Based on Swedish reporting over the break, Oilers forward David Tomasek will have his contract terminated to allow him to sign back in the SweHL for the remainder of the season. A promising start to the season faded, and the playing time became rare. Jack Roslovic ate his lunch, and Tomasek was unable to emerge from a struggling group of bottom-six wingers.
If this is goodbye, Tomasek’s career games played (22) will trail both of Ken Holland’s Euro experiments. Gaetan Haas played 92, Joakim Nygard 42. Some will say it was a failed experiment in signing Tomasek, but I see no harm in giving it a try. The numbers suggest it was time to go.
FIVE-ON-FIVE POINTS-60
Here are the five-on-five points-60 totals for Oilers forwards generally associated with playing in the bottom six (10 or more GP):
- Noah Philp 1.28
- Mattias Janmark 1.24
- Ike Howard 1.18
- Andrew Mangiapane 1.13
- David Tomasek .92
- Curtis Lazar .75
- Adam Henrique .69
- Trent Frederic .44
One expects Kasperi Kapanen to step in when ready, and he owns a 1.69 points-60 scoring rate. There’s nothing in Tomasek’s number offensively that can’t be replaced and upgraded by Quinn Hutson, who is currently in the minors. Let’s look at goal share, again 10 or more games:
- Ike Howard 38 percent
- David Tomasek 38 percent
- Mattias Janmark 38 percent
- Andrew Mangiapane 35 percent
- Curtis Lazar 33 percent
- Trent Frederic 32 percent
- Adam Henrique 30 percent
- Noah Philp 23 percent
Tomasek is among the best in this group, but in reality the percentages are close enough to be described as shades of grey. Some of this is circumstance (Mangiapane and Howard played some with the big centers) and some may be circumstance (Oilers struggled badly during Philp’s healthy period, spiked after he was injured). We can grab a better look by listing the expected goal share for the bottom-six forwards.
- Curtis Lazar 53 percent
- Mattias Janmark 52 percent
- Andrew Mangiapane 50 percent
- Adam Henrique 49 percent
- David Tomasek 46 percent
- Trent Frederic 44 percent
- Ike Howard 42 percent
- Noah Philp 23 percent
If I’m looking at this with a rational eye, I think Tomasek is vulnerable with the group that has returned (Jack Roslovic) and the group that is coming back (Kasperi Kapenen). Those two gents, along with Zach Hyman and Matt Savoie, probably grab most of the RW minutes down the stretch (unless Stan Bowman trades for Alex Tuch).
For your reading pleasure, I’m going to re-publish “a conversation” that appeared on this blog back in July. The reasons for signing him were true, and the result, should it come to pass, doesn’t change those facts. I had Tomasek’s reasonable expectations at 50 games, 8 goals and 18 points. That’s .36 points-game. Before Christmas, he delivered 22 games, three goals and five points (.23 points-game).
These guys never make it. Well hell, that’s not true. The Oilers drafted a player named David Vyborny in 1993, and ignored him. In 2000, he arrived in the NHL with the Columbus Blue Jackets and played well for seven seasons. Per 82 games, Vyborny posted 17-31-48 for the Jackets.
Tomasek won’t score 50 points. While it is unlikely, Tomasek led one of the best leagues on earth in points last season. He scored 24-33-57 in 47 games. The NHL equivalency is 24-35-59. The NHLE didn’t anticipate the possibility Tomasek could run with Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl, either. This is a significant player, no matter the outcome.
Why isn’t there more talk about him? Most of us who watch the new player pool for next season populate are focused on the younger players. Tomasek is an older player. That doesn’t mean much when camp starts. Coach Kris Knoblauch may instantly take a liking to what he brings.
Knoblauch has to play the kids! Knoblauch has to win hockey games. Bowman acquired Ike Howard to hurry up the time line. Peter Chiarelli acquired Griffin Reinhart to hurry up the time line. Todd McLellan thought it might be better to play superior and more NHL-ready talent.
So now Howard and Matt Savoie are not NHL-ready? Suspect at least one (Savoie) is and am hopeful for Howard to make it as well. Howard is a first-shot scorer, Edmonton needs one on LW. However, you can’t guarantee youth makes the jump right away.
Knoblauch is too defensive. I have been writing this blog for 22 years. Every coach employed by the Oilers during that time has drawn the ire of fans for slow playing the kids. There are rare examples (Evan Bouchard, Philip Broberg) of slow-playing real talent, but Oilers coaches since 2000 have mostly had youth pushed on them, and caved. I don’t think Knoblauch will cave.
I thought you liked the youngsters? Sure do, hope they fill the net and become legend. However, I saw Sam Gagner overwhelmed in his early years because he wasn’t prepared for the war-on-ice that is the NHL. Hell, the Nuge struggled too, when up against guys like Anze Kopitar. This isn’t an easy league. It will take time. Tomasek might be a real find for this team.
How much does he play? I have Tomasek, Savoie and Howard sharing 160 games next season. None of them gets to 82.
You’re fading Savoie? I’m fading youth, and not by a lot to be honest. These young men have a great opportunity, and Tomasek is a fantastic third option. I’m betting they all play.
Four Edmonton Oilers World Juniors moments worth remembering
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6918661/2025/12/26/edmonton-oilers-world-juniors-stories-eberle-gretzky/
Any chance someone has an alternative to – onhockey.tv for NHL? NHL seems to have gone missing. Thanks
No NHL games tonight.
Back tomorrow.
sorry dumb question,,
No worries.
Wow missed call at end of the period. Apparently Czechs have 13 of their players in the CHL. Pretty even period over all.
Quick thought on our two WJC prospects:
Lewandowski was unlucky not to get a couple of assists, including causing a turnover on the forecheck directly leading to a German goal. Held up well with his physical game and a few nice plays showed his hands and processing.
Barnett looked steady in regular 3rd pairing mins and did get some PK time as well. Tough to gauge against a weaker opponent but skating looked fine for sure and positioning was solid, if a bit passive at times. Made one really nice breakout pass off the boards leading directly to a 2 in 1 for the US but the fwd couldn’t finish.
Fun to watch both, looking forward to seeing them play more against teams closer to their team relative skill levels.
Per Christ Peters:
Looks like Asher Barnett may dress!
3LD paired with Sens 1st rounder Logan Hensler. Excited to see what he’s got!
Very nice.
Looking forward to the game starting shortly – will be the first time I’ve seen either play.
Does anyone have an idea of how prominent a role Lewandowski might play for Germany?
Being a returnee–and only one of three NHL draftees für Deutschland–I imagine he’ll be on the top two lines and PP1.
Interesting to note that Saskatoon picked up yet another German (Elias Pul) from Spokane right before the holiday break, so all three of their Euros are German. And all three (along with Willhöft) will be at the WJHC.
Thank you.
The ECHL players have rejected the leagues final offer and are now on strike with games being canceled.
https://echl.com/cba
How many Oiler’s prospects are affected?
Very few, but the goalies do need reps.
Agreed – zero real propspect (Grubbe the closest and he’s not real) other than the goalies.
Ungar is up with Bako – I wonder if they’ll add at least one of Day or Jonsson to the Condors to practice, if nothing else.
I have no idea how much these players make or what kind of disability coverage (concussion) and other coverage they have (dental etc) I have a feeling a Kirby vacuum door to door salesman makes more money and has better benefits ( lonely randy housewife) I wish a spokesman for the players ECHL would show or give their demands on this latest contract. The union spokesman for the NHL and even each team spokesman should be putting pressure on the big wigs of the ECHL to cough up more profit for the players.
“CBA talks began in January, with Ramsay accusing the league of unfair bargaining practices, including most recently contacting players directly with proposals, which have been reported to the National Labor Relations Board.
“This is a league that has taken almost a year to concede that we should be entitled to choose helmets that properly fit us and are safe,” Ramsay said. “This is the league that still supplies our members with used equipment. This is a league that shows no concern for players’ travels and in fact has said the nine-hour bus trip home should be considered your day off. We have had members this year spend 28 hours-plus on a bus to play back-to-back games on a Friday and Saturday night, only to be paid less than the referees who work those very same games.”
https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/47400574/with-cba-talks-impasse-echl-players-verge-strike
Thanks this is what I assumed was the working conditions. I still think the AHL and NHL brothers need to step-up and help them more. Why do we never hear about these in my opinion deplorable working conditions by hockey pundits? You worked in this field why is it so quiet?
Likely a function of there being little interest outside the small cities where they play.
I am a bit surprised that NHL teams who have affiliations with ECHL franchises don’t step up to help out their players more.
Gazdic played in the ECHL and Beiska seems like the Unuin Rep type yet not a peep. They were probably muzzled on not being able to bring up the toxic level that these young men work in. A lot of these men will be a banged up with nothing to fall back on in there 30’s. There’s only so many used car lots to work at. Sounds like the players are definitely getting the shaft with the dream of getting seen to move up the ladder or play overseas. I ask you where’s the Weekend SJW on this one? I guess it doesn’t have enough flavour.
Players at all levels are becoming more militant.
I expect there will be an exodus of ECHL players to European leagues and more than a few ECHL franchises folding if the strike persists for very long.
Many were operating on shoe string budgets before the walkout and their business models don’t include treating their “product” very well.
At a high level it seems that it should be good for the player development, European hockey, and hockey in general!
Yeah…the ECHL, in whatever form, will likely become a glorified senior men’s league while anyone who has a glimmer of a real career will look elsewhere.
Rumours abound about the Oilers looking for a big, right-handed 3rd line centre.
Many on X, have mentioned that Stauffer has been talking about this, apparently, someone from the Western conference, from a team teetering on falling out of playoff contention.
I can’t really figure out how the Oilers would make the cap work, unless they somehow move Henrique. Henrique has a no movement clause.
Obviously the bottom six has been struggling mightily. Adding a decent 3rd line centre is a huge need.
| Scenario | TOI (min) | GF/60 | GA/70 | GF% | xGF% |
|———————————-|———–|——-|——-|——-|——-|
| McDavid ON / Draisaitl ON | 224.63 | 3.21 | 3.21 | 50.00 | 57.09 |
| McDavid ON / Draisaitl OFF | 416.45 | 3.31 | 3.54 | 52.27 | 51.77 |
| McDavid OFF / Draisaitl ON | 396.13 | 3.79 | 2.76 | 65.79 | 50.77 |
| McDavid OFF / Draisaitl OFF | 855.77 | 1.19 | 3.27 | 29.82 | 45.72 |
Any guesses on targets?
Here are names floating around:
If right-handedness is a must-have, that excludes lefties O’Reilly and McCann.
If the $$ could somehow work, I wouldn’t mind Lindholm.
I think the most obvious name you’re excluding here is Nick Schmaltz
RHC on a team that’s out of the playoffs on the last year of his contract with a modified
N-MC.
On the Oilers he would be a perfect utility player that can move anywhere in the line up or centre his own line, especially if the team wants to run 29-97-18
Schmaltz could run a 2nd with RNH & Rosy.
Or a 3rd with 88 & 92
Schmaltz would be a home run..
I would do a double fist pump if we landed Schmaltz. He has a sneaky good shot like Roslovic, with him being a Centre and his ability to muck it up come playoff time would be awesome.
Schmaltz would be a great add if possible, but he’d be a premium target and not the category of player Stauffer was intimating (big, defensive player).
Schmaltz would be expensive.
Our cap situation is pretty dire unless they convince Henrique to waive his NMC and we get half retained on the incoming player, I’m not sure how a trade would work.
Do not disagree but does not fit the description of what Stauff gave. 6′ 184lbs not good at faceoffs.
He’s currently Utah’s #1C and they are likely a playoff team.
Not a chance.
Michael McCarron is a giant C with over 50 percent on the dot and solid numbers versus elites for the Preds. He would not be my choice, but his AAV is $900,000.
https://puckiq.com/players/8477446?player=8477446&season=all&tier=Elite&group_by=player_season_team
I was guessing the same guy. Stauff said big right hand center, not a sexy name. Has allot of grit as well and kills penalties. Cap works.and cost would be cheap
McCarron is a 4th line player who can kill and uses his size very effectively. He would be over his head (not exactly easy for someone of his size) as a 3C. Is not going to give you any offense.
Yeah, from the numbers I had posted, we should hopefully expect reduced goals against from better overall team play, new goalies, etc
The bottom six needs someone who can at least be a marginal threat to score.
When we eventually bring up Howard, we’ll need to cobble together one line full of defensive vets and another line with some players who can create offense.
I won’t even think about any add with a material cap commitment until this team gets out of LTIR and starts accruing space.
Right now, we might be looking at a 19 skater roster to get Walman and Kap off LTIR – I don’t see how they can make any material add without LTIR. They already made their one cap dump without negative value available.
I’m hopeful bowman goes a different direction and makes a Stastney like move for 3c. Maybe a player more like Cole Sillenger or Noah Cates.
Maybe he’s already in the system. Samanski.
I like the thinking of going after a Sillenger type. Has skill, speed, youth and not totally established so should be hungry. Thinking Murphy/ Graves types to build a kid line with Savoie
Alex Wennberg (SJ) or Freddy Gaudreau (SEA)?
Gaudreau has been scoring at about a 35 point clip over the past 4 seasons. 6’ 185, RH, having a down year.
Nice contract $2.1M until 2028.
One would like that, for sure. I know he isn’t a sexy name, but does fit many of the things Edmonton might be looking for. jmo, but I think he’d be in the conversation. Those numbers versus elites are solid to excellent.
Grab him for 4th line and Nic Roy for 3rd. Give Toronto, Mangi, another x flame for their collection.
He is sixth in TOI against elites for Nashville this season. He has a 50 percent Dangerous Fenwick,REL is three percent clear of his teammates. I know people want a name, and if Bowman had any money you would want him to aim higher. He does not have more money.
https://puckiq.com/woodmoney?season=20252026&tier=Elite&positions=clr&team=nsh&group_by=player_season_team&sort=evtoi&sort_direction=desc
But does he have the wheels to keep up with what is a faster team this year?
He is about as fast as Curtis Lazar, and that’s a bit below NHL average.
They have to stop calling Crosby a 3C
Please no Bjugstad, we’ve seen this movie before. It cost us Kesselring. Bjugstad was lacking in the playoffs.
Bjug said as slow when he was here years ago. He is a good player still, but suits a grinding D team, not the Oilers
Good luck to Mr. Tomasek.
Just a half step behind from being able to be a really nice contributor. As was clear from the preseason. Worth bringing over – but couldn’t find anything above where he was.
I hope he enjoyed his time.
Remember Vladimir Ruzinka he never found his footing in Edmonton he then goes to Boston and becomes a cult figure. I think just like Sather Bowman seen the skill in him. I Think if Tomasek was put in the right spot on a team with no pressure he would score 20 plus.
Yes, deployment has cost the Oilers 50G between Howard and Tommy, right?
If they were giving the juicy minutes with PP 1 time for 1:52 per PP throw in ice-time with the opposition open net. Hell as ridiculous of a number you think that is your not that far off. I would say your bang on.
In October, in 12 games, Tomasek had 35 minutes of PP1 time, 5 minutes left than Nuge (so close to full time) and had zero goals.
Nah – He’s half step short on every play and doesn’t have the shot to beat goalies clean.
Good player – just not quite good enough.
Plus you’ve got Hutson etc who are plain better players.
If only he bags home those first couple of gimme’s it could of been a different story. Why did the Tomasek wagon fail and the Roslovic train succeed?
but he didn’t bag home those chances.
Tomasek failed because he couldn’t score and Roslovic is succeeding because he can.
That’s my whole point the league is filled with borderline players unless you feel Roslovic didn’t feel like playing in October
i don’t get the fleury talk. He’s not exactly a solution to any problem.
Does anyone know what moves the oilers could make to get out from LTIR? Outside of dumping Rico Mangiapane or Frederic which I don’t think is possible
The Fleury talk made sense before the Jarry trade, but all of the contracts that could be traded, were in fact dealt. There’s nothing left to sell.
So we’re gonna keep the LTIR train going until playoffs?
It looks like we’ll have to find a team to take Janmark, as a starting point.
That should be very simple
He has a 10 team no trade list.
Sure but he’s that hard working player type that GMs fall in love with
Not at nearly 700K over league min.
Janmark would likely clear waivers (assignment to Bako would save $1.15MM on the cap, leaving a dead cap hit of $250K for Janny – I think he’s at the $1.4MM overpay).
I guess maybe that’s why they’re test driving Ingram. Don’t think Picard is part of the future. Deciding if they go Jarry Ingram or Jarry Fleury
Boom now your getting it. Bowman is into winning the next 3 years. Gone are the days of keeping a Goalie that gave nice and fuzzy interviews. It’s a dog eat dog league Bowman gave Skinner-Pickard every opportunity in a contract year and they both crapped the bed. Kudos to Bowman for finally sparing us the pain and pulling the chute on cult favorite Skinner. I myself would of gambled on 2 runs at the Cup with Binnington but for some odd reason I don’t think Armstrong and Bowman are fishing buddies.
I find Binnington a bit too crazy. I like my goalies crazy but not that crazy
I love players that hate to lose 1 good placement chop to Tkachuk or Bennett ankles would be all it takes. Skinner and Pickard are so passive good guys and not bad when they’re hot but you find out a lot about certain Goalies when the shit hits the fan. I think Binnington with his personality is a goalie you go to war for When Hertl knew exactly what he was during falling on Pickard the players did try to seek some justice on Hertl. I find it interesting that nothing came out Bennett taking out Skinner unless it was a pure dive but Skinner regardless something needed to be done. With no attempt at retribution Maurice knew he had the Refs and pace of the series in his hip pocket.
Binnington has a .870 and, per money puck, the worst GSAx in the entire league.
What is with the desire to acquire bad goalies because of what they did years in the past (which was always over-rated with Binnington, including his Four Nations performance).
If you ever talk to Binnington don’t look at his hand as his 2 pound ring will temporarily blind you.
I care as much about Binnington’s rings as MAF’s rings which is absolutely nothing.
I don’t base current roster procurement on success years in the past.
Agreed but his Stanley Cup run sure wasn’t. He single handedly brought a team from the brink of a complete sell off to the Stanley Cup champions.
But he doesn’t give fluffy interviews that the wife likes. Who cares how good he is when it counts. Could you imagine telling someone that wins the hardest trophy in the world that it means shit?
Dude, it was 7 years ago, it means shit re: his play this year.
Maybe we should sign Martin Jones – he was also excellent that season!@
Sure, that was 7 seasons ago.
Matrin Jones, Bradon Holby, Pekka Rinne and Devan Dubnyk were top 10 goalies – I don’t want to acquire them either based on their play over half a decade ago….
Some Goalies age differently look no further than your buddy Roloson.
I wonder how much of the Fleury talk is coming from this agent ?
They are looking at a 19-skater roster potentially.
I think this is about the Olympics for Tomasek. He needs to play in a feature role, to make the Czech Olympic team. I don’t think it about money although he made a little this year with the oilers. But – its not a slam dunk he even gets on the team stuck in the press box for an NHL club. Going to the SHL gets him playing again and prepping for the Olympic tournament. Good luck David Tomasek.
With the rosters needing to be submitted by Dec 31 (I think), I’m not sure there is much (any) runway to get games in to showcase….
Who gets the start I’m hoping it’s Ingram as we need to see what he has and if he’s returned to form before giving him a cheap 2 year deal. I could handle Jarry with a in form Ingram for the next 3 playoff years.
I hope its Ingram as the scenario is the same as before the last game – need to continue to gain information on where he’s at and where he may get to.
I think, until Jarry is back, they should treat Ingram as the starter and Picks as the back-up and Pick should get on of the three games left this calendar year.
I could see them starting Pickard on the premise “need to ensure he doesn’t get stale” but he’s already stale and 2 extra days before the WIN game won’t make a difference to that.
I hope its Ingram but we’ll see.
I think Bowman want’s to see what he has in Ingram. All other rumours are put on hold as I believe it’s Ingram’s job to lose now. I really think this is the right time and place for Ingram as the team is playing well. If Ingram has a nice stretch of games I think it’ll be a Jarry-Ingram tandem. I don’t know much except for the odd game of watching Jarry and Ingram. Both Goalies seem to play a quiet game which is easier on the sphincter then our previous tandem. How was Ingram rebound control in Bakersfield? Is he good as seeing through traffic? Does he handle the puck well. Your opinion on his game in Bakersfield will be much appreciated.
Ingram’s rebound control was his biggest issue in Bako.
His puck handling is “fine” – nothing special but not an issue.
I wonder if Fleury still in play? If Jarry injury is possibly months than I would think Bownan has talked with team Fleury.
Jarry is supposed to be a couple of weeks. I know that Knob lies all the time but there is nothing to suggest months except for no hockey the last few days leading to brains braining……
MAF has very poor numbers his last two season, including in his 2G and 1G playoff runs).
Why would the Oilers target a retired, over 41 year old goalie who hadn’t played all year and who isn’t good any more?
It’s official, Tomasek on waivers for the purposes of contract termination.
Well, unfortunate that it didn’t work out. Tomasek was tried on the PP1 and he couldn’t finish. After that, there wasn’t much of a role for him unfortunately.
On a positive note. That should help the cap situation.
It helps the cap situation by $50K.
The Oilers org could have cleared $1.150MM of Tomasek’s cap hit at any time – bury all of it but $50K. This will clear the entire $1.2MM, a $50K cap present practically.
True, but to get out of LTIR, I can’t see a path forward that doesn’t include trading Janmark and waiving a few more guys on smaller contracts.
They could have assigned Tomasek to the AHL with essentially the same effect as contract termination ($50K difference). This doesn’t change anything on the cap situation.
Tomasek would have to clear waivers, right? There have been enough injuries in the NHL that someone is likely to want to take a look.
For a team (Canucks, Flames) looking to trade a lot of guys, they are going to need warm bodies.
There are teams, like the Leafs, that play slow, and whose PP sucks.
He’s on waivers.
Dont see a claim, he’s a tweener at close to $500K over league min.
He’ll be a UFA after termination tomorrow so another team could sign him to a lower cap hit but I figure he’s heading to Farjested.
I’m sure this was all discussed with any potential GMs and with the player to see if there was a place for him for a future consideration trade. Chance he gets claimed: none
I don’t think he’s officially on waivers until Sunday when the roster freeze is lifted, so looks like it will be Monday before the contract can be terminated.
RELEASE: Oilers to place Tomasek on waivers | Edmonton Oilers
Yes, technically.
I agree he wants to go back to Europe and if claimed I bet he refuses to report
If he’s claimed and a team keeps him on their NHL roster, I bet he does – in particular if they will play him.
This is very unlikely, of course.
Virtually every team in the league has players in the AHL that they’ve acquired and are developing who they will want to give opportunity to as the season plays out.
Acquiring another warm body with limited upside while they already have numerous family options makes little sense.
I thought another team would take a flyer on Tomasek give him the right linemates and opportunity and he scores 20. He had such a small window to prove himself early and the whole team was playing like crap and K.K blenderized him. The man left what I’m assuming was a good situation overseas to try his NHL dream. Him going home is not a failure he just couldn’t get those couple of PP goals across the line early on. Not everything is about money maybe he found out how cutthroat the NHL is and cared more about his mental health thinking it was better to leave on good terms then be miserable in Bakersfield.
He’s a tweener at best at near $500K over league min.
We’ll find out tomorrow if any team wants that contract for free. Highly likely not.
Probably it wouldn’t surprise me either way.
No I actually think he’ll clear waivers as we heard earlier rumours of a Tomasek plus for Lyon fable. Anyhow Tomasek name has been out there and it’s probably better for a team interested to trade 4th rounder then go the waiver route with all the stipulations that entails.,
What stipulations?
If a team claims him on waivers, they simply have to keep him on their NHL roster or expose him to try and send down.
If they traded for him now, same thing.
If they wait until he cleared waivers and then traded for him, they could play him in the AHL (see: Connor Ingram).
None of that is going to happen – any chance of him staying in the NHL would likely be post clear, post-contract termination and a new, smaller cap hit, contract.
Most likely is him returning to his club team in Sweden, as per initial reports.
He said he’d rather have gone through this than not try. His story is one of doing the unexpected, three years ago nobody would have seen him as a scoring champ
I imagine it’s not enough of a drive to battle it out trying to stick wherever in the NHL at his age, when he can go home to be a league top player and get paid for years to come
He never had any intentions of riding the buses in Bakersfield it was NHL or bust. Bowman tried facilitating trade there was no takers. I already previously stated how I myself through life experiences thought the terms were laid out this Summer. Not everything is about the all mighty dollar. Tomasek can go home a proud man knowing that he gave his best effort at his NHL dream and fell just a little short.
Injuries actually ended up providing Tomasek with a real opportunity (he was even getting PP1 time and some grade A chances that he couldn’t bury). The only thing working against him was this was at a point when Knoblauch could hardly go more than one period (on a good day) without mashing that blender.
With how utterly non-existent Henrique and Frederic’s offense has been and how poor Mangiapane has been, combined with ongoing injuries, I wish Tomasek had gotten a longer look in the bottom six during the December McDrai show.
He has some offensive skill but I believe his defensive metrics were awful.
To be honest, James Hamblin could provide more impactful minutes as he would bring quickness, energy, defensive accumen and depth PK.
With ALL of Howard, Hutson, Jarventie and Samanski making cases for NHL time, well, sail on David – maybe we’ll see him at the Olympics.
When they signed Tomasek Bowman wanted a winger with top 6 scoring potential, and it has to be cheap. The Swedish scoring champion wasn’t a bad bet, but when Ros agreed to sign also cheap and crushed it the writing was on the walI
It was top 9 (if a scoring 3rd line developed but didn’t) or somewhere else. He’s not a role player type really
It was very clear that he cannot keep up with NHL players, always arriving in both the d-zone & o-zone a day late and a dollar short. In the SHL he found his sweet spot, he is elite there.
In the NHL, he isn’t even a tweener.
Färjestad’s GM Rikard Wallin was non-committal but also didn’t deny when getting questions about Tomasek’s return. (Tomasek has a contract with Färjestad so it’s the only euro club he can play for if he were to leave the NHL)
Footspeed was the question mark for Tomasek before arriving to the NHL, ok top speed but not very quick his first few steps, and in deed footspeed looked like it was the main issue once he arrived. I think he could have compensated with smarts once he figured out the league but seems he(or the Oilers) doesn’t have the patience to stick with it.
I’ve always had a hard time understanding why a player wouldn’t stay committed for a full season when giving the NHL a shot. To me you’re setting yourself up for regret twenty years down the road but I’ve obviously never been in that position so who am I to question anyone really. Might be that he’s afraid of losing an olympic spot if he’s eating pop corn.
If Tomasek has a 1.2M USD salary in the NHL and has decided to forfeit ~50% of it by returning to Sweden, what salary can he expect to earn in the SEL for the duration of the season?
Ie, how much money is he leaving on the table by ending his NHL journey now?
According to Puckpedia Tomasek’s career NHL earnings total $488k USD to date.
According to some AI searching, top SEL players make ~$300k a year.
For money alone then he should gut it out in the NHL.
At worst he gets traded to a team out of the playoff hunt and gets a chance to put up points to earn a $1M+ salary for next season.
Leaving plenty of money on the table just because he misses the taste of lingonberry.
Why would a team out of the playoffs acquire this player?
The most likely scenario is he spends the rest of the winter in Bakersfield.
Have you ever been to Bakersfield?
Apparently there’s a few that haven’t.
I guess money isn’t everything. Maybe some family pull back in Swe? The threat of getting sent down to the A is likely a big one.
He hasn’t looked totally out of place and injuries can open up opportunity at any time so you’d like to see the guy stick it out for the season at least. Not a big loss. More opportunity for the young bucks
I’d guess at 29 he’s got his own family who he wants to be with if he is not playing an everyday role. I personally can understand being in a foreign country, separate from my loved ones & not gaining traction in my job, and deciding to go home (not from experience, just empathy).
Barnett vs. Lewandowski at the WJHC begins at 4 p.m. Alder Flats time.
who are these gentlemen you refer to?
Kind of sounds like the name of two lawyers so this could be in referal to a legal case.