Five years. You need five years. This barely visible snapshot of the 2010 draft (taken from a 2015 vantage point) gives us an idea about prospect progress. How long is how long? Exactly. Once upon a time, in a land of blue sky, sunshine, true love and the promise of a new tomorrow, I thought the 2010 draft would be franchise altering. Hope is a powerful drug, especially to those who have seen despair. You can’t go fast enough to get there early, but you can lose it all in the time it takes to draw a breath.
The Calgary Flames cut the cord yesterday, set sail in search of a brand new day. Should have done it long ago, some will say. Others, who have observed heartbreak and pain, stand on the docks and remember the sad truth of yesterday. It’s so very hard to build something good, almost impossible to build something great, and nothing lasts forever.
Damned if I don’t miss Sam Pollock. It’s a big a surprise to me as it is to you.
I miss the time when the world made sense to me. No wonder nostalgia is unbeaten.
THE ATHLETIC!
- Lowetide: Everything that went right for the Oilers in their perfect January
- DNB: Ranking the Oilers’ top 5 trade assets: Which ones could be in play?
- Lowetide: Will the Edmonton Oilers go all-in at the 2024 trade deadline?
- Lowetide: Which Edmonton Oilers prospects spiked in January?
- DNB: Jeff Jackson Q&A
- Lowetide: Why Oilers defenceman Vincent Desharnais’ next contract could be bigger than expected
- DNB: Oilers winning streak lives, but improvement is needed: ‘We got a lot more in our group’
- Lowetide: Why Oilers forward Sam Gagner is having success in his role
- DNB: Stuart Skinner’s superb play should give Oilers more trade deadline flexibility
- DNB: Why Oilers signing Corey Perry isn’t a surprise — even in these circumstances
- Lowetide: How the Oilers winning the Stanley Cup in 2024 could impact future
- Lowetide: The Edmonton Oilers’ 6 biggest 2023-24 first half surprises
- DNB: Oilers win 13th straight, most by Canadian team in NHL history
- Lowetide: 5 AHL Oilers prospects with the most value ahead of NHL trade deadline]
- Lowetide: Ranking Edmonton Oilers GM Ken Holland’s 10 biggest moves
- Lowetide: Edmonton Oilers top 20 prospects ranking, winter 2023
DON’T PANIC
The deal by Calgary yesterday is a good one for the Flames. The first-round pick could be Oscar Klefbom or better. That’s a valuable piece. The team also acquired an emerging talent who could be a foundation piece in Hunter Brzustewicz, an exceptional young defenseman. I liked Beau Akey more in their draft year, but Hunter Brzustewicz is having a monster season and could be something special. I don’t think the Oilers had the horses to make this trade. Is Evander Kane, Beau Akey, the 2024 first-round selection and Nikita Yevseyev better for Calgary? I think Brzustewicz could be the best asset heading to Calgary in the trade.
For Edmonton, there should be zero panic. Lindholm helps Vancouver in a big way, but there’s work to do on defense over on the left coast. Perhaps this increases the chances of a RH center arriving in the Alberta capital. I think it behooves Ken Holland to wait until the deadline. See what Dylan Holloway, Corey Perry and Calvin Pickard can do for you. Then make the move. I do think (and have said) men like Holloway and Broberg are vulnerable to trade. If the organization doesn’t feel either man can handle a roster role now, we could see either or both dealt.
CONDORS LAST NIGHT
It was an encouraging game despite the loss by Bakersfield last night. Xavier Bourgault didn’t score, but had plenty of chances and three shots on goal (16 in his last five games). Offense will come if he keeps getting chances. Here are the scoring totals for Condors prospects since the Christmas break.
- Dylan Holloway 4, 2-2-4 (1.0)
- Philip Broberg 14, 0-13-13 (.93)
- Ben Gleason 12, 7-4-11 (.92)
- Raphael Lavoie 13, 4-6-10 (.77)
- Carter Savoie 12, 3-3-6 (.5)
- Noel Hoefenmayer 10, 2-3-5 (.5)
- Matvey Petrov 13, 4-2-6 (.46)
- Xavier Bourgault 14, 1-3-4 (.29)
- Jayden Grubbe 14, 2-2-4 (.29)
- Max Wanner 14, 1-3-4 (.29)
- Markus Niemelainen 7, 1-1-2 (.29)
- Tyler Tullio 13, 2-1-3 (.23)
- Phil Kemp 6, 0-0-0
- Cam Dineen 2, 0-0-0
There are encouraging things here. Both Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg have exceeded the league, it’s fairly clear to me and perhaps you agree. Ben Gleason is a player I can see filling the 7D role next season if the Oilers decide to go with a designated option. Raphael Lavoie has increased his shot volume (3.5 per game) and is at 12.5 percent shooting percentage.
Carter Savoie and Matvey Petrov are showing well post-Christmas. You want to see that continue but this is a great start. Xavier Bourgault is lagging, but is just a couple of points off the pace.
If the Oilers move Holloway, or Broberg, and I think there’s a good chance Broberg will be dealt, value contracts for next season will become vital. You can only have so many old and slow forwards making the minimum before it’s a problem. Currently, Edmonton’s value deals next season are Stuart Skinner ($2.6 million), Ryan McLeod ($2.1 million), Derek Ryan ($900,000). This team badly needs youngsters pushing.
Noon to 2pm, Sports 1440, we will hammer away at that trade and talk a portion of the Oilers fan base off the ledge after the Lindholm deal. Bagged Milk from Oilers Nation will be our guest and we’ll look to both Calgary and Vancouver for their perspective. You can reach me at Lowetide on twitter, in the comments section or on the Sports 1440 text line at 1.833.401.1440 directly.
I found it interesting that Team Mcdavid took Helibuick and Boone Jenner….frequent names mentioned on wishlists here.
4 defensemen make the All Star game. Interesting
Evan Bouchard seems made for an all star game. Should be there.
This league is inept at all star programming it is incredible.
They’re seriously honouring the ‘67 Leafs at the All-Star game in 2024…
They really can’t obsess about anything else, can they?
Pretty sad.
Well, they could celebrate Confederation, but we already have Canada Day for that.
Todays realization, watching a zany Oilers season amidst an increasingly ungovernable sport:
In 43 season before this one they won 8 straight games twice…
…Something they’ve done THREE TIME in the past TWENTY SEVEN GAMES.
Techinically . . . in this 16 game winning streak they’ve won eight games in a row 9 times.
Each win at the back takes off a game at the front, creating a new eight game streak.
That’s my math, anyhow.
Does that mean their season is done and they finish with 10 losses?
(Trying to apply your system, did i do it right?)
The Oilers need Nick Bjugstad.
and play him at a suitable position – not moving him up to play 2nd line center vs. Jack Eichel in the playoffs.
I like Perry more than lindholm in a playoff series. He is soft as butter. Here is hoping this upsets the apple cart in vancity.
If it doesn’t pan and EL goes, that’s a gutting
Allvin has done well until this, he must have really wanted his Swede, or somebody did
Hardly.
if Lindholm doesnt
If he wants 8-9 M gonna be a tricky recapping with Pete getting 12+. He’s outscored Nylander who got 11.5
His current year production should pump the brakes a bit.
Some team might pay that but I doubt the Canucks will.
What do you mean?
His current production is almost identical to last season.
He wasn’t a UFA last season.
Now he will be.
Signing Lindblom for a big overpay is a Treliving specialty
He’s also younger and has a better history of scoring and outscoring.
Its not a gutting. I think its a good trade.
I only came here to play rock n roll.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAjOSk0Ormk
Excellent.
Great album by Nazareth. Love the song Telegram where they infused “This Flight Tonight” and the Byrds “So You Want to Be a Rock ‘n’ Roll Star” into the 8-minute song.
Good memories.
The Principal is the NHL’s 2nd star for January.
9-0-0
1.33 GAA
95.3 SV%
Not too shabby.
Poor Stu.
Always the bridesmaid, never the bride.
I wonder if any goaltender in the history of the league has gone 9-0-0.
What I do like about the Canucks moves is that they are not sitting happy in first place.
I see this too much from the Oilers. “We are on a streak so don’t change anything”
Wrong idea. They should still be using thier success to bolster weaknesses, get reps for rookies (not all at once) and showcase players (example Kuzmenko)
The effects of Vancouvers trades are debatable, but what is not debatable is thier effort to improve.
While I give credit here, I do not mean to take away from the Oil. They are doing a lot right, I do noT see much to complain about, and we are not seeing assets being wasted. Holland is patient as a glacier.
Perhaps historically this may have resonated but I would argue this year has been different. Decisions around coaching and goalkeeping happened quickly. As did lineup changes and call ups (with a healthy Holloway). Similarly, the recent acquisition of Perry is another move for a team in the midst of a hot winning streak.
Holland is keeping his powder dry on trades for the right reasons IMO. Hope he nails it.
I’m using patience in a positive way here. No panic moves for a goalie occurred, or any others during the slide except for coach of course.
Could it be that the Canucks are perceived as less of a threat by teams around the league and therefore it’s easier for them to make deals? Just a thought. How do you know the Oilers aren’t working the phones to improve, but just can’t put a reasonable deal together.
It’s more likely that the Canucks were willing to pay a bit more in order to guarantee acquiring Lindholm rather than moving closer to the deadline where another team may have swept in with a stronger offer.
Rutherford has been a high volume deal maker for a LONG time. He’s never been afraid to pull the trigger.
The Oilers added Holloway and Perry to the roster and lineup (and Gagner to the roster) during the streak.
These are not massive moves but its February 1 and I don’t think its fair to say they aren’t looking to improve the team due to a streak.
Fans tend to panic watching the opposition loading up often by mortgaging their future.
Vancouver are on a regular season heater that for all anyone including Harper’s Hair is not even necessarily sustainable next season.
The NHL with 32 teams now features entire franchises who emerge for a season then return back to the swamps.
Have no way to know how Vancouver will even do in the playoffs unlike the Oilers who are needing the SC champs 2 seasons in a row to boot them. Easily Canucks might get themselves bounced, Leafs style in the 1st round.
Dowd is a cheap ($1.3 mil) vet RHC with good face-off skills who can PK and has a year left. Seems a small but useful move for the 4th line.
Tank or Toffoli on RW also works but requires salary retained or sent out since the only bigger contract we want to move is Campbell and that’s impossible. Toffoli is a bit cheaper at $4.25 mil so if NJD retains 50% and takes Janmark that probably works. What pick is required for NJD to do that – the #1? Tank makes too much much IMHO ($5 mil). Toffoli also allows us to bump Foegle back down to L3.
Our depth in goal and defense is fine with Broberg and Campbell coming up for the playoffs.
Cap dictates that we can’t keep any expensive trade pieces next year. So we are in a pure rental situation. If we bring in an expensive rental he better have a playoff track-record and he better be a real upgrade. There is zero need for more Green’s, Athenasiou’s, Kulikov’s and Brassard’s who don’t move the dial.
Foegele since the winter solstice (Dec 22):
15 GP, 6-9-15, +10, 14 EVP
That was the first full game for McLeod-Draisaitl-Foegele. Some movement since but 37 has largely remained in the top 6.
At what point is this no longer a mirage that needs to be upgraded?
Foegele has been great. He’s grown as a player and the pucks are going in for him like never before …
There may be a bit of PDO-heater at play, however. Consider that Foegele’s offensive ceiling is basically Tarasenko’s offensive floor.
I think it would be to the Oilers benefit to have BOTH on the postseason roster. I’m not convinced having Evander Kane written in pen on the 2nd line is particularly wise.
I’d love to have both Tarasenko and Foegele on the playoff roster.
Although Foegele’s PDO has been high since Dec 22, most of that is due to goaltending, not shooting luck. He’s been on ice for 4.12 xGF/60 and 4.67 GF/60, so perhaps a little higher than usual but certainly in the range of normal. On the defensive side though, 1.87 GA/60 vs 3.12 xGA/60 is a gulf. Skinner and Pickard, man.
As an aside, in the games since Dec 22 Tarasenko’s on-ice shooting percentage is almost identical to Foegele’s (12.60 v 12.71) and his personal shooting percentage almost double (22.73 v 13.16), yet he’s produced markedly less: 1.27 G/60 v Foegele’s 1.56, and 2.29 P/60 vs Foegele’s 4.36.
Sorry about the rabbit hole… BOTH is certainly the most compelling answer.
Hey Bruce – yes both is the way to go and I’ve been convinced by others down thread that Tank might be the better option. Cap is tough though and OTT will need to eat 50% and take Janmark.
RNH McD Hyman
Kane Drai Tank (that line is a load)
Foegle Mcleod Perry
Holloway Dowd Brown
Ryan/Gags
Haven’t run the cap but we might need to have WAS retain on Dowd to make it work.
Who’s on the PK, this pushes out Ryan and Janmark but adds Dowd. Still need one more guy to PK, preferably not someone on PP1.
Yup, a veteran bottom six righthand center is all that’s required. A younger, larger version of Derek Ryan would suffice.
Over the past 3 seasons 2020-23, Tarasenko’s playoff scoring rates at 5v5 are far superior to Toffoli’s, 1.85 P/60 v 0.82. He has a penchant for scoring goals in the playoffs, too.
If scoring goals is the hardest thing to do in hockey, and scoring in the playoffs is even harder, then I think you want the guy who has 44 goals in 97 career playoff games over the guy with 18 in 88. Even if he is a little more money.
If he’s healthy he’s also a load and a half. Less fun to defend a guy stronger than you and a dangerous shooter game in and out
I know the Knights are reining champs and Vancouver is enjoying an astounding season.
Yet I believe the team most worrisome to all is the Oilers. Teams know the Oilers can be beat, but they can also bury you. They make moves based on what roster can they put together to get past the Oilers.
Jets, Kings, Avalanche also very strong. Nothing is easy.
This may sound like homerism. I guess it is.
From Oilers perspective they have talent to beat any team. They just need to secure depth so there is minimal drop off in performance line to line, game to game.
Steady as she goes. Make some smart pick ups. Keep the future. I would target players who may get fatigued in the regular season, but who can dig deep for a playoff performance run, such as Tarasenko. If they flounder, you need to be able to plug in the exuberance of a Holloway.
So, now the Dy’s and Falmes have to pool their teams to beat the Oilers?
We HAVE arrived!
I agree with this 100% and the hoards of posts/tweets I read that the Oilers need to respond and even direct critisisms for Holland “someone wake up Ken Holland” are absolutely wild to me.
This trade has zero impact on what the Oilers should, or will do.
Ken Holland is going to make moves between now and March 8 that he thinks will give the team that best chance to win this year that are within reason as far as acquisition cost.
The fact the Knucks added a struggling 2nd line center (which will help them) does not change the path for Holland and Jackson which does include continuing to evaluate what area this team needs improving in the most over the next 40 days.
One thing, I would be shocked if either Broberg or Holloway are traded (in particular Holloway).
“someone wake up Ken Holland”
The fact that the Oilers need a centre more than anything else, particularly a RS, suggests to me the trade does impact the Oilers. That he went to a team we’re chasing is concerning. We’re they in on him? Was it the cost that was the problem?
“that he thinks will give the team that best chance to win this year that are within reason as far as acquisition cost”
We have no idea what they are thinking or are going to do. Holland has a demonstrated track record of overpaying, so I’m not sure about within reason and cost
I find ‘apologists’ just as perplexing as ‘hot takers’, both not incorporating available facts
No need to panic.
Who’s panicking? I just don’t agree with OP on this
Maybe you don’t but your prior response indicates you didn’t understand what OP was saying, or at least trying to say.
This Cancucks making a move to improve yesterday is not going to effect Holland’s plan for the Oilers or the type of moves he’s looking to make. He’s going to do what he feels is best for the Oilers between now and March 8 irrespective of what another team (or teams) has (have) done.
I do understand but am trying to disrupt your work out
Kidding. Yes they will do what they can. It remains true the best C option that he needs went to a top divisional rival which was my point
Was Ken in? What did he have on the table?
KK has worked in a way that has earned my trust so he has benefit of doubt. KH has an unpredictable record for me
I’m going to guess that a 2C isn’t currently high on his list position targets – a list that will probably change a few times between now and the deadline.
Sure, a right shot center is likely high on the list but likely in the Nick Dowd/Jake Evans snack bracket.
I don’t think you understood my post.
They need Holloway to succeed MacLeod at 3c, so Macleod can move up to play with Draisaitl & Foegele full time. Broberg is depth in case one of (Nurse, Ekholm or Kulak) gets hurt. Do they have someone if one of (Ceci, Bouchard or Desharnais) gets hurt?
Kemp?
Isn’t he a RWer? LOL.
Apparently, they have been giving Gleason reps on the righthanded side in Bakersfield.
Yes, on the Broberg/Gleason pairing, Gleason has been playing right side.
Time to counter with a Crosby trade
Can’t have too many centers.
Good trade by the Nucks. This may be their one crack at it so go big to try and keep Pettersson happy and willing to sign. And they kept their best D prospect
If Desharnais struggles it is because he is slow. Replacing slow boots with another slow defence man would not make sense.
I wonder what Toronto would give up for Desharnais? They need a D player like him and he is cheap.
Reputable insider accounts are that they offered Lafferty up for him in the off-season.
Allvin paid a lot. He’s a good player, not great. Not a playoff savant either so far
They will have to thin the herd to keep him
Gawd I wish I knew what 29 and 97 are going to do when it comes time for re-signing. It would make the future trade deadlines so much clearer as to what to do.
Oh, my goodness. What are you going to do?
Unless there is any indication from either player that they don’t intend to re-sign, management presumes they will.
Whoever lands in the final wild card in the West is going to likely have a significant negative goal differential, i.e. there is a big drop off after the top 7 in this conference.
It “behooves” this Oiler squad to still aim for the Conference title, and secure the St Louis Blues or whomever it might be languishing in that 8-spot.
I am not panicked, but the PDO has not regressed yet I see no reason to assume it will by the playoffs. Vancouver is all in right now, but with a core without playoff success, I think Vegas could eat them up for us in round 1.
For the last several years I have been steadying myself for a potential Cup return to Canada by way of Toronto. The horror. I had been sleeping on a perhaps even darker outcome.
Its really up to Edmonton to win, now.
It is looking better than it has for a very long time that a Canadian team (or two!) will make the Finals. Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg and Toronto all have a shot. Of course, my heart says the Oilers are going to be in. For fun, I imagine the craziness if it was Edmonton-Toronto for the Cup… Toronto would implode after we beat the MakeBeLeafs…
Don’t the Canucks players have to go through the “playoff lessons” first?
I mean are they aware of the what the NYI dressing room looked like after they won cups in the early 80s?
Any interest in Vatrano with some retention?
Bit of a streaky scorer, but another 20 goal season this year. In theory you’d have a 2nd line winger for next year at say, $2m.
Aim Higher.
I don’t think Vatrano is legit 2nd line winger, at least going by 5v5 scoring rates.
I don’t expect major moves, but upgrades. Wonder if our deadline is something like:
Tarasenko for a 3rd and a prospect like Niemilainen/mid level prospect.
And a 4th or 5th in 2025 and B prospect for Erik Johnson (Holland loves vet d)
Upgrades our 2 RW
Upgrades our 7D
Those tweeks plus Perry seem to set us up nicely
Nuge. McDavid. Hyman
Kane. Draisatl. Tarasenko
Foegele. McLeod. Perry
Janmark. Holloway. Ryan
Gagner. Brown
Actual depth. Balance and size.
Ekholm. Bouchard
Nurse. Ceci
Kulak. Desharnais
Johnson.
On D with Johnson at 7D, he can slide in for Desharnais if he struggles or is there as insurance and a vet who has won a cup Perfect fit on the back end and won’t cost much. Broberg, Lavoie, Hamblin, Gleason all solid back aces for the playoffs along with Campbell as our 2/3D is a good playoff lineup.
Dare I say it can actual win??????
I don’t think that roster is cap compliant. Salary needs to go for Tarasenko, even with half retained.
Tarasenko is $5M, so with 50% retained he’s down to 2.5.
Get a 3rd party to broker $2.5 down to $1.25 and they can fit him in no problem.
Total deal should cost roughly a 2nd, a B-prospect, and a 5th.
I think you’re throwing in another pick or two if you’re getting another team retaining $1.25 mill in addition to Ottawa retaining.
Lindholm was the top-draw amongst available players, and the Canucks paid a huge price for him. Presumably they also can’t afford to re-sign him. Pure rental.
Thing is, a guy like Tarasenko could provide just as much of a spark riding Starboard on Draisaitl’s wing for a fraction the price.
You would presume wrong.
Rutherford was just on the Marek show..
He says they can and will re-sign him if the test drive works out.
Well that’s going to result in a dilemma for old Jim, isn’t it.
The pain of OEL’s buyout sinks in next season. And Hronek – Pettersson – Lindholm all need new deals well over their current salary.
Canucks will be able to afford two, but not three. Would you sign Elias Lindholm to a max-term deal to play through his 30’s?
Many potential ways to sign all 3.
I’ve always been on board with the flames giving Lindholm his $9MM per for term and I’d be almost as happy for the Nucks to do so instead.
Reading between the lines: Lindholm is insurance for if Pettersson won’t sign.
Yeah…I think that’s a factor
Calgary should’ve re-built when Gaudreau bailed on them. Could’ve traded Tkachuk for draft capital in the deep 2023 class. Treliving missed the opportunity in a big way.
Seven more years of Huberdeau at 10.5M once this season is complete. Paid a 1st to get rid of Sean Monahan. They are hooped.
It gets better:
This summer Treliving paid Klingberg and Reeves instead of Sam Lafferty and a capable defenseman. The Leafs core bloats the payroll, and they’ll always lack the depth to truly compete.
He’s like the new Mike Milbury. God bless you, Brad Treliving.
Don’t forget over-paying Nylander for a career year at his peak. Eight more years of that albatross still on deck.
The mental part is the Habs are likely getting a 2nd (or higher) for Monahan this year as well. That was an astute bit of business by their GM.
Gorton is the master of subtle moves. Acquired Matheson and Monahan in salary dumps. Picked up a bunch of loose change in the Karlsson – Petry gambit, while offloading Hoffman.
The Habs 1st round drafting record is questionable tho.
Agreed on the drafting record in the first – it’s kind of a bit “smartest man in the room”
I’d add David Kampf – 4 years(!) at $2.4 was pretty unnecessary too.
He ballsed that up so bad, then doubled down greatly overpaying UberDough, that only a loser franchise would have hired him
Heh heh
I like this trade for both teams and I also like it for the Oilers.
This really ramps up the pressure on the organization to push the chips in the middle and be cup or bust. This is the window, not two years from now. GO FOR IT!!!
When the Lindholm trade got announced last night, my immediate reaction was “ good, they didn’t get Guentzel”.
Maybe it’s just me. But I prefer Evander Kane over Guentzel. And they also have the mighty Nuge. What do they need another LWer for?
I think it’s just you 🙂
Guentzel is a bona fide sniper. I would take him over Kane any day.
Kane + 2024 1st seems a fair price for a guy that’s legit 30+ goals.
You do know he’s a rental. Don’t you?
I like Guentzel, but just how much of his production is Crosby? Between Crosby and Malkin, he plays over 97% of the time with a superstar C, and over 90% with Crosby.
I’d prefer having both Kane AND Guentzel.
Guentzel has been a stud in the playoffs (unlike Lindholm who has been a dud).
This is a fair point but can we not ask the same of Nuge or Hyman or even Drai (vis-a-vis McDavid and the PP)?
Of course, if this player was on the Oilers he’d likely almost always be playing with one of (sometimes both of) McDavid and Drai.
He has proven to be able to play with elite players – although playing with the Oilers’ elite players may not have equatable success but probably.
With the title “Vancouver Shakedown” I was expecting today’s post would focus on real estate, but you stuck with the hockey.
Vancouver definitely paid in full, and expect the Canucks to have a solid contract to present in hopes of keeping Lindholm long-term.
Now, finding another Klefbom at the end of the first round may be just a little bit optimistic, Calgary looks to be taking a necessary step in re-aligning its core moving forward.
It seems like a good trade for Calgary until Kuzmenko has a decent run in the last 20 games of the season and they extend him 5x$8.5!
Kuzmenko is the new Barkov. Huberdeau unleashed. Flames rocket up the standings, sneak into the playoffs and this desperate cycle continues anew next year.
You forgot beat Vancouver in the first round, and lose to Edmonton in R2.
Nice. And a real sweep this time, no more gentlemen.
Kuzmenko still has another year in the 2x $5.5 deal he signed after his terrific “rookie” season.
Vancouver actually gained cap space in this trade, & dumped the second year of Kuzmenko in the process.
Yes, but Calgary could extend him on July 1.
A counter-trey deadline suggestion. Not what I the Ken famous old man, there is no future Holland will do.
Trade Bourgault + 2024 1st for Barron + Habs 2nd round pick.
Justin Barron is currently a #7 D. But has #4 RHD on a cost controlled contract promise.
The Oilers would be moving up the development timeline for the cost of moving back less than 10 spots in the draft and have defensive depth (if young) for the playoffs.
It would allow the Oilers to move on from the more experienced and expensive Kulak and Ceci in the summer. Hopefully cashing in on a Stanley Cup winner premium for both.
I don’t think Bourgault has high value. Other than that, I like it. Might be better off trading one of the blue in that deal.
The Habs don’t have their own 2nd round pick though, they traded it already. The one the hold currently is from the Avs, so it’ll be a late 2nd.
Its also worth noting that 2 of the 3 2nds they traded turned into Hutson and Faber. So if they move picks or Holloway or Broberg neither outcome is ideal … unless they win of course 🙂
I wonder about giving Broberg 5-10 games with Nurse in Feb as well. Im not sure Broberg the gap on Broberg, Ceci or Walker is that large.
Jenner for Ceci, 1st
Elevate Broberg and add a Kulikov type with a 4th
Forwards much improved, d remains a question.
I had a chat with a buddy last week. I mentioned Lindholm would be a better fit stylistically for the Canucks, much the same Jake Guentzel would be for the Oilers. One domino has fallen.
Sure, but don’t the Oilers need a center?
Sure… Guentzel probably eliminates Henrique, so most likely the Sean Monahan ‘aisle’ of the store…
Nuge-McDavid-Hyman
Guentzel-Draisatl-Kane
Foegele-McLeod-Perry
Janmark-Holloway-Ryan
Gagner/Brown
Guentzel has a cap hit of $6M and is UFA next season. I just think it’s a bit of a pipe dream, especially for the price they will need to pay to acquire him. I’d rather Noel Acciari from the Pens for two more years for $2M for a much less acquisition cost.
Good trade for both teams. I think Holland will be patient right up to the final week.
This is very likely the best path forward given the continued need to asses what is the best position to upgrade. Presuming the pre-break roster, the Oilers have $1MM of AAV they can add at the deadline – they can’t bring in any material player without moving cap out unless they get the cap hit retained below that number.
So enlighten me OP.
If we can add $1MM of AAV does that mean we can add a $3MM player(prorated aav) and if we remove an 800k (prorated) player we can add a $3.3MM player
Nope, that is “pro-rated”
We’d have the room, at the deadline with open and accrued space to fit in an annual cap hit of just over $1MM.
There is no cap space.
Lets not forget, when we send Holloway and Kemp down this week, that’s adding $9K of total cap space per day.
If the Oilers want to acquire a $1MM contract at the deadline, presuming they aren’t in LTIR, they need to find about $375K in cap space (if there is 37.5% of the season left – I don’t know the exact percentage).