Trade deadlines are rich in opinions that often miss important details that become known as time goes by. Brett Kulak was a worthy target and has worked out well. On the day of the trade, the second-round pick had a certain value. Today? Major misstep by the Oilers letting the pick that turned into Lane Hutson slip through their fingers. I don’t think that’s fair really, there is an enormous amount of luck in all draft picks and by the second round luck is in the room with elbows up.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN MARCH
- On the road to: CAR (Expected 0-0-1) (Actual 1-0-0)
- At home to: ANA, MTL, DAL (Expected 2-1-0) (Actual 1-1-0)
- On the road to: BUF, NJD, NYI, NYR (Expected 2-2-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- At home to: UTA, WPG, SEA, DAL (Expected 2-2-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- On the road to: SEA (Expected 0-0-1) (Actual 0-0-0)
- At home to: CGY (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- Overall expected results: 7-5-2, 16 points in 14 games
- March result: 2-1-0
- Oilers in 2024-25: 36-22-4, 76 points in 62 games
I have tonight as a loss, although there are some encouraging signs for an Oilers team crawling from the wreckage. One thing that we’ll have to come to grips with: Mattias Ekholm isn’t going to play tonight, may not play for a time, and might not be the player we’ve enjoyed watching since he arrived in the city.
BOWMAN’S FIRST DEADLINE
I like it. There’s all kinds of creativity in the deals made, and clear potential for the deals to work out.
In the short term, Jake Walman replaces Ekholm and I’m not sure he’s going to settle in as the No. 3 LH defenseman when everyone is healthy. He’s a very good player, based on results and my observations that are admittedly not recent viewings. The draft pick may be Lane Hutson, but at the time of the trade Bowman got value, addressed need and acquired a player who can flourish in a feature spot on the roster. All of this with limited assets and cap. That’s a win.
I have watched Trent Frederic’s NHL career with interest, as he’s exactly the kind of player Glen Sather and Harry Sinden used to exchange in the 1980’s. I like him plenty, believe he will be a net positive and am convinced he should see playing time on a skill line. I’m pretty sure he could score more often than Nuge on the McDavid line, as an example. I know he’d help Draisaitl in many different ways. The deal is being framed as a bunch of assets for one guy, but Edmonton bought some cap room in the deals as well. I’m on team Frederic.
Max Jones is a Sather special. Former first-round pick, no one has unlocked him and he could drift to Europe in a matter of months. You saw the energy (someone on this blog said ‘hunger’ in the comments section the other night, that’s a great word) and he was working his ass off on a team that has a lot of wingers who are struggling. Stood out like a sore thumb.
Finally, Bowman acquired two forwards who are 27 and a defenseman with a year left on his contract. Jones is a million next season and Frederic should be signed (he can play, people) before July 1.
I like the Bowman deadline. You?
New for The Athletic: What’s the state of Oilers’ prospect pool after 2025 NHL trade deadline?
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6179501/2025/03/08/oilers-prospects-nhl-trade-deadline-2025/
Recapping all the leaks from the insiders on the podcasts:
COL only offered Rantanen 8x$11.75. Rantanen thought Avs talking with Hurricanes was just a bargaining tactic and not a serious option. He was actually shocked when trade did happen.
After trade to CAR, Rantanen realized he wasn’t a great fit in Brind’amour’s system and wouldn’t commit to 8x$12.75 from Canes.
TOR offered Minten, Cowen and two 1sts but CAR asked Marner for Rantanen straight up on Thursday. TOR talked with him but Marner vetoed with his NMC. CAR really didn’t want to meet him in Eastern Conf playoffs so they looked West. TOR was willing to go 8x$13.5 on the extension to match DAL offer in take home pay.
Rantanen was willing to negotiate a contract with Oilers but we didn’t have the “young ready to play” assets to send to CAR to match the DAL offer.
DAL was the winner of the sweepstakes because of the tax regime, the quality of the team, the assets they could send to the Hurricanes and because he has an urge to stick it to COL for breaking his heart in the pending 1st round DAL-COL matchup.
BOS wanted to send Brad Marchand West (like EDM or Vegas) but he wanted to stay close to family on the East coast. TOR was in the bidding but Brad chose the Panthers over the Leafs and the Bruins, respecting his wishes, sent him to FLA.
If Rantanen’s heart was broken by getting traded from Colorado, he should be mighty displeased with his agent for not recognizing that the trade threat was real.
Poor ol’ Jeff Skinner man.
He might (and should) get spot duty in for Kapanen, but boy oh boy, could it be possible he is the 14th, even 15th forward come Round 1?
I don’t put him above Frederic, Kane, and especially not Jones right now…
In an interesting turn, with Frederic and Kane joining this team at some point, the Oilers go from a team that hadn’t been hitting at all (aside from Podz) to a pretty fierce hitting team. Jones, Frederic, Walman, Kane, Podz should strike some fear into opposing teams trying to break out. Bowman has done a terrific job with the little he had to work with coming in.
Matt Savoie, 3 goals this weekend (2 shots from distance).
Max Jones, who has played 9 games on the season, is now tied with Corey Perry at 22 hits. Ahead of Nuge, Arvidsson, Drai, C. Brown, Philp, Dermott, and Klingberg among Oilers that have played at least 10 games.
Bowman way overrated the opening night roster for level of physicality they would provide. Top of the league in hits doesn’t necessarily mean top of the league in Pts, but there is a minimum threshold required to give a team the best chance to Win every night.
Rantanen is a threat on the PP and the EN, no doubt. He was still a -1 tonight.
Oilers have to get that PK worked out. It gave the Stars their first 2 goals and stared the comeback.
I don’t think Henrique should be on the PK … he’s too slow getting to pucks and pressuring up high. Lots of open looks from the point when he’s on the kill.
I’m not sure he should even be in the lineup. A total waste of a #1 pick in the trade.
Score made it look closer than it seemed. Couple of spinning back hands and a fluke bounce made this a game. Thought Stu looked really good. Stopped some really tough shots and looked composed all night.
Walman acquitted himself well. Looks really poised with the puck. Good positioning and very physical. Max Jones is a great add to the bottom six. Love his efforts.
Good team effort tonight. Most physical game I’ve watched us play in forever! Really liked the effort, both ways.
As good as this looked, we are gonna add Eks, Freddy and Kaner at some point.
That’s crazy!
Got home just in time to turn it on for the third. Turned the TV off after watching 9 minutes and 20 seconds. Did I cause the collapse, am I responsible for the victory?
That used to happen to me ALL the time. Seriously thought I was a jinx.
Nurse with a tidy 28 minutes and +3, Walman was excellent.
PK was rough. Of course the Stars were saints this evening, no infractions.
Walman 24:40 TOI.
Does it all. What a stud.
So yeah, Walman already looks like one of our best defencemen, wow.
Yes, he is legit – a 2/3D
Wall E – 25min.
Bouchard 18 min.
Will be interesting to see if Bouchards minutes remain down.
I guess with amazingly no PPs that will cut 2s minutes
Why can’t we ever hit an empty net? lol So weird…
It’s because Kane is not back yet 😀
I know that Louie and Jack made it sound like the Oilers’ net was a shooting gallery in the third — but I just didn’t see it. The Stars had the majority of possession, but I didn’t see a lot of high-end scoring chances. Most of their chances were shots from the point with some action in front of the net — they didn’t out-class the Oilers but any significant degree.
That game had a bit of everything. Nice gut check at the end.
They needed this. Resilience.
FORGED IN THE CRUCIBLE!
Don’t give Drai the puck with an empty net!!
Best way to keep the Oilers from scoring? Pull your goalie.
AND BREEEEEEEEEATHE
Unclench
Never in doubt LoL
To be truthful I have never seen a goaltender the size of Stu play so small. On his knees constantly and pretty much beaten high most of the time. He is very slow from side to side and cannot handle the puck. Love the guy and great story, but goaltending will be our demise.
Good afternoon from the Philippines. A bit late checking in. Did I miss anything?😀😀
Yes. There were sphincters contracting, and then relaxing
That T formation PK has gotta to go. It’s been scouted and broken down. Draw out the high guy, 1 pass around, then only 1 guy in the middle in the way of the cross seam, either above them if they’re deep or behind them if they’re higher up.
lol Stu just can’t ever have any good luck…
Jeezuz that was one magic lugi.
Stu has been good. Last 3 were good plays and incredible luck
Buckle up
How can Walman be this good and I’ve never even heard of him before we traded for him?
Holy shit Oilers… pissing away the game they are!
It was 5-1 dammit!
That last goal was bad luck — nothing play resulting in a goal due to an extremely lucky bounce. They didn’t even have anyone in front the of the net.
Tough bounce.
Cursed.
Gotta get back to outworking them. Not a team you can rope-a-dope for the final 20 minutes.
I bet we get another weak penalty call.
Prediction
Stars commit two clear hooking penalties: no call
Oilers get called for borderline interference penalty
Refs managing the game escapes Louie’s notice
I love Stu. I am skeptical he is good enough to win a cup right now. Such rollercoaster goalie.
Kulak Bouch may not be best combo
Two goals against in 11 seconds…
wow…
Nobody is stopping either of those shots.
OK, stripes, anytime now…
This might be a good time for a timeout.
I’m not sure Knoblauch knows he has one.
we dont do those for that purpose . why not calm down the troops?
Way underutilized in this league. It’s like it’s taboo to use unless it’s the last minute.
At minimum it can buy your best 5 another shift for the game
stu be good stu be bad lol
Both of those were top corner
But why was he already on his knees for both?
Dallas has been very clean tonight. Not a single penalty, eh?
Incredibly clean.🙄 Situational officiating
One of the best saves I’ve ever seen from Skinner, well done.
Stu-pendous!!!
Stu joining the party with his play tonight as well!
Poor Stu. Only makes the saves he should and never makes the saves he shouldn’t.
That, unfortunately, will be his legacy.
Max Jones , Trent Frédéric ,Jake Walman and Evander Kane…can you just imagine. This is a dream.
And throw in a healthy Ekholm.
A snarly Nurse and a pissy Draisaitl.
Three months ago I had my first kid. His name is Jacob. I think we may be quick to shorten it to Jake.
Mazel tov!
Having another top 4 dman will make a big difference. Especially one that can breakout the puck.
Oilers now have four dmen that are plus passers. Emberson and Nurse are average.
Pretty good stuff.
Best answer to hard forechecking teams in the playoffs is clean breakouts. Walman >>>>>>> Ceci/Des in the passing department.
This is exactly the thing. I am glad Bowman thinks this way as well, instead of preferring a bunch of tree sized cycle breakers. Much prefer Walman for a fraction of the price of Carlo, as an example.
I like Jones. I LOVE Walman!
Walman with the textbook hit! They’ll use that in classrooms.
This is what we’ve been missing, methinks.
Truculence and all the passion and energy it brings!
Ekwhome?
Hope this means Ekholm can get the rest he needs to be at his top form.. no need to rush him back. Not sure Klingberg will be getting back in anytime soon either.
Walmart..!!
clean up in aisle 3!!
Rantanen having second thoughts about being a Star.
I’ve seen piñatas get hit less than he has tonight.
Is it possible the Oil were just waiting for post trade deadline to show up??
This theory has been out there for a while now. Some of us have opined that they’ve barely taken it out of 2nd gear most of the season.
Roster construction wasn’t right from day 1. This is the NHL – the way the game is officiated rewards truculence