3 to happen – maybe 1?
I know, I know – its “win now” – plugging kids in to the lineup doesn’t jive but, at the same time, kids that provide value in excess of nominal cap hits is indeed something championship teams need.
This could lead to more daily cap space being accrued and banked and used at the deadline, etc., etc., etc.
I’m not projecting this at all but just, well, blabbing I guess.
Plugging in the kids at the start of the season could pay dividends down the road at the trade deadline. We all saw how Van fans ate up the line about Raty having played NHL games, thus making him more valuable (aka – a first round level talent).
Avoiding costly UFA deals, will allow the Oilers to accrue some actual cap space before the 2024 deadline … they will have 3 quarters of the season to figure what their needs are prior to the 2024 playoffs, and hopefully have enough cap space, that they don’t need to pay an exorbitant price in assets.
“Win now” is the mindset you have at the trade deadline … “build now” should be the thought process going into next season. Getting Kostin and Broberg more comfortable in bigger roles and getting all of Holloway, Lavoie and Bourgault some NHL experience will build up their value to organization or as trade bait.
Don’t disagree (except with respect to including Bourgault in the group).
I think Broberg should have been playing every day last season and in the playoffs and could have, should have, been given more minutes and responsibility.
Lavoie will need to show that he is ready for those minutes in the NHL – he’s done what he can to get the next opportunity but we won’t know if he actually is ready until he starts playing regular season NHL games.
I’d throw Philp in there with Lavoie and remove Bourgault. I look for him to have a pop development year in his second pro season, after a full off-season of knowing what he needs to outperform at the AHL level. As at April, he’s not close to ready for that NHL opportunity and experience – perhaps come February – one step at a time.
If Wyatt Johnston is playing a regular shift for the Stars, then Bourgault should be ready for the NHL soon as well. I don’t see him earning the job over Lavoie, but I do think he should be called up mid-season to see how he’s progressing.
The fact that Johnson was drafted after Bourgault and how he has developed and performed since draft day has zero relevance to how Bourgault has developed and performed and where he is assigned within the org.
Sure, if he shows real progression and development, a mid-season recall could very well be warranted – I alluded to exactly that in my post.
All I know is that he wasn’t in that place the last time he played a pro hockey game and Wyatt Johnson is a non-factor.
Hey LT, if the draft goes according to your top 100, we should be able to snag Fantilli with our 2nd rd pick.
Thoughts?
😀
As Mr. Fantilli plays in the NCAA and I haven’t covered college hockey yet, I suspect you are incorrect.
Oops.
I was wondering why no one else mentioned this.
Now I know. 🥴
@RachelDoerre
The MLSE board nearly cost the Raptors Masai Ujiri. They’ve plunged Toronto FC into chaos. Now, they’ve ushered out Kyle Dubas and it may cost them Auston Matthews.
This is more about MLSE’s board than it is about the Leafs, and that’s the major issue.
Dubas lost his job because of his roster choices and his media avail
He’s a younger guy and misread his situation with the avail. If he worked for an individual owner that might have not mattered. But he worked for a conglomerate and he put them in a spot that they had to assess what he said
Which I’m sure is why Shanahan said he would like an experienced GM. Enough ‘wonder boy’ for him it seems
I’ll summarize what I wrote below …. since he was named GM in May 2018, Dubas traded away all of their first round picks from 2019 to 2025. In the next three drafts, they have 5 picks in the first 4 rounds (12 rounds total). Aside from Matthew Knies (who has played a grand total of 10 NHL games), and Joseph Woll (who has played 15 games in the NHL since being drafted 7 years ago) they didn’t have a single player that they drafted from rounds 2-7 over the past decade playing for them in the playoffs this season.
They have 9.9 million in cap space with only 14 players on their NHL roster for next season, with all of O’Reilly, Acciari, Kerfoot, Bunting and Samsonov needing new deals.
The Leaf’s will have to pay someone more picks to take Murray off their hands, as I see no reason why Murray would agree to go to Robidas Island at the age of 28 … and the Leaf’s desperately need that cap space, if they want to ice a team capable of competing in a stacked division/conference.
His trade history is awful … seriously, find me a deal where he clearly hosed the other team. Other GMs will miss him dearly … cause he gave away value on every deal he made.
Maybe it’s not such a good idea to let 30 year olds without much experience run billion dollar franchises.
The problem with this off-season, unlike any in recent memory, not much we can do here.
( cap and otherwise)
Lets just assume we dump Yamamoto for a 3rd.
What else?
The Nurse pairing got killed. ( lets concede Ceci injury) The errors here on first pairing were – were mental. I doubt we are going to change up this set next year.
The middle 6 got killed. No idea how you pretend to play RNH at wing again in the top 6 of playoffs ( worse metrics than Kailer in a lot of areas)
I mean aside from Yamamoto out – we are not changing much in those key areas that let us down.
This team simply has to commit to play better D – top to bottom.
Holland’s presser was pretty great. Same team in 06 that lost to Edmonton in round 1 won the Cup in 08. The summer additions will come by way of everyone getting a little better at specific things, everyone getting a little hungrier from the sting. Nobody coming in from elsewhere can have that impact.
As long as he also recognizes having D playing above their level doesn’t fly when there are several teams that can push in the playoffs with depth and balance
We need to merge Kostin and Holloway into one player.
I too would love Eric Lindros c.1993 on this team.
I’ve been thinking about Milic so it’s nice to see him in the mock draft. I would be happy if we added either of him or his teammate Ratzlaff. Ratzlaff hasn’t had the big game experience that Milic has, but is younger and has similar stats.
Milan Lucic = Milic
The Oilers have always wanted their very own Lucic, even when they had the actual Lucic.
I like the rolling 125 and recommend it long term. It is interesting to see how the cogs turn as new information is added to the Bat-computer.
CapFriendly has the Oilers picking at #56, #152, #184 and #216. Assume that, in a vacuum, these are all the picks they’ll have entering the draft.
Using LT’s suggestion of cashing the 2nd for two 3rds as a template, some possibilities are:
ANA for 65 + 85. They already have 3 2nds, might a fourth entice them to accelerate their rebuild?
ARI has 70, 72, 81 + 88. I dunno whether they wish to deviate from their strategem of “trade everything that isn’t bolted down for picks”, but might be worth a try.
CHI has 67 + 94. With Bedard already in hand, can they be enticed like ANA in the above scenario?
STL has 74 + 76.
VAN has 75 + 89.
Personally, I like the STL idea. And then perhaps trade one of those to, say, PHI for 93 + 103.
What say you?
I like the cut of your jib. We think alike.
I suspect the Oilers could add 4 more picks on draft day, I will be watching this Draft (on the 2nd day) as closely as any other.
2022 – EDM lost to the Cup Champs
2023 – EDM lost to the possible Cup Champs (Vegas). Or at least it looks like Vegas will represent the West.
2024 – ??
Edm had a slow start last season. IMO they need to start on time, secure top seed in the West, add at the Deadline and then be the last Western Team standing.
Woody needs to improve the 5×5 play slightly and the rest will take care of itself.
Re: 5×5 defensive play.
Hopefully they watch the tape from games 5 & 6 against Vegas.
They locked the Oilers down down down.
Every team that plays for the Cup has this in their repetoire.
If the coaches could get the team to buy into this, they would be cooking with gasoline.
They played that way a few times late last season and look at the wins they gathered in Bos. Colorado. Seattle & L.A.
It’s as much about team D as it is about knowing how to attack when teams do that so you can still score something 5v5
I didn’t see the Oilers coping well game in and out. They beat the neutral zone LA trap but have always struggled with teams that take the slot away like Vegas
The Leafs also weren’t prepared for it or a heavy forecheck. D not up to it like some Oiler D. Forwards not supporting enough when they needed to
Players, coaching and likely both
Apropos of nothing, I would love for the Oilers to consider bringing in Dubas as an advisor, similar to what happened with the Dodgers and Alex Anthopoulos after he and the Jays parted ways.
I know there are some strong feelings regarding Dubas.
However, do you want to win? He could kickstart the modernization of hockey ops. Holland will be replaced next season.
Dubas/Staios as POHO/GM would be an enticing combination. Excellent plate coverage, to borrow from the baseball vernacular, in the sense that you’d have, in combination, diverse experiences and skills.
Is Dubas an analytics savant or is he just a (former) G.M. that listens closely to the big computer brains?
If it’s the former, do the Oilers really need him for that?
I think i would rather the current group just do a better job of listening the the data miners they have.
I don’t want Kyle Dubas anywhere near the high level contract negotiations that are on the horizon.
What is exactly is the “modernization of hockey ops”? Why do you think Kyle Dubas going to do that, after he left the Leafs a flaming wreck?
The post-war world confused efficiency and data analytics with “progress” as states came to understand all human relations as quantifiable data sets. Governments could see anything so long as they were staring directly at it. But life isn’t lived in the ledger. Any good organization needs a post-modernization push, balancing data with critical analysis, context. Qualitative methods. Lived experience.
Not to be confused with Shanahan, who shows himself as pre-modern, built on pride and petty disputes. I think the data analytics revolution in hockey was a reasonable and expected reaction to the Coke Machine Monarchies. If Dubas has the pendulum swinging too far in the direction of data, in Shanahan we have the revanchist, pulling it back too hard and for the wrong reasons.
If Dubas were to join Staois, I would enroll Staois in some courses on human geography, get him to do some ethnographic writing, have him well versed on post-colonial social movement theory. Etc.
Data will not save any team. There is no all seeing eye. This is not north Vietnam and its not baseball. This shit is played on the ice.
I agree. I my time as a manager and accountant, I quickly saw the deleterious effects of decision makers and influencers who know the price of everything but the value of nothing (mostly Auditors haha). Balance in assessing data is key to success.
How exactly would rocks for jocks improve Staois’ ability to be an NHL GM?
On one hand you talk about “lived experience” and then on the next you crap on Shanahan, who has lived more experience at the highest levels of the NHL than you will ever know. There are reports that Shanahan vetoed some of Dubas’ moves … maybe those moves were terrible, and Shanahan was trying to protect his organization?
If Dubas were to join, I’m pretty sure Staois would exit the organization in search of an opportunity to operate as an NHL GM away from Dubas’ shadow.
I would much rather Dubas go to the Flames, were he can apply his post-modern ability to bleed first round draft picks chasing after and then paying to get rid of veteran players in decline.
I’m equating the analytics revolution in hockey to how moderniztion is perceived in other fields where space and humans exists together, i.e. a massive failure.
I’m equating Shanahan to the pre-moderns who ruled by force and reputation.
Post-modernism goes beyond seeing the world as a duality where on one side you have nature (god), and on the other side human progress (science and math).
To oversimplify, Shanahan and Dubas both played this grand narrative out live in duelling press conferences.
I was trying to answer your question, “What is exactly is the “modernization of hockey ops”?” I think a successful organization is post-modern because it doesn’t render the world in absolutes. Its intersectional, it contains multiple points of view and it uses a variety of methods. Asking Staois to go take some human geography courses (my understanding is “rocks for jocks” is simply an easy physical geography course, not a rigorous, post-Marxist course that breaks down complicated themes of difference, power, and change) was a rhetorical device simply meant to encourage through exaggeration the kinds of thinking that would do well to offset the Moneypuck World that Dubas represents.
Awesome
Uhh, thank you Mr Chelios Dinosaur.
Mrs Moneypenny will see you out now.
….
“”Christ, what was that kid talking about?”
”No Idea”
”It’s pretty simple, we want someone with guts, that it” “Find me someone with guts, how hard can that be?”
…
Next!
Did you read my post or did you just respond to the wrong poster?
I don’t blame Dubas that much for the contracts he handed out to his big players in Toronto. If I am remembering correctly, all of their big four forwards were signed before the pandemic was on the horizon, and even now, I wouldn’t blink if I was constructing a roster from scratch at adding Matthews for about eleven and a half, Marner for a shade under eleven or especially Nylander at a touch under seven. I think Dubas did a relatively strong job of building up the Leafs as a franchise. Was there something tangible missing in how he built his roster, or did his teams just have poor luck in the post-season? I don’t know, but I would bet on a man on his thirties to grow from his experiences over a man in his fifties or sixties.
If they bring Dubas along in an advisory role this year as maybe the heir apparent after Holland’s contract is up, I would be for it.
Multiple reports this morning that the Leafs have given Pittsburgh permission to talk to Dubas.
Friedman mentioned that Pittsburgh was set to annnounce its new GM but changed course as soon as Dubas became available.
Tavares was a problem when he was signed. They now lose a much younger skill player bcs it’s hard to move him with his trade protection and huge cap hit for his production. It was predicted
The last time the Oilers drank the koolaid from Toronto, we ended up with Eakins.
Dubas kept doubling down on his Tavares mistake. He couldn’t admit that he made a mistake, and never course corrected.
Don’t disagree on Dubas/Tavares. But I would say drinking the Toronto Koolaid on Hyman was a tasty bevvy indeed! Campbell not so much, but if he rebounds, it may be an acquired taste.
So Dubas is Chiarelli V.2 then. Colorado took Kadri. The Oilers took Hyman. Lamorello took Matt Martin. Seattle took Jared McCann.
Exactamundo. Dubas signing of Taveres and inability to get Marner or Nylander on value deals resulted in the severe bleeding of talent that is reminiscent of Chiarelli. We’ve been to that movie and seen how it ends. No need to go back for 2nds.
Hyman is good. But he’s an upscale Foegele. He’s a forechecker with mediocre skill for a top 6 on a contender. He also apparently isn’t a great two way player which I find odd. It may not end well because of the term
Let’s recap the highlights of the past few years of Dubus’ time as GM of the Leafs from May 2018:
Stepped into a team already sporting Matthews, Marner, Nylander, Kadri and Reilly.
Signed John Tavares to a crippling unmoveable deal, that would later cost them the ability to resign Zach Hyman.
The Tavares deal also made it necessary to send Patrick Marleau away with 1 year left on his deal away to remain cap compliant at the cost of a 1st round pick in 2020, that became Seth Jarvis.
Traded for Jake Muzzin, sending away Sean Durzi, Carl Grundstrom and another 1st round in 2019 (Thomas Bjornfort).
Traded Kadri for Tyson Barrie and Alex Kerfoot. Barrie was a poor fit, lasted one season, and then rehabilitated his value in Edmonton. Kerfoot is gone this summer as a UFA.
Traded Mason Marchment for Denis Malgin.
Traded for Nick Foligno, sending away another 1st round pick in 2021. Foligno played 11 games for the Leafs.
Traded two 2nd round picks and a 3rd round pick for Giordano, who is now washed.
Signed Petr Mrazek instead of Fredrick Andersen, then had to trade out of the 1st round in 2022, to unload his contract.
Traded away 2023 1st and 3rd round, 2024 2nd round and 2025 4rth round picks to get O’Reilly and Acciari … strong likelihood that neither of these players will return to the Leafs.
Traded 2025 1st, and 2026 2nd round picks to the Hawks for McCabe and Lafferty. Then traded Sandin for lower 1st from Boston, who then went on a tear putting up 15 points in 19 games for Washington. Debatable whether McCabe will help them more over the next few seasons than Sandin, who was one of their few home grown talents playing in the NHL.
Traded a 2023 3rd for Luke Schenn … who is also UFA this summer.
He managed to mine a couple of good players in UFA – Bunting and Samsonov … but both are UFA again, and they don’t have the cap space to keep both.
In all, Dubus traded away all of the Leafs first round picks from 2019 to 2025. In the next three drafts they have 5 picks in the first 4 rounds. They won one playoff series. Neither Marner nor Matthews gave them much of a discount on their last deals, and both need to be resigned in the next couple of seasons. Nylander was their only value contract (aside from Bunting and Samsonov), and he also needs a new contract after this season.
Morgan Reilly is the only one of their top players taking in less than market value on a long-term deal.
Honestly, Dubas’ record is Chiarelli-level bad despite starting with an amazing core of top-end talent. No wonder Shanahan decided to part ways with him.
Addendum – protected Kerfoot, who’s not likely to be resigned by the Leafs over McCann, who is scoring 30-40 goals per season at 5 million AAV.
Another addendum – traded a 2025 2nd round pick for Lyabushkin, who played 38 games for the Leafs.
The way Dubas mortgaged the future just to win 1 playoff round will be felt in Leaf land for years to come.
Great summary. Chiarelli 2.0
Sometimes I think we must be related….this is exactly what happened to the Leafs.
I blame it all on the photo of 5 yr old Taveras in his Leafs pyjamas !!
Gut feel Pete – overreached with the Lucic signing
Analytic Dubas – overreached with the JT signing Analytic Tulsky – overreached with the Kotkaniemi signing
And nobody can consistently predict the players to put out on the next shift on real time.
Modern Hockey ops might want to reconsider what it needs to focus on to win the Stanley Cup.
Kotkaniemi is going to pan out in the long haul.
I think he has a bit of the Puljujarvi in him, from the neck up
I put Holloway in my Top 9 and get him 14 – 16 mins a night. Time with McD, Leon and McLeod. His skating could allow him to be a defensive presence on a scoring line.
Look how balanced Vegas top 3 lines are. Copycat league says; let’s copy that. We have the Centres and overall skill to do it.
RNH needs to go back to the middle and stay there. He’s was a black hole at 5v5 in the playoffs, but is still masterful on the PP and is a decent PKer. Move RNH back to 3C, let him get his minutes on special teams, and let’s start to see what we have in the young wingers … at least 2 of them need to be entrenched as contributors in the lineup at 5v5 for the next playoff run … that’s on Woodcroft … DeBoer has Wyatt Johnston playing a regular shift right now, and making contributions.
Yamomoto out.
Both Kostin and Holloway up to the 2nd and 3rd lines along with Lavoie and Bourgault into the lineup.
No overpays for Janmark, Ryan or Bjugstad … these guys are 3rd and 4rth liners by the 2024 playoffs.
Kane – McDavid – Lavoie/Bourgault
Kostin – Draisaitl – Hyman
Holloway – RNH – Bjugstad
Janmark – McLeod – Ryan
Stick to rolling McDavid, Draisaitl, RNH, McLeod on separate lines when everyone is in the lineup. Give the lines that are performing well on a given night more playing time at 5v5 … stop trying to force-feed McDavid, Draisaitl and Nuge minutes … it doesn’t work, cause some nights those guys just don’t have it.
Woodcroft needs to listen to his own mantra … “win as a team” … he’s been falling into the same trap that ensnared TMac and Tippett by going to the “nuclear option”, which does not work come playoff time against good teams.
I like the mix but on the road would roll out like:
Kostin – Draisaitl – Hyman
Holloway – RNH – Bjugstad
Kane – McDavid – Lavoie/Bourgault
Janmark – McLeod – Ryan
I presume you aren’t a watcher of the Condors’ games?
Lots of road ahead but Bourgault isn’t a realistic option for the NHL in 2023 – in my opinion.
Ralph Lavoie and Noah Philp have earned real opportunities. We won’t know if either is actually ready yet until mid October at the earliest (exhibition seasons means nothing in that regard) – here is hoping that at least one, if not both, force a roster spot out of camp.
1RW for Lavoie seems a tad unrealistic to me.
Lets not forget, he played almost exclusively LW during this past AHL season.
I agree mostly. The Canes are losing to the Panthers bcs their coach has no jazz
They are missing some skill for sure. Rod says they’re playing well and ‘need to find a way’. They are playing well but they are too locked down, too systematic
They were like the Oilers against Vegas. Mostly on the outside with token efforts at traffic and no timing to the net. I saw Rod on the whiteboard at the end and his play was pass along the blue to the middle and shoot. Lowest percentage type of shot
Burns made a great pass to Necas (a player I like) who made a nice curl into the slot off a face off, but Martin was looking into the corner for some reason and didn’t even see the pass. Would have been a tip in
But those are the plays you have to try over and over when there is no room and a good goalie. You have to create the missed coverage and leave the goalie with a much lesser chance to make a save. You need guys coming into a scoring position and open and time a pass to them and then get to the net if there’s a rebound
They had guys going to the net but the were standing in coverage (like the Oilers) and everyone was still, so the puck carrier looks around and around and there is no play. There will never be a play if all you have is ‘go the the net’, ‘get traffic’, ‘bare down’, bury your chances’, ‘find a way to win’. These things are true but are euphemisms
What you actually need are tactics to counter specific defensive systems. Like Vegas did to our lame Mano a Mano
Do you think Holland will try to add a couple picks before the draft?
Hopefully Yamamoto can fetch a late 3rd round pick so that way the Oilers can keep their 2nd
I would be overjoyed if the Oil could get a 3rd for Yamo without retention or a sweetener – but at $3.1 million, I am skeptical.
Scored 20 a year ago.
That’s gotta be worth something.
Potentially. If they are moving on from Yamo, I expect a pick as part of the return, if not the total return. Either directly or indirectly, I can see any trades resulting in an upgraded RD for the top four. Pickings in FA are meh at best in that area.I can also see them on draft day moving down a bit on their second rounder to get an extra shot, but not out of the top 75.
Who gets a better shot in the middle 6 – Holloway or Kostin? I guess it comes down to whether Holloway can find more offense or Kostin can become more responsibly defensively. To me, it seems the latter is more likely. If Kostin works on the defensive details of his game, he should have the advantage over Holloway. Most players can become better defensively, but offensive instincts/skills seem harder to develop at this stage. Kostin is a bull, plays a good N-S game, and has that wicked shot.
Holloway is the play. Has the better upside of the 2 and is the better skater.
Kostin is useful; but I dont see him being a 15 min / night player.
If it were easy for Kostin to become more defensively responsible, he would never become an Oiler. He would be in the top 9 in St. Louis.
The probability is higher that Holloway becomes an top six player than Kostin.
Kostin is valuable though, like Maroon is valuable in the bottom six, where one is playing againt more offensively challenged forwards who cannot take advantage of the defensive mistakes.
I agree, 100%, that Holloway is the more “natural fit” as a complimentary winger in the top 6 and has higher overall potential than Kostin.
With respect to ability to “become more defensively responsible”, I don’t think its unusual to have fairly high pedigree players than take a number of years before there is a shift in their mind-set or the commitment to improve in this area.
A trade to a new org after, once again, clearing waivers, more AHL time, and then the words and advise of a new coaching staff – well, perhaps something “popped” in Kostin’s mind and he understands what’s needed, not just to stay in the lineup and play up the lineup, but to stay in the league?
This player did show massive development in this area this season. I watch his 7-8 games in the AHL early last season – he was absolutely awful from the red line back to start.
Do you think Oilers will try to get into the 1st rd of the draft?
Nice pick at #57
I think they’ll trade No. 57 and get two thirds.