The Edmonton Oilers have between six and 10 bona fide NHL prospects in Bakersfield at this time. Not many have real trade value (yet) but there are some future Oilers in California today. About this time of year, I like to have a look at the minor leagues and run the group through a filter I call Farm Workers. Please read this.
The idea for doing this came to me decades ago after reading Brian Conacher’s “Hockey In Canada: The Way It Is” and his comments about time in the AHL. The following passage fascinated me, and is the founation for today’s post:
As in other areas of modern society, hockeys teams too have their generation gaps. This situation stood out on the Rochester team in 1965 which consisted of three groups: the veterans (had all resigned themselves to making the best of their minor league hockey careers), the young ones (who have stars in their eyes and are in the AHL for just a little time, or so they think) and the group somewhere in between (these players kept hoping that a break would come their way and they might get their chance in the “big tent”). Here is this year’s Farm Workers.
If a prospect can establish himself as an AHL regular at 20, it bodes well for an NHL career, but does not guarantee it.
Matt Savoie played at 20 in the AHL and is now delivering a solid if unspectacular rookie campaign in the NHL. I’m not sure his offense will allow a decade on a skill line, and he’s pretty small for third-line work. Still, he confirms the statement.
This season, there are two players who are proving themselves in the AHL at 20. They are Connor Clattenburg and Beau Akey. Clattenburg earned NHL time and showed well, even scoring a goal in five games (he has good hands and keeps it simple). Beau Akey has shown impressive speed, coverage and puck movement. I think both men will have NHL careers if they can stay healthy. Arrows up.
Pretty much everyone who is in the AHL past 21 is having some issues and may spend time meandering.
Ike Howard is a ridiculous offensive talent in the AHL, sitting at 12-18-30 after 22 games. That’s an NHLE of 54 points. His even strength goal share (31-17, 65 percent) is best on the Bakersfield squad, and NHL Edge has him 88th percentile foot speed.
He should be on an NHL skill line now, but the Oilers have sent him down twice. It’s possible he grabs a job on a skill line with Edmonton next season, but meandering is in the chat as of this writing. Brady Stonehouse is also 21, he is a longer-term prospect and not currently on an NHL trajectory.
If you haven’t established yourself as a prospect by age 22, you’re in trouble. The players who will be successful have played at least some games in the NHL during entry deals.
This is such a drag when these kids reach the point where it’s go time and then nothing good happens. We can celebrate two young players who are emerging now, Damien Carfagna (wrote about him here) and Viljami Marjala. I believe both men will play some NHL games, and both could carve out a career of 100 or more games. Injury and opportunity will impact the length of both careers, but there’s real talent here. Carfagna has the best chance to emerge, Marjala’s skills are duplicated several times in the organization.
Exceptions are college men, who often turn pro at 22.
Both Howard and Carfagna qualify in this area, but have shown bona fides before turning 22. Quinn Hutson absolutely qualifies in this category, the young man has been exceptional out of the box at 23 years old. I compared him to Fernando Pisani early, but he might have more offense than the legendary Oilers winger two decades ago. His foot speed is the solitary downbeat, but he gets around well and is such a smart player positioning is rarely an issue.
Connor Ungar also qualifies here, with his .939 save percentage rocking in the free world. I don’t think he’ll get an NHL shot this season, and he’s coming from way back, but I do hope he gets a chance with Edmonton in the calendar year 2026.
No matter what you and I think about a specific AHL player, the largest category of player in the minors is ‘tweener’.
This is a category that houses most of the players we watch in Bakersfield. From James Hamblin at the top end to Matvey Petrov at the bottom end, tweeners are the heart of minor league hockey. I cheer like hell for all of them, and sometimes these players find their way, but all are longshots. Atro Leppanen resides here, for now. He received a two-year deal and made great progress in-season, but defensively was coming from a long way back.
If we make a list of rfa’s each summer, we can probably pick the cuts and be pretty close.
Roby Jarventie is an RFA after this season, and has recharged his NHL chances with a strong 2025-26 season. He is a fine passer and scorer, and has delivered offense consistently outside a feature role with the Condors. I’m a little surprised he hasn’t seen the NHL already, what with all the struggles on depth wings on the big club. We’ve already talked about Ungar, Oilers need to get him signed and find him minutes next season. Other RFA’s include Matvey Petrov and Jayden Grubbe, both men are unlikely to be qualified.
Dan Cleary, Fernando Pisani, Jason Chimera, Stuart Skinner and Ryan McLeod are the success stories in this study.
Edmonton’s draft picks since 2000 who match the description: Jarret Stoll, Matt Greene, Kyle Brodziak, Jeff Petry, Tyler Pitlick, Tobias Rieder, Erik Gustafsson, Jujhar Khaira, Caleb Jones, Ethan Bear, Stuart Skinner, Ryan McLeod, Mike Kesselring.
This year’s list is long, populated by the names above (Howard aside; like Savoie a year ago, he’s in the AHL but is an NHL player now) and I will add Josh Samanski. This young man flew right over the AHL to find NHL ice in less than a season. He had the carburetor cleaned and checked, lines blown out he’s hummin’ like a turbojet and honestly eating the lunch of a few NHL players. Music! We have to acknowledge Quinn Hutson here, too. Man what an interesting season in Bakersfield.
Finally, this is the most fun I’ve had writing a Farm Workers since the original. What a bunch, can’t wait to see the future.
Edmonton Oilers prospect Damien Carfagna appears close to NHL-ready
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7029417/2026/02/08/edmonton-oilers-prospect-damien-carfagna-nhl/
Haven’t read the piece yet but I agree with the headline.
He made one play last night defending a LARGE attacker off the rush and wiped him out and then started the transition for an offensive rush – it was a heartening play given his size.
Looking forward to getting Lepannen back after the AHL all-star break (i.e. next weekend) – hopefully he can pick up where he left off as he was coming hard.
Thanks. I wonder if we see him this year?
Now to find that Conacher book…
It’s hard to find but worth the pursuit.
https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?an=brian%20conacher&cm_sp=SearchF-_-home-_-Results&ref_=search_f_hp&sortbyp=17&sts=t&tn=hockey%20in%20canada
Thank you!
It is a shame that country that shall not be named is not participating in the Olympics. The hockey tournament is not quite right.
Sweden, Finland and Czechia are very far back from the USA and Canada.
Actions carry consequences.
I agree, but when the “rules” are selectively applied, it’s a complete mockery.
From a pure hockey competition standpoint, yes, its not the same without them.
In single elimination games any of those teams, especially Sweden, could knock out Canada or the USA. It is quite disappointing that Barkov and Carlsson are injured. And that Pettersson went from being elite to aggressively mid.
Ryan Rishaug
@TSNRyanRishaug
Crosby McDavid MacKinnon Makar Reinhart on the first PP unit.
Necas – Hertl – Pastrnak
Palat – Kampf – Kase
Cervenka – Sedlak – Tomasek
Stransky – Faksa – Kubalik
Hronek – Simek
Kempny – Gudas
Spacek – Rutta
https://x.com/DFOFantasy/status/2020587218675589596
Granlund – Hintz – Rantanen
Lehkonen – Aho – Teravainen
Luostarinen – Lundell – Kakko
Tolvanen – Haula – Armia
Heiskanen – Lindell
Mikkola – Ristolainen
Maatta – Jokiharju
https://x.com/DFOFantasy/status/2020585357054788051?s=20
First Swedish practice:
Nylander – Eriksson Ek – Kempe
Pettersson – Zibanejad – Rakell
Raymond – Lindholm – Forsberg/Bratt
Holmberg – Wennberg – Landeskog
Johansson
Forsling – Dahlin
Hedman – Andersson
Broberg – Karlsson
Ekman-Larsson – Lindholm
https://x.com/vojtechtuma7/status/2020605134774890694
Per Rishaug:
First line rushes.
Celebrini McDavid Wilson
Suzuki MacKinnon Marchand
Stone Crosby Marner
Hagel Horvat Reinhart
Bennett Jarvis
McDavid, McKinnon, Crosby all on separate lines. This is the way.
That’s a killer third line.
Tom Wilson, first line right winger at the Olympics.
Wow, quite a story
Mitch Marner – could be right winger on any Canadian Olympic line – But not good enough for Toronto
Love that 1st line
Congrats to Kap on the birth of Luca Leander Kapanen!
Kappy just announced the birth of his son Luka on Instagram. Born Feb 5th, he and his wife Matleena couldn’t have timed it better! Looking forward to some new Dad strength contributing once the break is over.
Kapanen vibes are through the roof.
Bowman is a resourceful GM, but he is pretty hamstrung by movement clauses. Next season of guys he might want to move, only Henri comes off, and Campbell has a 2.6M cap charge
Perhaps someone from the farm could help, but the coach seems like that’s not something he likes to try, and it’s late in the season. It makes more sense to give young guys a season to get used to the NHL
So other than smaller moves, the deadline isn’t likely to change much, barring something unpredictable. The answer has to come from within. I find that the coach might be not into the things that a lot of people think the team needs to add, some attitude, some battle, some edge
I also find he is uneven in how he handles the players. Frederic and Mangi were brought in to provide that edge. Certainly they have a big part in their lack of success, but the coaches main job is to get the best from what he has to ice – X’s and O’s are a given at this level
I have been catching up on Oilers now, and a few points that came up I agree with, some have been brought up here. Mangi having his best game as an Oiler, playing the way he was signed for, gets benched (reprimanded) for a mistake, on a team that is sinking from mistakes, there are few innocents. That game was an opportunity to help him turn his season around, and help down the stretch and into the playoffs where his normal style of play is a big help and currently lacking
Frederic was PB’d against the flames after showing signs of also coming on. Against a team that employs some bruisers, and the 3rd and 4th lines showing signs of life. That the team is playing so far below their ability is a lot on the coaches, and them not being able to get the group mentally into the games and the fight
Self inflicted foot shots by the coaches to me. Koblauch has said he doesn’t like hitting for the sake of hitting, and it seems that players get benched if they make any mistakes trying to amp things up. They seem afraid to play their games, and it results in overthinking and a lack of engagement as I see it. Players aren’t contributing enough, but most players need help to do that from the coaches, trust and belief, and encouragement when they aren’t at their best when they are established players that aren’t aging out, that can still do it. As Duschene mentioned in that clip I posted yesterday for those that watched it
It’s too late to still be figuring things out and tinkering. The players seem out of sorts, I have no problem with them speaking out what they think to media, but that also can become a problem if it goes too far and too often
It seems that the coaches aren’t going to be part of the solution because they don’t seem able to as it stands, so it’s either all on the players, or Bowman has to swing for the fences and do something that would be pretty ballsy
Godot mentioned alignment yesterday, Curlock to Bob said he thinks it’s easier to have that on the farm team and in dealing with prospects than with established pros and at the NHL level. I have not chimed in on, or agreed with those who have mentioned that the GM and coach aren’t in synch, but it’s looking like that may be true
If it is, maybe swing for the fences and bring in De Boer (caveat being he needs to be more careful with his words to the press and managing on the bench when things go wrong like when he pulled Kuemper in the last series, lost, threw Kuemper under the bus after and got fired). But he’s the best coach available, and if his thoughts align with Bowman’s maybe that’s the thing to turn it around in a big way. There are no more mulligans in Connor’s and Leon’s careers
I doubt it happens, but regardless I think they need a different coach even if it’s not this season. I am less concerned about making so many changes than I am about finding a better fit. Oiler hockey is not passive hockey, especially when the two best players are 1000% driven
I think Bowman gets that you need some toughness as the Hawks had it, and they are currently shy there, still the coach has to let that be a part of the team’s game, and Knoblauch doesn’t seem into it by how the team plays and how he manages things
I don’t think the Oilers should play like asshats as the panthers do. The Bolts decided years ago, or realized, that playing nice high end hockey wasn’t enough and they could be beat in playoffs by teams that played them tough. So they started adding that
This season having had enough of the panthers and the league’s entitling them to play far past the edge, far more than any other team is allowed to, Cooper ices a thug version of the Bolts and they go hammer and tongs with the panthers, starting in pre season. Straight out of Scotty’s play book for dealing with the Flyers of the 70’s
After battling injuries all season to key players, many still not playing, they are the hottest team in the league, and if healthy enough a Cup favourite. Would Knoblauch ever consider wanting his team to be as old school as cutting edge? I don’t see it. NHL hockey is still NHL hockey
It is absolutely true that the Oilers are a soft hockey team. Oiler fans like to say
yeah but they turn it up in the playoffs” or “Zach is leading in hits”
Lets be real, everybody turns it up in the playoffs. Oilers unpractised at it all year, take more penalties because it has not been their nature and yes they are unpractised.
And Zack is not scaring anyone with his hits. Which by the way are very effective as he hits to separate man from puck, with his stick down to retrieve puck, he is brilliant at it.
But in this particular post about being a soft team, The Oilers just are.
They do have some players, some tools available, but the fact they never use them, consistently simply indicates this style is the coaches preferred style.
The ultimate example is Kane taking his penalty and was benched. Whereas Sam Bennett took his penalty (running the goalie) and was patted on the back by the coach.
The answer is not to out-goon the opponent, but you have to be able to hold your own. I see this has been, and continues to be a weakness in the team and in this coaching group.
Agreed. It has to be part of the nature
Not every player has to be like that, but it can’t be 2. Hyman stepped up in playoffs and was a forecheck wrecking ball, perfect. But they need guys that ‘like’ playing a rough quality game, that do it all of the time
It juices hockey teams, always has. Look how a goalie fight has every player banging sticks. They all don’t play a hard game, but they all love the rough stuff, couldn’t have made it otherwise. The mildest NHL player would be pretty hard nosed compared to most of us normies
Frederic earned his scratch, can’t be skating away when your captain is laying in a heap.
Stauffer says he took it that Frederic engaged the wrong guy based on the replay. That’s a problem yes, but a myopic solution to the big picture. They need him, that’s not the way to build a fella up and help him gain his confidence back
In fact the opposite, and I think brings the coach into serious question given the state of things. Frederic has taken guys on, ones he can’t beat as well, I have no doubt about his character. Poor coaching at the NHL level for me. So many mixed messages to the players on an already rudderless team
I agree on coaching, I don’t agree on Frederic and what he did and didn’t do.
Even if Frederic goes after the wrong guy, gloves get dropped and the unloading begins. Eventually the right guy would emerg. Frederic didn’t do any of that, he skated away.
The physical deterrence guy, the jump to your captains defense, it should be second nature. You do it without anyone telling you yes or no. He should always feel he has a green light to act in defense of the captain. I don’t expect a non reaction to happen again.
I agree Fred should have done better, I’m more concerned about the big picture. It comes across to me like ‘the beatings will continue until morale improves’
Upon further review, it seems that Frederic thought it was McCann wth the hit (he was also in the picture) and went directly at him and tried to get him to fight.
great post. Agreed on Knoblauch not being able to build guys up. Even with J Skinner last year he would score a goal and have a good game and then be out the next game. Same with Philp this year. Same with Lazar. They need to let guys build their games and feel confidence. And I agree bring in DeBoer and let’s get going for the rest of this year and next. The other good thing about him is with more experience he will bring better and more experienced assistants I imagine. He worked with Donskov before who is supposed to be great.
I don’t know that I agree Bowman values toughness though. It seems like he got Frederic to basically check that box and be done with it but he has not even turned out be that guy. I think Holland had a better handle on those types of guys that were tough and mean but could still play an important role – Kane, Perry, Carrick. I would love to just have someone that can be a villain a couple nights a week. I dearly miss watching Kassian play hockey.
The craziest thing about Howard is how he is 3rd in points per game with more than 10 games played and the 2 players ahead of him are
Rutger McGroarty
21 years old
28 NHL games played
70 AHL games played
10gp
4g
10a
14p
1.4ppg
Danton Heinen
30 years old
592 NHL games played
13gp
6g
12a
18p
1.38ppg
Isaac Howard
21 years old
28 NHL games played
22 AHL games played
22gp
12g
18a
30p
1.36ppg
He’s the only rookie with ten games played before Hutson at #25.
The next rookie ranked would be Nick Lardis at #33.
There is a couple of rookies who have played 4 games or less. I didn’t remove them in the rankings of ppg so the others would be a little closer with removing them.
Any day we should hear quiet rumblings by Howard’s agent for a trade unless SB is working on it in secrecy. It’s obvious K.K wants an energy player bottom 3 and not a top 6-9. It wouldn’t surprise me if Howard is traded at the deadline with Mangiapane.
Lol – secret agent 007 with the brutal takes here.
I’m way above the Mendoza line. I’m actually having a Kirby Puckett like season. My big hit was Clattenburg getting the money call. The crucial miss I have is I thought they would slot Howard in an instant role to succeed like every other forward Hobey Baker winner for the last 20 some years. Instead they tried to shoehorn burnt out set for life wingers in Frederic-Mangiapane as well as stone hands Savoie aka Todd Marchant.
I think you need to take another look at the career path of former Hobey Baker winners and the age they won the awards. Those that won it at Howard’s age didn’t have straight lines to immediate NHL success.
Note higher drafted and older prospect Rugger McGroarty in the AHL to continue developing his game. The Pens believe him playing in the AHL if more valuable than giving the kid the break earned by NHL players.
Howard knows he needs to work on things in the AHL – he’s played in the AHL and didn’t have the abilities required to bring out his primary skills. He’s in the AHL, winning, contributing, playing a ton and working his ass off.
He knows what he has to do to play in the top 6 in the NHL and he’s working at it
Howard is too good for the AHL. His numbers along with his play say why the eff is this guy playing in the AHL? This is borderline mismanagement. Bowman needs to force this player into the line-up or trade him before they sewer his value.
I will continue to encourage you to watch the Condors and see Howard play in the AHL.
He is very good offensively, yes.
He is continuing to work on varying parts of his game that will, in time, help him gain the coach’s trust to play him in higher leverage minutes when he’s back in the NHL, up the lineup.
Development for rookies is important – he’s starting to come out of his mid-season lull (already played more games than in any NCAA season) and the next stretch is important.
Clattenburg brings certain attributes that you will never comprehend
That is complete bullshit – I very much understand what he can bring and I wrote about the impact he can have 10:25 this morning.
You really do struggle to interpret the written word.
We all know Clattenburg is not polished enough for your liking. He’s 20 years old of course he’s not Bob Gainey. I just don’t get the subtle bashing of a 20 year old kid. He almost lost his eye doing the job he was called up to do and for that I have the upmost respect for. This kid will be back he’s a leader and he’ll chip in with the odd goal while being defensively conscious.
I’ve never once bashed Connor Clattenbug.
Rutger McGroarty has only played 10 AHL games because he was on the Penguins roster most of the season before being sent down for the Olympic break.
The Penguins also have another 23 year old undrafted Avery Hayes who is on a goal scoring heater with WBS with a hat trick (2A from McGroarty) last night to hit 16 goals in 32 AHL games.
Maybe one day he’ll catch up to undrafted Quinn Hutson.
Hutson is almost a year older.
Am I doing the OP splitting hairs right?
All I hear is Howard is a year older than Caufield therefore he needs to rot in a league he’s carving up. If Howard is on 3/4 of the league rosters he has close to 20 goals already.
Caufield being a year older than Howard means nothing – Caufield having a better season in the NCAA at 19 than Howard did at 20 is very meaningful.
Howard is developing – you don’t believe in it, I get it.
Your last statement is just that, a statement without foundation.
We shall never know will we? All it takes is opportunity where a coach believes in you.
Yes thats my point. I chose 10 games as the cut off so I wasn’t including 2 or 4 games. I wasn’t going to cut him out of the numbers.
So there’s a fine crop in the field, shame to see it rot there because of NMC’s. Best not get too attached to one player as the only way to get value from them is to trade them.
K.K likes his veterans even when they’re not our best line-up and chance to win. I get using veteran’s in the Playoffs where a short burst by a veteran may be the difference in a series. Regular season is a different ball of yarn the season is long and compressed refs call a totally different game that many youth players can thrive at. Bowman has given K.K the personal now it’s up to K.K to give the outer edge players roles instead of winging it.
I agree with this – its time to get him some reps with McDavid and Drai but I don’t agree that he’s “meandering” as he’s crushing the AHL offensively, proving to be on the best players in that league as a 21 year old rookie, while also working his butt off on the “away from the offence” type plays.
He still struggles on the wall, including high in the defensive zone – not only in battle but commitment to battle.
I don’t consider this development wasted. I do think he can, and should, get another NHL opportunity this season and be put directly in to the top 6.
The Oilers have 3 forwards that should be locked in the top 6 – any of Nuge, Podz, Kazp can play on the third line, in my opinion. All three can certainly play in the top 6, of course, but pushing that player down to the third line is called creation of depth and makes the team stronger.
Agree wholeheartedly – I recall that the Panthers opted to play guys like Boqvist and Samoskevich in their top 6, when Tkachuk was hurt, rather than break up the Lundell line.
KK does the opposite – he loads up his top 2 lines and then wonders why his bottom 6 have no juice.
Yet when anyone compares him to shades of Caulfield you go into a tizzy
No tizzy but simply pointing out that fact that he’s never been in the same tier of prospect or player as Caufield.
Caufield isn’t, and has never been, a reasonable comparable for Howard.
I said shades of. We can play this game all day. When Howard does pop whether or not it’s with us or another team. I’ll be waiting to hear who you think he’s comparable too?
I think the problem with Howard is a lack of man strength .He gets manhandled up here.. Im sure they got him in the gym down in Bakersfield .He also needs to work on his game in the D zone..But he is working on both and I’m sure he will be up when there is a need or room because of trade or injury .
————–
I agree on both and Clattenburg is well ahead of where likely anyone saw hm now but I’m concerned about his commitment to develop in the right areas.
100%, his calling card is his ability to impact the game physically and that is what will get him to the NHL full time but, of course, he needs to have a certain level of “hockey ability” in order play in the NHL, At the AHL level, he does struggle to reach this requirement, things like take a breakout pass and make the next play at pace, puck plays in the neutral zone, etc.
I was VERY heaterned by his games in the NHL as he played more hockey that he did in the AHL. He was not running around for hits and fights but taking the opportunities when they were there and he did score that goal. Of course, as his games went on he showed that he clearly needs work on those hockey skills.. No worries, he’s a 20 year old rookie and that’s what the AHL is for.
Upon his return to the AHL, he completely disregarded “playing hockey” and all he did was hunt for hits and fights. I mentioned it after ever game – that he’s not going to develop the skills he needs to play in the NHL if he’s spending half his time in the penalty box and the other half disregarding hockey plays – and he’s going to get himself hurt.
Well, that he did – hurt in a fight, surgery, out months – his third term injury in 1/2 a pro hockey season…..
Sounds like he will be back this season, in March – that’s awesome. Hopefully coach Chaulk can get him to focus on developing some puck skill and ability to make plays at the pro level.
I’m not saying to disregard his primary physical skills but we and he know those are there – there are hockey skills to develop that aren’t where they need to be yet.
He can have a real NHL career but he needs to focus.
Of course, all in my opinion.
He has a lot of heart, just needs more direction and experience. Good write up.
As I recall Clattenburg was taken out of the line-up because of cheap shot injury and Not due to his play.
Clattenbrug got hurt, yes but I would suggest that more reasonable observers could tell that the overt mistakes had crept in to to Clatt’s game, were coming more frequent and his AHL assignment was inevitable in short order.
Yes we all heard about the one puck he supposedly didn’t get in deep which materialized into a nothing burger a 100 times. The reason he came out of the line-up is because he was injured not his play.
Ok, Reja, you win, Clattenburg would be an every day player for the Oilers right now if he didn’t get hurt (again).
Probably not but who are you and me to say. He might of found a home on the 4th line or 13 forward and inserted in to the line-up sporadically. I just don’t get the diminishing of this 20 year-old making it to the bigs coming out of a late draft pick.
Not sure what Bowman’s actual plan is for this trade deadline. With losing 3 in a row the Oilers are not close to wrapping up a #2,3 or wildcard spot. There are 4 teams in the pacific all within striking distance and games in hand. San Jose is the lowest with 3 games in hand and 6 points back. So they are definitely not guaranteed atop 3 seed, let alone a wild card. The 1st 3 games back are on a west coast swing against Anaheim, LA,( back to back) and a matinee in San Joe on Sat. 3 games in 4 days with that 230 matinee.
Now this team usually stinks after a return from a break. This time it better be different.
So my thoughts are , is Bowman going to wait until the last minute to see what he does based on where the Oilers are in the standings or will he just assume they will make the dance?
As for prospects, what are the thoughts and guesses for whom other teams will be asking for I wonder? Not sure who we would or are even after. Stauffer says a bottom 6 winger and a D man. Roy is being mentioned a bit more. Mcmann ( they are asking a 1st and prospect. Too much?)
Getting a “good third line guy” and a legit top 4 Dman is going to require emptying the cupboards of the farm prospect + significant future draft capital.
Feels like we would be repeating the mistakes of summer ‘24 when we bled out young talent just on the cusp, in order to sign a bunch of old forwards whose best days were behind them.
I’d prefer to keep our powder dry instead. Maybe even be a bit of a soft seller. Trade away guys that don’t fit like Mangiapane, and Henrique, and reset the roster and our cap sheet for next season.
Call up Howard, Semanski and Hutson and run that line for the rest of the season as the defacto #3 line.
Tell KK that he has to keep his lines together and roll them evenly, or we’ll find a coach that will.
I like this line of thinking, but not sure it happens
There is an excellent chance that Vegas drops significantly down the Pacific standings coming out of the Olympic break.
They have a brutal schedule with nearly every game against playoff contenders.
They start on the road and play a 5 game road trip that includes a 3 games in 4 nights ending in Detroit.
Their next 10 games are pretty much a run though hell.
@ LAK – With Panarin and Holland working on another high impact acquisition.
@ WSH – Capitals 16-10-3 at home
@ PIT – Also an excellent home record
@ BUF – Surging Sabres
@ DET – Back to back, 3 in 4 scheduled loss
vs. MIN – Hottest team in the league – 4th game in 6 nights
vs. EDM – Should be competitive
@ DAL – Now winners of 6 straight
vs. PIT – 15-7-5 on the road
vs. CHI – free space
It’s entirely plausible that Vegas falls out of the race altogether after this stretch.
More reason not to go shopping for Bobby McMann’s. The Oilers should have enough to make the playoffs in a weak Pacific … going big game hunting at the TDL will not put them on an equal footing with the beasts from the Central. Accept that this year is not our year to make a Cup run.
The problem with rental players (aside from the cost to acquire them), is that management then feels obligated to try to resign the player (to justify the asset cost to acquire the player in the first place) … e.g. see Henrique for a recent reference.
I don’t know about you guys, but I don’t want the Oilers to be the team that gives a player like McMann (who is on a heater in a contract year) a 5 million dollar deal with term and clauses.
Call up the kids, pressbox or trade away the ineffective veteran players, roll the lines and keep your powder dry.
The time to get mcmann was in November. The cost would have likely been a mid round pick or B prospect. He was just a fourth liner then.
So I agree the price then signing is probably too high.
I liked the target back then as I think of him as a likely late bloomer and not a Henrique/ mang cliff dweller.
He had 20 goals last season and 15 in 56 games the year before, he was never available for a mid-round pick or B Prospect – lets be real.
Aug 11 2025. Thehockeywriters.com
The article stated that mcmann may not make the opening roster and lays out his inconsistent offensive game. Mcmann is a player I’ve followed for the last couple years. He was talked about in similar ways to Kapenen for inconsistent play. I’m not skilled enough to link articles.
I have no idea about what management was thinking but as of a few weeks ago there was talk of him being available for a second. This after being elevated up the lineup.
Podkozin was acquired for a fourth. Players like that would be my preferred targets. I believe Mcmann would have been in that range earlier in the year.
With respect, the words of Thehockeywritters have no more worth than any other fan – there was no chance he wasn’t’ making their roster coming off, essentially, back to back seasons and not a tire fire defensively.
Thanks. I appreciate your opinion.
I sure think a player like Mcmann would be a fit on the oilers. I also believe he could be a player that continues to get better. I’d hope to get that type of player for less than a first.
I have great appreciation for pro scouts that can find players like that before they pop. Who’s the next Sherwood/ Mcmann.
Josh Samanski?
Which raises the question….who replaces Vegas atop the Pacific standings?
The Kings have 3 games in hand on the Oilers, Seattle and Anaheim both have 2.
LA has added Panarin (now their top scorer) and, as noted, Ken Holland has indicated he is in the market for another impact forward and has alsmot $10 million in free cap space to pull that off.
Seattle, which is now tied for second in the Pacific (by points percentage) with Anaheim, has $12.7 million in cap space but has not featured much in trade rumours and might just continue to rely on stellar defensive hockey to nab a spot.
Anaheim is now by far the hottest team in the division with an 9-2-0 record in their past 11.
Leo Carlsson who was a top 10 scorer in the league at a PPG will return after the Olympic break and should help boost their offense further.
With that they are very close to full health for the first time in many weeks.
They come out of the break with 7 straight games at home followed by a 4 game road trip with 3 games against non-playoff teams.
The Ducks also have more than $33 million in cap should they decide to go for it.
Anaheim is well situated to win the Pacific.
Oilers @ Ducks in the first game back.
That first game back is a big one – if the Oilers lay an egg in that game, management should stand pat at the deadline.
Im not sure Panarin is actually a fit in LA with how they play. The Sharks are more of a concern … they have loads of cap space too and tons of prospects and draft capital … and Celebrini.
Anaheim has a ton of players to resign – that cap space is going to disappear quickly after they re-up their RFAs. I’d love to see them blow assets to acquire UFAs, then work themselves into a pretzel trying to resign those guys:
I’ve watched a ton of Sharks games and I just don’t think they have the D to advance and are likely a year away and, as you say, have tons of draft capital and cap space.
Not sure why you think the Ducks will be in a cap squeeze.
As things stand, they will have $41 million available in the offseason.
Leo Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier might eat up $20 million but that leaves $ 21 million.
I expect Trouba and Gudas will be re-signed at lower cap hits,,,say $10 million total leaving another $11 million for bottom 6 additions.
However Ryan Strome ($5 million) and Frank Vatrano ($4.7 million) have become excess baggage in the lineup.
Strome has already requested a trade and, as a centre on an expiring contract, should be relatively easy to move. (could actually happen at this deadline as there are teams desperate for centres.)
Vatrano might be a bit more difficult to move with 2 seasons left but the Ducks could retain some or buy him out and save $4 million on the cap for the next 2 seasons.
That’s another $9 million added to the pile left over after signing 3 or 4 on league minimum deals.
(Sam Colangelo, Nikita Nesterenko and Tim Washe have been frequent AHL callups and are all signed for next season in the $800K range.)
Lots of room to manoeuvre.
I think Panarin is talented enough to transform the LA 1st line and Holland has said publicly he’s looking for another impact piece by the deadline.
He’s has almost $10 million in cap space to pull it off.
Bowmans broader plan is easy. He will do as much as he can with what he has to work with. He has no choice.
Specifically, the recent youngsters are his moves. he will want them. He also owns Mangiapane and Frederic and he will want to correct mistakes if he can. I could also see Walman getting swapped out.
I checked and Walman currently has a no movement and his next contract as well. He’d have to agree
I think the D needs to be balanced better, but Nurse gums up the cogs
Walman has a 10 team NTC on his current deal, which becomes a full NMC next season when his extension kicks in.
Theoretically there are 22 other teams that Walman could be traded to … whether there is a team willing to trade a RHD that could play in our top 4 is an entirely different matter. That said, if there is the opportunity to move Walman for such a player, then I’d do it now before that extension kicks in.
Thanks, Puckpedia says full NMC currently