The Edmonton Oilers procured some outstanding talent over the last two offseasons. The bookend additions of Zach Hyman and Mattias Ekholm signal the organization is in the part of the song that goes “there’s something happening here” and this time next year we’ll evaluate the moves of the next two weeks and assess for what it’s worth. In the meantime, it’s hurry up and wait. And wait.
THE ATHLETIC!
- New Lowetide: 4 impact QMJHL centres for Oilers to target late in 2023 NHL Draft
- New DNB: 10 questions with director of amateur scouting Tyler Wright
- Lowetide: Why Oilers’ Dylan Holloway is in prime position for a major role
- DNB: Five burning Edmonton Oilers questions ahead of the NHL Draft and free agency
- Lowetide: 5 quality Edmonton Oilers trade targets for low-budget offseason
- Lowetide: The Oilers and Russian draft picks haven’t worked — yet
- 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
- 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
- DNB: Oilers offseason priorities: A 10-step plan for ensuring success next season
- DNB: How the Oilers roster could soon look different
- Lowetide: Identifying a 2023 NHL Draft sleeper prospect for the Oilers
- Lowetide: Stock up or down for every Oilers prospect in the system
WE RUN
This should be a dynamite line in 2023-24. Evander Kane scored well after returning from injury (1.41 goals-60 and 1.69 points-60) but the goal share (39 percent) five-on-five after his return was ghastly. His expected goal share (49 percent) was far more promising. I think you can expect 97’s goal share to increase next season with a healthy Kane. All told, these three men scored 116 goals last season. I’ll bet on close or higher number next season.
I think regression probably hits the Nuge, these scoring numbers are outliers and then some compared to his past. These Connor Brown numbers are from two years ago, I think he’ll be more dynamic than these totals no matter the center he’s playing with next season. Leon Draisaitl’s totals are fantastic as always, you’d like to see his goal share and expected goal share a little closer to McDavid’s next season. Ridiculous to criticize true greatness, but with the margins so small, and Stanley or bust the stated theme of next year, it’s a must from the big man.
This is what I’m hoping to see, although one of the wingers probably lines up on the fourth line or on another team. I like McLeod’s season very much, if he can build on it just a little, the Oilers should have three strong lines. I like the idea of running him with two big wingers. Warren Foegele and Klim Kostin were products of trades by Ken Holland, and give the team nice secondary scoring on the wings.
I don’t know who the 4C will be, but do like these two players. Dylan Holloway had a strong preseason a year ago but didn’t build on it (38 percent goal share five-on-five through December 31). Derek Ryan is the player-coach for this crew. Valuable player.
I believe the Oilers will stay the course with this pairing. The expected goals is solid, especially considering qual comp and Ceci’s injury. If it isn’t a long-term malady recovery should be expected and the presence of Philip Broberg gives the team cover until the deadline.
This could easily be the top pairing in the coming year. Ekholm won’t reach these blinding heights again, but is high quality and a perfect fit. Evan Bouchard’s season is being credited to Ekholm’s arrival. That is wildly unfair to Bouchard, and to the player who helped Bouchard turn his season around. I like this pairing and wouldn’t break it up.
I feel badly writing this but have to say it out loud because people keep trading Philip Broberg. He’s good. He helped Evan Bouchard when he badly needed a partner with wheels, and his numbers are better than Vincent Desharnais if luck doesn’t come to town. Broberg’s PDO (98.4) suggests he was playing in some stolen moments while Mr. Desharnais (103 PDO) posted numbers that allow us to assume good luck and safe passage. Broberg has more range, he has a bigger future, he can skate like the wind. He is part of the future. Edmonton is all in and it’s Cup or bust, but Broberg’s trade value (which is slight at this time) in no way justifies dealing him.
Here’s some home truths: This isn’t going to be an active summer because the Oilers don’t have money to wheel. The team’s current roster is fantastic. They can win Stanley. Do not trade youth (Broberg, Holloway) that can improve you just by their own maturation. Don’t trade young players until you know what they are. You know this stuff. Ken Holland really knows this stuff. Philip Broberg takes a sound beating online daily. Don’t know why. He’s progressing, and he didn’t get himself drafted No. 8 overall in 2019.
Random Yamo thought. Could we buy him out and still sign him? What number works with him? $1.5 mill total? $2 mill?
If we do Connor Brown at $1.5 mill plus bonuses (which carry to next year), then Yamo could be the same. Sign him for $1 mill (making him $1.6 or so total) with a bonus of $.6 next year. So essentially the same as Brown.
He’d be perfect at 3RW and if rebounding can slide up lineup and is safety for if Brown struggles. Especially at under $2 mill in cap hit.
No idea if he’d take that deal but it’d be a way to turn his deal into two pieces that fill needs.
Yamo will not be eligible for performance bonuses.
Those are only for ELCs and 35 plus contracts but for the exception for a player that has played over 400 games and missed a significant portion on LTIR – hence why Brown and Max P. are eligible for performance bonuses in their next contracts (if for one year0
I’m curious why nobody has Ryan penciled in as 3RW with McLeod and Foegele? Or Holloway if Foegele is traded?
Why would you mess with a line that looked so good in the playoffs?
My goodness, only like 65 minutes but there underlying numbers are off the charts – 75% across the board and an expected goals right there as well (77%) – 3-3 actual goals but geez, they really were all over the offensive zone, weren’t they?
Because they can and should be a better hockey team than that.
Because the Oilers lost in the second round?
Not sure you guys are putting up very good counter arguments, or discussion.
They played only 50 min together all reg season, 58% xGF, (1-2 actual).
Not due to their 3rd line obviously. Try harder.
Is there a chance that Max Warner isn’t eliglbe to play pro hockey in Norht America right away?
https://theathletic.com/4632716/2023/06/23/oilers-nhl-draft-2023-tyler-wright/
8. I was going to ask you about Grubbe, but I think you’ve hit on everything. Because you mentioned Max Wanner, just to confirm, is he going to be eligible to play for you next season after serving that suspension? Is there anything you can say about that?
I’m not going to comment on that.
In the answer before that one Wright lists Wanner as one of the guys turning pro this season.
DNB then tried to get more information which Wright declined to give (the part you’ve quoted).
It seems pretty certain that Wanner is expected in Bakersfield.
I really think this kid is going to pop in the next couple of years. Hopefully Holland doesn’t completely clear out the shelf’s before he calls it a day.
I think you are probably right – just read odd to me as the question was if he’s eligible to play and the response was “no comment”.
Yeah it read odd to me initially as well. But he had literally just answered the part you’re wondering about.
“We had a couple young guys turn pro last year. This year, we’ve got Petrov, a kid out of the Ontario Hockey League, and Wanner, a defenceman.”
He said a little more about needing to develop their young players, then DNB followed up with the part you quoted.
Pretty sure Wright was answering the “Is there anything you can say about that?” part from DNB with his “I’m not going to comment”.
It’s also possible there’s some ‘edited for clarity and length’ in those questions an answers.
Rumours about Jonathan Toews’s possibility of being an Oiler. He has experience and if he still has the fire Captain Serious would help.
Philip Broberg is arriving right on schedule- pretty much bang on at every post draft stage of development.
I think he was coming along last season but the leaky top 5 and a PK that was actively losing games led to Ekholm and Deharnais added to the lineup and it derailed the clear development in real time that we were seeing.
Those issues that led to his decreased ice (due to Ek and Vinny) are still there. Ek is still in the top 4 pushing Kulak down to 3LW. The PK personnel is still shitty (apparently) and Vinny is needed.
I have full confidence that Broberg can make an impact from game 1 but, given where we finished last season, he is blocked – we know what the coaching staff thought a month ago, right?
With that said, it’s time – no more excuses for Broberg. He is still blocked but it’s on him to force the ice time and force the coaching staff to play him over Vinny (or another). He has to have an impact that earns more and I think he can, and will, do it.
I was going to come in here and ask if Vinny actually did good job on the PK, then I looked into it and he had an xGA/60 of 5.83 at 4v5. Not bad at all, Mr. Seaweed.
Here’s a little chart that I chose to sort by 4v5toi/gp instead of something more useful.
4v5 toi/gp | xGA/60 | Player
I think you’re right though, it is up to Broberg to prove he’s a more useful player than the guys ahead of him. The Oilers defense was surprisingly healthy last season too. Usually there’s more opportunity via injury. I expect he’ll have a big season and the narrative will change.
Thank you for posting those numbers.
I always am weary of comparing PK numbers among teammates as there is a huge degree of difficulty delta between PK1 and PK2 and facing PP1 vs. PP2.
I would suggest that the majority of the ice Nurse/Ceci saw was against PP1.
For me I’m already questioning Broberg competitiveness the N.H..L is a dog eat dog league unlike the Swedish figure skating league. When Broberg recieved the phantom penalty call that resulted in our demise he skated over to the penalty box like ho-hum it’s only a pre-season game. Anyone that’s super competitive would have come unglued and would have torn a strip off the Ref.
This is absolutely a case of you interpreting an on-ice event negatively without any evidence. Zero evidence.
I’m just going by what I seen it takes all kinds of personalities to win a cup. Kevin Lowe’s 1st shift you knew this guy is a gamer a leader and a soldier. In the early years I remember fans booing Coffey because he looked so lackadaisical same with Fuhr. I do hope Ekholm instills a little bit of nasty in his game or else certain Fowards are going to continue to run Broberg hard especially when he’s looking over the wrong shoulder near the boards.
Yes, rookies are known for tearing strips off referees……….
Recall the injuries that Broberg played through at the WJC the other year.
I’m not sure evaluating based on demeanour is a successful process.
Broberg battled Eichel over half way around the boards in the defensive zone.. Actual competitiveness, not the virtue signalling competitiveness of getting angry at the referee.
Rookies will get blackballed by the officials if they show them up, even if the rookie has truth on his side.
He looked like he didn’t have a care in the world. We’ve all worked with those types of people it doesn’t matter the profession.
Or he was just bewildered that the ref from way behind the play made a phantom call and had no clue how to react. I don’t blame him.
Here is a question. BOS is in cap hell and might have to trade Carlo. Which defense would be better A or B?
A) Broberg traded to BOS for Carlo – Ceci traded in a 2nd deal for picks or a young dman)
Ekholm Bouchard (offensive push)
Nurse Carlo (shutdown)
Kulak Desharnais
B) Kulak traded for picks
Nurse Ceci
Ekholm Bouchard
Broberg Desharnais
I think A is better next year but beyond that depends on how Broberg develops. I also think we need a clear shutdown d-pair led by Nurse (and an effective 3rd line) so we can give Bouch/Ekholm some clear air with McDavid.
We don’t know what’s going to happen regarding Broberg. At this point pretty much all the options seem open (they could trade him, they could return all 7 D, they could trade a D so that Broberg has an uncontested spot).
If they do return the same 7 D though, I don’t think his playoff usage is a guide for 23-24.
They made a decision post deadline and into the playoffs to use Desharnais at 3RD for various reasons (older, more mature, more physical, PK, handedness). I don’t at all disagree with that decision.
They know Broberg has more upside and needs to play though (Holland has said as much on both points). FWIW, in the 19 games between the Desharnais call-up and the Ekholm trade, Broberg (played all 19 games) got 14:43 TOI a night and Desharnais (played 16/19 games) got 11:49 a night.
If the same 7 D return I would be very surprised if the team and staff don’t have Broberg’s development (and upside) front of mind. ie – even aside from him forcing ice time with his play, I think they’ll make sure he gets his minutes.
Ekholm-Bouchard should be our offensive attacking top pair getting a lot of McDavid minutes. Nurse and very good defensive 2RHD should be our shutdown pair. This is the role Parayko played the year STL won in order to give Pietrangelo’s pair an offensive push. Nurse has to buy into this though. Kulak Desharnais are more than fine as a 3rd pair and will be even better next year as Vinny gets more experience.
We have plenty of assets to get the necessary 2RHD for Nurse (Ceci, Broberg, Yamo etc) but the player must be a clear upgrade on Ceci. Are Pesce and Carlo clear defensive upgrades over Ceci?
Yes, that third line looks good. I would think that Holloway will be battling Kostin for 3LW with Foegele pencilled in for the 3RW.
Issue there is, for now, Foegele is likely the best candidate for 2RW – pending procurement.
I wouldn’t have a problem with that. Foegele had very good results with Draisaitl.
Yes, with the current roster, Foegele is 2RW (even if Yamo is on the roster, which seems highly unlikely). The “issues” I have are:
1) not sure his success in short stints there will hold up over a longer period of time; and
2) I would prefer him as part of a really high end 3rd line, if its possible.
I think there is little doubt that Nuge will see regression in his point totals. I mean, even 80 points is a stretch but he did take his game to anther level in the regular season. It wasn’t just the PP, he was 55th in 5 on 5 scoring ahead of many guys one would consider elite (Barkov, Aho, Eichel, etc.). His play on the boards during the regular season was much stronger than at any time prior in his career. It made a huge difference.
Of course, he didn’t have that 5 on 5 game in the playoffs, for whatever reason, but I’ll take the “big sample” and I don’t think it had anything to do with him not being able to play big boy hockey.
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On Brown, and I apologize if this was posted today as I’m just coming up for air and reading for the first time, but I read that Friedman puoured more fire. Of course, the Oilers can’t negotiate with Brown, he’s not Oilers’ property or a free agent yet but, from accounts, the players have been “wining and dining” him.
I’d like the player but I’m concerned the cap hit is not going to be in the $1MM range with bonuses but that he will get guaranteed salary and it will be more costly than any of us want.
If they can sign him to a bonus-laden deal that kicks in next year, that gives Edmonton a way of saving money (Brown less expensive than Yamamoto).
If not, it’s the Rattie route.
At least this time around there are (multiple) international candidates for that spot who just scored in the range of 2.0 P/60.
I agree but I’m not convinced he’s going to sign that deal.
Gregor and a few others have been speculating that he will get a real contract, like $3MM per for some term even, from a team.
Maybe they are way off base but I’m not positive he comes in around $1MM base like many of us speculate/hope/presume.
Yes, absolutely, put McDavid between two players like Kane and Hyman and that line will be dynamic offensively.
With that said, I’m not a big fan of that deployment as, while that line will surely score goals, history shows that they will likely give up alot of goals as well.
For me, Hyman and Kane are two of the weakest defensive forwards on the team. I’m not trying to bash those guys but Hyman puts himself on the offensive side of 50/50 pucks in the defensive zone and, frankly, doesn’t provide the effort in the defensive zone in battle that he does in the offensive zone.
I’m not a big fan of those two as a winger pair and, for me, the starting duos are McDavid/Hyman and Drai/Kane.
With all the said, a key to taking the real next step isn’t “getting a better d-man” or a “scoring RW” but a team mind-set re: 2-way play and commitment to consistent effort – not just in the defensive zone but placement in the offensive zone and working back towards the defensive zone. Do NOT let that forward beat you in the neutral zone and then become the danger player – taking two strides off makes a difference and the Oilers, at a team, take those two strides off often.
Kane and Hyman and Drai and everyone just needs to be more consistent in their effort working back.
Catching up and listening to Tulsky on with Gregor and Seravelli from earlier in the week and he said something I found interesting. Mentioned that his pro scouts are looking for players that they think will be better, or be able to perform better, on their team.
For me, that means they aren’t just looking for overtly good players to acquire but for players that would have more on ice value on their team and, therefore, the acquisition cost in relation to potential value for their team might be low.
It’s a layman way of explaining using stats well. You look for value in underutilized, blocked or players their GMs don’t appreciate
Hiring UFAs is the laziest way, and most expensive, and riskiest way to improve
Look at how many waiver pick ups contributed these playoffs
Waiting until you “know” what a young player is means everyone else knows as well.
You have to try to be ahead of the curve, not on it.
Risks and the ability to come out ahead more often than not. That’s what it comes down to.
Sather knew he’d miss sometimes. He accepted that. And almost always got value out of players who were unsure things.
If we had peak Sather and Muckler behind the bench last year we win the Cup.
Correct.
I’d argue ‘17 as well. It was so wide open that year.
My favourite Sather quote – paraphrased –
The only skill you need as a GM is the ability to recognize talent before it is apparent to anybody else. Everything else you can hire for.
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The introduction of the cap adds nuance but that still pretty much outlines the job description.
See Joe Sakic for reference.
He also didn’t sit in his hands. Decisive and more often right than wrong
Trading Kulak blocks Broberg at 3L for up to 3 years. He’s a top 4 dman starting this year. Only spot available is at 2R. Trading Ceci will also provide for better bottom 6.
Oilers Access@oilersaccess
Elliotte Friedman on The Jeff Marek Show says that an Oilers player texted him that in the Battle of Alberta series in 2022, the team rallied around the fact that they could possibly break up the Flames if they beat them.
1:58 PM · Jun 23, 2023·713 Views
Made my whole day. Thank you. 😇
Hehehe 🙂
I love it when a plan comes together
This is certainly the most likely course.
But.. Holland has managed to make some pretty significant/unexpected moves for top of the roster players in the last few of years (Ekholm, signing Kane, re-signing Kane among the unexpected variety).
Wright mentioned in this mornings DNB intereveiw that next weeks 2nd round pick is ‘still in play’, and there have been other whispers about that possibility. Yamamoto is still an Oiler despite Seravalli reporting they could move him at no cost. And we know the Oilers have inquired about Konecky, Pesce and others (but not PLD, Hellebuyck et al. to my knowledge).
A quiet summer is the reasonable expectation, but I am kind of expecting at least a little noise. We’ll see, and perhaps I’ll be kept waiting.
Flames add Marc Savard to their coaching staff.
https://flamesnation.ca/news/report-calgary-flames-hire-marc-savard-as-assistant-coach
Savard was most recently the head coach of the Windsor Spitfires,
Personally, I am sad the Flames are imploding.
I hope Conroy can patch things together on the fly.
Competitive rivalries are one of the most exciting parts of sports.
The Battle of Alberta was finally competitive.
The Flames will get a ton of assests to wheel and deal. Lots of cap space too, especially if they buyout Huberdeau ;).
Huberdeau’s contract is pretty much buyout proof.
Most of it is paid in signing bonuses.
The best the Flames could hope for is a career ending injury.
Or they can hope he regains his form as a top-line player.
I bet Huberdeau gets back to at least the 70-point level now that he’s free from Sutter.
There’s a reason Florida dumped him maybe he’s not who you think he is.
Yeah I think so too.
But man that contract is soooo long.
What time does Kailer’s train leave?
None too soon but a Bus ticket is more likely.
I thought it was a new suit, a burro and an apple….
He brazenly told the G.M’s that if you pass up on me “you’ll be sorry” I believe he meant to say that the team that drafts me “will be sorry”
Likely on day 2 of the draft…..
I would like to see them go with Holloway, Broberg and probably Lavoie in significant roles. After moving out Yamo and Foegele, they could be in a position to accrue enough cap space to acquire a $5M winger at the deadline.
I agree with your suggestion to keep Ceci, as long as he’s healthy. I was looking at his Rels this morning in comparison to Pesce and there’s not a lot to choose from between them. I don’t see any purpose in sending out a massive amount of assets for a rental who may not provide any meaningful impact.
I think it’s the natural response of Oilers fans to think the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence, probably due to PTSD from the DoD.
Playing Ceci with Nurse should be the fallback if Broberg cannot deliver with Nurse. The OIlers are NOT winning the Cup with Ceci in the top 4. Start with Nurse Broberg. If Broberg fails, then Ceci gets you to the trade deadline. And then you make a deal for a top 4 right D for the stretch run and the playoffs.
If Broberg succeeds with Nurse, Holland and the OIlers are laughing all the way to the Cup.
I don’t think throwing Broberg to the wolves serves any purpose. Give the young man steady minutes on the third pairing and move him up at Christmas ifbhisnplay warrants it.
I do think that Broberg can play top 4 minutes, even on the right side, with a partner like Ekholm (or Nurse but Nurse/Bouchard makes too much sense and Ekholm/Broberg also makes to much sense).
With that said, I agree with you, its a lot to ask from game 1 given his deployment over the last month of the season plus playoffs.
Let the kid settle in with legit 3rd pairing minutes, maybe even as RD with Kulak – he will thrive and be fully confidant if they want, or need, to move him up the lineup.
One isn’t throwing him into the deep end with Nurse. Broberg already has done everything in the shallow end of the pool. How soon and if Broberg can play top 4 RD is the critical piece of information on which almost every Holland decision relies on going forward.
The decision tree is pretty simple. If Broberg cannot do the job this year, then Holland has to go out and get somebody who can by the trade deadline, cause Cody Ceci isn’t going to cut it.
Essentially the same question as last year at #2 LD. If not Broberg, Holland was going to have to get somebody. Ekholm cost a lot of future assets. Ceci’s replacement, which has to happen for the Oilers to win the cup, will cost a lot of future assets if Broberg cannot do the job this year.
There is only one way to find out if Broberg can do the job, and that is to effing play him on the right side with Nurse.
Broberg is draft + 5. Slowed played until now. He might fail, but it won’t break him or harm him.
Ceci isn’t going to cut it? He’s been cutting it for 2 years now. If anything, the emergence of the Ekholm-Bouchard pairing will mean that the elite comp can now be shared among the top-4, making Ceci’s job even easier. There’s absolutely no reason to drop Broberg into the top pairing from day 1.
It will be great if Broberg can surpass Ceci, and hopefully that happens as soon as this year. But what’s your basis for ‘can’t win a cup with Ceci as a top 4’?
Have you looked at some of the players who’ve played top 4 on recent Cup winners?
Ben Lovejoy 2016
Justin Schultz 2017
Olli Maatta 2017
Michal Kempny 2018
Joel Edmundson 2019
Josh Manson 2022
Even this year, how much better is Brayden McNabb than Cody Ceci?
I don’t disagree about finding out if Broberg can play top 4 in the near term (and even RD in the top 4 in the near term), however:
1) I’m not sure why he needs to go from sheltered 7D all the way to the toughest minutes in the league, which is what Nurse/Ceci have played. OK, they will likely soften a bit with the Ekholm pairing taking some tough minutes but Nurse is still the coaches 1LD tough minutes choice and I don’t see it changing. Not sure why Broberg can’t start with Ekholm, the 2nd pairing tough minutes, still top 4D minutes, with a more “reliable” partner positionally. If Ceci is being knocked down to the 3rd pair, Nurse and Bouchard have shown well together in multiple years, Nurse does well with McDavid and Bouchard needs to be with McDavid. Nurse/Bouchard makes sense. Ekholm/Broberg makes sense.
2) I agree with Armchair re: giving Broberg 3rd pairing minutes to start to get him in a groove prior to bumping him up the lineup.
3) I don’t agree that a team can’t win with Ceci as 2RD. He’s been 1RD pretty much his entire time as an Oiler, I would think he’d thrive with some lower quality minutes and a plus partner.
4) I’d be quite surprised if they don’t start with Nurse/Ceci – with Ceci being healthy to start the season (presumably).
He has played a lot of man hockey and serious hockey, for a young guy especially a Swede given how conservative their hockey is, they just need to let him settle
If they don’t think he can do it move him, his value will only drop
Agreed. Unless there is a sweetheart deal to be had, I am firmly in the let-it-ride until the deadline camp.
Usually the grass is only greener due to the amount of “fertilizer” applied….
I like the roster, I think Kulak and Yamamoto get moved for cap purposes, Brown comes in, a 4C and not much else.
Boy, those 3rd line numbers really shine. I don’t recall a time when the Oilers had a 3rd line that could average 1.99 P/60.
I still think Yamamoto is bought out I can’t see any competent G.M trading a draft pick for his services. In other words I call bullshit that a team is interested unless they’re sending some junk back or Holland throws in a draft pick as a sweetener.
Yes, the truth is, its most likely not going to be too an overly active summer. Sounds like Connor Brown is an Oilers and I expect to see him playing with either Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl. That top six is a given. The bottom six with MacLeod, Ryan & Foegele is a good start, I expect Holloway & Kostin to be in the picture and Lavoie could make some appearances. But yeah, who is that 4C going to be? Maybe Jonathan Toews? We could go with the 11/7 set up again, however, I think they want to roll four lines next season.
I’m in the camp where Cody Ceci might be trade bait for that 4C. Or maybe they can pick up a 4C in free agency? Either way one of Ceci or Kulak will be moved. My preference is Kulak, so I believe we see Kulak play with Nurse on the second pair and Ekholm & Bouchard will be the top pair, meaning we see Broberg & Desharnais as the third pair, Nemo will be the seventh D, or they could sign an $1M depth D to fill that role. Yes, its not going to be all that exciting around here. But as usual I could be dead wrong.
I hope they can get Captain Serious … he’s not the same player that he was a few years ago against the Oilers in the bubble, where he and Kane willed Chicago to victory, but he doesn’t have to be. If he still has the drive to win, I don’t see anywhere else that’s going to provide him with a better landing spot, where ‘load management’ can be used to keep him going effectively in spurts, and keep him on the ice in meaningful games.
Brad Holland in his interview with DNB mentioned how Ken Holland was good at managing the end of great player’s careers “shepherding them to the finish line”. Toews has been one of my favourite players to watch over the past decade or more – he was asked to do too much last season for Chicago, but he’s still got some game left in the tank, and is still the most dominant player in the world on face-offs. I would love to see him sign on as 3C/4C for next season and teach some of the kids like McLeod, Holloway and Lavoie the ropes. After that, he can take it season by season, and let Holland shepherd him to the finish line. The reverance that the Oilers players had for Duncan Keith would be not be lost on Toews.
Reminds me of how the Pens had Bryan Trottier during their first run of Cups – he may have been a shell of the player he was in his prime, but he was still a key part of those teams, as recounted by every single player from those teams, and he went out a champion.
A 1 million AAV with bonuses should work for all parties.
Yeah, I think he could anchor a solid fourth line with Holloway & Kostin.If he’s up to it, or else maybe team him up with Derek Ryan on a veteran fourth line. That would be very cool.
I’m not sure moving a top 4 RD for a 4C is the way to go – and, yes, Ceci is a legit top 4 RD in the NHL – he’s played top 4 RD for years and years and years, deployed there by multiple coaches.
Yes, 38% TOI vs. elites as 1RD is above his proven level of abilities but he actually survived in that spot for 3 months in 2022 and through 3 playoff rounds while playing with a very hobbled 1LD partner.
I think a part of the advantage of going 11/7 at times last year is the ability to get selective minutes for two less experienced D without either pairing them together in a suboptimal situation or without asking two different D pairings to carry a rookie for the entire game. They could be subbed for each other on a lower pairing and in less risky times of the game to get them selective development on a regular basis. Of course it meant more minutes for many forwards without a designated and discrete 4th line. Still, a creative deployment in the right situation. Doing it every game though, might wear out the forwards getting the extra minutes, fatigue might increase the chance of a forward injury, etc. Selectively used it is a useful strategy, as long as you don’t overdo it.
Splitting hairs, but I prefer:
Kane-McJesus-Brown
Nuge-Leon-Hyman
Nuge and Hyman are terrific together. I’m also chuckling that we’re already penciling Brown into the lineup.
There must be multiple different line combo’s that Woodie is dreaming up right now.
Heck, (Hyman-Nuge -Brown) would be awesome too.
How is Brown’s two way game? To improve 5×5 goal differential I prefer one winger on each of the top 2 lines to be defensively responsible. We have Nuge with Drai already for his line, is Brown likely that guy for the McD line.
Broberg takes a beating online.
Nurse gets hammered cause he can’t outperform his contract.
Ceci gets traded daily because he wasn’t as good hurt as when he wasn’t hurt.
Tough crowd is all I can say.
Ceci’s stats in defending the important things are not good
He’s definitely hurting Nurse and contributing to him looking lesser than he might
Ceci’s stats in defending the important things are not good
He’s definitely hurting Nurse and contributing to him looking lesser than he might
Just want them to be their best and win cups
Its tough to defend against elites shift after shift with an injured core/groin……..
I recall watching consistently solid defending in 2021/22 (after, from accounts out east, solid defending in the 2021 season in Pit).
Maybe Broberg takes his opportunity, or forces his way up the lineup with impact play, and is able to thrive in a top 4 RD spot – until that happens, Ceci is likely the current best option and he has a history of solid play.
Here is hoping for positive regression with health for Ceci and, also, pressure from the bottom from Broberg (and maybe Vinny).
You have read the analysis of him I’m sure. It’s a situation like Tipp talked about- great defender cause always in the D zone
He’s weak on defending entries and not great at outlets. Healthy decent in zone. That’s not good for a top pair and marginal for a strong team
This actually exacerbates what Nurse is usually good at. He was before last season good at retrievals and entries, average at outlets because of his passing . He tends to skate it out, which given his limited vision isn’t ideal. This season Nurse was average at everything. It very likely having a deficient partner at the first pair level was more lucky than solid the year before and he couldn’t carry it again especially with the impossible system
Bear and Bouch can pass better which likely made playing with Nurse work better
Everybody plays better used the best way at the right level
We don’t have enough cap space to use our youth to pull off the coveted 3-for-1 anyway. Let’s all enjoy the luxury of having a good enough team to endure a boring off season and keep some cap space to go hog wild at the deadline.
“Do not trade youth (Broberg, Holloway) that can improve you just by their own maturation.”
Nail meet head! You don’t win the cup in October. We have most of the season to see where the young kids are at along with Ceci, Brown etc. then assess at the deadline.
I do believe we come out of the gate and never have to worry about Playoffs.
I hope you mean that in a positive interpretation, as Calgary might fit the same description but not in a good way….