The Edmonton Oilers are a heckuva hockey team. Management is in the ‘never kept a dollar past sunset’ phase of the winning cycle, meaning if it isn’t nailed down it could be gone before the leaves turn.
What does that mean? Lots of rumours but I can’t see this organization pursuing a big name this summer. Let me qualify that a little. Erik Karlsson is a big name. Karlsson is a pipedream. Brandon Carlo might be a fit for Edmonton and that’s a trade that could happen.
THE ATHLETIC!
- New Lowetide: Why Edmonton Oilers’ right wing overhaul is about to hit overdrive
- Lowetide: Why the Oilers must return to the OHL at 2023 NHL Draft
- Lowetide: The Edmonton Oilers guide to saving an NHL Draft on just three picks
- DNB: Why the Oilers are preparing to hold on to Cody Ceci this offseason
- DNB: What I’m hearing about Oilers’ offseason plans: Trade candidates, Erik Karlsson interest, more
- Lowetide: 5 Oilers assets that could have value in a trade this summer
- Lowetide: How the Oilers may handle a change in management
- Lowetide: Will the Oilers draft (and keep) a world class agitator in 2023?
- DNB: The Oilers missed a true Stanley Cup chance this year and the contention clock is ticking
- Lowetide: Can Oilers prospect Raphael Lavoie make the team in 2023-24?
- Lowetide: 10 Edmonton Oilers free-agent targets for this summer
- DNB: Oilers offseason priorities: A 10-step plan for ensuring success next season
- Lowetide: 7 ways the Oilers can create cap room for 2023-24
- Lowetide: Why Oilers winger Klim Kostin could be a key to Oilers summer
- DNB: How the Oilers roster could soon look different
- DNB: Oilers GM Ken Holland focused on ‘unfinished business’ entering final year of his contract
- Lowetide: Identifying a 2023 NHL Draft sleeper prospect for the Oilers
- Lowetide: Stock up or down for every Oilers prospect in the system
- Lowetide: Oilers top 20 prospects, winter 2022
CONCERNS
The Oilers have a good team, with just a couple of major needs. I do think No. 2 right-wing, No. 2 right-defence and some depth on defense are issues this summer. Areas of strength? That’s an issue.
The “foundation” spots on the roster are close to complete. Here’s my take on the spots that are filled by satisfactory solutions.
- Evander Kane-Connor McDavid-Zach Hyman
- Nuge-Leon Draisaitl-
- Ryan McLeod
- Darnell Nurse-
- Mattias Ekholm-Evan Bouchard
- Stuart Skinner
That may not be your list, but let’s run with it for now. If we could bring 1998 Bill Guerin and 1984 Charlie Huddy back for opening night 2023, I think this team wins Stanley. The problem is (aside from the obvious) you have to get those players for free.
Why? Everything comes at a price. In order to make a deal, you have to give up something of value. Now, let’s play the honesty game. Who among the names not on the list above has enough value to move the needle. I mean enough to find a way to send Jack Campbell to Chicago with no money coming back.
Tall order, right? I wrote about this recently, and once you hit names like McLeod or even Klim Kostin it’s a no-fly zone for Oilers fans. However, that’s kind of where the meat of the issue lies, and if we talk about things having value when they do not have value, we’re missing the heart of the matter.
Now, I’m sure there are teams that would have interest in Dylan Holloway, Philip Broberg or Xavier Bourgault, but these men are not worth what Edmonton needs. And you can’t stack them together like a Matryoshka doll. Holloway, Broberg or Bourgault should have more value at the deadline than they do today, or maybe next summer. Now?
I think we need to be reasonable on what has value. The Oilers need to build value on these players, by playing them. Some, like Stuart Skinner (in my opinion), will emerge as keepers. Others will fall by the wayside. The key for Edmonton is using GP and TOI to build trade value. No one on this side of Evan Bouchard is guaranteed to stay around for the next two playoff runs.
What does have value, that can be traded? In no specific order, the 2024 first-round pick, Ryan McLeod, Warren Foegele, Kailer Yamamoto, Klim Kostin, Cody Ceci, Brett Kulak, the 2023 second-round selection.
Who might have more value by the deadline? Philip Broberg, Dylan Holloway, Raphael Lavoie, Matvey Petrov, Maxim Berezkin, Max Wanner, Nikita Yevseyev, Tyler Tullio, Olivier Rodrigue. Trading these men during the summer of 2023 would mean sending them away before the organization knew what they were. It would be extreme incompetence.
That’s why trading for Erik Karlsson won’t happen. In order to trade for Karlsson, you’d need to include Evan Bouchard. If you want a replacement for Cody Ceci, Damon Severson or Brandon Carlo are more realistic fits.
PROCUREMENT
There’s an Elite Prospects rumour that has Dmytro Timashov on the way to North America, that follows a month old report from Pro Hockey Rumours that the young man is interested in returning for another NHL shot. I had Timashov No. 49 in the incredibly deep 2015 draft, and I still think he could have a career. In previous years I would be doubtful Edmonton was in on him, but there may be an opening for this young player in Bakersfield. He’s small, fast, slick and a human bumper car on the forecheck.
The Quebec Remparts won the Memorial Cup and will graduate a pile of good hockey players. Theo Rochette has been a fabulous scoring junior forward since forever and he is a free agent (unless that Swiss league deal still applies). He is 5.11, 172 and a terrific passer. I would love to see him on an Edmonton prospect list, and I will say his kind of talent is badly needed at this time. Pier-Olivier Roy was another big part of that team, he’s heading to the University of Quebec-Trois-Rivières this fall. The Quebec league is underscouted, there’s talent there. Adam Sherren has been instrumental in helping me with the draft in this area, and has shared some notes with me. I’m going to share some of his notes soon, with his permission.
Landon Kosier of the Prince Albert Raiders is a RH defenseman I’ve love to see the Oilers sign. Undersized puck mover with speed and quickness. Yes, please.
RED LINE REPORT
Highly recommended, RLR is an annual investment for me that helps put things in perspective. Completely independent and notorious hard markers, I get a sense of the draft each season in the pages of Red Line. Let’s have a conversation about the draft.
- Why bother doing this the Oilers aren’t in the draft! Well, the club has three picks and my guess is they add a fourth. Since last season had just four, and Reid Schaefer was traded, some pieces need to be added.
- Who is the best possible option for Edmonton? Using RLR as the guide, my top player available who is outside the top 55 (Edmonton picks No. 56) is Jayden Perron.
- Where would he rank on Edmonton’s prospect list? Around No. 5 on my list.
- Wow. That’s some crappy list! Going back to last summer and my top 20, six names are graduated or traded. Graduates are Philip Broberg, Dylan Holloway and Stuart Skinner.
- And gone? Reid Schaefer, Dmitri Samorukov and Mike Kesselring were traded.
- Anyone else gone? Tyler Benson is UFA, he should probably get a second opinion. Some of the later choices may not make the list this time.
- How many prospects does Edmonton hold the rights for currently? My line in the sand is 50 NHL games for skaters, 25 for goalies. So, Markus Niemelainen, Vincent Desharnais and Cam Dineen are all considered prospects. Including those three men, and excluding Benson until his free agent status is known, I get a total of 26.
- 26? Holy lord above! The 2015 list had 41 names.
- You’re a liar! I’ll post it at the end so you can see. Unfair to the Oilers of course, they were building then toward what we see today.
- None of them played though. Actually 20 of 41, damn near 50 percent. The list of men from the 2015 summer list who made it to the NHL: Leon Draisaitl 638; Connor McDavid 569; Darnell Nurse 559; Tyler Pitlick 386; Jujhar Khaira 336; Brad Hunt 288; John Marino 253; Ethan Bear 251; Caleb Jones 217; Brandon Davidson 180; Anders Nilsson 161; Iiro Pakarinen 134; Laurent Brossoit 125; Anton Slepyshev 102; William Lagesson 60; Griffin Reinhart 37; Andrew Miller 15; David Musil 4; Dillon Simpson 3; Bogdan Yakimov 1.
- That was a rebuilding team. Yes, I said that. A major factor. Edmonton does need to gather assets though, and this year’s draft gives them a shot at some quality.
- What would you do? I’d sign Dmytro Timashev, Theo Rochette and Landon Kosier.
- NO, what would you do at the draft? I’d trade down and get two picks in the top-100 overall, and then I’d get three in the last round for a total of seven. Then I’d draft pure skill in each position.
- There isn’t enough skill for that kind of thing. Sure there is. Let me give you an example. Last year’s Lowetide list had 125 players. I had Theo Rochette No. 48, Jacob Guevin No. 58, James Stefan No. 59 and Otto Salin at No. 60. Pano Fimis was No. 71, Jeremy Wilmer No. 72, Mathew Ward No. 81. They are always there, but teams hesitate.
- Why? Don’t want to be wrong. Instead they take safer picks. Death by a thousand cuts.
- Who will the Oilers pick at No. 56? I’ll say Coulson Pitre or Etienne Morin.
- Is this the most words in any post ever? Maybe.
SUMMER 2015 TOP 20 PROSPECTS (41)
- C Connor McDavid NHLE: 82GP, 23-40-63.
- C Leon Draisaitl NHLE: 82GP, 15-26-41.
- D Darnell Nurse NHLE: 82GP, 7-16-23.
- D Griffin Reinhart. NHLE: 82GP, 6-11-17.
- C Bogdan Yakimov. NHLE: 82GP, 10-13-23.
- W Iiro Pakarinen. NHLE: 82GP, 16-11-27.
- C Kyle Platzer. NHLE: 82GP, 12-17-29.
- C-R Greg Chase. NHLE: 82GP, 8-16-24.
- L Anton Slepyshev. NHLE: 82GP, 17-11-28.
- D Ethan Bear. NHLE: 82GP, 5-9-14.
- G Laurent Brossoit. Destination: A full season in Bakersfield as starter.
- D Joey Laleggia. NHLE: 82GP, 14-23-37.
- D Dillon Simpson. NHLE: 82GP, 2-9-11.
- G Eetu Laurikainen. Destination: Minor leagues for sure.
- R Andrew Miller. NHLE: 82GP, 16-19-35.
- D Jordan Oesterle. NHLE: 82GP, 6-12-18.
- D Caleb Jones. NHLE: 82GP, 2-5-7.
- C Jujhar Khaira. NHLE: 82GP, 4-5-9.
- R Tyler Pitlick. NHLE: 82GP, 8-16-24.
- D William Lagesson. NHLE: 82GP, 1-6-7.
- D Ziyat Paigin. NHLE: 82GP, 2-2-4.
- G Anders Nilsson. Destination: Backup goalie in the NHL.
- D Ben Betker. NHLE: 82GP, 2-10-12.
- D Brandon Davidson. NHLE: 82GP, 3-4-7.
- D Brad Hunt. NHLE: 82GP, 11-19-30.
- L Kale Kessy. NHLE: 82GP, 8-8-16.
- D David Musil. NHLE: 82GP, 1-7-8.
- D John Marino. Destination: Another season with the South Shore Kings.
- G Zach Nagelvoort. Destination: Another seasons in the NCAA.
- C Alexis Loiseau. NHLE: 82GP, 12-20-32.
- R Tyler Vesel. NHLE: 82GP, 7-13-20. D
- L Mitch Moroz. NHLE: 82GP, 3-3-6.
- L Evan Campbell. NHLE: 82GP, 7-8-15.
- L Josh Winquist. NHLE: 82GP, 8-11-19.
- G Miroslav Svoboda. Destination: Somewhere in Czech Republic.
- L Connor Rankin. NHLE: 82GP, 11-16-27.
- L Braden Christoffer. NHLE: 82GP, 9-11-20.
- L Aidan Muir. NHLE: 82GP, 4-6-10.
- G Ty Rimmer. Destination: Whatever’s left.
- G KevEN Bouchard. Destination: Another QMJHL season with a SP in the .880s.
- D Martin Gernat NHLE: 82GP, 1-7-8.
Have not been watching the Finals but just caught Tkachuk’s completely clean hit on Eichel. A(nother) 10 minute misconduct and another helping hand extended to the tackiest team to ever lace up skates.
The VGK are a sham. “Other GMs are incompetent” does not travel very far with me, sorry. Every possible favour is handed to them. How is one meant to provide a meaningful critique of this?
VGK, your Asterisk Cup Champions for 2023. NHL running full bore into an oncoming legitimacy train right now. Nobody seems to give a shit.
Oh hey — another betting ad! Sorry I was distracted for a second what was I talking about?
Here’s a silly question for a silly fan. I have been championing the idea of Bouchard on a friendly one yeaar deal, even at a reduced hit from his 1 yr ask, with the difference made up and agreed upon as a signing bonus for the LT extension for 2024/25 and forward. If they sign a 1 yr extension prior to July 1, can they sign an additional 8 yr extension after this July 1, as he is the final (and only) year of his short term extension, or do they have to wait to officially negotiate a deal and file it with the league office after say, Jan 1? What is the rule in that case? Is there anything that complicates such a proceeding from a CBA/precedent standpoint? What say you?
The 1 year deal would kick in July 1/23, and the next contract can’t be filed/registered until Jan 1/24
I believe the rule you’re referring to/inquiring about – if a player has a multi year contract, he can negotiate another contract as of July 1 in the last year of the existing deal.
If a player signs a 1 year contract (that takes effect July 1 of that year), he cannot file/register another contract until Jan 1 of the following year
Oh,and I guess Kenny could negotiate some kind of signing bonus in the next contract to ‘make whole’, but that requires a leap of faith from the player and agent and it’s the exception rather than the rule
*queue the response referring to Kevin Lebanc
Just to be clear, the signing bonus is counted in the overall dollar figure when determining the cap hit – its not like a performance bonus (which are no longer available to Bouch until he’s 35).
I keep hearing about Tkachuk, Eichel and Bobrovsky, but is Marchessault in the Conn Smythe conversation?
It irked me when the Oilers played Vegas that Eichel got all the credit for his line while Marchessault was the guy scoring most of the goals.
And it looks like Marchessault is currently tied with Tkachuk for 3rd in playoff scoring (1 back of Eichel). He’s got more goals than anyone not named Draisaitl and he’s also leading the playoffs in +/- currently.
Edit: and I see HH agrees and has already put a curse on this one.
You mean my bet on Vegas to win the cup is doomed?
I confess Marchessault gave me the fear. Not like Modano Naslund levels but still, you could see that shit coming.
Jonathan Marchessault may win the Conn Smythe Trophy.
Another 2 goals and an assist tonight.
I recall mentioning that he was relatively quiet in the first two rounds but that it was inevitable he would catch fire and he has.
Pendig the rest of this game, he is currently +16 in the playoffs…remarkable.
P.s. great song to choose for title LT. One of my favourites by him (motorcycle for some unexplainable reason is probably my favourite of his)
What a beautiful old time on the train tracks hit by Tkachuk. Eichel was almost crying this will change the momentum.
Raffi, reprised?
Is it just me or is anyone else worried about what state our futures will be in when Holland is done after this year?
Right now we have few draft picks, a shallow prospect pool and a win now mentality. Holland will certainly spend to fill holes this year so expect picks and a few more prospects to leave by deadline.
Next GM will have a lot of work to keep us winning while replenishing the youth spent to get us here.
Katz will have to make a call at some point.
Makes me wonder what value the owner puts on a cup? Is winning a cup worth it if it starts another dod due to no elc players?
Ideal? No. Worth it? Absolutely
Isn’t that just the cost of being a contender though?
Teams that are in ‘win now’ trade their picks and prospects to try to push higher.
Here’s Scott Wheeler’s prospect pool rankings from January https://theathletic.com/3923067/2023/01/09/nhl-prospect-rankings-2023/
The worst prospect pools in the league:
32 COL
31 TBL
30 BOS
29 PIT
28 VAN
27 NYI
26 FLA
25 WSH
24 OTT
23 VGK
22 NYR
21 EDM
20 CGY
19 STL
18 TOR
17 SJS
16 DAL
All of last seasons final 4 are in this below average group. Both cup finalists and 3/4 final 4 teams this year are in there too (CAR 12th being the other).
The Ekholm trade will push the Oilers higher (lower) on the prospect pool list, but recall that’s by far the most significant group of assets traded by Holland in his 4 years with the team.
So yes, future Oiler GMs will have work to do in replenishing the youth. But no, I’m not worried about it. The Oilers are not in a worse spot prospect wise than most other contending teams (though GMs of the non-contenders on that list will have some explaining to do – and a number have already been moved along this spring).
Debrincat’s QO is $9MM……
Yip
5’7″ RW: not best option as a cornerstone piece
The Habs went all in on the same size player. Jeff Gorton knows the pulse of the league he will quietly build a skilled and deep roster in Montreal.
We were talking about Broberg yesterday.
Kylington is an interesting comp as he’s also from Sweden.
Kylington had a bit more offense early on, but they had similar results in their draft +4.
Kylington moved into the top four in his draft +5.
I wouldn’t complain if Broberg goes 73-9-22-31 next season while playing top four minutes (over 18 minutes per game).
Would anyone here?
Not at all. I think offense is over used as an indicator. If a guy goes 25pts and has a true +30 he won his TOI handily and it’s more impactful than 100 pts and breaking even. Points are what cost money and unless you can trade players needing more money and reload it’s a net negative as I see it if it’s a strong two way player
If you don’t own your net you can’t win deep. A team needs offensive punch and talent. Having elite talent or players that can be game breakers on a solid team can be an edge. Outscoring is the way
I had originally found Kylington as a comp when I went searching for defensemen who had played under 13 minutes per night in the draft plus 4.
Now Kylington was + 34 in his 2021-2 season.
I think it is still very much in question if the coaching staff will play Broberg more than as a 7th defenseman.
That’s fair.
Holland left a hole at 2LD last season. It was wide open like a festering wound and Broberg didn’t get many minutes in spite of it.
Well Broberg was injured to start the season. Most of the festering happened during those first 20 games (Kulak was only -2 but IIRC his underlying numbers were quite poor).
From when Broberg was healthy and recalled on Nov. 25th until the trade deadline he played 35 of 41 games (13:37 a night). Still not much TOI, but the Oilers also ran 7D for about half of those games so that pulled everyone’s minutes down. In those 41 games the festering wound at 2LD played 18:30 a game and was +12 (2nd to Nurse among D), so he wasn’t desperately needing to be replaced at that point.
After Ekholm was acquired and Broberg became the 4LD (and the Oilers decided on Desharnais at 3RD over Broberg) he only played 11 of the last 21 games (almost all as the #7D) with 9:22 TOI, which brought his season average well down.
So, I think the Oilers coaching staff frequently using the 11/7 lineup was a big contributor to his sub-13 minute TOI. And also the 1LD and 2LD in front of him were were actually playing very well while Broberg was a part of the roster.
Do you agree or disagree that Holland left the hole at 2 LD to see if Broberg was good enough to fill those minutes prior to making a trade?
I think it’s fair to hope for a top 10 drafted defensemen to being playing top four minutes in his draft +4 season. Anything less has to be a disappointment.
The Oilers had shoehorned Reinhart onto their roster after paying a King’s ransom for him. It was also his draft +4 season and he didn’t move the needle.
Mostly disagree that waiting on 2LD was for Broberg. I think the hope was that Kulak could handle that role and that eventually Broberg would pass him, but I don’t think the expectation was it would be this season.
If you think Reinhart is a good comparable for Broberg then it seems like we may not be watching the same Edmonton Oilers.
If you fail to grasp the nuance of the point that I was trying to make, that’s on me, not you.
There’s a difference between comparable player vs comparable situation.
I certainly wasn’t proposing that Reinhart is a comparable player to Broberg. However, I think it was a somewhat comparable situation.
Two former top 10 drafted defensemen presumably with some expectation of competing for a top four role on the blue line (in their draft + 4 seasons)… both failed to seize the opportunity.
No, not a failure to grasp. Yes there is some similarity in the situations, but big differences as well.
Quality of team and competition for playing time are not at all comparable.
Even with those wildly different team situations Reinhart likely wouldn’t have been in the lineup on merit, while many think Broberg should have played more.
I’m not sure the point you were trying to make is fair.
Something I need to get off my chest, may also be a bit of a mea culpa.
I, as much as anyone here, have been rubbed the wrong way some of HH’s past posts as outright trolling. When he trolls, it is very OK to call him on it.
However, I have noticed a sad trend lately. It seems no matter WHAT HH posts, even when he is posting simple factual news such as stating a recent signing, he automatically gets multiple down votes for no defensible reason. Down voting ANYONE for whether you like them or not, rather than on the merits of the post is not healthy behavior and should be discouraged.
In general, I find this blog to be an oasis of generally mature behavior, but we can be better on this. I have no problem downvoting someone for good reason, but if we want someone to improve their quality of posts or to grow in a positive way as a contributor to our community, we need to reinforce good behavior (or objectively non offensive behavior) and save our ire for those situations that deserve it only.
We can be better, me included. Let us all strive to be more balanced in this please?
A troll would view the sea of red as a badge of honour.and of victory.
Engagement is winning. Indifference is losing.
Putting any stock in, and given any power to, the votes, either way, is silly and should be discouraged
Yet we still use the voting feature. To me, part of the problem is not just the meaning of the up/down votes to the voter and the original poster, but the perception it leaves with the third party, the subsequent person reading the exchange. It muddies their impression of the site and the posters if we do not treat the feature with a little thought.
YMMV
I think the problem is up and down votes mean different things to different people. Some people use them to say “Your trolling is not welcome here.”, then take it personally when their own posts get down-voted.
Votes can mean:
I kinda think any single vote isn’t important and uninterpretable. But there is probably some meaning in heavily upvoted or heavily downvoted posts.
Using the voting system is optional, and so is valuing the voting system.
—
As far as HH goes, he’s not going to change who he is based on a few downvotes.
(In my perfect world, HH could be a useful member of this community. He could bring in a useful scouting report about the opposition and have meaningful conversations about match-ups. But that version of HH doesn’t exist, so I mostly skip his content and skim threads he’s involved in.)
In general, I have been skipping his post for some time, as when someone engages him, it usually devolves into a pissing contest. But I am aware also, that downvoting based on your feelings about the poster generally rather than on the content of the post, can be perceived by a casual reader to smack of a non inclusive nature.
I recall when I firt discovered this site and blogs in general, it took a long time before anyone even acknowledged my comments. I did not feel very included for some time because of that. Heck, being new to blogs at the time I am sure I might have made one or two early posts that, while not intended as such, may have been misinterpreted as trolling in nature. I was trying to initiate a response and to start conversation, hopefully to expand my understanding. It took over a year before anyone even acknowledged my presence in the comments. I just don’t want this wonderful site to end up being too cliquey.
i don’t always agree with his posts, but I do like it when HH posts.
I believe he, at times brings some balance, as many of us have our rose coloured glasses on too tight
im guessing if anyone had a beer or a coffee with the guy, you would leave thinking “he’s actually a pretty swell dude.”
but I’m also a guy who also likes Matthew Tkachuk and kitchen fires.
YMMV
His posts are solely to antagonize.
That’s it.
That’s his schtick.
You want to interact with him? Fine.
When you pet a pig covered in shit, you end up smelling like shit.
Let’s not pretend his posts have some value; he’s only trying to undermine the Oilers and Oilers fans.
LT, I know you’ve been joking about all of the room on the 50-man list. There was a time where the Oilers 50-man list was completely clogged to the point we’d miss waver claims. Now the pendulum has swung the opposite direction to the point it’s being underutilized. What are your thought on why the 50 man list is so vacant under Holland?
Well, I have a theory but it’s only a theory.
I think Holland likes 10-12 kids in the minors on entry deals, and doesn’t care if it’s NHL or AHL contracts. He also keeps players like Tyler Benson for a longer period even though they are probably better off leaving.
So I don’t think he adds players if he thinks they’re going to clog up the lineup. It’s a guess, but he seems to guard the signed players. Everybody played and if they sat two long they were on the plane (God I hope it was a plane) to Fort Wayne.
Driving distance from Bakersfield to Fort Wayne? 3,500 km.
Right now the 33/50 contracts the Oilers have signed for next season is thoroughly normal. NHL teams currently range from 25 (Colorado) to 39 (Vegas, Vancouver) players signed for next season. The median across the league is 33 signed players (from Capfriendly).
I do think you’re correct that the Oilers were a bit lower on contracts last season than most teams. I assume (as you mention) a chunk of that is all the players on AHL contracts. I agree also that they should be trying to sign a few more of those young free agents graduating junior hockey.
Thanks, that makes sense.
My theory was that Katz was trying to save a few bucks.
Your theory seems a far better fit than mine does.
Oh I don’t know. Your theory about owners holds water going back 100+ years.
Alex DeBrincat on the market.
https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/senators-exploring-all-options-with-winger-alex-debrincat/
What would you figure he’d even be worth on a long range contract?
-Coming after “off” year (PDO 973)
-Possession numbers look alright but fed heavy offensive zone starts.
-heavy PP time (~4 min/game, but 8th ranked in league as unit so solid)
-5’7″ 165 lbs…
You’d have to pay something solid or surely he’d just take the 9 mill QO but id have a hard time offering likely even within a million of what probably looking for, let alone going close to max length.
6.5×5 yrs?
Likely looking for 8.0 x7 yrs
I think you’ve got it surrounded pretty well.
Just curious, in hypothetical scenario of being able to put whatever contract in place, roughly what you might figure he’d be worth to you.
With turtlechuk at 9.5 million I have hard time putting him in range of 9.0 million even. Very few wingers are worth over 10% of cap.
His qualifying offer is $9MM and, of course, he has arb rights. He can essentially force a one-year $9MM deal taking him to UFA status (or his rights holder walks from him).
I know that but surely he’d put ink to a long term contract at less than 9.0 million….at least I’d think.
Maybe but he’s coming off a down year, the cap isn’t going up for another year which could line up with him being a UFA and a bounce-back season.
It’s probably good gamble if Norris comes back recovered making pinto slide down to 3rd line.
Even if no players change, it is certain they have to play next season with consistent structure and a normal level of individual puck battle success. The reason they say defense wins championships is that you can always defend hard, but you can’t rely on high offense
I heard on the game one finals broadcast one the coaches had said about the PP is it’s not how much you score, but when. The Oiler’s offense went cool, and while the PP had great overall numbers, it still didn’t always get them a goal when they needed one. As happened the last few playoffs
Team D and 5v5 scoring should be the mission now
#2RD and #2RW can wait till the trade deadline.
One sees what Broberg can do before selling more of the future for a right D. You gotta play him on the right side with Nurse and see what you’ve got. That essentially determines what moves have to be made.
And one plays the kids and stopgaps to get to the trade deadline for #2RW.
Unless someone loses their mind and make you and offer than you cannot refuse.
Can Karlsson and Bouchard exist on the same team? I don’t think one can run Karlsson, Bouchard, and Desharnais. If Desharnais were as experienced as Adam Larsson.
Play Broberg with Nurse. Ceci is cover. If Broberg isn’t good enough, Ceci gets you to the deadline, and someone like a right shot Ekholm will appear on the market….
Maybe they trade Kulak. He certainly has value with his contract, but I prefer the option that I’m pushing.
Nurse/Bouchard – history of success together, Bouchard needs McDavid minutes and Nurse has a history of success with McDavid minutes.
Ekholm/Broberg – Broberg gets his bump in minutes and quality of minutes with the steadiest vet d-man on the team but isn’t tasked with the toughest of all minutes (which Nurse gets). Lots of Drai minutes for this pairing.
Kulak/Ceci – a phenomenal 3rd pair that will help balance the minutes and, of course, Ceci is cover up for the younger kids.
Broberg is better for Nurse than Bouchard. That is the point/hypothesis you seem to be missing.
Ekholm is better for Bouchard than Nurse, because Ekholm is not going to try to do to much to compensate for his partner’s weaknesses like Nurse tends to do.
You simply stating that Broberg is better for Nurse does not make it a fact.
Numbers over the last 3 years suggest Nurse and Bouchard are good together. Nurse has a long history of success with McDavid and Bouchard should obviously get McDavid minutes – the trio works.
I said HYPOTHESIS.
Well, you pull that Greek/Latin crap around here, don’t be surprised when Pólemos shows up!
I don’t see how another 5M plus D is added to Nurse Ekholm and Bouch contracts. It would be folly to trade Bouch for Kalrsson unless they are convinced Bouch sees bees and won’t change, not that Karlsson would be much better at 72 years old
What about this trade: Carlo for RNH?
RNH has a full NMC and certainly isn’t going anywhere in the next few seasons.
LT Tiny Houses were a huge fad for a while. Some people still want them and in some applications they make sense but the thing has passed
Holland has made the team bigger but I worry it seems they may be swinging a bit too far that way. It seemed from Ken’s avails he sees Tampa’s success had a lot to do with a giant D group
Really it’s about playing well within the system and being able to win more battles individually than you lose – being a good NHL player more than size
To circle back to Tiny Houses, tiny players that pull on the rope are pretty rare. I mean outside of the normal 5’10 to 6’2, 180 to 210’for forwards and a little bigger for D. Usually they are high end offense types that score. Marchessault Caufield, DeBrincat. There are very few tiny D that I see as being a net positive, as in chasing Lucic whale hunting rare. Makar is an outlier and trying to get one isn’t going to be a good use of assets like looking for Luc wasn’t. Outside of elite skill, find guys that only have to overcome the hurdle of being consistent enough to make the league, not also with other obstacles. We’ve seen enough of that
To me it’s about drive, good NHL level skills, playing style, and being hockey smart. Forwards need to be fast and assertive offensively, be hungry to score, and not timid. D need to be mobile, have puck abilities, and not allow anyone anything free in their zone. If they are also ruffians great, but the other things first. The finishing piece is a coach that plays a good system for the times and the team, and manages people well
The teams that went past round 2 are these things mostly. Draft players that most closely fit what you want in pros, don’t hope they will suddenly get fast or gain sense or develop a shot they don’t already have. This is different than maturity issues and physical development etc
There are some holes, but I still think the bigger issue is the Oilers have some players that aren’t assertive enough in style or by nature, aren’t fast enough, or don’t have great hockey sense. Unless things roll right the team gets derailed easily. As Messier said earlier in the playoffs, you never know what will happen, you deal with things as they happen. If you want to win you have to overcome them
The team gets derailed by a few injuries and this time not with the top 3 guys affected significantly. Everyone is injured the deeper you go on every team. I saw Oilers losing battles, and having to try to up their level to compete against fast, thinking players that were setting up offensive plays and being dangerous from many spots. With help from meh team play for sure, but those teams roll on
If the team is thinking outside of the box I hope they see this. I do believe that Holloway can replace one of the forwards that isn’t naturally assertive enough. I’ll mention Ekholm is calm and isn’t running around usually, but he is still assertive. He dominates other players and when he sees something he attacks. He is so smart
Maybe Lavoie is developed enough to do the same. They need to find another D that can add these things to the top 4, as opposed to necessarily being an expensive player. A younger Gudas or Tanev who weren’t that expensive young
I see about 4 forwards and 1 or 2 D I would like changed out for different types. And a goalie but that’s not happening likely
Pietrangelo is on record saying the Edmonton series was the hardest. He said there were games they won in that series where they were outplayed. Game 1 and the 2nd period of 6 I would say Vegas outplayed us, the rest was marginal.
As to systems, Vegas’ style isn’t to shut you down, but to slow you down to the point of frustration. Their system leans very highly to making you go through hell to get a scoring chance. 5 bodies to go through and they’re big. I think a Holloway could become very effective at this and apparently Brogault has some chops. I think you’re correct someone like a Kostin was not up to the defensive challenge even though he did score some clutch goals.
I’d like a goalie change and Nurse for 3M less on the books but thankfully Ekholm is better than Nurse for relatively cheap. Other than that if the cup finalist is saying the hardest job was against us, I think you tweak 2RW if possible and give Broberg a bigger role. I think with a healthy Kane and Hyman this team is better. I wouldn’t trade Nuge but man that wasn’t a good playoff. I think Mayfield may be able to play the Tanev role, I don’t see a young available Gudas at this point. Nurse but half price.
Interesting thoughts, we didn’t expect much creativity this time last year then suddenly the room opened up, maybe something wacky happens this year too.
We wait
How about a trade with Winnipeg?Nurse,Yamo,and Campbell,for Schieffle,and Hellebucyk.Solves goal problem,and Right wing!
The already have a better #LD in Morrissey signed for another 5 years at a cap hit of $6.25 million.
They certainly wouldn’t want to pay Nurse $3 million more to play 2LD.
Yamamoto has negative value at his cap hit while Campbell is an albatross at this point.
You’d have to include younger players in any deal. I think it would take Skinner as well. The Jets would want to get younger and players with term. I don’t think the team has any appetite to trade Nurse and believe it would only happen after a Leon + 97 signing.
Scheifele Buyck as a deadline add would be a ballsy all the chips in move, not sure that’s Holland’s MO to go full Kekalainen or what some teams did this last deadline.
Any idea of trading Nurse, with his full NMC, is pure fantasy.
Physically the hardest for sure, I don’t think that Edmonton was organized enough 5v5 and got a lot of ‘actually dangerous’ chances, not like Skinner faced from them. Terrible finishing
So many meh shooters it drives me nuts. No confidence, no head or shoulder fakes, no changing shot angles. The only guy I’ve noticed looking off is Connor. The things goal scorers do. They stopped shooting high after finally starting to and getting rewarded reg season
Some interesting rankings by Bob – for me the following is notable:
1) Savoie ahead of Tulio given last season (despite injuries for Savoie)
2) Petrov ahead of both prior to turning pro
3) Munzenburger ranked in the top 10 (and ahead of Kemp) – he needs to get out of Vermont but likely isn’t pro ready
@Bob_Stauffer
·
28m
Stauffer Top 10 @EdmontonOilers
Prospects (23 and under)
#1. Dylan Holloway-LW/C
#2. Philip Broberg-LD
#3. Xavier Bourgault-RW
#4. Raphael Lavoie-RW
#5. Max Wanner-RD
#6. Matvey Petrov-LW
#7. Carter Savoie-LW
#8. Ty Tullio-RW
#9. Olivier Rodrigue-G
#10. Luca Munzenberger-LD
I do like that he sees strong potential in Wanner, and agree with him and LT on that.
Things I notice: Zero mention of the Russians in Russia, no Noah Philp.
Noah is about to turn 25, so he doesn’t fit the 23 and under criteria.
Right you are.
Bob’s verbal on Philp last week was disturbing – it was cryptic but it sounded like the player may not want to come back – seems odd (and the player doesn’t really have a choice if he wants to play in NA, unless the team “does him a solid”.
Not very good drafting, not 1 home run
What do you define as a home run?
Cole Caufield
Dawson Mercer
Wyatt Johnson
Matt Boldy
You simply do not know there are no homeruns.
Some of these guys haven’t even played a pro game – we don’t know what will come of Petrov.
Is Roope Hintz a homerun? He was 0.5 PPG in the AHL in his 21 year old season (the season Bourgault and Tulio are going in to now) – he didn’t pop until he was 24 or so.
You can say that with all young players.
Not sure why the goalposts shifted from the players you mentioned to Roope Hintz but it bears mentioning he had to adjust to a new country, a new language and a smaller ice surface.
Obviously Broberg did too but he was an early first round pick while Hintz was a second round pick.
well, you’re an expert when it comes to goalposts shifting that’s for sure
and some of them turn in to home-runs.
That Muzenberger trade down was a head scratcher to me.
Trade down to get an extra pick to grab a guy that’s on nobody’s radar.
To me it feels like something the Oilers would have done in the days of drafting Moroz with a second round pick.
Where was he ranked during the draft year?
Don’t draft shutdown blue before pick 100, in my opinion. I like them, but you’re leaving quality on the board.
Sounds like we’re on the same page here.
You’d almost think that you’ve spent over 10 years teaching me about NHL drafts!
It’s an obsession! 🙂
Top 6 are correct, but I put Berezhkin 7, Tullio at 8, Rodrigue at 9 and Savoie at 10.
Muzenberger has shown nothing other than at 2 short duration tournaments, but has struggled at the NCAA level for 2 seasons.
Chiasson appears to be showing some progression, but nothing impressive.
Could Holloway be the top 6 player they are looking for?
If you assume this line has Draisaitl and Nuge/Kane, then what does the line need? It has the playmaker and there are 2 shooters already. It holds 2 PP players so third man will get bumped shifts here and there.
There have been a couple areas that can be improved. Defensive consciousness. Board work. Puck retrieval. Physical. Net front presence. Capitalizing on rebounds and deflections. This is what the second line needs.
Yamamoto, a lot of times by default, found himself trying to do this job, particularly netfront when he was with Connor/Leon, and he was playing out of his skill set, playing to his weakness.
Holloway can add energy, puck pursuit, physicality. He struggled with mistakes and turnovers, that should improve. He doesn’t have the finishing? He doesn’t need slick finishing on this line, he needs to bang home rebounds.
Holloway is cheap. They also have Kostin and Foegele as cover and this ends up being the deadline upgrade. .
Likely they bring Connor Brown and Holloway is on deck.
One of the reasons I think trading Holloway (or Broberg, or Bourgault) is less than ideal is they COULD be key pieces. Edmonton needs them to become key pieces, and there isn’t another group coming down the pipe.
I think its reasonable to project that Holloway could very well be ready to be a 6F, a complimentary winger to an elite center, over the course of this season, if not right from the outset.
The only question I have is offence. He is certainly fast and aggressive and isn’t undersized.
Very fair. I would think he could at least cover Yamo’s offence from last season as close to a floor. Not necessarily Yamo’s 20G season or near PPG 3 months but the former would not be out of the question.
I have little doubt the coaches are throwing his name around as 6F.
One potential issue is who plays RW out of Kane, Nuge, Holloway?
Based on Holloway’s tack record, this may the season he gets it. His first season in the AJHL, he was good, but his second season he went supernova finishing second in league scoring. His first year in Wisconsin, was fair to middling and then he really popped in year two. Some injuries slowed his next step, but he has gradually become more of an offensive force in the AHL in 2 stints over 2 seasons totaling 25 games and both those stints started after injuries.
The NHL learning curve maybe be longer and steeper, but after a 50 game apprenticeship, followed by the reset in the AHL late last season, he may again show some significant progress his second time around this fall. He’s got the speed, strength, drive and fearlessness to go to the net which can lead to good things for him and his teammates. He may yet come on similar to a guy like Kreider.
Yes, this is Holloway trend. He is a smart and incredibly determined human.
He showed flashes last season, he will show more this coming season, but he has to be more selfish with the puck, this is when spaces open up for teammates and when he starts to shine.
You and I have very different views, generally.
From my perspective, I feel like you make strong proclamations that aren’t grounded on the available evidence.
Like, I could say it’s very reasonable to project that my investment portfolio will triple in the next two years. Now, I certainly wish that it would, but outside of that, there’s not much evidence to suggest this will happen.
To play in the top six, a winger has to produce. They also need some modicum of defensive ability against elite comp.
Holloway had a DFF% of 40 playing elite comp last year. His CTOI was 16.55 against elites which was among the lowest on the team.
He had one of the lowest 5v5 points per 60 on the team last year. Most of which were second assists.
So Holloway played the softest minutes on the team and wasn’t able to produce much offense.
I think he’d have to take a giant leap forward to play in the top six, while you think it’s reasonable to project that he’s already ready?
One thing I did take notes on (for an article that’s coming) is that Holloway was stronger offensively and in goal share at five-on-five after January 1. Less than 20 games, so Puck IQ’s sample would be very small, but he did show some growth.
Whether that means he’ll ever play on the 1 or 2 lines remains to be seen. It’s interesting. Nothing more.
From my perspective, I feel you put too much stock in to the numbers and data you look at to attempt to back up your particular narrative – you get lost in the data and often miss context and nuance.
Oooh! Pistole’s at material paces! 🙂 (I’m joking).
Nah, I leave bending inclusion criteria like a pretzel to stickhandle around relevant comps, adding in comps that do not belong, and the blending of unweighted data from two disparate groups to lead to false conclusions to other posters.
Yes, I agree that the likes of Broberg, Holloway, Bourgault, etc. have trade value but I would also suggest that they have more value as part of the Oilers organization – cheap labor and I would suggest that both Broberg and Holloway will outperform their cap hits this coming season and both will likely be very cheap on their next contracts as well.
This has huge value to the current team.
Not to mention, these guys aren’t really tradable straight up given the Oilers cap situation – the Oilers couldn’t just trade Broberg for an established complimentary 2RW – it would have to be part of a bigger transaction for cap reasons.
———–
If we wanted to, I think we could plug other players in to the chart as value in their roles – I mean, Kulak at 3LD, Foegele at 3LW, etc.
This was a very good hockey team last season – the best in the NHL for 2 month to end the season, I think more than 9 out of 18 skater spots in a lineup have been filled appropriately.
— Wouldn’t Seattle “value” KY the most? There was talk back in the day about the worry they would pick him given his provenance.
They have Eberle, and he is vastly better. And you can only have one.
1) Seattle is flush with wingers, including right wingers
2) Yamamoto is NOT from Seattle – he’s from Spokane which is farther from Seattle than Edmonton is from Calgary
I don’t see a fit.
Also, how would Seattle have “picked Yamamoto” who was drafted by the Oilers like 5 years before Seattle came in to the league….?
— Expansion : widely speculated they would have liked him. FUN FACT : Spokane is in the state of Washington. So is Seattle. Kailer was born and played in Washington.
— The oilers protected him in the expansion draft (they should have traded him to his home state)
Having a Washington product ought to be worthwhile.
If that was an imperative they could just sign Derek Ryan.
Edmonton and Calgary are in the same province, closer than Spokane and Seattle – do those born in Edmonton that play in Calgary consider it “going home”?
I would be shocked if Ron Francis cared at all about a player being a Spokane native and bringing him in partially because of that.
Great read this morning.
I like the way you outline your thinking LT.
So we have 2 potential internal solutions that have a chance to take a foundation spot. Those would be Broberg and Holloway. If they cannot seize that foundation position, they are still valuable, but also valuable in trade.
We have heard Oilers don’t want to be quiet this summer, yet they appear to be so restricted. The way out is to trade someone we don’t expect. My opinion is that if they can move Broberg and Ceci to bring in another Ekholm type, they are going to do it.
After foundation pieces we look at support players, role players, value players correct?
I think the Oil like Kulak / Desharnais.
Everybody likes what Kostin brings
I like Bjugstad as 4th line center
I don’t see the Oilers married to Janmark, Ryan, Foegele, Yamamoto, Shore, Campbell
Calling it incompetent to trade Borgault or Holloway seems a bit over the top. Was it crazy to move Reid Shaeffer since, according to your logic, they don’t yet know what they have with him?
Everything costs something. Borgault’s draft position of 20ish had a very specific value at the draft specifically because that draft slot carries a certain amount of potential. Before the pick is made the value is 100% potential and 0% performance.
Since that point his value could have increased or it could have decreased or it could remain roughly that of a #20 pick still. I’d argue he’s probably slipped a bit but on the other hand he’s a couple years closer to the NHL so that increases his value. For arguments sake he’s worth the same as his draft position was a couple years ago. He has a tiny bit less potential but he’s a little more of a known quantity and closer to helping. But now he’s probably 80% potential and 20% performance.
If you let him develop and play for another year his value may go up as you suggest or it could completely crater. And to your point about “knowing”, if we absolutely know what we have in XB so does every other team. It’s the potential that delivers the value. By the end of next year his value (higher or lower) will be based on 50% potential and 50% performance.
Kailer Yamamoto was once a #20 (approx) value draft pick. His value probably slipped a bit in year 1 and then went through the roof when he went off during the DRY line launch and now has completely cratered. Optimistically his value is calculated based on 10% potential and 90% performance and compared with 3 million dollars we know that value is negative.
But here’s the key. The organization that SHOULD know the true value of XB or Reid Shaeffer or Dylan Holloway is the Edmonton Oilers and they should be constantly reassessing. If they believe that XB’s value has dipped by 20% but someone will pay you 100% value than there’s zero issue making a trade if you trust your process. Reid Shaeffer.
Once you know what you have, so does everybody else. The most valuable trade is based on “potential”, that’s what other teams pay for. For the likes’ of Broberg, Oilers may feel they know what he will be, other teams will still pay for “potential”
Im just using Broberg as an example.
We got caught with Griffin Reinhart.
After reading your excellent post again, I realize Im just re-iterating your points!
The concept of the player’s value to an individual team is even more complicated. To a veteran team competing for a championship now, potential likely has less current value than current performance does. That Bourgault might have the potential to be very good or great in 2025/26 could have less value to the Oilers than it could say to Anaheim or Arizona as 2 examples.
Added complexity in the relative values teams place on players also comes from the positional needs, the cap positions and even the style fit of the players (square pegs and round pegs may have equal values overall but if your board only has round holes and not square ones, you might a little pay more for a round peg if that completes your board).
The Ekholm trade is an excellent discussion point for value.
Edmonton surrendered three pieces (well there was also a depth pick).
Nashville no doubt valued the 24th overall pick as the key, but Tyson Barrie was a nice addition. They can trade him easily, or keep him (he worked pretty well after the trade).
The Schaefer piece had value for sure. How much, that’s the question.
Edmonton needed to include Barrie and the first-round pick in 2024 was the biggest piece imo. My guess is the Preds would have taken any of Holloway, Broberg or Bourgault instead of Schaefer, but Edmonton wanted to keep the players closest to the NHL.
If we’re going to construct a trade for one of the rumoured pieces Edmonton is interested in, say Erik Karlsson, what spot in the Nashville trade does Broberg occupy?
Is he the No. 24 overall pick? I don’t think he is. GM’s like to make those picks, have it become part of their team building. I think Broberg, Holloway and Bourgault are closer to Schaefer.
Jmo. None of them move the needle enough to be central to a deal that brings in a clear upgrade. Not yet, anyway.
The accounts have been that Schaefer was the main piece for Nashville – he was a must-have in the trade.
There’s a story there.
If the Oilers had drafted off McKenzie’s list, we’d have Zegras(Caufield), Mercer (Guhle), and Wallestedt (working off memory, here).
You could probably trade Zegras for a King’s ransom. 22 y/o centre…
It’s fine if you go walk about and draft a Wyatt Johnson.
I’ve never been a fan of drafting defensemen that high.
That was an interesting draft for Dallas.
Bob had Logan Stankhoven ranked 27th and Wyatt Johnson ranked 40th.
Dallas flipped the script and took Johnson in the first round and Stankhoven in the second.
Someone in that organization knows what they’re doing.
I love the Pitre or Morin picks at 56 but agree that a Tullio/Savoie-esque trade down is preferable this year given the depth of talent in this draft.
I’d also love Kalan Lind or Carson Rehkopf at 56 but that’s likely a pipe dream. I’d actually trade up for either even though it runs counter-intuitive to my above statement, I like them that much.
Greg Cronin the new coach of the Anaheim Ducks
Most recently coach of the AHL Colorado Eagles.
Eakins was hired to do what he does best “Tank”
— I have heard the pros and cons. For the last two years in playoffs team gets exposed with “super line”. It’s like the hit the user can’t stop chasing after. Be like:
McD-Hyman-Kane
Drai-wingers
Nuge-wingers
— Team too predictable in playoffs and better teams in playoffs just need to shut down one line and Oil have nuthin.
Cole Caulfield signs an extension in Montreal..,8X$9.75M
Should be $7.875
The kid can do the hardest thing in Hockey and that is score. He has a Mike Bossy deceiving shot I also believe his size benefits him in that he can sneak into the soft areas undetected. He has 35-50 Goals written all over him for many years to come as the P.P will surely run through him the same way as Ovechkin in D.C.
Caufield has played very well and may be full value for his new contract, but I think it’s very safe to say that comparing Caufield to Bossy and Ovechkin (2 of the 5 greatest goal scorers, and probably the 2 best pure shooters, of all time) is more than a hint of hyperbole.
The comparison to Ovi has more to do with how the Habs will run their P.P through Caulfield’s shot. As for the Caulfield comp to Bossy the Kid is accurate and rifles his snap and slap shot pound for pound and size for size the best in the N.H.L.
reading comprehension is a thing. the deal is 8×7.85M. You can be better. Please do so.
Odd time stamping on these replies. When I posted the above, there were no replies to the original post, yet the time stamping shows HH making the correction BEFORE my response. I am unable to explain the time stamping and apologize for any hurt feelings or misunderstandings. Blog posts is voodoo?
The time stamping is accurate.
The initial post I made was from Cap Friendly who changed it relatively quickly and I corrected the initial post.
Perhaps not a good idea to launch an attack prematurely.
You should also check time stamps.
And comprehend what he posted
Hence my apology, sir. No need to get ruffled. If may conjecture, at the time of my reading the original post, there were no replies. As I did not refresh the screen before posting my initial response, I was woefully unaware of your correction until such time as I had refreshed the screen, which was too late. This is the only explantion I can imagine for the sequence of events.
Hence my apology. I would think you, of all people, would be aware that many here are not fans of your past pot stirring, and often assume the worst when there is more than one interpretation of your intent.
For additional reference, see my post at 4:50 PM if you doubt my sincerity. Please afford me the same grace I am trying to show to you, sir.
Many would not have posted an apology or retraction. But I was brought up to take responsibility for my errors. If you can take that for what it is, we have peace. If not, then I feel sorry for you. I think you owe me an apology now.
he doesn’t know what that word means ;)…
yeah right, because you’re always so accurate with everything that you post lol…
Hearty post! Thx LT.
“The Oilers have a good team, with just a couple of major needs. I do think No. 2 right-wing, No. 2 right-defence and some depth on defense are issues this summer. “
Yep, but I’d add G1 / G1.5 as a need. Oilers don’t have the luxury of time to wait on a Campbell resurgence, but Old Dutch moves in mysterious ways…
I’d say they have the luxury of this season before the deadline.
To expensive to move Campbell. The D will be better, Campbell will be more acclimatized. Let him re-establish some value. Skinner can be number 1 if needed. Revisit at the deadline.
Interesting though exercise on the trade value of non-core players. According to Friedman, Oilers management are prepared to think outside the box.
So … Bourgault and Campbell to Chicago for Petr Mrazek?
Campbell had his struggles, but Peter Mrazek? Woof.
Mrazek’s value is that he can be easily bought out, or at least supply cap relief beyond this season.
It’s a measure to temper the money Chicago needs to eat on Campbell’s deal.
Ok – see where you’re going now. Is there a goalie FA that you’d target as a replacement?
Mrazek played 40 games last year so like Campbell he’s healthy and able to play.
On a better team he might be a capable backup (over .900).
Perhaps that means a late-season upgrade, but it certainly presents a low-cost tandem option with Skinner as your #1, maybe allowing the team to go long on Bouchard or fund Drai’s extension in 2025.
1 roll of hockey tape
An opened bag of Cheetos
and a 3rd round pick to Calgary
For Dominic Hasek
Does he play as well as Dominik?
I agree the play might be to swap Campbell for a cheaper 1b at some point in time, but I don’t think it is an offseason move this season. Need to ensure he doesn’t rebound (which would also increase his value) and that stu has sustain in his second year as a starter. Might be something for the TD or next offseason depending on his play this year.
In fact, in my personal cap prognostications, I have Campbell in this year but out next season, replaced by a 2-2.5m 1B option… I also have Bouch on a manageable 1 yr deal, with a LT extension next summer (likely agreed to to in advance and in the desk drawer to be revealed as soon as is legal…)