This is the top-25 list (as ranked by this blog) in 2010. There are several top flight prospects here, including Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle, Jeff Petry and Devan Dubnyk. Edmonton would land higher-level talent in the next cluster (Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Darnell Nurse) and that group is currently in the window to win the Stanley Cup.
As the summer storylines begin to take shape, Oilers fans and media are coming to several conclusions. The biggest bit of breaking news: Many players who contributed mightily last season may not return next season. Why? Follow the money.
That makes Philip Broberg, Dylan Holloway and Raphael Lavoie important pieces for 2023-24. Potentially.
THE ATHLETIC!
- New DNB: How Emily Cave found that ‘joy and grief can coexist’ in writing her book about Colby
- Lowetide: Ken Holland’s Oilers roster construction missing one final piece
- DNB: What I’m hearing about the Oilers 2.0: Evan Bouchard offer sheet? Klim Kostin to KHL?
- Lowetide: Predicting Oilers star Connor McDavid’s 2023-24 stats
- DNB: Oilers GM Ken Holland on salary cap space, Steve Staios, 2023 NHL Draft
- Lowetide: What are Oilers’ best NHL Draft bets for 2023 second-round pick?
- DNB: Oilers’ offseason options: Comparing conservative and aggressive approaches
- Lowetide: What do the Oilers have in defence prospect Max Wanner?
- Lowetide: Edmonton Oilers targets early and late in NHL free agency.
- DNB: Edmonton Oilers AHL prospect stock watch: Is Raphael Lavoie NHL-ready?
- Lowetide: Edmonton Oilers position-by-position depth chart entering offseason
- DNB: Edmonton Oilers fan survey results: Belief remains in team’s Stanley Cup window
- Lowetide: Why Edmonton Oilers’ right wing overhaul is about to hit overdrive
- 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: How the Oilers may handle a change in management
- 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?
- 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
- 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
REALLY
So far this offseason the rumours Oilers fans have been discussing are names like Travis Konecny and Brett Pesce. That doesn’t rhyme with the team’s cap room and that means all involved (media, fans, haters) are shopping in the wrong aisle. The answers aren’t likely to be Konecny and Pesce, but could well be Holloway and Broberg. If the Oilers can sign Evan Bouchard, Ryan McLeod, Klim Kostin and Raphael Lavoie for what is being reported, it will require Kailer Yamamoto to exit. That’s without bringing on anyone else.
This roster nets $970,000 in room on an $83.5 million cap ceiling. Only the four RFA’s were signed and Kailer Yamamoto was sent to the Washington Capitals for a fourth-round pick. So instead of ‘let’s get Konecny’ the conversation should be ‘do you think Luke Glendening will fit under the cap?’ and my goodness that’s a gap.
I know why the bigger names are out there, because writing about Mr. Glendening as the big move of summer is both difficult and less than provocative. However, you know going in that this blog brings the verbal not the sexy, so let’s have a look at the ‘Glendening Aisle’ and see what we can see.
- RC Luke Glendening, $1.5 million cap hit last season. All of his numbers were poor last season. Honestly. His five-on-five points-60 (0.27) and his five-on-five goal share (31 percent) are frightening. His rel numbers are scary, like Rutger Hauer in The Hitcher scary. His PuckIQ player card shows him playing 157 minutes against elites, but he doesn’t play well against them. He’s 34, has played over 700 NHL games. If Edmonton signs him, I don’t think he’ll be the answer.
- LC Logan Brown, $750,000 cap hit last season. He was the No. 11 selection by the Ottawa Senators in 2016, and hasn’t delivered enough to stay in the league since turing pro. His career numbers (99 games, 7-19-26) are intriguing considering how little he plays. In the last two seasons, he posted a 1.45 pts-60 and a goal share of 20-27 (43 percent) at five-on-five. Expected goals five-on-five and rel numbers two years ago were solid, he went the wrong way in 2022-23. I doubt he’s an option but he is 25 and may find his way.
- LC Jonathan Toews, $10.5 million cap hit last season. He’ll be inexpensive, looking to add a Stanley and that’s if he returns to the league for another year. His offense (1.22 pts-60) is low, but he was on a ghastly team (most common linemates: Taylor Raddysh and Philipp Kurashev) in 2022-23. He can still win faceoffs. I’d sign him for $1 million, but I’m the only man on the planet who believes in five-on-five Corsi Rel. It’s like being the only guy on earth who still thinks the King James version of the bible is the only truth (there’s one found in Ethiopia that is much older, plus has some nice photos of Walter Brennan). His Corsi Rel has been positive every year of his career.
- RW Garnet Hathaway, $1.2 million cap hit last season. He struggled with the Bruins after the deadline, but has enjoyed six seasons in a row with a positive expected goal share five-on-five. Scored 13 goals in 866 minutes five-on-five last season. I’d sign him. In fact, he’d be my top target on this list.
- LW Mattias Janmark, $1.25 million cap hit last season. He can play either wing and help on the penalty kill. He scored more than anticipated and was 50 percent goal share five-on-five. Had the sixth most minutes among forwards versus elites, and got caved (41.5 percent DFF Pct, -8.4 DFF%RC). I think the Oilers would be fine signing him but there may be an upgrade available.
- RW Sam Gagner, $750,000 last season. He’s inexpensive offense from the depth lines, his rel numbers have been decent the last couple of seasons and there’s a chance he’d sign in Edmonton. I don’t think Edmonton signs him, but it would be a fun story.
- LC Derick Brassard, $750,000 last season. He isn’t much of an offensive contributor anymore, but his possession numbers were reasonable and he can play center. He’s miles better as a signing option than Glendening in my opinion.
- RC Derek Stepan, $750,000 last season. He would be an ideal pickup, not much offense but his possession numbers are exceptional. Rel loves him. He would be the top center on this list for me.
- RW Matthew Phillips, $750,000 last season. If Yamamoto exits, the Oilers can add another small forward. Calgary may give him a chance now that Sutter is gone, but Phillips is a low-risk bet with a high return if it clicks.
- LW Axel Jonsson-Fjallby, $750,000 last season. I imagine Winnipeg signs him, but he has reasonable offense and possession numbers and should improve a little more as he gets comfortable in the league. A very good bet.
- LW Josh Leivo, $750,000 last season. Another terrific year for a guy who makes this list every year he’s healthy. Posted a 1.69 pts-60 and a 51 percent goal share at five-on-five. Hire this man!
- RW Josh Bailey, $750,000 last season. He can score and showed impressive speed and aggression in the AHL last season.
- RW Alex Chiasson, $750,000 last season. All he does is score goals. Edmonton won’t sign him due to speed concerns, but he’d help that second power play and that’s a fact.
- RW Tyler Pitlick, $750,000 last season. We end with a personal favourite, he’s still hammering away and delivering reasonable results.
There’s good news and bad news.
The Edmonton Elks will be doing a tribute to former TSN 1260 staff at their next home game next week. Some of those radio vets will be featured on the field.
Fans can buy tickets for $12.60 by quoting code 1260 when buying tickets.
You probably already know the bad news.
First time being shut out in nearly 50 years.
Pathetic doesn’t even come close to describing what’s going on over there.
Next game against Vegas I don’t even care if they drop the puck. I want the Oil to settle up on all scores from the likes of Petriangelo, Hague, whoever ran Ekholm…etc.
Then I’d like to see Oilers put them out in the first round.
I seem to remember several folks on this blog identifying Jonathon Marchesault as a target when he was out of favour and readily available before expansion.
One of my favourite hobby horses over the years has been talking about shopping in the Gabe Villardi aisle.
As some may recall, I delved into the good number of these types of trades that Sakic had made.
Now the Oilers may not have enough resources to scout the OHL, so it’s understandable that they haven’t been scouting other teams prospects. However, the Kostin trade is a step in this direction.
When we look at the vaunted 3/4 lines of the VGK, many of these players were cheaply acquired via trade, in their prime, and at low cap hits.
For years other teams did this to us acquiring guys like Brodziak, Cogliano or Petry for peanuts although many of our players were more established at the time.
Which teams have the talent that is either blocked by too much depth or just foolish enough to trade?
Any players of note?
Connor Ingram is my next Villardi. Who do you have?
On the topic of Russian players, what about Arseni Gritsyuk?
What would it take to pry him from the Devils and bring him to the NHL?
The name alone is just awesome. He’s one of those Russian left-shot right wingers.
He’s reportedly speedy with a plus shot.
Can you define the “Gabe Vilardi” aisle? What about Vilardi are you looking for in this group of players?
I probably could have named that better. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to clarify.
Vilardi was a player whose name was swirling around in trade rumors during the 2021-2 season. The Kings were reportedly down on him and he was available. At the time, I had suggested him as an ideal trade target. Now, he’s just scored 23 goals in 63 games and is talked about as a cornerstone piece for the Kings. There might have been a missed opportunity there.
Vilardi would be the top of the pile of the category… I am generally just talking about shopping emerging talent aisle from other teams.
We can be talking anything from a Kegan Kolesar to a Ryan Graves to a Devon Toews to a Gabe Villardi to a Samsanov to a Georgiev…
Michael Amadio and Chandler Stephenson are interesting cases… These guys were seemingly well past the ages of either being real prospects or established top nine talents when Vegas acquired them.
Anadio was in his draft plus 9 season when Vegas acquired him on waivers. He had played only 28 games with three points in the three seasons prior. What they saw in him, I’d love to know.
The NHL is supposed to be a copycat league. Forget about chasing big mobile defenders that everyone already wants.
Go out and trade a forth round pick at the draft for the next Brett Howden, so you have a 25 year old at league minimum playing in your top nine. Find the next Amadio on waivers, so you have a second line winger for league minimum.
Holland did that last season – he traded a tweener (at best) for “the next Amado” in Klim Kostin. Of course, not a direct comparison but that trade has had real impact – should it not be recognized?
? I had mentioned the Kostin trade in the first post in this thread.
Reading comprehension of your posts tonight is a little off! 🙂 Whaddya writing in invisible ink?
Lol no. It was right here:
I know, but OP and I aren’t reading them as written. You’re fine, we’re not getting it. 🙂
Significant chatter that Vilardi may be included in a trade to Winnipeg for Pierre Luc Dubois.
Im not sure I would do that
Well I’d keep Clarke and Byfield, meaning it’s Vilardi, Kaliyev or Kupari. Winnipeg probably wants Vilardi, and they have more than one good offer I’d bet.
Not sure how many teams are involved…I’ve heard LA, Boston and Washington but LA is certainly well positioned with their mother lode of prospects.
Ah, I understand. I was trying to remember when Sakic traded for Vilardi, giving you an idea about my reading comprehension this time of day lol.
I looked at some guys in November, it was really an excuse to sound the alarm that the Preds were down on Philip Tomasino and someone was going to get him for less than 100 cents on the dollar.
https://theathletic.com/3911203/2022/11/19/edmonton-oilers-trade-ahl-targets/
Great stuff! I had missed that article. That’s exactly what I’m talking about!
Indeed, the Oilers are amongst the group with the fewest number of scouts. below league average, in fact.
This is from a year ago. The Oilers actually list 14, not 13 scouts on their website.
https://www.reddit.com/r/hockey/comments/uweimi/oc_how_many_scouting_staff_members_does_each_team/
Through arguments and points we have collectively come to suggest the 2024 Stanley Cup winning Oilers will have
1 – Jack Campbell as their playoff starter
2 – Brad Malone as 4C
3 – Cody Ceci as 2 RHD
I will see myself out. 🙂
The only one of those things impossible is Malone as 4C. The other two are possible.
New for The Athletic: The Oilers and Russian draft picks haven’t worked — yet
https://theathletic.com/4617670/2023/06/17/oilers-russia-nhl-draft-prospects/
RYKOV, ALEXANDER
I believe the projected lineup means there will be a lot of 11-7. Can Derek Ryan play 4C if we can’t get another one.?? What about Mark Pysyk?! Flexible player for both D and forward.
1) Well, if Brad Malone is a top 12 forward on your NHL roster, I guess 11/7 is probably the best way to but I have the hope that the coaching staff will commit to the 4-line game this coming season. No, not rolling them straight up, of course, but keeping his entire lineup engaged almost every game. The bottom six was GOOD last season and the coaching staff, in my opinion, underused and undervalued it. Unfortunately, it’s unlikely to be as strong to start this season (i.e. see projected lineup above) so this may not happen.
2) I think he’s best served as a winger that can take face-offs but, with Philp not an option and Bjugstad likely moving on and Nuge a winger………
I will throw out the name, Dylan Holloway, who played full time center his last year in college. I’m not sure I’m in favour of that unless Woody commits to using the line.
3) Back to back Achilles tears for Pysyk. Two weeks ago on Hello Hockey he mentioned rehab was coming along but he’s still not “jumping”. I don’t think he should be signed.
I wonder if there is a stat bank for ‘momentum shift after a missed PP opportunity’?
Or am I the only one that spends his time puckered for the 60seconds after the Oilers don’t score?
When I look at today’s roster- I think it’s the closest to what we’ll see in the fall yet.
And I’m feeling like I’ll still be puckered.
Maybe one of the rooks has to get top 6 5×5 minutes so that you can go Foegele-McLeod-Kostin as a 3rd line?
It’s a good roster LT.
But with 970,000 in cap space you should have room to upgrade at 4C to someone making 1.5 million.
If you need more money to sign the RFAs, I would trade Foegele as well. I would guess Kostin or Holloway have more offensive upside in the top 6.
I think all these guys might end up being placeholders for Bourgault at 2RW.
It may not be possible, but Holland does want to start apx $1MM under the cap, and that would have multiple benefit: accruing cap space daily and room for at least one injury replacement call-up to manage short term injuries.
The biggest factor they may dictate when / if the Oilers win a Cup is probably in net.
Against COL last year EDM got below average goaltending from Smith:
GM 1 – .760 sv%
GM 2 – .929 sv%
GM 3 – .900 sv%
GM 4 – .857 sv%
Against VGS this year EDM got below average goaltending from Skinner:
GM 1 – .848 sv%
GM 2 – .968 sv%
GM 3 – .826 sv%
GM 4 – .962 sv%
GM 5 – .818 sv%
GM 6 – .765 sv%
Edm was 1 exceptional Jack Campbell performance away from not making it past L.A. in round 1. Bottom line is they will need better goaltending to have any chance to win the Cup.
I think we all agree it won’t be Campbell who starts next playoffs. So give Skinner his 50 games and if he’s not above league average at the Trade Deadline, they might have to look at bringing someone in.
A good defense (and good defensive systems) is far more reliably repeatable than goalie performance. Improve the D and get the whole team playing tighter and the goalies will “magically” get better.
In particular, the goalie needs to be able to anticipate what the other players are doing. Constantly changing goalies doesn’t give them time to understand the system (there needs to be a system!).
If by the deadline it’s a trainwreck, sure, try to upgrade. But I’d be looking to the coach first and foremost, then some D upgrades, before trying to get a unicorn goalie.
I agree with that. Systems, coaching and commitment to D first …
There is a perfectly reasonable chance that it is Campbell starting the next playoff series.
I cannot agree at this point that Jack Campbell won’t be starting the playoffs.
To be honest, I’m not even sure which goalie will start game 1 of the regular season.
It is Skinner’s net coming in to camp but I think there is an open competition.
I fully expect Jack Campbell to be significantly better in 2023/24 – that might be .903 but it also might be .917.
Next to Vegas’ Carrier and Co., the Dowd-Hathaway duo has among the most effective 4th lines for years now. If the Oilers were able to add both of them, that’d make for a pretty remarkable F group.
Is Craig Smith done, or is he someone that can be brought in at $1 million for a year to help out to the trade deadline.
If Calgary trades Hanifin, maybe Kulak for Toffolli modulo stuff (Yamamoto?) would be a possibility.
And then bring in Ekman-Larsson for $1 million.
His foot is injured to the point where he can’t pivot or defend the rush.
It’s like Ryan Whitney circa 2014. He’s done.
Foegele might have a decent shot at being that 2RW/6F – I mean, aren’t his post January numbers pretty sensational from this past season quitely great results with Drai (small sample). I do love him as 3LW with McLeod as 3C but maybe that is something that happens after Holloway settles in at 3LW and, eventually, presses up?
Ugh, Brad Malone at 4C – that shows the depth is not there right now and is likely something that will need to be beefed up at the deadline again. Really too bad Noah Philp isn’t in the conversation any longer.
I think those hits for Bouch and McLeod are both on the low end of what we might see. I know some are thinking McLeod will get ground below $1.5MM but he’d likely get more than that in arb and Stauff is speculating a 3 year deal somewhere in the 2s (if its three years, I think it may be closer to $2.5MM).
Even before Ken Holland said (1) we need guys who make “peanuts” (year end) and (2) absolutely not (to the ability to add in a big money contract), we knew the likelihood of any high (or medium) cost additions was low.
I guess there was the “hope” that the cap would be going up more than $1MM but, again, that was never even close to a 50% proposition, let alone higher.
Yes, a GM can always, “find a way” but, of course that does not equate to that being a good idea. Holland can “find a way” to bring in Kokekny or Brett P. or even Erik Karlsson but it would require major surgery to a very good hockey team.
Let’s not forget, this is a very good hockey team. I’m not sure there is a gap between Vegas and the Oilers and that series probably goes 5-5 if it’s played 10 times. I’m not positive that Vegas team could have played much better than they did against the Oilers but I’m very confidant the Oilers team could have played much better than they did.
Major surgery doesn’t make sense to me. Of curse, all the picks and AHL prospects are available but “win now” doesn’t mean focus only on this coming season. I think this core group will be challenging for the cup for 3-4-5 years (and maybe longer if they can move out regressing Hyman, Kane, etc. in due course and replace them with the younger skill).
Using the likes of Broberg and to supplement trades to bring in more $4MM range players is not sustainable. This team needs Borberg and Holloway to be the next tier of secondary players, on the cheap and they are cusping in that regard.
I agree with you generally here, but Pesce costs $800k more than Ceci next season. That’s eminently possible from a salary cap perspective.
And he’s miles better. It’s the next contract that is the problem
Yeah, not sure the cost. If it were in thr $6M range like Severson that might be workable but not sure.
The current champs have an 8M, 2 x 5M, and 3 x 2M as their D group. The Oilers have a 9M, a 6M, a soon enough 5-6M, a 3m, a 2M, and a 750K
Vegas top 3 D are 18M, Edmonton’s top 2 15M. Their situation starts changing next summer, maybe. Martinez might take less as he’s 35. If a Pesce comes in someone has to go out. Drai has to be signed next summer, Connor the following
It would be folly to say trade Bouch to get the 30ish Pesce, you are giving up all of Bouch’s best years after training him, for a soon to be fading vet. Ekholm is the Oiler’s best D currently IMO. Quality depth or an expensive guy who has trouble passing and making reads, defending entries, and other little things a D has to do at a high level to deserve to be a top 10 paid D
Ok I’ll stop
The OIlers don’t have anything to give Carolina. Burns is still around, so they don’t need Bouchard.
And the Oilers CANNOT trade Broberg (or Holloway) because they are cheap and would have to be replaced by more expensive players.
Yeah, perhaps not. Edmonton can only offer young players/picks.
If the top 4 is set for multiple years (Nurse/Pesce, Ekholm/Bouchard) then maybe you do consider moving Broberg?
(I’m not advocating for that, but if they’re blocking him for multiple years then trading him starts to make sense)
Or you could say Edmonton has exceptional talent that makes a flawed team a group that can make the playoffs. I think we’ve seen the limits for this group as it stands, which is teams that have more hockey assertive disciplined players and don’t have an unbalanced top pair
And have coaches that get what’s going down, Woody did not do a good job against the Knights. Yes they won the cup, but that’s an excuse for team that doesn’t think it can win the cup. You have to beat all comers to be champ
Holland is a decent GM. Best we’ve had in ages. But he’s old and moves like an old guy. It’s been shown many times by multiple people here that the last string of cup winners are very active improving their rosters, and the cap is only a problem for teams that think it is or lack in the deal making department
Yesterday I put up a roster with no unreasonable deals or contracts, and yes they were on low side, but that is what a GM should be doing. Especially on the bottom group, in a time players can’t always keep a job. There was almost 2M left to sign 2 bottom players or bump salaries up a bit
Hyman, Kane, Ekholm, Campbell is pretty active.
2 out of 4 are about as easy and uncreative as you can get. Overpay and or over term UFAs to play with McDavid. No kudos from me. Kane wanted to play for the team and didn’t have a lot of choices reportedly
Ekholm he got and paid a bonus to do it. It all adds up. Nurse’s extra is hurting him now. It’s the other trades GMs make that others are mentioning that make the difference. The coaches won’t play even 3 lines really sometimes
what roster did you post? I missed yesterday. re share if you have time
“No unreasonable deals or contracts” is debatable.
You had Bouch at 3m, McLeod at 1.5m and Kostin at 950k. When in reality those three guys could easily eat up the 1.95m you left for space on their negotiated deals.
Are you saying the Oilers couldn’t afford to extend Pesce at $6M? I thought cap was only a problem for teams that think it is..
In terms of how much teams are paying their Dcorps’, the Vegas crew (same 7 as this year) will cost $28.0M in 23-24.
The Oilers, if Bouchard re-signs for $3.0M (per reports, and your estimate yesterday), their D corp will come in at $25.9M. If you swap Pesce for Ceci then they’d be at $26.7M. Seems very reasonable, no?
And looking forward to 24-25, by all reports the cap will go up by the max allowable (5%), which would be $4.1M (so $87.6M if nothing changes this year). If Pesce were to sign for term at $6M, and Bouchard signs his next bridge deal for $5M, you’ve added $4M in cap vs. 23-24 (ie – equal to the cap increase year over year).
Maybe Bouchard and Pesce accounting for the whole rise in 24-25 Cap is concerning, but Foegele’s deal is up then and the only RFAs would be Holloway, Broberg and potentially Kostin (I’m assuming McLeod gets a 3 year deal this summer as has been reported likely). They aren’t going to need huge raises unless they end up in prominent roles this season, and Kulak could also be moved to open more cap if it’s needed.
In 25-26, when a Draisaitl extension would actually kick in, the Cap should increase by another ~$4M, and ~$2M from the Neal buyout comes off the books. No other deals that are currently in place (aside from Ryan at $900k) expire summer 25-26.
So in terms of salary cap, I don’t think there’s any reason the Oilers couldn’t acquire and extend Brett Pesce.
Whether he end up on the market, what the asset cost to acquire him would be, and whether he’d be willing to sign for term with the Oilers, those are all legitimate and open questions. Cap-wise though, I just don’t see a significant issue.
Yes, but it will also cost real and substantial assets in addition to Ceci, likely one of the remaining two shot term ELC value contracts and I stick with my opinion in the last two paragraphs!
Yes, a totally fair opinion that I mostly agree with.
Leivo has good fancies. and they are consistent. as LT says, Hire the man!!
Hathaway fancies are consistent. And they are poor.
Are we looking at the same Hathaway? Garnett’s fancies have been quite good aside from his short stint with the Bruins.
https://www.naturalstattrick.com/playerreport.php?fromseason=20222023&thruseason=20222023&playerid=8477903&sit=5v5&stype=2
https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/h/hathaga01.html
Switch it to ‘5v5’ instead of ‘all’ and his numbers look pretty strong, no?
DEFINITELY look solid. wonder why they look so poor under “all” …..
hmmmm …
I assume because all includes special teams and Hathaway plays PK but not PP.
Well if you look at Vegas’ 3rd and 4th lines; they delivered offense AND outscored 5×5. That tells me Edmonton is going to have to improve greatly on those 2 lines with their summer signings and deadline acquisitions.
instead of trading for Konecny, why not just give that money to Barbachev? give him a 5 year deal, dump or buyout yam fry …
bring back Janmark, Kostin. Play Lavioe and Holloway a lot.
Can’t have Brad Malone as your 4C if you want to win a Cup. I know he might be on their as a place holder … but he’s not good enough. EVEN THOUGH OP LOVES HIM 🙂
The Oilers bottom 6 did score and outscore all season though, until Vegas (and even then the top 6 was outscored worse than the bottom 6).
Oilers outscored 74-60 (I believe) with McDavid and Drai off this season (5 X 5) – the Oiler bottom two lines were fantastic last season. They weren’t quite as good in the playoffs but I put much of that on deployment and Woody loading up and shortening the bench early and ofter. Even then, they went 7-10 in the playoffs which isn’t awful.
As you see from the lineup posted today, dumping Yamo MAY be enough to bring the roster back but certainly not enough to add an external player, even at a couple million, let alone $4MM plus, right?
I’m a big fan of Brad Malone…… as captain of the Condors. He is a good depth piece for a spot game or two if injuries pile up but I”m sure we can ALL agree that, if he’s in the starting 12, well, its probably not deep enough, right?
How much does Evgenii Dadonov have in the tank?
seems to produce consistently and has good fancies … been moved around a lot. how much $$$ for Daddy?
How much does Jonathon Toews have in the tank?
For what it’s worth, of the names LT listed here I’d be interested in (in order):
Hathaway
Stepan
Bailey
— all right-handed —
I’d have time for bringing Janmark back for the PK and familiarity.
Maybe take a flyer on Leivo if the others aren’t available.
Toews if real cheap
Hathaway
Phillips
Toews would be great if he could get healthy, one of my all-time favourite player
Never say never, but I think he’s done… unfortunate.