I’ll be interested to see how Stan Bowman handles the Darnell Nurse trade. It feels like the ship has sailed and the veteran defenseman is gone, but what if the return is inadequate? I suspect the team is too far along now, it’s going to happen.
You know, there was a time when the Oilers could find good players who didn’t destroy the cap. Steve Staios and Jan Hejda were good players who had NHL careers of note after signing in Edmonton. Hejda didn’t last long with the Oilers, but was one of several inexpensive additions over the past 25 years.
Here’s a quick list: Staois, Hejda, Marc-Andre Bergerson, Curtis Glencross, Brad Hunt, Jordan Oesterle, Mark Arcobello, Iiro Pakarinen, Matt Benning, Drake Caggiula, Ty Rattie, Klim Kostin, James Hamblin, Vincent Desharnais, Troy Stecher, Max Jones.
I think Damien Carfagna might be the next one, or maybe Atro Leppanen or Owen Michaels. The point is that with Nurse, you want room to wheel under the cap. So, when we’re talking about dealing him to the Pittsburgh Penguins, I think the pro scouting staff needs to identify a Staios, Hejda or Desharnais. What is his name? Hell if I know, but I’d be interested in reading the scouting report on Finn Harding. He’s 6.02, 192, RH and had a strong AHL season in 2025-26. He’s 21. Can he skate? Move the puck? The Oilers have never won a Stanley without a Finn on the roster, and this guy’s name is Finn!
I think Stan Bowman should try to trade all of the Nurse cap hit, and if the team gets an unknown prospect then the pro scouts better have gotten it right. That gives Bowman a chance to deal for Jordan Kyrou or sign both Connor Mutphy and Jason Dickinson.
If Finn isn’t the Oilers huckleberry, the cost is merely a line in the guide and record book. The key is the cap, try to grab a Klim slow slider if you can and then spend the money wisely. That’s the play here.
I still can’t believe Edmonton hasn’t experimented with Nurse as a forward. The transition from defense to forward should be much easier than a forward trying to play defense. We could literally be trading away our own version of Dustin Byfuglien. I know I’ve harped on this topic for a while now, but I genuinely think GMs and teams are crazy not to at least try this option. 🤔
If McDavid ends up leaving, this whole Nurse-at-forward argument makes even more sense. The sheer weight of this management team’s mistakes has severely compounded, and now look where we are. It’s exactly like that meme of the dog sipping coffee in a burning room 🔥 —just sitting there thinking to himself, “This is fine.”
Honestly, Jeff Jackson and Stan Bowman should be fired for letting Broberg, Holloway, and trading McLeod for savioe. I would of kept McLeod. This mess is deep and dirty, but ultimately, it all stems from an owner who just doesn’t know what the hell he is doing and keeps mucking everything up.
I never understood the idea of Nurse at forward. Like when he pinches, or has an offensive opportunity all I can picture is that slap shot from the circle that is so easily handled by the goalie. Reminds me a bit of that Smyth slap shot, but even less effective.
I’ve always thought of Nurse as a LW was some kind of farce.
Then again, I never thought Babcock would coach the Oilers.
Nurse would need a skills coach, but on the Oilers range of innovative thinking, I’m not surprised it never had a chance.
But hey! Let’s put Hall at center… what a farce that was.
I can’t imagine Nurse not being even less value for cap hit as a forward than he is as a d-man. It’s not that he’s a bad player or a bad d-man, just not value for his cap hit. I don’t see his skills working as a forward at all, he’s a d-man through and through. If he’s currently a “$7MM d-man”, I anticipate he’d be worth much less as a forward.
Lets say cap wasnt a issue for argument sake. I vision a fast, big mean streak with a good wing span for hits and checks and poke checks in the corners to get that puck due to his huge reach. I think nurse can excel at this. I mean what do we got to lose for even trying this. I think nurse could be a 50 point player. Or park him in front of the net for off tips and screens to help the D.
Great idea. A $9m third line winger.
#Flyers closing in on a deal with #Oilers to acquire F Trent Frederic. Stay tuned!
https://x.com/evanatkinsnhl/status/2068025783159804283?s=61
Wow I wonder if Nurse is involved?
Reliable source?
FWIW, the same source that told me the Oilers were talking to Detroit about Cossa for picks, told me the Flyers were interested in Frederic.
Its an elfing parody account – isn’t even pretending to be a real source.
LT has banned people for posting fake rumours in the past….
Agree with this – another time out is in order for the resident troll.
That would be incredible. Sadly, I suspect we’re being trolled.
Posting fabricated or parodied info is a low for you. The real Fibonacci stuck to logic and the facts.
Though I appreciate the callout, the courts jester has been fabricating stats for years.
Most recent being Eberle’s scoring totals.
That was a good laugh. I’m sure there’s more to come.
Why why are you posting a tweet from some random account with 400 followers and one that isn’t even pretending its shit is real.
Good Grief
I am amused how you were allegedly in the media but fall for parody posts/fake stuff all the time.
@Avalanche
We have announced today that the organization has hired Zack Stortini as the head coach of the franchise’s ECHL affiliate, the New Mexico Goatheads.
Stortini-gagner-Glencross looked so good together when we scrapping and clawing for the last playoff spot.
Storts BRODZ Glen ?
Also Gags Cogs Nil + Finnish Defender who bolted.
Some more on Ilya Mikyehev who I mentioned below as Dickinson’s most common linemate in Chicago.
-He had 30 5v5 points this year, and hasnt been below 1.5 points/60 since 21-22 on three different teams.
-Led Chicago in pk toi/GP for forwards and had very good results
-one of the fastest players in the league (90+ percentile in everything on NHL edge)
-relatively good possession stats every year
he made 4.75M last season and is 31. Not sure what he would want but seems like the type of player Stan would sign, especially with the Babcock connection and Dickinson/Murphy/Dach connections. He would be a good Kapanen/Roslovic replacement i think.
If they end up paying $5MM for Dickinson, they probably can’t afford him but I do like him as a target generally – his speed, PK and 5 on 5 scoring should be quite useful.
I see him as a better (and more expensive) Kap.
yes agree on the more expensive Kapanen. Not sure about the cap fit but seems versatile and useful either on the second or third line.
Spector
Re: Jason Dickinson and EDM, hearing “very positive movement towards reaching a deal.”
As he said at exit interviews, Dickinson’s family quite liked EDM.
Should be a big week in EDM, with coaching hire and likely at least 1 UFA announced
Its going to make the Frederic contract look like a bargain.
Why do they always paint themselves into a corner?
When Bowman signs Dickinson to a $5.5 x 8 years deal, I can’t wait to hear the rationalization gymnastics Scungilli Slushy will do to defend his boi Stan haha.
Other than I’ve already commented if it’s not 3M or less don’t do it. His last contract was 2 years so 3 max. You don’t pay for leather. Or you shouldn’t
Agreed
OP will be holding his hand.
Not that there’s anything wrong with that!
Perhaps take a read and see my take on this potential signing….
The Dickinson sweepstakes, god, give me a break. His family likes it in Edmonton? Lame
Ilya Mikheyev, a free agent we should be interested in played 470 mins with Dickinson in Chicago this year. Played for Babcock for 23 games in 19-20 before Babs got fired.
I liked his work with JD but he’s expensive for bottom 6 and they don’t need LW
I’m just fine with Dickinson (and want him back) but closer to $3MM than $5MM.
If this is near $5MM for 3+ years, it will be, in my opinion, a poor signing.
If its $4MM, OK, if its under $4MM, I can get on board.
Me too. I think Stauffer said between 3.75 and 4.25 x 4 which I would be good with
I’d be fine with 3.5 x 5
$3.5MM would be a nice number – 5 years for term is not great but I could live with an extra year to keep this $1MM lower than I think its going to be.
$4m for 4th line production is crazy. With Frederic the Oilers will have the most expensive 4th line in the NHL.
I got this down as a bad contract, prove me wrong Stan.
Despite 90% or so of the players being right handed there is a dearth of right handed players 😀
There’s probably of ton of parents out there, trying to turn their kids into Right shots. “No Jimmy, you’re shooting right and playing defence!”
In 20 years, there will be stories shared between older Oilers fans, about the good ol’ days of the ‘Leftorium’.
Matt Benning did this. He is right handed and his dad made him shoot right IIRC.
This has long been a mystery to me. When I was playing something resembling hockey, everyone shot right. The lefties were the exception. As a rightie, shooting left just feels wrong to me.
when I heard here that most players were now the opposite, I couldn’t figure it out
Feels wrong to me as well. I’ve read more Euros shoot right than NA, the reason being they don’t start as young, being stronger don’t feel the need to have the dominant hand holding onto the stick at the top
The pendulum swings in any sport and in politics. We all want what we don’t have.
Interestingly there’s only 4 goalies in the NHL that catch with their right hand. We happened to have the most decorated 5 Cups in Grant Fuhr. Tom Barrasso had 2 Cups that’s it quite a short list surprisingly. Tony O the most notable sadly never won a Cup. It has to throw a wrench into a shooters head. I’m surprised there isn’t more now or in the past. Golfing probably has the same low percentage but I do think it’s higher nowadays. When I was a kid I only knew and played with 1 lefty he had a hell of a time trying to find half decent clubs.
Stan needs to have Philly and Pitts in an auction against each other driving the price up. No retain, good young player in return.
Ryan Shea …
Was drafted in 2015 by Stan Bowman’s Chicago Blackhawks.
Shea went onto play 4 years at Northeastern before turning pro. His climb through the AHL to the NHL has been slow, with only 70 GP up until this past season.
This past season however, 80 GP 6-29-35 and +30!!! This guy literally came out of nowhere.
Plenty of flags though: Shea averaged about 18 mins / game and was limited in the playoffs. He is not a minute-munching 2nd pairing, more of a 3rd pair guy who can move the puck well. Think Brad Hunt.
This is not a Darnell Nurse replacement. There are no off-the-shelf second-pair LD options. This both improves the trade market for Nurse and also makes the prospect of trading him risky for 2026 Stan Bowman.
It needs to be said again: The Oiler’s braintrust has proven to be well below championship level in their trades, signings and roster construction. It won’t magically change, we fans just have to accept it. Another DOD isn’t far away. The Nurse trade will most likely be a head scratcher, Babcock doesn’t have the horses to ‘save’ the team and the goaltending is chaos. I agree with you, we need elite level goaltending to be a true contender. Problem is the management appears to be incapable of drafting, developing or trading for one. I have really low expectations for the offseason.
That is an opinion – not a fact – not shoes by all.
It can be said but saying it does not make it true, nor does it means its wrong.
It could be argued that it’s fact based on the fact they haven’t won anything despite being gifted one of the greatest players of all time and many lottery wins.
The Athletic lists Dickinson as one of the top UFAs to avoid:
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7374272/2026/06/19/nhl-free-agency-players-to-avoid-2026-offseason/
Good . Edmonton might be able to sign him for cheap.
Paying a guy that produces at Dickinson’s rates while the last few years has been unable to stay healthy is a poison pill.
Anything over 2.5 is a severe overpay imo, there’s no reason to entertain his asks.
What Would Dellow Do?
Not sign him
Noel Acciari might be a decent alternative to Dickinson. RW with good PK stats, decent at faceoffs, some offense, not expensive.
I would say they should sign one of Dickinson or Boone Jenner and that would be fine by me.
Kirby Dach is the droid you’re looking for.
Id sign Jenner and Kirby brother of Patty
Dach would definitely be a younger option with more upside and a longer career ahead, but he’d cost some assets to obtain before signing him.
Will Montreal even qualify him?
Probably not, but maybe send them something for his rights?
Eliminates the competition, though his salary would be set with getting qualified.
Pay assets to overpay him by $4MM on his QO?
Better than overpaying Mikheyev
The guy that doesn’t have a huge injury history, will get near 15 5 on 5 goals from the bottom six, is one of the fastest guys in the league an one of the top PK guys in the league.
I would suggest any payment on Mkheyev will be a lot closer to value than $4MM for Kirby Dach.
Kirby Dach is no longer a center – he’s a bottom six winger.
I would go Kirby Dach hunting myself. Hometown discount with a dream come true opportunity to play with little brother. I think the closest we ever came to brothers on the same roster was when Paul Messier was playing for our farm club Wichita back in 1981.
Don’t need a home town discount as the market should be close to league min with performance bonuses (which he is eligible for as he was on IR for 100 games last year).
He’d be signed as a 4th line winger until he proves more.
Of course, after he’s not qualified next week.
Kirby has always had the wheels it’s his health that has derailed his career. I would love to see the 2 Dach brothers along with Frederic form a line with some identity. Pound for pound this line would be one of the fastest in the league. I do believe Babcock will have his players back if they play his style of play.
As I said, injuries, and the cumulative effect of injuries, have vastly lowered his impact.
I agree with the performance bonuses, but close to league min is laughable.
Dickinson play behind Jenner on any team they were on, sign Jenner.
Regarding a potential Nurse trade I see only 2 options. You either trade him with no retention and get a very marginal asset back, or you retain 3 million or more and get a significant addition (eg: Spencer Knight and a first). If those deals aren’t out there I would just hang on to him.
Regarding the coaching soap opera. This team does not, nor did they have, a coaching problem. They have an ongoing management problem. The loss of Broberg and Holloway to offer sheets was just the latest in a long line of talent depleting moves and bad contract bets that this organization has made. Worrying about who the next coach is going to be is a bit like rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic.
Knoblauck had a poor season – questionable decisions from train camp to game 6 against the Ducks – deployment, structure, adjustments, ability to get his player to play near their top games.
This isn’t to say that roster couldn’t have been better or that Knob is not a good coach but he did not have a good season.
KK being in control of his bench and how he went about the season was a monumental problem.
I see the point you are trying to make. But I must agree with others here, the coach or at least the coaching was a big part of the problem. With what we now know today, this is well confirmed.
They most certainly had a coaching problem. Any other issues doesn’t change this.
Urban Legend: If you say Jordan Kyrou three times into the mirror he will appear and waive his NTC.
fixation
nounUK /fɪkˈseɪ.ʃən/ US /fɪkˈseɪ.ʃən/
fixation noun
the state of being unable to stop thinking about something or someone, or an unnaturally strong interest in something or someone
I can’t see Armstrong and Bowman doing business.
Armstrong is no longer GM.
Alex Steen now calling the shots.
https://www.nhl.com/blues/news/armstrong-set-to-pass-gm-duties-to-steen-on-july-1
I haven’t written in a while. I’m so disillusioned with this team and its choices. Mike Babcock. Really? Am I in a nightmare?
Anyway, if the rumoured Nurse to Pittsburgh trade is true (no talk about the return) I am worried. Bowman got taken to the shed in his last trade with Pittsburgh. Does it happen again or does he say you take all the cap hit and give me a decent return because you owe me massively after the Jarry trade.
I have absolutely zero belief in-actually less than zero- this team and its management to do something good with its decision making.
Stauffer and Rishaug were saying that there is a chance we keep Nurse yesterday on Stauffers show. Said it’s not like when they felt they needed to move Skinner. Im guessing that is because they aren’t getting offers they like or are being asked to retain too much.
I agree on Carfagna. If he was a strong summer and picks up where he left off last year and continues to develop, he could be legit call up option. He’s the type of “find, develop, plug and play” that we are sometimes pop on other teams.
Far from a sure thing but he has a strong skill set and is a very smart player and under-rated transitionor of the puck. If only he had 2 more inches.
Maybe he can pack on 8 more pounds or add 7% to his skating.
The reality is Carfagna will be an option this year. With injuries/illness, you realistically have to think the Oilers will play 10 d-men (conservatively) and that puts him in range for a call-up.
For sure but he still could open the season as 8th/9th on the depth chart right, even with a Nurse trade, right?
Bouchard
Ekholm
Walman
Murphy
Emberson
3LD upgrade with Nurse trade
Stastney
Regula
Carfagna/Leppanen
Also, Riley Stilman is signed for next season and do we have any idea what this Tomas Cibulka guy could be – I presume he’s a full time AHL guy but I don’t know anything about him.
All depends on what they get back in a Nurse trade, or if they sign one of the FA’s this summer.
Even if they trade Nurse and get no-one back on D and sign Murphy, that still puts him 8/9, right? Maybe 10 depending on Stilman.
I think he works his way up but I don’t think he’s “guaranteed games” due to lack of depth necessarily.
Roalovic, Podkolzin, Brown, Perry, Samanski, Savoie, Emberson, Ingram, Perry
You listed perry twice, probably by mistake or is it forshadowing to him coming back
Definitely mistake – I make many.
Pickard.
Your writing never ceases to amaze me LT! Cheers!
Sounding more and more like Nurse to the Pens. Some interesting options. The Pens have three young RWers they may be trying to make room for in Chinakhov, McGroarty, and Hayes. Plus they have Rust, Rakell, Brazeau, and may try to bring Mantha back. Appears to be a log jam on the right side there while the Oilers have vacancy.
Doubt they move Novak or Acciari as they both huge parts of the Pens success last year. Not to say some of the RWer mentioned above weren’t, but if they’re trying to make space for youth then one of Rust, Rakell, or Brazeau should shake loose.
Rust and Rakell have nearly identical contracts at ~$5M with 2yrs remaining. They’re almost exactly one year apart with Rakell being 1yr younger. Rakell is 6’1 194lbs, Rust is 5’11 202lbs.
Rust has played less games, despite being older, 710 versus 862 GP. Both play 19 to 20 minutes per game all strenghts. Over their careers, Rakell has 0.66pts/g pace, Rust 0.71pts/g.
Zooming in on their last 3 seasons Rakell is 211gp and 0.73 pts/g, Rust is 204gp and 0.91 pts/g. Rakell with 74 goals, Rust with 88 goals. In 2025-2026 at 5v5 Rust with 1.02 g/60, Rakell with 0.94 g/60.
Digging a bit deeper into the fancies I find they have nearly the same oZS% and dZS% at 5v5 and very similar CF%, Rakell 1% higher at 49.8%. For GF% / xGF%, Rakell 55% / 52.2%, Rust 53.6% / 49.9%.
(As an aside Ryan Shea led in GF% at 58%, while Novak led in xGF% at 54%)
In the playoffs, not much to differentiate either. Rakell a 0.43% pt/g, Rust 0.44 pt/g.
The biggest differentiating stat I could find was on the PK. Rust played 115min versus Rakell 35min in 25-26.
Not a lot to choose from between the two. Rust perhaps has a slight edge due to goal scoring and PK.
I just hope Bowman doesn’t convince himself that taking Graves back in this deal is worth it. If he does there better be some draft capital coming back, a 2nd minimum.
Knowing Bowman I can see the deal being Nurse $1.25M retained for Rakell, Graves, and a 2nd.
My preference would be Nurse $2.25M retained for Rust (would still prefer Rakell instead of the deal above).
Nice breakdown. If they went this way it’s a drain on the team overall, they are too old. Nurse is a significant NHL player, and the return should be a younger player that can do enough now
That is how you avoid ‘windows’ by trading older established players for younger ones. They may not be able to move him with such a small list of teams and get a satisfactory return as they see it
Good point and agree not ideal. Perhaps one of the young wingers is the target. Suspect Chinakhov or McGroarty would increase the odds of a Graves coming back.
For one of those two wingers and $0 retained (or very little) would you consider taking Graves back if that was the Pens best offer?
Find it hard to believe that Dubas would be willing deal youth for an older d-man given the same point you make above about “windows”, if you can still even call it that for the Pens.
True, which is why the short list might make it not possible to move him
Following most of the Pens post-season interviews and coverage, it seems likely Mantha will not be re-signing there. He had a great comeback regular season for the Pens, but Dubas indicated they are looking for “mid-late 20’s difference making players”. Dubas said something in his end of season presser about “Mantha’s intentions are clear”. He’s likely going to free agency to try to capitalize on that. So that gives them flexibility.
In spite of no longer having a NMC (per Puckpedia), I get the impression Rust is an important piece to that room, and plays a big role in speaking for the team in the media – like every game, and is one of those clutch players for them. He could be in play due to his age, but I’d be a bit surprised if he gets traded.
Thanks for info on Mantha and agree on Rust. Think that would likely disrupt the leadership group too much. That said, even without including Mantha there still seems to be a log jam on RW for those younger players. Which leads me to believe Rakell has a high likelihood of being moved.
Thanks for the breakdown. Novak looks like Nuge-light from a distance, and imo they don’t need to shop in that aisle.
I’d rather see Tippett come back than what Pitt seems to have to offer fit wise
Nuge who was the 3rd highest scoring forward on the team while being a complete fall off the ledge bum.
I’d take more Nuge’s.
I have 2 chapters of “The Game of Our Lives”. Man I miss Slats!!
Great points LT. A lot of discussion around here is around what players are the right ones to ‘fix’ problems. I see it more like a rising tide floats all boats. It is different for top offensive players, they are rare, most fall into the regular NHL player category, the ones that will contribute in the right structure, and aren’t highly paid as you said – depth. The OIlers can’t afford much more for high paid players, even with a rising cap. Bouch and Connor will eat that soon enough
Raddysh had a great season less because he finally figured it out, and more that he plays on an established, organized team with a strong coaching staff, and he got opportunity and took it. He is a good player, but he’s not a top tier player, or he would have pushed his way up before he was 30. It’s likely he doesn’t do as well on the Leafs. There is an outside chance he is the next Giordano, but that is rare
Murphy had an impact on the Oilers, and he’s a basic solid player that goes hard and has NHL skill sets – can skate and pass well enough, and can think the game. The guys that are tempting are the Stastneys and Roslovics, but the holes in their games cause problems especially in the playoffs. The pro scouts need to find players that have rounded their games out, even if they are a little less flashy. Guys the coaches aren’t afraid to play or have to shelter. It’s so often those players that have an outsized impact in the playoffs
Finn Harding is a right-handed, two-way defenseman drafted 223rd overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. Known for his smart, defense-first approach, the 6’2″, 192-lb blueliner steadily improved his offensive game, recording 57 points in 67 games for the OHL’s Brampton Steelheads before signing his entry-level contract.
Scouts have noted that his foot speed and skating stride require continued development to keep up with the professional pace. He can also improve by taking more initiative in the offensive transition rather than waiting for the play to come to him.
Sounds like another Ty Emberson at best.
The name Owen Pickering peaks my interest in a deal with the Pens.
The Raddysh contract gives me hope the Oilers can dispose of the entire Nurse contract and get a decent return. Same with the Seth Jones trade
A similar return to Jones would be fantastic, but Chicago did retain 2.5M in the Jones trade to get that strong return.
The cap was significantly lower then
It likely does the opposite.
Raddysh is a right shot D which demands a premium. 7 of the highest paid D in the league are right shot.
He has one of the hardest point shots in the NHL and despite breaking out much later than Nurse, he has actually out scored Nurse for the past 3 seasons despite playing fewer minutes.
Perhaps the return the Leafs get for Morgan Rielly whose cap hit is $7.5 million will be more instructive.
Cool story bro.
I would recommend taking a logical reasoning or symbolic logic class. I think you would learn a lot.
He probably already has.
I would recommend you figure out why the Oilers need to trade Nurse and then what the impediments to the transaction might be.
At this point, neither Rielly or Nurse are top pairing D although Nurse is paid like one.
In the past season in which Rielly was heavily criticized for his play, he actually out performed Nurse
Nurse – GF% – 44.4
Rielly – GF% – 46.2
Nurse – P/60 – 0.82
Rielly – P/60 – 1.16
Nurse – EVP – 22
Rielly – EVP – 30
Nurse – PPP – 0
Rielly – PPP – 6
Nurse – TOI/G – 20:58
Rielly – TOI/G – 21:08
Cap Hit:
Nurse – $9.25M X 4
Rielly – $7.5M X 4
So, logically, a GM looking to add a second pairing LD is much more likely to opt for Rielly than Nurse thus the return for Rielly should be instructive.
What the return is for Nurse is no way to connected to a right shot PP quarterback since Nurse is neither of those things.
Oops. Sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. I should have added a trigger warning to my post.
Many important stats missing in this:
Nurse PP TOI- 19.4
Reilly PP TOI- 178
Nurse PK TOI- 122.5
Reilly PK TOI- 55
Evens Ozone Starts
Nurse- 52.3%
Reilly- 65.4%
Expected goals for- expected goals against
Nurse- 65.6-65.9=-0.3
Reilly- 63.1-71.5= -8.4
I don’t have quality of competition metrics but I’d suggest Nurses was higher.
Hate to give up on people, however…….
Prior to last season, where Raddysh was on the PP due to injuries, his yearly PPPs were in the 7-9 pts range…exactly the same as Nurse historically has.
One can very easily, and logically, argue that Nurse would be a “PP quarterback” just like Raddysh was if he was in a similar injury situation as Raddysh was in 2025/26.
So maybe Uncle Steve’s comments aren’t that far off and you are selectively choosing data points to fit your anti-everything Oilers narrative.
Raddysh contract takes him to 38. He popped this year at age 30. Nurse contract goes to age ~34.
Nurse gets d-zone starts, Raddysh doesn’t. Nurse is a defensive player. Points don’t matter so much for his player type
So, talk to me in 4 years.
This is the only person outside of Toronto, fan or media or blogger, that brings this opinion – at least that I’ve seen.
Not everyone things its a terrible, or even bad, contract but almost no-one discounts the risk of a one-year pop at 30 with circumstances unless, of course, one is looking or any way to provide a negative viewpoint towards the Oilers and decides to build a narrative that this contract makes Nurse look worse.
Many observers have rated it as a risk worth taking.
The contract doesn’t make Nurse “look worse” in fact, as I said, it has almost nothing to do with him as stated above.
Nurse and Raddysh really couldn’t be much different.
Morgan Reilly cant skate. Important trait in the NHL
What bilge.
Rielly is rated in the 87th percentile by NHL Edge although Nurse is a bit faster in a straight line.
Binnington, Bobrovsky and similar – why am I continuing to hear these names as suggestions for the Oilers. The two listed were both awful last season and old and expensive. Jarry is no worse than them as far as reasonable expectations for this coming season.
Team commits to structured hockey, and during the regular season, and most goalies will perform just fine behind a more predicable game in front – including Jarry, including Ingram, including Cossa (I think) and incident Stuart Skinner.
And Montenbault? Why commit to $3MM plus? Go spend the 2nd and Leppanen and get Cossa – he’s likely as good, or better, with legit top 10 upside.
Can they go into the season with Jarry and Cossa? That seems high risk no?
Any higher risk than Jarry and Bobrovsky or Binnington or Fredie Anderson or Montenbault or UPL? All of those goalies can be very good or awful (well, Anderson has never been awful but he’s always hurt).
My premise is fully on team play improving in front of the goalies and creating an envronemtn where Tristan Jarry will be able to bounce back and have a solid season – like he’s done 7 or so times in his career and like he was doing pre-trade last season.
If the team does that, I think Jarry and whoever will be fine. If the team can’t do that, I think Jarry and whoever will be terrible.
Yes, I agree that Ingram provides a certain floor and established consistency, and I’m fine with Jarry/Ingram (or Ingram/Jarry) but I’ll take the bet on a top 10 goalie upside in Cossa if its in the 2nd round pick range – that’s a reasonable bet for me, with legit upside if it hits.
It is not, and hasn’t in recent years, been a “goalie problem.” It’s a “team won’t play 200 feet problem.”
But always, blame the goalie (or coach) when things fall apart.
Last season, goalies fired. Didn’t help.
Post season, coaches fired. “We wait.”
I would suggest thats also a coaching problem.
Leaders feel they are paid to score. Coach can’t real them in because in fact, they are paid to score. He needs goals, will not sacrifice any of their ice time for another responsible player.
Sub-leaders follow the leaders in helping them score, they are also not responsible defensively. Coach cannot hold them accountable to defence.
Next teir of player sits on the bench and watches. Coach cannot involve them or motivate them. Scoring goals is the top lines problem.
Oversimplified of course. But reason I was out on the coach after 30 games.
Thanks.
My curiosity is about patterns that persist across coaches, GMs, goalies, players with this team. I found it interesting that Cooper also chose to “load up” his top line and to play them a lot.
With the Oilers, I’ve seen a pattern of weak 200-ft play, but one that also seem to break at interesting times. Eg. the terrible play of Oct-Nov changed “overnight” between Nov 25 and 26, remaining strong until Dec 25, then lapsing again. Or the uptick in overall play in the “fabled final 11.” And before that, the average play of round 1, followed by exceptional play in rounds 2 and 3 in 2025.
Is this pattern of inconsistent play endemic to Knoblauch’s Oilers? I wasn’t here for coaches 1-4 in the McD era.
ps. You were out on the coach after which 30 games? 2023 or 2025?
I’m with you on that. Shopping in the Guide and Record book rarely works. Find the next version of those guys, Don’t overpay for the OG expiring version
Because Daryl may like Binn or Bob.
I understand there is lots of talk about the owner being involved (leading) the Babcock thing, and I get that. I don’t believe the owner is/will be instructing on the goalie and that is full on Bowman.
Stauff saying last night it’s not a foregone conclusion that Nurse gets moved.
MacT thought it will take a while. Could be in season or deadline
Sure, fair enough.
I would suggest that MacT is providing simple personal opinion and, while Stauff does provide some personal opinion his speculation on things like this have more teeth and fact behind them.
I wouldn’t be against a full season of the Nurse-Murphy pairing. But….
Their underlying numbers weren’t as good but their actual goal share together was fantastic, both regular season and playoffs. I think they were 7-3 in goals in the playoffs.
I wouldn’t be against seeing it – it MAY be a better option that would happen with a Nurse trade (there are so many ways that could go) or it may not.
I think we are probably to far gone to not see the trade though, right?
Was there any underlying numbers with a Walman-Murphy pair? I don’t believe so.
I wouldn’t be against that pair either.
If Nurse doesn’t move soon I wonder if they make a sudden Walman deal
Is he waiving his NMC?
I think they want to keep Walman.
Is this Babcock’s first personnel decision?
sounds like tide is turning. Maybe:
all the quiet fanes spoke up, counterweight to all the vocal fans
leadership group wants Nurse , if you are going to piss them off. you better find help
Nurse trade is not easily winnable
Nurse – Murphy pairing is re-assessed
Babcock looking at physicality of club, his veteran anchor dmen
Maybe someone like Walmans health is still questionable
Murphy and/or Dickinson ask is higher than expected
9.25 suddenly not looking like much of an overpay
Maybe Nurse’s decision is based on the hire of Babcock. Though Nurse hasn’t mentioned anything against Babcock as HC.