There are several things I’d like to see the Edmonton Oilers accomplish in the next six months and I’m sure we can spend this off day discussing them. Hold on to your ass, I have many thoughts.
Leon Draisaitl signing a three- or four-year deal with the Oilers in an effort to grab a second (and more) Stanley.
The Oilers hire a general manager who assesses talent and owns the aggression of Glen Sather, while also appreciating and completely understanding analytics and the value of properly interpreted intel.
At least one Finnish player added to the 50-man roster.
Several undrafted free agents added to the NHL roster.
A Jack Campbell buyout.
Target and sign Brett Pesce in free agency. Run a top-four of Ekholm-Bouchard, Nurse-Pesce, with Broberg-Ceci or Broberg-Desharnais depending on the ask from Desharnais.
I would like the Oilers to sign (as rumoured) both Adam Henrique and Sam Carrick, but on one-year deals.
I would like the new general manager to construct a roster that includes Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg written in pen, a real shot for Raphael Lavoie and Olivier Rodrigue, and an extended pre-season look at Tyler Tullio, Max Wanner and Jayden Grubbe.
I would love to see the new manager refrain from throwing the young players overboard. It happens every damn time and it’s irritating. Teemu Hartikainen was on the verge of an NHL career, gets punted by a new manager who then signs Jesse Joensuu who teaches all of us just how bad back injuries can be for hockey players.
I would like to see the organization sign Golden Bears forward Eric Florchuk. Bob has mentioned him multiple times, he knows his stuff, and Noah Philip thrived in his one pro season.
Speaking of, I’d like to see that young man resume his career. He would be on this team now, in my opinion, if things had worked out differently.
I would like to see the organization sign Cameron Wright. He’s earned it.
Today on the Lowdown (noon to 2pm) we hammer the weekend start and offer Steve Lansky and Tyler Yaremchuk as guests. Declanations will happen and we’ll talk about the big weekend game against Colorado. It’ll be a good test, and we’ll chat about Vegas Golden Knights and what is happening. 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.
Mazura picked up an assist in St. Lawrence’s 3-2 win in double OT. They now take a 1-0 series lead and can complete the sweep tomorrow.
Day got the night off.
Ranford.85
March 15, 2024 8:31 pm
I like your train of thought LT, hopefully we see a few of your desires come to fruition.
Random discovery. With all the talk of Mackinnon being other worldy, his facoff percentage is mediocre at best. 46.9%. Guess that means McDavid is still best in the world, hah!
hunter1909
March 15, 2024 8:21 pm
Oilers play their Conference Final nemesis Colorado 3X over the rest of the season. Win 3 out of 3 and Oilers have a very real chance to overtake the Avs – which in the playoffs means home advantage to the team that whipped Oilers 4-0 in the playoffs a few seasons back.
Hoping they win at least game 1 of the 3 game set. To help keep those pesky Kings and Knights at bay.
Scungilli Slushy
March 15, 2024 7:35 pm
Also, drafted players are different than traded players or those that have gone UFA
If these players are serious about winning the cup, then why on earth would these two superstars each with scores of millions earned already want to be greedy, take as much money as possible and leave the team cap strapped?
leadfarmer
March 15, 2024 7:03 pm
Some rumors that we trying to sign Henrique to a 3 x 3 contract.
id be ok with that.
The due that posted that said that the Oilers are trying to get the cap hit down using bonuses and such which statement means we can totally disregard this as BS.
Henrique will not be eligible for a 35+ contract next season so no performance bonuses so this “intel” was a load of crap!
Hmmm… remember them hurrying to sign Kassian whilst simultaneously handcuffing themselves when it came to Nurse’s contract?
‘member?
Pepperidge Farm remembers.
Oilers historically do dumb things, but maybe this is a new age of competence.
MrEd
March 15, 2024 5:55 pm
1.Leon Draisaitl signing a three- or four-year deal with the Oilers in an effort to grab a second (and more) Stanley.
Is the insinuation that if the Oilers don’t win (a first Stanley) then the alternative is to trade him this summer? If so, what should the haul look like? Would it be possible to remain a Stanley Cup contender AND recoup our draft capital and/ prospect cupboard?
They would probably get some kind of package that includes a quality not star defenceman, a solid but unspectacular foot soldier top sixer, and a 1st and 3rd round pick.
LAK pumped and dumped a stiff named Bernie Nicholls to Oilers for of all players, Mark Messier.
Rondo
March 15, 2024 5:44 pm
“It’s not unusual at this point of the season for general managers to accompany their scouts to games and narrow their list of targets. Nashville Predators GM Barry Trotz and Boston Bruins GM Don Sweeney were at Meehan Auditorium in Providence to watch Quinnipiac play Brown on Feb. 23 to watch Quinnipiac forward Collin Graf and center Jacob Quillan. Edmonton Oilers GM Ken Holland visited Quinnipiac the weekend prior.
If he makes it to the bigs, he would likely be the biggest goalie ever at 6’8″, 240 lbs.
(Interestingly, Copponi’s Merrimack teammate Hugo Ollas, a Rangers pick who just signed with them today, is not much smaller.)
Either of the Quinnipiac players would be decent adds. No room for both as the Oilers are already at 49 contracts ATM.
theDjdj
March 15, 2024 5:19 pm
One of the things that I feel hasn’t been discussed a lot (or may have and I’ve missed) is that the Oilers are currently slightly ahead of the last few years performances, with not dissimilar offensive output comparative to the field, but McDavid has 25 goals and Draisaitl 33. Zach Hyman is accounting for probably ~10 (and maybe Bouch for the PPG ?) yoy difference but that the rest of the goals are so spread I think bodes well for this year’s team.
Looking at it, it seems to me the difference for McDrai is a dip on the power play. Which I think again benefits this years team in playoffs as the refs use the not widely distributed NHL Rule Book: Playoff EditionTM that sees less whistles (and we still are good for 3rd pp%)
Keeping in the spirit of Mail-It-In Friday, I went with the Border City.
Looks like McKenna wasn’t even in the lineup.
Scungilli Slushy
March 15, 2024 3:52 pm
Check out Gregor’s interview with Des. Interesting fellow, interesting life
What struck me regarding the team was that for all of the years that many of us commented on the glass and out and straight back in, lack lustre D play, they were being told to play that way
Woody is a nice guy, but for those of us that thought there were issues with his coaching, this is pretty damning evidence. You don’t glass and out as a tactic with a team like this and Connor on it. Or any time, if you want to go far. Play hockey first. For Pete’s sake
You haven’t known all this time that the Babcock/McLellan coaching tree relies on up-the-boards for zone exits? Lots of ladder plays, tips for dump-ins that sort of thing. A lot of teams play that style, involving a lot of star players. It’s just a different philosophy, no better or worse than other systems. All have their advantages and their drawbacks. All come down to execution in the end.
I was referring to how many didn’t notice and were fine with what was going on
Obviously I did or I would have made the comment, right?
As for better or worse, I can’t agree that they are all the same based on execution. They aren’t. Babcock won one cup. McLellan zero. Woody zero. All had enough roster to win, Babcock more
Playing obstruction era tactics in a non obstruction environment doesn’t work
Tippett’s teams did that too; it was KRusty’s crutch (among others).
I found it infuriating because too often the puck would just get bounced back into the zone after the opposition had changed, and we’d get hemmed in with tired guys.
Scungilli Slushy
March 15, 2024 3:16 pm
To make a roster I like better for next year, and address the 3 young players that need to be in the NHL next season, was pretty easy to do
I think they need to clear some cap, get faster especially in the back, play faster through the roster, and get younger. I also think Brown plays very well, and that he will begin to produce enough in the future, so unless this year ends terribly for him I would bring him back
But he would have to take a haircut, I think he would. If he can’t get to not being a drag and continues to score nothing I wouldn’t of course, but I don’ think that’s what will happen
Ceci and Kulak out for assets. I like Kulak but it’s necessary. Foegele walks, he’ll be too expensive and we need roster spots. I like Carrier and Roy for D, but I think Roy stays in LA. Carrier plays an aggressive style, plays elites well, is very fast (unlike Stecher) and is a style fit for Nurse. He also ins’t a high producer, so affordable. There aren’t many other options
I would let Des go get paid and sign Josh Brown or someone. I would re-sign Henrique, Pickard, Janmark (reliable), maybe Carrick, maybe try to upgrade there, I’m not sure who outside of Dowd, maybe they try to deal him again
Nuge CMD Hyman
Kane Drai Brown
Henrique (2.5M) McL Lavoie (950K)
Holloway (1M) Carrick (900K) Janmark (1M)
Ryan
Ek Bouch
Nurse Carrier (4.25M)
Bro Brown (1.5M)
Stu
Pick (1.75M)
With Jack in the Bake that’s 21 with 2.8M left. If you deal Jack clean you have 6.7M. Brown and Des are similar, but Brown skates better and I think will cost less. I wouldn’t spend to the cap, leave at least 1M so you have room to do things. If you spend to the cap, you should have the LTIR magic
One part of this that I’m still not comfortable with is moving Ceci to replace him with a more expensive player that might not even be any better. I guess we’ll get a pick for Ceci but I’m not sure I like the swap.
I feel Carrier is much better. Because he is a better hockey player in all aspects of defending. The only reason he isn’t making a ton is size. He’s even more aggressive at the net than Ceci while giving up 30’lbs
I feel it would be like getting Toews – a smaller mobile but really good D
Yes, and because there should be a different GM. I doubt things stay the same regardless of playoffs, and they shouldn’t
John Chambers
March 15, 2024 2:03 pm
You can trade Jack Campbell.
You can trade him for Josh Anderson. Or for Marc-Edouard Vlasic. Or some similarly appalling contract.
Or you can retain 50% and trade him along with a 1st round pick to someone who’s going to buy him out. That may be an option worth considering depending on how you value cap space.
But the best option is going to be buying that contract out. He’s a 2b / 3rd string goalie and has a market value of $850K.
For cap space to even matter by the time Campbell’s contract ends, many things would need to happen.
McDavid would have to be extended at below his actual market value
Sane for Draisaitl or you would have to make a very good hockey trade.
At this point, you probably need to airlift in the entire Dallas Stars scouting department because you don’t know which person is pulling the weight.
With the poor drafting under Holland, his proclivity for frittering away draft picks, the lack of trades for emerging talent, is it even conceivable that we’ll still be in our window after the Campbell contract ends?
Sing their praises, but disparage the job Holland has done every chance you get?
3 year for Zito? 1 year for nucks new management? Oilers made playoffs once in 10 years previous to Holland being hired. Overhauled the roster. This will be 5/5 years in playoffs, including more series wins over the last 3 years than the Panthers.
Yes Holland has improved the team, and this isn’t the first time I have said it
As with stats, it’s about the context. Teams with players like Connor who was entering prime when KH showed up, and Leon and Nurse, are going to start making the playoffs with a few decent roster adds
The goal though isn’t just making it in though, is it? My point is with a more active GM as the Cup winners have had the last 3 times perhaps they get to the finals in year 3
I see no reason why not. In three years time we will have the following players under contract:
Nuge
Hyman
Nurse
Thats it. Thats a fine core to start with, and approximately $90 Million in cap space. You are hoping to add to that two 30-ish year old elite centermen (McDavid and Drai), a starting goalie (Skinner), a top line D-man (Bouch) at bare minimum.
A core of Bouch, Nurse, Skinner, Drai, McDavid, Nuge and Hyman is still a very strong 7 to build around, even if the forwards are getting older.
Thats not to mention players like Holloway, Broberg, or others coming along that should hopefully fill some important roles on the team as well.
With all of that cap space, and the sheer amount of players up for contract by the time Campbell’s contract ends, there is no way to say where we will be in our window. If we can retain McDrai, sign some value free agents, I see no reason why the window would be closed that early.
coops
March 15, 2024 1:44 pm
My Haiku wish:
Dorsal remotus
simian glori aeterna
plus pati et Leafs
“C’mon boys. We don’t want trouble here, not in any language.”
I love Tombstone.
hunter1909
March 15, 2024 1:16 pm
Like Lowetide, I’d like to see Leon sign for 3-4 more years. That way, in case the team becomes an “also ran” then he is still young enough to go to Boston and lead them to glory.
As presently constituted, these Oilers of 2024 are a bona fide contender. If they are able to stay together they will eventually break through.
Archetype
March 15, 2024 11:42 am
Pesce would be a fantasic add. However, he’ll be 30 this year and will likely be looking for term…there isn’t a whole lotta youth on the back end apart from Bouchard. Broberg, maybe, but he’s still somewhat of a question mark. Would Pesce even consider Edmonton?
Carrier may still be an option this summer. Younger and cheaper, although not as good as Pesce. Doesn’t seem like many options out there for RHD.
If the Oilers are fortunate enough to hoist Stanley’s mug this Spring, I don’t see management making much of a change on defence, as much as many of us pine for a Ceci upgrade.
Lastly, how good is Ekholm? Man. When he’s on the ice, he gives me a sense of reassurance that I haven’t had since Pronger. 83 regular season games as an Oiler, 9-33-42 +58!
Ceci is a decent player, but Knoblauch likes to play with tempo, and Ceci and Des don’t have that style. The D moving the puck quickly and well is key to maximizing this forward group, beating N and D zone clogging. It’s also more in the natural style of the team, more rush attacks and less having to cycle. Cycling is important, but I feel the team has lost too much of the other way to score, unless the game is wide open like against the Caps
IF we get a new GM, they will ask the coaches what they think. I think they will say they want more pace out of the D group, and we’ll see
Victoria Oil
March 15, 2024 11:23 am
LT, I have no quibbles with your summer wish list with the exception (as others have stated) of a Campbell buyout. Jack has had a .917 save percentage in the AHL. If you toss out his first 3 games, that jumps to over .925. Would be nice if another team sees this and takes a chance on Campbell, with double retention if necessary. Three years of retention (and/or draft picks) is less painful than 6 years of a buyout. And I want us to be a Stanley Cup contender for all of those 6 years.
Flames reportedly turned down a first round pick from Avs as that would have required them to take Ryan Johansen back.
Dumping Soupy contract is just not gonna happen. He probably gets a 1 year 1.25 mil contract from someone but that’s about it
His contract isn’t outrageous. If a team needs a goalie, and lots do, why not? The ask for Saros who isn’t playing well was very high. So you could take a chance and pay a 3rd rounder or something and get a goalie that has the talent to start
And many teams have cap to buy him out if necessary. He may fare better on a non contending US team
Maybe not, but I stick to my point that as Oiler fans we think everything is too expensive or impossible, because that is mostly all we have seen since 06. No cap, nobody available, I don’t buy green bananas etc
Meanwhile guys like McC, Zito Hughes and some others do it a couple of times a year. Dubas also gets deals done he wants. Hughes traded an fading old disgruntled expensive Petry twice, got two firsts in deals for the still sheltered and unsuccessful Monahan. I don’t know how it would work because that depends on the team
Trade Kulak and Ceci for picks or prospects and use those. We just haven’t seen a good deal maker in ages
Ekholm is a great player, but the deal was heavy on the Oilers’ end
The problem is bleeding assets. The cap means assets are scarce
I have said Holland is a decent GM many times and improved the team. For some that may be enough. For others, when your starting point is a 23 YO CMD and also having Drai, at year 5 with the second round as your deepest success, and roster holes that are the same as 5 years ago, perhaps a more determined manager would have done more in that time
Campbell is .933 since Christmas. That’s not worth $4M, but someone might give him an opportunity at an NHL job with retention.
Darth Tu
March 15, 2024 11:00 am
I would like to see the organization sign Golden Bears forward Eric Florchuk. Bob has mentioned him multiple times, he knows his stuff, and Noah Philip thrived in his one pro season
100%. I am on board with this completely. Florchuk is money.
I predict Draisaitl will sign a one year extension this summer (possibly two years, but more likely one year) for say $12.5 million dollars or so.
Then the summer after that, EVERYTHING EVERWHERE EVERYONE ALL AT ONCE. Bouchard would be a RFA, and both Draisaitl and McDavid would have a single year left both eligible for extensions. All the relevant decisions will be made. Who is resigning long term? Who is being traded? etc. etc. etc.
It will be interesting to see what players do this and next summer with the CBA expiring in 25-26. Do you go short term and bet on salaries spiking after the new one starts, or go long term and lock-in now?
Nah…there is one pot of money, and the three big tickets can have a say in how it gets divvied up.
McDavid $15 million Draisaitl $12 million Bouchard $9 million…Bouchard’s would be kicking in in 2025, and the othe two in 2026. A little bit of a home town discount on each.
If one is signed long term, one has no leverage to force a trade, or more importantly force a trade to the desired location.
OriginalPouzar
March 15, 2024 10:44 am
I’ve expressed my displeasure with Hawks being able to terminate Perry’s contract and there being very few details as all the teams need to be in the know fully – we are talking about simply removing cap hits. I’m sure all teams would like to just “terminate contracts” and deal with any grievances in the future.
My concerns have been validated by Friedman this morning (32 Thoughts) as he said its clear that the contract would not have been subject to termination for any other org but the Hawks.
Perrry didn’t want to grieve it but the NHLPA felt they needed to do something to ensure the “guaranteed nature” of NHL contracts was not weakened, hence the settlement.
They cite this is not to be used as precedent but, at the end of the day, a team got out of a $4MM cap hit via contract termination where there was no cause to terminate.
I look forward to the Knights terminating Hertl’s anchor contract in two years.
It’s just another example of the NHL enforcing rules when/how they want and giving certain teams preferential treatment. It benefits the business to keep the Hawks happy.
It’s the unfortunate reality of how the NHL chooses to operate. I don’t doubt that certain teams will be allowed to do likewise.
Bettman preaches parity, but in reality there isn’t.
The contract being a single year deal, on a non-playoff bound United States team, were all reasons for why the NHL decided as they did. Factors that should be irrelevant when following their own CBA and league regs, but highly relevant when thinking of the bottom line for the league.
I think the Hawk’s state of affairs, recent history, and the club’s relationship and profile within its community probably played a bigger role than the reasons you mention. Your reasons would’ve helped, I just don’t think they were the critical factors.
The affair likely resulted in the issuance of new memos to the clubs, effectively amending the CBA as the League is wont to do, but to which we are not privy. Yet again.
A player admitting he did something wrong and there being an HR nightmare is a LONG ways from termination for cause within the the structure of a CBA and guaranteed contract.
When Elliotte Friedman, on his podcast, says straight up that the actions would not have been cause for termination for any of the other franchise, I take that as truth.
Sure, that’s the definition of hearsay but this isn’t a court of law and we can be practical
Vegas don’t need to terminate Hertl’s contract when they can just place him on career ending LTIR…he has the injury history for it, or they can make up some story about a rash caused by his equipment.
Last edited 1 month ago by Skippy - the bush kangaroo
who
March 15, 2024 10:32 am
That’s quite a summer wish list. Those are all nice things, but I don’t see the 2 big items being attainable.
1. I don’t see Draisaitl signing for anything less than max term. And if it helps lower the cap hit a little, I think the team would want that.
2. Pesce would be a long shot to sign in Edmonton, and if Draisaitl is signed, I don’t see enough money for Pesce. The Oilers would have to move out more than Foegele and Kulak to make that happen.
I agree about Draisaitl wanting max term. One shoulder/knee/hip injury and he could be the next Klefbom. At least I would, if I was him.
cowboy bill
March 15, 2024 10:31 am
There’s just one thing I would like to see them accomplish. That is win the Stanley Cup.
I’m very impressed with the team that has been put together. I’m not sure that it’s Holland that deserves all the credit, I believe it’s the organization as a whole rather than a single person that should get the accolades.
I see a team with immense character and personality. It starts with Connor McDavid. But like Holland he can’t do it all on his own. There’s Nuge & Hyman and all together they form a top trio that could easily be tops in the entire league. Leon certainly can’t be denied, along with his newly.formed line mates, MacLeod & Foegele , who have developed tremendous chemistry over the course of their careers in Edmonton and Draisaitl is the cherry on top with these two. There’s Evander Kane, a large personality that continues to mature with a couple veteran line mates Henrique & Brown, a couple warriors, to create a third line that will no doubt be a force in the playoffs. I got to say Sam Carrick will be key centering the fourth line with Janmark, Perry, Ryan, three very experienced players with plenty of compete and Dylan Holloway, the speedster who should see some playoff action as well.
I’ve rattled on too much here; I’ll just say the defense that has been assembled is solid and reliable, with size and grit that will prevail from top to bottom, from Ekholm, Bouchard, Nurse, Desharnais, Kulak, Ceci, Stecher to Broberg. Last but not least Stewart Skinner will rival Grant Fuhr’s cool hand Luke between the pipes and if anything happens to Skins, Picks & Soupy suprise. All the ingrediencies are in place let the journey begin.
frjohnk
March 15, 2024 10:21 am
Id go 8 years with Draisaitl. Which would take him to age 38.
I think he falls into the Thornton, Malkin, Kopitar fold.
Age 36 Thornton put up 82 points in 82 games.
Age 36 Malkin put up 83 points in 82 games
Age 36 ( this year) Kopitar has 53 points in 65 games. 0.82 points a game. Quite close to his 0.88 points a game.
Age 37-38 Thornton did hit some sort of wall, but was still a very good player
50 points in 79 games age 37
36 points in 47 games age 38.
Malkin has 50 points in 65 games this year at age 37.
A healthy Draisaitl and you get 5-6 years of elite production in the next contract. Possibly more, if still surrounded by a good team.
What makes me optimistic about Draisaitl getting older but still being elite is that on 1 leg, he still slayed in the playoffs 32 points in 16 games. He has shown he can adjust his game and still be dominant.
Like Draisaitl, none of the players you mentioned relied on speed to be effective, which reinforces your idea that he’ll cover an 8 year contract.
On a personal note, I sprained my ankle quite badly about 6 months ago, and normal activities such as walking up stairs still cause discomfort. Although the skate boot does a good job of holding the ankle in place and the action of skating is less stressful on the ankle itself, I have a profound new respect for what Draisaitl did after his injury.
Phenomenal player. Count me in on the max term side.
My concern with Leon is how he plays on top of his lumbering heavy style. He already coasts a lot, and he tends to play in specific areas of the ice. Because of that I don’t see him like Malkin or Kopitar who range more widely
So more like Thornton who liked to do set ups and was fairly stationary. If Leon loses a step, I think he might be easier to defend because he likes to go to the right half wall and down. They already trap him there quite often, and we see the high risk passes and mostly unsuccessful he tries to put through those in between him and the net the other Oilers
They will sign him long for sure, unless the (please) new GM has a shocker up their sleeve. If the don’t make it so he can’t be dealt if it starts to go south, I’m ok with it. But getting stuck with a very expensive fading player will lead to where the Pens are at, and it’s not necessary to do that
Who are the best available candidates for a replacement GM?
Last time around I had Zito and McCrimmon who have since been hired. Ron Hextall is the lone executive remaining from that search as currently available.
Of course, seeing who becomes available in the off season will be important to consider.
Are there any young executives rising through the ranks to include?
Where does Jeff Jackson sit within this talent pool?
With Jackson’s expressed focus on analytics you’d have to think any exterior search would include Eric Tulsky from the Canes, who I’d be very much in favour of.
For in-house options, despite the poor nepotism optics, I think Brad Holland has shown enough in his time in pro scouting to be considered, including a shared strong interest in analytics, having been tasked by Jackson to develop this department and resulted in Holland Jr. hiring Parkatti.
For me the skill sets they need to acquire are deal making, understanding the cap, proper pro assessment when looking at the team, aggressiveness like Sather to always get better, as LT said. Not recklessness, but more drive than Holland has shown. Not wasting any time
The analytics dept can do that type of research. These things at a high execution level are what have been missing for me in the Holland era. I’m not sure a non hockey analytics person would have the eye to go with the numbers for the pro/team side. Maybe the deal making skills, but I’m not sure where they would have acquired the experience
I think that’s a fair, reasoned assessment and wonder if the lack of longitudinal experience in hockey from a young age has affected Tulsky’s hireability so far where it seems he interviews for most vacant GM spots in recent years with no takers as of yet.
Aggressive can be good but Holland’s patience has proven to be a very important attribute in the past. If Holland was more aggressive, we likely would have seen assets out for a goalie months back and we likely would have Chychrun on our team as opposed to Ekholm.
Patience and aggressive can co-exist but don’t always.
The thing is time is ticking. I and others have shown countless times how the teams that win Cups make deals. A clueless GM could destroy sure. If they know what they like and can see those players properly, it works. Canucks, Knights, Panthers. The turn around in Canucks and Panthers was fast. Avs used to be like that under Joe, still try to do it but not as well
A decent Steady Eddy can build a good team, and that has value. But if you want Cups, you can’t wait for it to happen semi-organically. Even with the best player since Sid. Or watch for a year to see what you might need. Or let the boys have another shot at it and not see or want to improve weaknesses
Connor was 23 when Holland arrived. 5 years to build a roster that still had holes, many the same as when he started. Many, many people here and in media said signing Campbell was a bad idea, especially at that hit and term, it was easy to predict, very risky. Key players age out
I think of the Canes and especially Jets. Sitting at the top for years, Cup expectations, never getting there. For the Jets, Chev wasn’t proactive enough, had dressing room problems and couldn’t get things settled quickly enough. Now Scheifele is almost 32. Went years with an undermanned D because he kept losing guys, like Calgary in a way. Now the team is doing well but on the ropes – the fans have apparently not enjoyed the slow boat, constant turmoil, and unmet expectations. Wouldn’t have happened like that in Vegas. Not every fan base is Edmonton, Montreal or TO
The Canes went after D, but didn’t have enough up front and yearly goalie issues. This deadline Waddle went after it. Their owner likely had a hand in it all for sure. But it took years of disappointment first
With respect, you also seem to have unrealistic expectations of management and the players in many cases.
I believe you’ve posted today that, not only should Holland be able to move Campbell’s contract, that he should be able to get rid of the entire $5MM X 3 and not have to sweeten and even get a 3rd rounder – wildly unrealistic in my opinion.
You also seem to think that the players should be dialed on to the structure will full commitment for 60 minutes a night and for all 82 games – something no team can do, not the 70s Habs or the the 2022/23 Bruins.
You cite things the Oilers do that “true contenders” don’t do when, in fact, all teams do that thing (such as blow leads in the 3rd and lose to bad teams, etc).
For the team, it’s not losing, and I have made this comment, it’s how and when
This last road trip had some bad games. It happens. But being tired is different than poor play
I want them to get to losing while playing correctly in those circumstances. I think that is what top teams do that stay top over time. Regressing to high danger hockey isn’t the answer and almost always ends up as a negative
And, I believe, during the lead up to the Holland hiring.
Or, was that a different Hunter?
ArmchairGM
March 15, 2024 10:01 am
I don’t know much about Pesce except that he’s slower than Ceci and not having a great year. What is it about him that you like? Why does he make a better partner for Nurse?
My eye test shows guys like Pesce, Slavin, Hedman, McAvoy, among the few defensemen who can somewhat handle Connor when we play out east (without it being a fluke/getting lucky).
BornInAGretzkyJersey
March 15, 2024 9:59 am
I am averse to buyouts to the fullest extent possible. We’re almost rid of the dead space from Neal, adding a Campbell buyout for one metric forever is an albatross I’d rather avoid.
Pending results after the season, and potential playoff appearance(s), I’d want to explore a trade with some retained salary.
Peterson got moved. It’s not without recent precedence.
Both retained salary and buyout count against the cap. Are you assuming that the GM can negotiate a more cap advantageous retain than the buyout alternative? I’m no CBA expert. Just trying to follow the economic rationale.
The cap savings of a buyout would be more than on a retained salary trade for the first few years but, of course, tacks on 3 years of a dead $1.5MM cap hit.
A buyout is better early but kicks the can down the road.
Of course, as of now, the Oilers would still need to add an asset to get rid of Campbell at 50% retained.
I’d go further. I want no retention, somebody will be looking for a goalie in the summer. I’d pay whatever we need to in draft picks for a clean disposition of the Campbell contract.
Let someone else take the picks from us and buy him out if they want. Oilers having the extra cap space on hand to get the Drai deal done and a Bouch deal done the following year is far better than having any retention.
Given Drai’s age, it SHOULD reduce that AAV but I’m not sure that concept applies to the superstars and the AAV will be $13.5MM (apx) no matter how many years – even if there are multiple clear regression years – shit, regression could set it year 1.
Between 1991 and 2014 the Oilers had a Hall of Fame player for one season – Chris Pronger. It was a highly memorable season.
In 2014 and 2015 the Oilers drafted HoF players. Manna from heaven.
I’m not as concerned about aging curves as it relates to some of the best players of all time. If you can keep them in Oiler silks for their careers, it adds to the legacy of the franchise.
So yes. Eight more years of Leon Draisaitl all day long. I imagine that 37 & 38 year old Leon Draisaitl will still be a fantastic hockey player that we’ll consider ourselves lucky to cheer for.
I have been clear that I would prefer a bit of a shorter term for Drai than max but, at the same time, in the 2022 playoffs he proved he can be a historically elite player without actually being able to skate…..
Yeah, like I said, the truth doesn’t really refute Mr. Chambers’s point. I’m just offering a warning to readers that the statement isn’t factual.
BornInAGretzkyJersey
March 15, 2024 9:51 am
Players want to win. And more importantly, have a legit shot at Stanley.
Can the above be enough of an enticement to sign Pesce? He’s rumoured to only want to sign in the US, but they say that about every American player. Not sure the degree to which this holds true with him in particular.
I think it can happen, but the deal would have to come at a reasonable price and would require some savvy with the pitch.
He’s my top target.
Gordoil
March 15, 2024 9:41 am
Heaven forbid Skinner gets hurt in the playoffs
but if it were to happen and Campbell saved the day and won the cup he would be a very tradable asset
lets wait for this season to be over before thinking about the summer
I highly doubt the above happens but a lot will happen that is unforeseen and all of it will alter the summer to do list.
That would be a possibility, however selling high on an up and down player
My point was more to the fact of the unknown – too early for summer plans
Lets enjoy the playoffs, and get there first
Fleury got traded after a Vezina and a season or two removed from the finals.. and was also moved off from the Pens after he tag-teamed them to the cup with Pittsburgh
Scungilli Slushy
March 15, 2024 9:36 am
I really like your list, although I would not buy out Campbell. Cap efficiency is absolutely critical (unless you can game LTIR), and affects the now. If it is magic beans to move him, the beans have far lower value than current cap, and a lot of uncertainty. It is the weakest, easiest way out. Taking that road is not top level performance, and the Oilers and us deserve management worthy of this roster and it’s potential. And the team’s legacy
I think we have had such a string of poor GMs, and the last 5 years a decent but bland one, we have lost some perspective, and it seems like every contract has to be an overpay and/or over-term, every deal has to come at a higher than market cost, normal organizational things like an OHL scout and a person in charge of player development are pie in the sky dreams that are a bridge too far. We can’t see anymore that our GM ‘could’ do what the other good GMs do regularly, I see the surprise here when someone makes a move and it isn’t as costly as everyone said it would be
I don’t think that because it’s Edmonton those things have to happen anymore. There are a lot of less than sexy cities in the NHL, many are far less desirable places to live than Edmonton. I don’t buy that the tax thing is of primary concern to most players, and if it is I don’t want personalities like that anyways. Besides tax is calculated in the jurisdiction the game is played in, and lots of US states are as bad or worse than Alberta with tax, cost of living etc.
And those teams don’t have Connor McDavid on them. If you can’t leverage that, you’re no salesperson
Jack is playing well enough, so a creative enough GM can figure something out. They can even take part of the blame as Holland said he didn’t handle that well enough publicly, Many teams need goalies. It will cost something, I don’t think it has to be egregious because he is not terrible. Also, there aren’t many goalies anymore that are always good, in season or season to season. Not even Saros, Kuemper or Vasilevskiy, currently sporting .896
Todd Macallan
March 15, 2024 9:33 am
Hard to argue with any of those points. On the more minor end I would add the following for my own wishes:
1) Execute a “Tullio, Savoie” type deal at the draft the trade the 2nd for two lower picks, then take Harrison “Max Wanner + offensive upside” Brunicke and RC Riley Patterson with those picks.
2) Nikita Yevseyev successfully gets out of the final year of his KHL contract (which I believe a couple months ago he and his agent were rumored to be challenging based on an obscure report I cannot recall the source of) and immediately joins the Condors in a top 4 LD role.
3) Find a way to trade for Philip Tomasino, perhaps for a package of Borg (whom I still have hope for) + (and maybe another +).
4) Gags take a key role in Player Dev’t, fresh off retirement with his new Cup ring.
Yes you are correct, I just seem to recall he and his agent trying to get out of his contract due to perceived discrimination by his coach but believe they were not successful in this unfortunately.
Reja
March 15, 2024 9:18 am
There will never be another combination like Sather-Muckler-Green. If this trio had been able to continue with unlimited pizza money raining from the sky this franchise would have at least 10 Cups.
OriginalPouzar
March 15, 2024 9:14 am
I would like to add the signing of Luca Munzenburger to an ATO and than an AHL deal to the list – that can/should happen shortly. I think Vermont is done or very close to done for the season.
The ATO I can see and agree with. I wouldn’t offer even just an AHL deal till I had a look-see at the player. Should be, could be safe but Luca had trouble getting into the starting line-up as a second year college man. That does not bode well, but the NCAA is rife with favoritism too, so it would be worth getting a closer look and some second opinions. I’m not holding my breath on this player though. And I also don’t see another year of college doing him any harm, so I’m not in any particular rush with his trajectory if I’m GM..
If Yeseyev could find a way to get over here, I’d have a lot more interest in that path forward.
If he comes to Bako on ATO, well, he can’t go back to college so you can’t have it both ways. I don’t think he gives up his college eligibility without a contract agreed to.
What’s the harm in an AHL deal? Surely they can find a place in Fort Wayne for him if he’s not “AHL ready”.
I think Yeseyev has one more year on his KHL deal (could be wrong though).
OriginalPouzar
March 15, 2024 9:13 am
A Jack Campbell buyout.
Target and sign Brett Pesce in free agency. Run a top-four of Ekholm-Bouchard, Nurse-Pesce, with Broberg-Ceci or Broberg-Desharnais depending on the ask from Desharnais.
I would like the Oilers to sign (as rumoured) both Adam Henrique and Sam Carrick, but on one-year deals.
I’m not 100% positive the Campbell buyout will be required. There MAY be a chance to trade the contract, without a material sweetener, with 50% retained – I think that would require Campbell playing in the playoffs which, although unlikely, is not totally out of the question.
It would HAVE to be a one-year deal for Henrique given Bouch and Drai the following year.
I’m not sold on the desire to re-sign either of those guys yet – I’ll make that determination by June!
Kulak out is a must for any material external acquisition. I’d need to crunch numbers but I’m not sure there is cap for Pesce and Henrique, even with Foegele out.
Do we think Henrique will cost much less than Foegele? Which player would we want to bring back at equal cost? Foegele is younger and faster but is this season repeatable or is this “contract year Foegele”?
I think OP’s point is obvious. The two players are competing for the same cap dollars. Sign Foegele and maybe you’re not able to sign Henrique and vice versa. Who do you want to replace with a league min type guy? Foegele or Henrique? C or W? Both are having career seasons, whose is repeatable? The decision on one player will impact the decision.on the other. As will the decision to chase a more expensive RD.
Foegele & Henrique are at different stages of their careers. Foegele is 27 years for age,in his prime. Henrique is 34 years of age in the twilight of his career. There’s a big difference. They shouldn’t be competing for the same cap dollars or the same position on the team.
because there isn’t cap space for both and I’m trying to determine which would be move value for their next cap hit.
I’m not positive they aren’t somewhat applying for the same job – I know that Henrique can play center but he’s already played 2W on the Oilers, a job Foegele currently has.
If the top 9 has: McDavid, Drai, Hyman, Nuge, Kane, McLeod, Holloway – well there is one top 9 spot left, no?
Foegele, Kulak (Bro) and Ceci (Pesce) out. Des can’t be considered a top 4 even if he seems like one by season end, not enough track. If Des costs too much and the new GM can’t find a 3RD cheaper than Ceci, they hired the wrong person
And Henrique has to be at a relatively low cost at his age. He’ll be 35, has an injury history, and has already earned almost 50M US. It has to be about the chance to win, not money for him
Although I wouldn’t go for Pesce. He’ll be 30 and will require term and a good cap hit, and has played 2 full seasons in his career. This is why you have an analytics group, you go find a younger RD that is good and makes less
And Henrique has to be at a relatively low cost at his age. He’ll be 35, has an injury history, and has already earned almost 50M US. It has to be about the chance to win, not money for him
I don’t think it “has to be” – it might be but we don’t know what Henrique values right now, right?
There are also other factors, in particular when the player has a family (3 kids I believe).
Henrique has been okay, passing grade so far but kind of just meh. C+ grade from me. Foegele has been a B rating over that same time frame. These are also 2 totally different players and different skill sets. I don’t know if I love 35 yr old players for high cap hits that have limited speed. Use the rest of the season and playoff to evaluate to see what he wants for salary. 3rd line center money is acceptable to me but that’s it unless I see more from him.
OriginalPouzar
March 15, 2024 9:07 am
Leon Draisaitl signing a three- or four-year deal with the Oilers in an effort to grab a second (and more) Stanley.
I think this is the first time I’ve read another that hopes that extension is less than 8 years.
For me, I’d love to get Leon signed for 5-6 years.
Don’t get me wrong, I’ll take the 8 years but, given his age when the contract will kick in, there be regression years for sure.
Maybe he’ll bet on himself, except shorter term for reasonable money, win some cups and then the world will be his oyster.
OriginalPouzar
March 15, 2024 9:06 am
Nurse and Ekholm were both absent from practice yesterday. Coach says both are likely to play on Saturday. Ekholm is just still sick but should be ready to go. Nurse blocked a shot, not sure if he’ll practice today but he’ll for sure be ready for Saturday.
So he’s going to offer up info on a new issues from a blocked shot that noone knows about as a game? That doesn’t make any sense.
Tarkus
March 15, 2024 9:04 am
Prospectocious!
The ECAC playoffs resume tonight with the quarter-final best-of-3 series, which games are all in the higher-ranked team’s barn. Mazura and his St. Lawrence squad travel to Colgate to battle the Plaque Fighters Raiders.
Meanwhile, Day-man and his Birds of Fire can now focus on playoff positioning. They will be on the road regardless in the opening round, but can still finish as high as 5th (three points back with a GIH, but three teams to pass).
Flint (Day) @ 5 p.m.
St. Lawrence (Mazura) @ 5 p.m.
Both times are the same time and are also Boscombe time.
Summarizing!
Mazura picked up an assist in St. Lawrence’s 3-2 win in double OT. They now take a 1-0 series lead and can complete the sweep tomorrow.
Day got the night off.
I like your train of thought LT, hopefully we see a few of your desires come to fruition.
Random discovery. With all the talk of Mackinnon being other worldy, his facoff percentage is mediocre at best. 46.9%. Guess that means McDavid is still best in the world, hah!
Oilers play their Conference Final nemesis Colorado 3X over the rest of the season. Win 3 out of 3 and Oilers have a very real chance to overtake the Avs – which in the playoffs means home advantage to the team that whipped Oilers 4-0 in the playoffs a few seasons back.
Hoping they win at least game 1 of the 3 game set. To help keep those pesky Kings and Knights at bay.
Also, drafted players are different than traded players or those that have gone UFA
First love
I think they want to stay
They will get paid, hopefully still team friendly
If these players are serious about winning the cup, then why on earth would these two superstars each with scores of millions earned already want to be greedy, take as much money as possible and leave the team cap strapped?
Some rumors that we trying to sign Henrique to a 3 x 3 contract.
id be ok with that.
The due that posted that said that the Oilers are trying to get the cap hit down using bonuses and such which statement means we can totally disregard this as BS.
Henrique will not be eligible for a 35+ contract next season so no performance bonuses so this “intel” was a load of crap!
For an outgoing GM 3 is a bit long for someone that age and the related issues
While not performance bonuses he can get paid entirely in signing bonuses. Getting a big fat check on July 1 is a big bonus
The intel spoke about reducing cap hit via bonuses – that cannot be done via signing bonuses and performance bonuses are not available.
The “intel” is as valid as you or me tweeting something out.
Not that I doubt they are discussing contract.
Extremely doubtful with playoffs fast approaching the management is interested in worrying about signing players not named Draisaitl.
While I’m surprised I think they expect to dump Kane in the offseason
Hmmm… remember them hurrying to sign Kassian whilst simultaneously handcuffing themselves when it came to Nurse’s contract?
‘member?
Pepperidge Farm remembers.
Oilers historically do dumb things, but maybe this is a new age of competence.
1.Leon Draisaitl signing a three- or four-year deal with the Oilers in an effort to grab a second (and more) Stanley.
Is the insinuation that if the Oilers don’t win (a first Stanley) then the alternative is to trade him this summer? If so, what should the haul look like? Would it be possible to remain a Stanley Cup contender AND recoup our draft capital and/ prospect cupboard?
They would probably get some kind of package that includes a quality not star defenceman, a solid but unspectacular foot soldier top sixer, and a 1st and 3rd round pick.
LAK pumped and dumped a stiff named Bernie Nicholls to Oilers for of all players, Mark Messier.
“It’s not unusual at this point of the season for general managers to accompany their scouts to games and narrow their list of targets. Nashville Predators GM Barry Trotz and Boston Bruins GM Don Sweeney were at Meehan Auditorium in Providence to watch Quinnipiac play Brown on Feb. 23 to watch Quinnipiac forward Collin Graf and center Jacob Quillan. Edmonton Oilers GM Ken Holland visited Quinnipiac the weekend prior.
https://www.nhl.com/news/10-free-agents-soon-eligible-to-sign-with-nhl-teams
Cooper Black is a very large human.
If he makes it to the bigs, he would likely be the biggest goalie ever at 6’8″, 240 lbs.
(Interestingly, Copponi’s Merrimack teammate Hugo Ollas, a Rangers pick who just signed with them today, is not much smaller.)
Either of the Quinnipiac players would be decent adds. No room for both as the Oilers are already at 49 contracts ATM.
One of the things that I feel hasn’t been discussed a lot (or may have and I’ve missed) is that the Oilers are currently slightly ahead of the last few years performances, with not dissimilar offensive output comparative to the field, but McDavid has 25 goals and Draisaitl 33. Zach Hyman is accounting for probably ~10 (and maybe Bouch for the PPG ?) yoy difference but that the rest of the goals are so spread I think bodes well for this year’s team.
Looking at it, it seems to me the difference for McDrai is a dip on the power play. Which I think again benefits this years team in playoffs as the refs use the not widely distributed NHL Rule Book: Playoff EditionTM that sees less whistles (and we still are good for 3rd pp%)
Connor is smart
If too much keys off him it’s easier to manage for the bad guys
The wider it spreads the worse it is. Like an Oiler rash
lol
Update on Gavin McKenna:
He continues to rack up the numbers, now at 31-59-90 in 58 GP and leading the Bengals (thanks, Bob Ridley) in scoring.
I mention this because TSN+ is showing tonight’s match featuring the Hat vs. Swift Current @ 7 p.m. Lloydminster time.
I see you chose a neutral site for that matchup, Tark. On purpose?
Lloyd will always be Saskatchewan to me. Because beer strikes. Kids today don’t know the horrors our generation went through…
You know me too well!
Keeping in the spirit of Mail-It-In Friday, I went with the Border City.
Looks like McKenna wasn’t even in the lineup.
Check out Gregor’s interview with Des. Interesting fellow, interesting life
What struck me regarding the team was that for all of the years that many of us commented on the glass and out and straight back in, lack lustre D play, they were being told to play that way
Woody is a nice guy, but for those of us that thought there were issues with his coaching, this is pretty damning evidence. You don’t glass and out as a tactic with a team like this and Connor on it. Or any time, if you want to go far. Play hockey first. For Pete’s sake
For those interested in the interview:
https://youtu.be/1zqz7BcMQNQ?si=YY7Vw51kqIJo_eLD
@37:20, if you are interested in donating to a charity Desharnais is supporting for kids with cancer and a chance to win some jerseys
@38:40 is when Desharnais starts talking about Coffey’s impact as a coach and what he wants the D to do
You haven’t known all this time that the Babcock/McLellan coaching tree relies on up-the-boards for zone exits? Lots of ladder plays, tips for dump-ins that sort of thing. A lot of teams play that style, involving a lot of star players. It’s just a different philosophy, no better or worse than other systems. All have their advantages and their drawbacks. All come down to execution in the end.
I was referring to how many didn’t notice and were fine with what was going on
Obviously I did or I would have made the comment, right?
As for better or worse, I can’t agree that they are all the same based on execution. They aren’t. Babcock won one cup. McLellan zero. Woody zero. All had enough roster to win, Babcock more
Playing obstruction era tactics in a non obstruction environment doesn’t work
Tippett’s teams did that too; it was KRusty’s crutch (among others).
I found it infuriating because too often the puck would just get bounced back into the zone after the opposition had changed, and we’d get hemmed in with tired guys.
To make a roster I like better for next year, and address the 3 young players that need to be in the NHL next season, was pretty easy to do
I think they need to clear some cap, get faster especially in the back, play faster through the roster, and get younger. I also think Brown plays very well, and that he will begin to produce enough in the future, so unless this year ends terribly for him I would bring him back
But he would have to take a haircut, I think he would. If he can’t get to not being a drag and continues to score nothing I wouldn’t of course, but I don’ think that’s what will happen
Ceci and Kulak out for assets. I like Kulak but it’s necessary. Foegele walks, he’ll be too expensive and we need roster spots. I like Carrier and Roy for D, but I think Roy stays in LA. Carrier plays an aggressive style, plays elites well, is very fast (unlike Stecher) and is a style fit for Nurse. He also ins’t a high producer, so affordable. There aren’t many other options
I would let Des go get paid and sign Josh Brown or someone. I would re-sign Henrique, Pickard, Janmark (reliable), maybe Carrick, maybe try to upgrade there, I’m not sure who outside of Dowd, maybe they try to deal him again
Nuge CMD Hyman
Kane Drai Brown
Henrique (2.5M) McL Lavoie (950K)
Holloway (1M) Carrick (900K) Janmark (1M)
Ryan
Ek Bouch
Nurse Carrier (4.25M)
Bro Brown (1.5M)
Stu
Pick (1.75M)
With Jack in the Bake that’s 21 with 2.8M left. If you deal Jack clean you have 6.7M. Brown and Des are similar, but Brown skates better and I think will cost less. I wouldn’t spend to the cap, leave at least 1M so you have room to do things. If you spend to the cap, you should have the LTIR magic
Thank you for your detailed though.
One part of this that I’m still not comfortable with is moving Ceci to replace him with a more expensive player that might not even be any better. I guess we’ll get a pick for Ceci but I’m not sure I like the swap.
Thanks OP
I feel Carrier is much better. Because he is a better hockey player in all aspects of defending. The only reason he isn’t making a ton is size. He’s even more aggressive at the net than Ceci while giving up 30’lbs
I feel it would be like getting Toews – a smaller mobile but really good D
Not getting paid also because he doesn’t put up high points
I will be Captain Obvious here – what happens this summer will be heavily influenced by what happens this spring.
Yes, and because there should be a different GM. I doubt things stay the same regardless of playoffs, and they shouldn’t
You can trade Jack Campbell.
You can trade him for Josh Anderson. Or for Marc-Edouard Vlasic. Or some similarly appalling contract.
Or you can retain 50% and trade him along with a 1st round pick to someone who’s going to buy him out. That may be an option worth considering depending on how you value cap space.
But the best option is going to be buying that contract out. He’s a 2b / 3rd string goalie and has a market value of $850K.
For cap space to even matter by the time Campbell’s contract ends, many things would need to happen.
With the poor drafting under Holland, his proclivity for frittering away draft picks, the lack of trades for emerging talent, is it even conceivable that we’ll still be in our window after the Campbell contract ends?
The Panthers made the playoffs 6 times in 30 years. Zito in three years went to playoffs three times including finals. Overhauled the roster
Canucks missed playoffs the last three years, changed management, made a bunch of deals, went to the top of the league
The next GM has a few players to deal with, get a few, core in place. The non core pieces are supposed to be the easiest aren’t they?
Sing their praises, but disparage the job Holland has done every chance you get?
3 year for Zito? 1 year for nucks new management? Oilers made playoffs once in 10 years previous to Holland being hired. Overhauled the roster. This will be 5/5 years in playoffs, including more series wins over the last 3 years than the Panthers.
Yes Holland has improved the team, and this isn’t the first time I have said it
As with stats, it’s about the context. Teams with players like Connor who was entering prime when KH showed up, and Leon and Nurse, are going to start making the playoffs with a few decent roster adds
The goal though isn’t just making it in though, is it? My point is with a more active GM as the Cup winners have had the last 3 times perhaps they get to the finals in year 3
I see no reason why not. In three years time we will have the following players under contract:
Thats it. Thats a fine core to start with, and approximately $90 Million in cap space. You are hoping to add to that two 30-ish year old elite centermen (McDavid and Drai), a starting goalie (Skinner), a top line D-man (Bouch) at bare minimum.
A core of Bouch, Nurse, Skinner, Drai, McDavid, Nuge and Hyman is still a very strong 7 to build around, even if the forwards are getting older.
Thats not to mention players like Holloway, Broberg, or others coming along that should hopefully fill some important roles on the team as well.
With all of that cap space, and the sheer amount of players up for contract by the time Campbell’s contract ends, there is no way to say where we will be in our window. If we can retain McDrai, sign some value free agents, I see no reason why the window would be closed that early.
My Haiku wish:
Dorsal remotus
simian glori aeterna
plus pati et Leafs
Lord thundering Jesus.
“C’mon boys. We don’t want trouble here, not in any language.”
I love Tombstone.
Like Lowetide, I’d like to see Leon sign for 3-4 more years. That way, in case the team becomes an “also ran” then he is still young enough to go to Boston and lead them to glory.
As presently constituted, these Oilers of 2024 are a bona fide contender. If they are able to stay together they will eventually break through.
Pesce would be a fantasic add. However, he’ll be 30 this year and will likely be looking for term…there isn’t a whole lotta youth on the back end apart from Bouchard. Broberg, maybe, but he’s still somewhat of a question mark. Would Pesce even consider Edmonton?
Carrier may still be an option this summer. Younger and cheaper, although not as good as Pesce. Doesn’t seem like many options out there for RHD.
If the Oilers are fortunate enough to hoist Stanley’s mug this Spring, I don’t see management making much of a change on defence, as much as many of us pine for a Ceci upgrade.
Lastly, how good is Ekholm? Man. When he’s on the ice, he gives me a sense of reassurance that I haven’t had since Pronger. 83 regular season games as an Oiler, 9-33-42 +58!
Mattias Ekholm. He’s real and he’s spectacular.
Ceci is a decent player, but Knoblauch likes to play with tempo, and Ceci and Des don’t have that style. The D moving the puck quickly and well is key to maximizing this forward group, beating N and D zone clogging. It’s also more in the natural style of the team, more rush attacks and less having to cycle. Cycling is important, but I feel the team has lost too much of the other way to score, unless the game is wide open like against the Caps
IF we get a new GM, they will ask the coaches what they think. I think they will say they want more pace out of the D group, and we’ll see
LT, I have no quibbles with your summer wish list with the exception (as others have stated) of a Campbell buyout. Jack has had a .917 save percentage in the AHL. If you toss out his first 3 games, that jumps to over .925. Would be nice if another team sees this and takes a chance on Campbell, with double retention if necessary. Three years of retention (and/or draft picks) is less painful than 6 years of a buyout. And I want us to be a Stanley Cup contender for all of those 6 years.
Flames reportedly turned down a first round pick from Avs as that would have required them to take Ryan Johansen back.
Dumping Soupy contract is just not gonna happen. He probably gets a 1 year 1.25 mil contract from someone but that’s about it
His contract isn’t outrageous. If a team needs a goalie, and lots do, why not? The ask for Saros who isn’t playing well was very high. So you could take a chance and pay a 3rd rounder or something and get a goalie that has the talent to start
And many teams have cap to buy him out if necessary. He may fare better on a non contending US team
Saros wasn’t playing well
Now he’s playing very very well
I bet at Even at 50% retained we can’t give him away
I agree we can’t give him away at 50%, but that’s where double retention comes in.
Double retention for 3 years is unheard of.
buying him out saves more money in first 2 years than 50% retention
Maybe not, but I stick to my point that as Oiler fans we think everything is too expensive or impossible, because that is mostly all we have seen since 06. No cap, nobody available, I don’t buy green bananas etc
Meanwhile guys like McC, Zito Hughes and some others do it a couple of times a year. Dubas also gets deals done he wants. Hughes traded an fading old disgruntled expensive Petry twice, got two firsts in deals for the still sheltered and unsuccessful Monahan. I don’t know how it would work because that depends on the team
Trade Kulak and Ceci for picks or prospects and use those. We just haven’t seen a good deal maker in ages
Campbell has pedigree and is still young enough to get his mojo back. I’ll bet dollars for doughnuts he’s not bought out by our new G.M.
Any of those GMs add an Ekholm to their team like Holland did?
JP for nothing but cap space to make that trade?
Weren’t those good deals?
Ekholm is a great player, but the deal was heavy on the Oilers’ end
The problem is bleeding assets. The cap means assets are scarce
I have said Holland is a decent GM many times and improved the team. For some that may be enough. For others, when your starting point is a 23 YO CMD and also having Drai, at year 5 with the second round as your deepest success, and roster holes that are the same as 5 years ago, perhaps a more determined manager would have done more in that time
Campbell is .933 since Christmas. That’s not worth $4M, but someone might give him an opportunity at an NHL job with retention.
100%. I am on board with this completely. Florchuk is money.
I predict Draisaitl will sign a one year extension this summer (possibly two years, but more likely one year) for say $12.5 million dollars or so.
Then the summer after that, EVERYTHING EVERWHERE EVERYONE ALL AT ONCE. Bouchard would be a RFA, and both Draisaitl and McDavid would have a single year left both eligible for extensions. All the relevant decisions will be made. Who is resigning long term? Who is being traded? etc. etc. etc.
It will be interesting to see what players do this and next summer with the CBA expiring in 25-26. Do you go short term and bet on salaries spiking after the new one starts, or go long term and lock-in now?
That would be utterly chaotic.
This suggestion guarantees Maximum Chaos. Even Treliving would be wary of walking into this sort of storm.
Nah…there is one pot of money, and the three big tickets can have a say in how it gets divvied up.
McDavid $15 million Draisaitl $12 million Bouchard $9 million…Bouchard’s would be kicking in in 2025, and the othe two in 2026. A little bit of a home town discount on each.
The insurance on that contract in case of injury would be significant
I don’t get why any player would do that. Sign max term and ask for a trade if you don’t want to stay
If one is signed long term, one has no leverage to force a trade, or more importantly force a trade to the desired location.
I’ve expressed my displeasure with Hawks being able to terminate Perry’s contract and there being very few details as all the teams need to be in the know fully – we are talking about simply removing cap hits. I’m sure all teams would like to just “terminate contracts” and deal with any grievances in the future.
My concerns have been validated by Friedman this morning (32 Thoughts) as he said its clear that the contract would not have been subject to termination for any other org but the Hawks.
Perrry didn’t want to grieve it but the NHLPA felt they needed to do something to ensure the “guaranteed nature” of NHL contracts was not weakened, hence the settlement.
They cite this is not to be used as precedent but, at the end of the day, a team got out of a $4MM cap hit via contract termination where there was no cause to terminate.
I look forward to the Knights terminating Hertl’s anchor contract in two years.
It’s just another example of the NHL enforcing rules when/how they want and giving certain teams preferential treatment. It benefits the business to keep the Hawks happy.
It’s the unfortunate reality of how the NHL chooses to operate. I don’t doubt that certain teams will be allowed to do likewise.
Bettman preaches parity, but in reality there isn’t.
The pursuit of money above all else is so ugly
And that is what it is all about for a majority of NHL owners and their guy, apparently
Good post and I agree.
The contract being a single year deal, on a non-playoff bound United States team, were all reasons for why the NHL decided as they did. Factors that should be irrelevant when following their own CBA and league regs, but highly relevant when thinking of the bottom line for the league.
I think the Hawk’s state of affairs, recent history, and the club’s relationship and profile within its community probably played a bigger role than the reasons you mention. Your reasons would’ve helped, I just don’t think they were the critical factors.
The affair likely resulted in the issuance of new memos to the clubs, effectively amending the CBA as the League is wont to do, but to which we are not privy. Yet again.
no one knows exactly what happened. But even the rumored is a HR nightmare and the player accepted he was in the wrong
Some people know exactly what happened.
A player admitting he did something wrong and there being an HR nightmare is a LONG ways from termination for cause within the the structure of a CBA and guaranteed contract.
When Elliotte Friedman, on his podcast, says straight up that the actions would not have been cause for termination for any of the other franchise, I take that as truth.
Sure, that’s the definition of hearsay but this isn’t a court of law and we can be practical
Vegas don’t need to terminate Hertl’s contract when they can just place him on career ending LTIR…he has the injury history for it, or they can make up some story about a rash caused by his equipment.
That’s quite a summer wish list. Those are all nice things, but I don’t see the 2 big items being attainable.
1. I don’t see Draisaitl signing for anything less than max term. And if it helps lower the cap hit a little, I think the team would want that.
2. Pesce would be a long shot to sign in Edmonton, and if Draisaitl is signed, I don’t see enough money for Pesce. The Oilers would have to move out more than Foegele and Kulak to make that happen.
Just win Stanley, then strive to repeat. It’s fun to speculate, but it’s also impossible.
I agree about Draisaitl wanting max term. One shoulder/knee/hip injury and he could be the next Klefbom. At least I would, if I was him.
There’s just one thing I would like to see them accomplish. That is win the Stanley Cup.
I’m very impressed with the team that has been put together. I’m not sure that it’s Holland that deserves all the credit, I believe it’s the organization as a whole rather than a single person that should get the accolades.
I see a team with immense character and personality. It starts with Connor McDavid. But like Holland he can’t do it all on his own. There’s Nuge & Hyman and all together they form a top trio that could easily be tops in the entire league. Leon certainly can’t be denied, along with his newly.formed line mates, MacLeod & Foegele , who have developed tremendous chemistry over the course of their careers in Edmonton and Draisaitl is the cherry on top with these two. There’s Evander Kane, a large personality that continues to mature with a couple veteran line mates Henrique & Brown, a couple warriors, to create a third line that will no doubt be a force in the playoffs. I got to say Sam Carrick will be key centering the fourth line with Janmark, Perry, Ryan, three very experienced players with plenty of compete and Dylan Holloway, the speedster who should see some playoff action as well.
I’ve rattled on too much here; I’ll just say the defense that has been assembled is solid and reliable, with size and grit that will prevail from top to bottom, from Ekholm, Bouchard, Nurse, Desharnais, Kulak, Ceci, Stecher to Broberg. Last but not least Stewart Skinner will rival Grant Fuhr’s cool hand Luke between the pipes and if anything happens to Skins, Picks & Soupy suprise. All the ingrediencies are in place let the journey begin.
Id go 8 years with Draisaitl. Which would take him to age 38.
I think he falls into the Thornton, Malkin, Kopitar fold.
Age 36 Thornton put up 82 points in 82 games.
Age 36 Malkin put up 83 points in 82 games
Age 36 ( this year) Kopitar has 53 points in 65 games. 0.82 points a game. Quite close to his 0.88 points a game.
Age 37-38 Thornton did hit some sort of wall, but was still a very good player
50 points in 79 games age 37
36 points in 47 games age 38.
Malkin has 50 points in 65 games this year at age 37.
A healthy Draisaitl and you get 5-6 years of elite production in the next contract. Possibly more, if still surrounded by a good team.
What makes me optimistic about Draisaitl getting older but still being elite is that on 1 leg, he still slayed in the playoffs 32 points in 16 games. He has shown he can adjust his game and still be dominant.
Like Draisaitl, none of the players you mentioned relied on speed to be effective, which reinforces your idea that he’ll cover an 8 year contract.
On a personal note, I sprained my ankle quite badly about 6 months ago, and normal activities such as walking up stairs still cause discomfort. Although the skate boot does a good job of holding the ankle in place and the action of skating is less stressful on the ankle itself, I have a profound new respect for what Draisaitl did after his injury.
Phenomenal player. Count me in on the max term side.
My concern with Leon is how he plays on top of his lumbering heavy style. He already coasts a lot, and he tends to play in specific areas of the ice. Because of that I don’t see him like Malkin or Kopitar who range more widely
So more like Thornton who liked to do set ups and was fairly stationary. If Leon loses a step, I think he might be easier to defend because he likes to go to the right half wall and down. They already trap him there quite often, and we see the high risk passes and mostly unsuccessful he tries to put through those in between him and the net the other Oilers
They will sign him long for sure, unless the (please) new GM has a shocker up their sleeve. If the don’t make it so he can’t be dealt if it starts to go south, I’m ok with it. But getting stuck with a very expensive fading player will lead to where the Pens are at, and it’s not necessary to do that
Big players are often called slow or lazy.
Frank bloody Mahovilich was called a floater, ffs.
I don’ think he’s slow or lazy, but he will be 🙂
Who are the best available candidates for a replacement GM?
Last time around I had Zito and McCrimmon who have since been hired. Ron Hextall is the lone executive remaining from that search as currently available.
Of course, seeing who becomes available in the off season will be important to consider.
Are there any young executives rising through the ranks to include?
Where does Jeff Jackson sit within this talent pool?
With Jackson’s expressed focus on analytics you’d have to think any exterior search would include Eric Tulsky from the Canes, who I’d be very much in favour of.
For in-house options, despite the poor nepotism optics, I think Brad Holland has shown enough in his time in pro scouting to be considered, including a shared strong interest in analytics, having been tasked by Jackson to develop this department and resulted in Holland Jr. hiring Parkatti.
For me the skill sets they need to acquire are deal making, understanding the cap, proper pro assessment when looking at the team, aggressiveness like Sather to always get better, as LT said. Not recklessness, but more drive than Holland has shown. Not wasting any time
The analytics dept can do that type of research. These things at a high execution level are what have been missing for me in the Holland era. I’m not sure a non hockey analytics person would have the eye to go with the numbers for the pro/team side. Maybe the deal making skills, but I’m not sure where they would have acquired the experience
I think that’s a fair, reasoned assessment and wonder if the lack of longitudinal experience in hockey from a young age has affected Tulsky’s hireability so far where it seems he interviews for most vacant GM spots in recent years with no takers as of yet.
I think everyone remembers the first WonderBoy Chayka and how that ended, although I am not comparing
And now another hockey inexperienced stats master Dubas is continuing to do dumb things in Pittsburgh with predictable results (for hockey people)
Stats are part 2, not part 1
Careful what you wish for.
Aggressive can be good but Holland’s patience has proven to be a very important attribute in the past. If Holland was more aggressive, we likely would have seen assets out for a goalie months back and we likely would have Chychrun on our team as opposed to Ekholm.
Patience and aggressive can co-exist but don’t always.
I agree, I also said not reckless
The thing is time is ticking. I and others have shown countless times how the teams that win Cups make deals. A clueless GM could destroy sure. If they know what they like and can see those players properly, it works. Canucks, Knights, Panthers. The turn around in Canucks and Panthers was fast. Avs used to be like that under Joe, still try to do it but not as well
A decent Steady Eddy can build a good team, and that has value. But if you want Cups, you can’t wait for it to happen semi-organically. Even with the best player since Sid. Or watch for a year to see what you might need. Or let the boys have another shot at it and not see or want to improve weaknesses
Connor was 23 when Holland arrived. 5 years to build a roster that still had holes, many the same as when he started. Many, many people here and in media said signing Campbell was a bad idea, especially at that hit and term, it was easy to predict, very risky. Key players age out
I think of the Canes and especially Jets. Sitting at the top for years, Cup expectations, never getting there. For the Jets, Chev wasn’t proactive enough, had dressing room problems and couldn’t get things settled quickly enough. Now Scheifele is almost 32. Went years with an undermanned D because he kept losing guys, like Calgary in a way. Now the team is doing well but on the ropes – the fans have apparently not enjoyed the slow boat, constant turmoil, and unmet expectations. Wouldn’t have happened like that in Vegas. Not every fan base is Edmonton, Montreal or TO
The Canes went after D, but didn’t have enough up front and yearly goalie issues. This deadline Waddle went after it. Their owner likely had a hand in it all for sure. But it took years of disappointment first
With respect, you also seem to have unrealistic expectations of management and the players in many cases.
I believe you’ve posted today that, not only should Holland be able to move Campbell’s contract, that he should be able to get rid of the entire $5MM X 3 and not have to sweeten and even get a 3rd rounder – wildly unrealistic in my opinion.
You also seem to think that the players should be dialed on to the structure will full commitment for 60 minutes a night and for all 82 games – something no team can do, not the 70s Habs or the the 2022/23 Bruins.
You cite things the Oilers do that “true contenders” don’t do when, in fact, all teams do that thing (such as blow leads in the 3rd and lose to bad teams, etc).
With respect – for real.
I agree my expectations are high
But mostly for management. Shouldn’t it be?
For the team, it’s not losing, and I have made this comment, it’s how and when
This last road trip had some bad games. It happens. But being tired is different than poor play
I want them to get to losing while playing correctly in those circumstances. I think that is what top teams do that stay top over time. Regressing to high danger hockey isn’t the answer and almost always ends up as a negative
Given who Jackson hired as coach, there is a good chance we have no idea.
I believe it will be Mr. Hunter from the London Knights, former Toronto Maple Leaf assistant GM
That name was thrown out there by legit insiders a month or so ago.
And, I believe, during the lead up to the Holland hiring.
Or, was that a different Hunter?
I don’t know much about Pesce except that he’s slower than Ceci and not having a great year. What is it about him that you like? Why does he make a better partner for Nurse?
Good thing they kept Ceci then.
My eye test shows guys like Pesce, Slavin, Hedman, McAvoy, among the few defensemen who can somewhat handle Connor when we play out east (without it being a fluke/getting lucky).
I am averse to buyouts to the fullest extent possible. We’re almost rid of the dead space from Neal, adding a Campbell buyout for one metric forever is an albatross I’d rather avoid.
Pending results after the season, and potential playoff appearance(s), I’d want to explore a trade with some retained salary.
Peterson got moved. It’s not without recent precedence.
Both retained salary and buyout count against the cap. Are you assuming that the GM can negotiate a more cap advantageous retain than the buyout alternative? I’m no CBA expert. Just trying to follow the economic rationale.
The cap savings of a buyout would be more than on a retained salary trade for the first few years but, of course, tacks on 3 years of a dead $1.5MM cap hit.
A buyout is better early but kicks the can down the road.
Of course, as of now, the Oilers would still need to add an asset to get rid of Campbell at 50% retained.
If he plays playoff games in the NHL….
I’d go further. I want no retention, somebody will be looking for a goalie in the summer. I’d pay whatever we need to in draft picks for a clean disposition of the Campbell contract.
Let someone else take the picks from us and buy him out if they want. Oilers having the extra cap space on hand to get the Drai deal done and a Bouch deal done the following year is far better than having any retention.
Unless he plays in the NHL playoffs (with success) I would suggest that is a 1st round pick plus more, maybe even another 1st rounder.
Might not be the best path forward with Draisaitl, but I’d like to see him extended at max term.
I like the stability. And it sends a strong message to the rest of the team.
Max term allows for reduction of the overall cap hit.
Given Drai’s age, it SHOULD reduce that AAV but I’m not sure that concept applies to the superstars and the AAV will be $13.5MM (apx) no matter how many years – even if there are multiple clear regression years – shit, regression could set it year 1.
Between 1991 and 2014 the Oilers had a Hall of Fame player for one season – Chris Pronger. It was a highly memorable season.
In 2014 and 2015 the Oilers drafted HoF players. Manna from heaven.
I’m not as concerned about aging curves as it relates to some of the best players of all time. If you can keep them in Oiler silks for their careers, it adds to the legacy of the franchise.
So yes. Eight more years of Leon Draisaitl all day long. I imagine that 37 & 38 year old Leon Draisaitl will still be a fantastic hockey player that we’ll consider ourselves lucky to cheer for.
Point taken but it’s not accurate… KLowe played for the Oil in the mid-90s. Adam Oates in 2003, I think.
Perhaps “Hall of Fame player in his prime” would be more accurate.
I have been clear that I would prefer a bit of a shorter term for Drai than max but, at the same time, in the 2022 playoffs he proved he can be a historically elite player without actually being able to skate…..
Yeah, like I said, the truth doesn’t really refute Mr. Chambers’s point. I’m just offering a warning to readers that the statement isn’t factual.
Players want to win. And more importantly, have a legit shot at Stanley.
Can the above be enough of an enticement to sign Pesce? He’s rumoured to only want to sign in the US, but they say that about every American player. Not sure the degree to which this holds true with him in particular.
I think it can happen, but the deal would have to come at a reasonable price and would require some savvy with the pitch.
He’s my top target.
Heaven forbid Skinner gets hurt in the playoffs
but if it were to happen and Campbell saved the day and won the cup he would be a very tradable asset
lets wait for this season to be over before thinking about the summer
I highly doubt the above happens but a lot will happen that is unforeseen and all of it will alter the summer to do list.
Yes, winning the cup would have a silver lining.
If that were to happen Campbell would be unlikely to be traded at all.
Skinner would be his backup.
That would be a possibility, however selling high on an up and down player
My point was more to the fact of the unknown – too early for summer plans
Lets enjoy the playoffs, and get there first
Definitely too early to write anything in pen at this point.
Fleury got traded after a Vezina and a season or two removed from the finals.. and was also moved off from the Pens after he tag-teamed them to the cup with Pittsburgh
I really like your list, although I would not buy out Campbell. Cap efficiency is absolutely critical (unless you can game LTIR), and affects the now. If it is magic beans to move him, the beans have far lower value than current cap, and a lot of uncertainty. It is the weakest, easiest way out. Taking that road is not top level performance, and the Oilers and us deserve management worthy of this roster and it’s potential. And the team’s legacy
I think we have had such a string of poor GMs, and the last 5 years a decent but bland one, we have lost some perspective, and it seems like every contract has to be an overpay and/or over-term, every deal has to come at a higher than market cost, normal organizational things like an OHL scout and a person in charge of player development are pie in the sky dreams that are a bridge too far. We can’t see anymore that our GM ‘could’ do what the other good GMs do regularly, I see the surprise here when someone makes a move and it isn’t as costly as everyone said it would be
I don’t think that because it’s Edmonton those things have to happen anymore. There are a lot of less than sexy cities in the NHL, many are far less desirable places to live than Edmonton. I don’t buy that the tax thing is of primary concern to most players, and if it is I don’t want personalities like that anyways. Besides tax is calculated in the jurisdiction the game is played in, and lots of US states are as bad or worse than Alberta with tax, cost of living etc.
And those teams don’t have Connor McDavid on them. If you can’t leverage that, you’re no salesperson
Jack is playing well enough, so a creative enough GM can figure something out. They can even take part of the blame as Holland said he didn’t handle that well enough publicly, Many teams need goalies. It will cost something, I don’t think it has to be egregious because he is not terrible. Also, there aren’t many goalies anymore that are always good, in season or season to season. Not even Saros, Kuemper or Vasilevskiy, currently sporting .896
Hard to argue with any of those points. On the more minor end I would add the following for my own wishes:
1) Execute a “Tullio, Savoie” type deal at the draft the trade the 2nd for two lower picks, then take Harrison “Max Wanner + offensive upside” Brunicke and RC Riley Patterson with those picks.
2) Nikita Yevseyev successfully gets out of the final year of his KHL contract (which I believe a couple months ago he and his agent were rumored to be challenging based on an obscure report I cannot recall the source of) and immediately joins the Condors in a top 4 LD role.
3) Find a way to trade for Philip Tomasino, perhaps for a package of Borg (whom I still have hope for) + (and maybe another +).
4) Gags take a key role in Player Dev’t, fresh off retirement with his new Cup ring.
Alas, my response got caught in the spam filter. Too many Russian website links, most likely. Nikita is under contract until 2025, Ak Bars confirms.
Yes you are correct, I just seem to recall he and his agent trying to get out of his contract due to perceived discrimination by his coach but believe they were not successful in this unfortunately.
There will never be another combination like Sather-Muckler-Green. If this trio had been able to continue with unlimited pizza money raining from the sky this franchise would have at least 10 Cups.
I would like to add the signing of Luca Munzenburger to an ATO and than an AHL deal to the list – that can/should happen shortly. I think Vermont is done or very close to done for the season.
The ATO I can see and agree with. I wouldn’t offer even just an AHL deal till I had a look-see at the player. Should be, could be safe but Luca had trouble getting into the starting line-up as a second year college man. That does not bode well, but the NCAA is rife with favoritism too, so it would be worth getting a closer look and some second opinions. I’m not holding my breath on this player though. And I also don’t see another year of college doing him any harm, so I’m not in any particular rush with his trajectory if I’m GM..
If Yeseyev could find a way to get over here, I’d have a lot more interest in that path forward.
If he comes to Bako on ATO, well, he can’t go back to college so you can’t have it both ways. I don’t think he gives up his college eligibility without a contract agreed to.
What’s the harm in an AHL deal? Surely they can find a place in Fort Wayne for him if he’s not “AHL ready”.
I think Yeseyev has one more year on his KHL deal (could be wrong though).
I’m not 100% positive the Campbell buyout will be required. There MAY be a chance to trade the contract, without a material sweetener, with 50% retained – I think that would require Campbell playing in the playoffs which, although unlikely, is not totally out of the question.
It would HAVE to be a one-year deal for Henrique given Bouch and Drai the following year.
I’m not sold on the desire to re-sign either of those guys yet – I’ll make that determination by June!
Kulak out is a must for any material external acquisition. I’d need to crunch numbers but I’m not sure there is cap for Pesce and Henrique, even with Foegele out.
Do we think Henrique will cost much less than Foegele? Which player would we want to bring back at equal cost? Foegele is younger and faster but is this season repeatable or is this “contract year Foegele”?
Henrique and Foegele aren’t applying for the same job, uncertain why you would match them.
I think OP’s point is obvious. The two players are competing for the same cap dollars. Sign Foegele and maybe you’re not able to sign Henrique and vice versa. Who do you want to replace with a league min type guy? Foegele or Henrique? C or W? Both are having career seasons, whose is repeatable? The decision on one player will impact the decision.on the other. As will the decision to chase a more expensive RD.
It’s a legit question OP raised.
Foegele & Henrique are at different stages of their careers. Foegele is 27 years for age,in his prime. Henrique is 34 years of age in the twilight of his career. There’s a big difference. They shouldn’t be competing for the same cap dollars or the same position on the team.
because there isn’t cap space for both and I’m trying to determine which would be move value for their next cap hit.
I’m not positive they aren’t somewhat applying for the same job – I know that Henrique can play center but he’s already played 2W on the Oilers, a job Foegele currently has.
If the top 9 has: McDavid, Drai, Hyman, Nuge, Kane, McLeod, Holloway – well there is one top 9 spot left, no?
Foegele, Kulak (Bro) and Ceci (Pesce) out. Des can’t be considered a top 4 even if he seems like one by season end, not enough track. If Des costs too much and the new GM can’t find a 3RD cheaper than Ceci, they hired the wrong person
And Henrique has to be at a relatively low cost at his age. He’ll be 35, has an injury history, and has already earned almost 50M US. It has to be about the chance to win, not money for him
Although I wouldn’t go for Pesce. He’ll be 30 and will require term and a good cap hit, and has played 2 full seasons in his career. This is why you have an analytics group, you go find a younger RD that is good and makes less
I don’t think it “has to be” – it might be but we don’t know what Henrique values right now, right?
There are also other factors, in particular when the player has a family (3 kids I believe).
To stay with the Oilers
Henrique has been okay, passing grade so far but kind of just meh. C+ grade from me. Foegele has been a B rating over that same time frame. These are also 2 totally different players and different skill sets. I don’t know if I love 35 yr old players for high cap hits that have limited speed. Use the rest of the season and playoff to evaluate to see what he wants for salary. 3rd line center money is acceptable to me but that’s it unless I see more from him.
I think this is the first time I’ve read another that hopes that extension is less than 8 years.
For me, I’d love to get Leon signed for 5-6 years.
Don’t get me wrong, I’ll take the 8 years but, given his age when the contract will kick in, there be regression years for sure.
Maybe he’ll bet on himself, except shorter term for reasonable money, win some cups and then the world will be his oyster.
Nurse and Ekholm were both absent from practice yesterday. Coach says both are likely to play on Saturday. Ekholm is just still sick but should be ready to go. Nurse blocked a shot, not sure if he’ll practice today but he’ll for sure be ready for Saturday.
He also took a nasty high stick I could see dental work and swelling in his future the moment I seen the hi-lite.
Coach mentioned the blocked shot as the reason.
Could he be talking in code like Woody was in his end days.
So he’s going to offer up info on a new issues from a blocked shot that noone knows about as a game? That doesn’t make any sense.
Prospectocious!
The ECAC playoffs resume tonight with the quarter-final best-of-3 series, which games are all in the higher-ranked team’s barn. Mazura and his St. Lawrence squad travel to Colgate to battle the
Plaque FightersRaiders.Meanwhile, Day-man and his Birds of Fire can now focus on playoff positioning. They will be on the road regardless in the opening round, but can still finish as high as 5th (three points back with a GIH, but three teams to pass).
Flint (Day) @ 5 p.m.
St. Lawrence (Mazura) @ 5 p.m.
Both times are the same time and are also Boscombe time.
Boscombe eh? That is eerily similar to my ATM PIN….
Haha it would seem my Seinfeld reference found no audience today.
Colgate Plaque Fighters ftw. 😂
Watch out for those Cavity Creeps