The Oilers signed two RFA defensemen this weekend, reasonable deals for Spencer Stastney and Shakir Mukhamadullin. According to PuckPedia, the organization has about $6 million in cap space with 22 of 23 roster spots complete. It’s a good time for a conversation. Please read this.
They should sign Claude Giroux! That’s an excellent idea, but keeping the powder dry until the deadline also works. You want to see what Ike Howard can do, and right now there’s daylight for the young winger on this roster.
Can’t they do both? Yes, but things could get complicated. If the Oilers run Savoie-McDavid-Hyman and then Podkolzin-Draisaitl-Kapanen, then Giroux checks down to the third line with Nuge and (probably) one of Jason Dickinson or Trent Frederic. Getting mighty crowded even before we insert Howard into the mix.
What would you do? Giroux is a sublime player, a pure centre who can play versus elites. I’d use him that way. I would play McDavid, Draisaitl, Giroux and Dickinson up the middle, and then populate the wingers with the best available. Dickinson would get severe zone starts, so he’d need some wingers who could do the hard work.
Give me the lines. Savoie-McDavid-Hyman and then Podkolzin-Draisaitl-Howard, Nuge-Giroux-Joseph and then Frederic-Dickinson-Kapanen. Howard, Joseph and Kapanen could switch out depending on who is going well.
Who are the extra forwards? I’ll say Colton Dach and Mattias Janmark, but there will be changes before fall.
You’re an ass. Why does Dach sit? Well, if Dach plays, then Frederic sits and Bowman signed Frederic long term. If Frederic is hurt, or can’t keep up, then you switch out. However, Frederic was skating well enough in the spring.
You’re such a loser! Loser Loserson. That’s you! Okay, forget Giroux. Thing is, you can’t. Giroux is thinking about his next step, and I believe he’s thinking about a team like Edmonton. A guy that smart and experienced would know exactly what he could be to a team. Giroux could help the Oilers win Stanley. If he’ll come here, Bowman has to sign him or fire himself.
Then let’s say Giroux signs and Dach plays well. Babcock wants him in the lineup. Who goes to the pressbox? The answer is Ike Howard and the pressbox is Bakersfield.
A complete donkey. Absolute dink you are. On defense, there will be some decisions to make, but I think we might see the team move Spencer Stastney before training camp. Pairs would be Ekholm-Bouchard, Shea-Murphy, Walman-Mukhamadullin or Emberson. Plus the goalies three.
Can they win Stanley? Yes, but that’s been true for years. Will they win Stanley? Don’t know.
On the Lowdown today, we’ll review an enormous sports weekend and talk to Jason Gregor about the Oilers and Elks. Noon to 2pm, Sports 1440 and You Tube. See you on the radio!
Why the Edmonton Oilers should sign Matt Savoie to a contract extension
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7423325/2026/07/06/edmonton-oilers-matt-savoie-contract-projection/
With a rapidly rising cap and nobody else big to sign next year, it seems perfect to overpay a bit next year to lock in a 7 year contract
Ideally a 7 x $5M with Zach Benson’s 7 x $7.5M probably being the very upper max for a smallish F with pedigree. Would be okay with as high as 7 x $6M given less early NHL track record and less physicality compared to Benson
Savoie played every game last year only 111 NHLers accomplished that milestone. I like him on the PK and I hope Babcock gives the green light to him and Dickinson. SH goals are usually backbreakers. McLeod best attribute is PK and I believe it’s Savoie as well.
My favourite thing: a good PK, with à shortie on top!
If this league goes full nuclear on offer sheeting Bowman needs to get the picks necessary for this strategy that has come out of the closet.
It only works for teams that aren’t that good and have a lot of cap (aren’t real contenders), because you overpay. A capped league is a cap efficiency contest. I think it’s not going to last
You can really mess with your divisional rivals. That sneak by Armstrong was a classic. He opened up Pandora’s box while doing a solid for Holland-Blues he then retires before any retribution.
I’ll check article. I think it might be wise in long run to resist over reacting to “cuurent conditions” like too much wind tunnel free cap. Time and time again league gm’s have shown drunk sailor slending habits. Like mob chasing tivkle me elmos at christmas fever paying anything to win the prize.
Vincent des x 4.2 million
Jenner at like 5.5 x6 ?
Like so many contracts this round have a “nurse/jones in right place when lightning struck market”.
I wouldn’t be full risk adverse in rush to go long.
Like even “losing” holloway and broberg -> they didn’t have to lose them. It msde no sense at the time why they didn’t at least match holloway. Like barely an overpay worst case ever projected as hit machine crazy good skater 4th line that can put a puck or 2 in. Like worth cost over compensation of what? 3rd round pick? Like i hold not matching thst contrsct against bowman.
Thst seemed immediate no brainer on a 2 year. And i accepted because of the drunk sailoring of signings out if order of taking care on internal business -> jackson’s mess left no sensible way to make cap adjustments to match broberg.
So i’m leery how long and how much savoie might get panic mistake in hindsight extended.
Is he top 6 or top 9? Top 9 IMO
Is his durability a concern? No his build is solid frame and very smart plsyer
Is he adaptable high hockey IQ or reactive relying on twitch muscles/speed/strength that there will likely be a cliff (earlier than later as the ardvisson’s just do eventually start breaking down at least odd seasons). Like is much decline not just injury caused over life of contract? I don’t think unsafe to project not really. Worth going long if cap hit reduced enough.
Me:
Sign length -> ideally as long as you can get at right price.
No added trade clauses and not at direct comparison on higher end number using this offseason as dirext equivalent -> some of these deals will surely end up having next GM’s begginvhfor extra buyouts again if trend continues.
Bowman said it was math with Holloway. He hadn’t established, showed promise, gets hurt a lot, and the second contract after the sheet was going to be a problem with being tight to the cap and big raises coming. Sometimes the cap means good players have to go. Last season:
Holloway 59GP, 22-29-51 +13, 8 PPP, 7.75Mx5
Podkolzin 82GP, 19-18-37 +16, 3PPP, 2.95Mx3
Playoffs
Podz 6GP, 3-3-6 +5, 0 PPP
Holloway DNP
With being able to move Nurse the cap situation is great, lots of value contracts, depth and cap space. Only the players that should have high cap hits have them. But that wasn’t the case a couple of seasons ago
I get it. I just hope holloway in doesn’t mean young frozen assets with ++toolkits and potential aren’t also addable if can be stolen property value purchased.
Like great we get those 2 years trsde his rights. Worst case more thaj compensation recieved value extracted.
If “numbers” failed to account for value that seemed more thsn likely ny eye test -> need to slap whomever gave you his numbers and tell them to rework model again.
What didn’t you account for clear example already inhouse > hindsight excuse generating blsme shift department
,
The math on Holloway was easy, they had room to match. He was a 1st round pick who had trended up every year since he was drafted. The logic that the second contract was going to be a problem … that assumes hes going to play so well he requires a huge raise? Thats the ideal outcome, use him at a discount for 2 years while we are contending and then trade him for a haul as an RFA. Or resign him if you can. don’t just let him go for a third round pick.
i dont fully blame Stan for not matching though, Im guessing that was mostly a JJ/K*tz decision out of spite.
IIRC because Jackson signed the UFAs they didn’t have room without getting rid of one. Holland should have traded Bro when he asked out. Holland likes to grind young players and sell the farm to vets
They traded Ceci for Emberson which made room – almost to match both If recall correctly, but then didnt match either.
Right. I’ve tried to find previous Puckpedias without any luck
Verbeek was caught with his pants down. What happened to Verbeek is a fireable offence. I wonder if Brière and Verbeek have a history?
I completely agree. Bowman was not involved with the bungling, and when he stepped in he would be deferring for a time.
Watching Bowman now, he would easily recognize Holloway as a value player bringing speed, assertive play and some skill. Easy decision there to match. Most at the Lowetide could see it as we watched Holloway develop. Injury was a risk, but always is.
All the focus was on Captain Connor will he sign or not and at what price.
I just don’t know what the number would be on say a 4-5 year extension (or longer).
I mean, would he take $5MM for term? With his 2-way play and PK, its tough not to see him value for that over the term if injuries don’t factor in materially – he could break on right through that as well.
How high an AAV would be be comfortable with at this point?
I’d rather go $6M x7 if available rather than say $5M x 5. That extra mil doesn’t matter as much over the next 2-4 years.
We finally have the flexibility to put some priority on future cap space without many young players or UFAs coming behind him that may need big $$
Perhaps but I’m going to stop short of speculating that any amount of cap space does not matter over any period coming up. I mean, McDavid needs a new deal in 2 years and Bouchard in 3 years – Bouchard will still be in his 20s when his current deal expires.
Let’s also not forget the $10MM AAV deal that Devon Levi will require….. here is hoping!
Unless his numbers like rocket before extended:
5×7 seems like plenty. Like set for life not even yet a 20G or 50 point season in log books. I was more 4.5×7 (30 million and a few more contracts before career end
Now that the $18M Leo Carlsson offer sheet bombshell has dropped on ANA, everyone is digging into the story from all the angles.
Friedman’s article yesterday mentioned that the Ducks were offering around $12-13M AAV and the rebuttal was ~$15M on an extension going 7 or 8 years. Carlsson wouldn’t have signed an offer sheet unless it was a substantial bump and $18M was definitely not “Just one dollar more on The Price is Right” bidding.
With Carlsson getting $18M, the Cutter Gauthier camp has reset their ask to ~$15M/year. Anaheim WAS hoping to replicate MTL’s 8x$9M Demidov deal for their own winger. Cutter believes he isn’t worth HALF the value of Carlsson so his demands went up by $4M+ per annum to reflect his relative worth.
I think Seravalli reported that Verbeek was grinding Mintyukov towards a ~$5.5M AAV extension before the offer sheet. Once Carlsson’s offer sheet was signed, the Quacks lost all leverage and had to accept 5x$7.2M AAV. I suspect the pending offer sheet would have been 1x$7.16 so that any subsequent Mintyukov extensions would start with an $8M AAV.
Looking into the future, Anaheim will probably be forced to deal one of Vatrano ($4.5M) or Kreider ($6.5M) or Kilorn ($6.25M) to fit in all these extensions. At the end of the season, they may have to walk away from the other two vets to reserve cap space for Bennett Senneke’s re-signing in 2028. Since every other GM can see the math, everyone will be throwing Pat Verbeek anchors or 6th round picks to “help” like Lt. Dyke from Band of Brothers.
The offer sheet should cause fractures in the Anaheim dressing room. Some will support Leo Carlsson for getting PAID what he deserves. Others may feel their #1C has selfishly betrayed them. He’s handicapped the Ducks’ ability to ice a competitive roster by taking too much of the financial pie. It’s gotta irritate some of the hockey traditionalists in the ANA org that one of their leaders chose personal greed over team sacrifice.
As an Oiler fan, this is humorous to see a budding rival self immolate due to cap pressures. The Broberg/Holloway saga was literally only two years ago and they didn’t learn from our mistakes. The Ducks could have also seen that we signed our two best, McDavid and Drai to extensions without much grinding. Your top players carry the heaviest load and they’re worth every penny so don’t bother nickle and diming them too much. You grind your bottom of the roster players because they have no leverage and they are the most easily replaceable/interchangeable.
I am convinced. Sign CG.
Despite his best efforts, it appears a certain reality TV star won’t be making American soccer great again, assuming it ever was. The New York Cosmos with Pele’ maybe?
The Dipshits lose to Belgium. Beautiful.
Karma
DAAAAA JANKEES LOSE!!
Elliotte Friedman
Word tonight the Senators remain very much in the Claude Giroux mix. Nothing done yet, though.
I thought you said he signed in Philly? lol
Elliotte Friedman
@FriedgeHNIC
·
36m
He will return to Ottawa, it is getting done
And this time, he means it! Maybe…..
I don’t think its been mentioned here but Connor Clattenburg was in a walking boot at development camp.
JFresh
@JFreshHockey
i believe that Kyle Dubas really likes Jason Robertson and really wishes he was on the Penguins, but i still believe that the Pens’ offseason is building up to an Elias Pettersson trade
Woodley on with Gregor today again talking about Andersen having one of the toughest defensive environments in the league the last few years. Not as far as quantity of chances and high danger chances but percentage. He’d not get a lot of chances again but, when they did, often a high danger and lots off the rush.
His expected save percentage last year was .864 and, while his actual save percentage doesn’t look good, it well outpaced the expected.
He also mentioned what was needed to keep him healthy and at the top of his game and it related to defensive structure. He’s a huge dude and up and down in the butterfly is hard on him so a collapsing team that gets cycled on is not great for him even if they are kept to the outside with few chances.
Remember, Babcock saying that, whole they are still studying the league and the roster to finalize how they want to play, they will absolutely be pressuring the puck in the defensive zone and getting it back. Sounds like the opposite of collapsing and should be best for Andersen.
I am a Woodley fanboy. His insights into the position, and how it differs team-to-teams should be required listening to anyone still defaulting to à) goalie-blaming, and b) “goalies are voodoo.”
The Carolina def enviro explanation was, and remains, fascinating to me.
Im pretty excited about our goalies, especially Andersen. Freddie’s playoff save percentage on Babcock’s leafs : .915, .896, .922, .936
and i do think there is a strong correlation between a goalies year over year stats in playoffs. I think some guys are just built for it mentally and it looks like Andersen is that guy.
Did he talk at all about the Oilers running 3 goalies this season? I’m concerned about how well that will work.
They were probably wishing they had 3 on the roster last season – needed a week off after playing behind that D
Woodley didn’t not talk about that I don’t recall.
Andersen was part of a three goalie system last year for most of the year.
He’s mentioned 3 goalie teams in other conversations. If I remember correctly, he thinks we’ll be seeing more of this.
First shortened pre season and longer season this year… I appreciate Bowman’s depth and mix of vets/youth, in all positions including goalie.
We’ll see if this new format is that much different, but I’d say the start is more important than ever.
I am excited to see McKenna play this year. What an electric player and pretty cool story. I didn’t realize his grandfather went to a residential school. Always exciting to have more top-end talent join the league.
Count me out on Giroux!
I understand the interest.
Howard needs to play and arguably will be a better NHLer come playoff time. Think about Savoie — first line level EV production the last third of the season.
Stan talked about lacking elite shooters. I think that Howard’s special ability in that area makes the Oilers harder to game plan against. Elite finishing is always helpful, particularly in the playoffs when the checking is tighter. Ducks were super difficult to defend because it seemed like they could snipe from anywhere.
Giroux will fall of a cliff at some point — I don’t want to watch a repeat of the Adam Henrique experience.
Finally, Drake released Iceman this year. It’s kismet. To deny our own Iceman in the year of Iceman would be blasphemy!
I think they view Howard in the “first call-up” category. There is a benefit to having another top-six forward and calling Howard up first when injuries hit rather than having Howard start on the team and calling up Quinn Hutson or Max Jones first.
That being said, there is also an advantage to playing Howard out of the gate and getting him 80 games this year instead of 50 and keeping the extra cap money. I do think it comes down to who is available and for how much.
If they were to sign him it should be similar to Andersen, 1 million base + bonuses. Nothing more.
Jesperi Kotkaniemi was playing in the league when he was just 18 years old and excelled in Montreal. Got himself caught up in the offer sheet nonsense as retribution, and never seemed to fit with Carolina. If we are looking for an underappreciated asset, this man is just 25 years old and his contract is being bought out. Thus he will be available, not expensive, massive upside potential with a new start.
Bowman should be finding out why he was not playing. Injury? Fit? Attitude? What was the problem and is it significant enough that he cannot regain his play with a new team?
Excelled? Is this the same Kokaniemi?
He had a good rookie year, and it was downhill immediately from there.
Two things. Well three
i dont know the player well
if he was so good as an 18 year old, how did he get worse?
Why was he coveted and offer sheeted with substantial contract?
Kid played in NHL was injured for a year. At 25 did he forget how to skate, shoot, play hockey?
See if he was doing well, he would not be undervalued and would not be available for cheap. That’s what we are looking for.
so 5 things
He was never ‘coveted’, it was a revenge offer sheet, and he just happened to be eligible.
The NHL is littered with players who had a good season and then got figured out.
Im all for finding undervalued talent, but this guy will be in the Swiss league next contract.
Carolina did not buy out Kotkaniemi before the buyout window closed….
Now, they did have one player file for arb so they will have a second buyout window but I don’t think they will use it.
As I understand it the buyout would be more $$ now.
I think it would be the same cost in the second buyout window that opens after the Canes’ arb case is settled/finalized.
One of the insiders reported the mindset in Carolina is Kotkanemi is a 26 year old NHL center in a league short of capable centers. Despite being a healthy scratch all playoffs, the Canes feel they aren’t under any pressure to flip JK at a lowball price.
With the rising cap, they feel Kotkanemi is paid in line with most 3rd line centers at $4.8M. IF anything, the thought is that it might be a value contract within two seasons IF he can develop into being a 2nd line center. A huge IF seeing how little he’s progressed since the offer sheet but the team is still willing to make the bet.
Since the Hurricanes have managed their cap so efficiently, they have no cap pressure to encourage them to dump salary at a discount. Carolina will hold onto their asset and only deal if they get a “fair” offer.
Loser Loserson.
The boy from Maidstone is mistaken for having Norwegian roots.
Freddie Andersen met with the media today. He confirmed to DVD that he tweaked his knee in the SCF and that was the only injury he dealt with this past season. Medicals said it just needed some time to rest and no worries gearing up for the season.
He seems fully on board to be part of a rotations and talked about “supporting” the other guys.
He’s getting married in a few weeks and then will head to Minnesota where his finance is from to train and then make his way out west.
Yes, this really has the feel of a non-threatening rotation. Veteran is the teacher, needs only to stay warmed up, is not out to prove himself. Youngster in the learning role representing the future of course, and Jarry the steady eddie. Combined, this looks excellent.
OK, I was fully agreeing with you until the steady Eddie part. 🙂
I do think Jarry can be a steady eddy in not only the Babcock era but a revamped D with no pressure. Injuries will happen and Bowman has the bodies to replace the injured. I also believe in load management for Ekholm so he’s fresh for the playoffs with others getting an opportunity. All Ryan Shea needed was a chance and he popped. I’m really looking to his ability to get the puck moving in the right direction.
Elliotte Friedman indicating this morning that the Penguins have some interest in acquiring Elias Pettersson from the Canucks as Crosby and Malkin near the end.
His $11+ cap hit becoming more palatable with the massive re-set underway.
Pettersson also had significant success playing with Andrei Kuzmenko who was recently signed by Pittsburgh.
Interesting addition depending om asset cost
Don’t imagine it would be much.
Canucks would just be happy to be rid of the cap hit.
Somewhat contradictory … on one hand, he’s more attractive now to other teams with the cap going up … on the other hand, the team he plays for wants to get rid of him because of his cap hit. Reminds me of the situation we had with Nurse … both the team and player are no longer good for each other, and need to part ways.
Except that the Oilers are a legit playoff team with Cup aspirations, and the Canucks are a tire fire.
His contract until this offseason was considered immovable but that is changing.
And, of course, this has ZERO to do with the Oilers.
Most of what you post here has ZERO to do with the Oilers.
I’d be shocked with market apparent paradigm shift he doen’t have value
Unlike Holland Bowman values his goaltending. Sather went through
goaltending like a hot knife through butter before he settled on Moog-Fuhr deadly combo. Bowman in some years had 3 headed monster along with Crawford. Huet-Niema-Raata-Darling-Turco-Emery-Hutton-Khabibulion-Leighton-Ward-Delia. That’s a lot of good netminders that had a year or two in them as a back-up. The signing of steady eddy Anderson along with Levi take the pressure off a healthy Jarry in the same manner as Crawford.
I like what GMSB is doing w goalies. But I’m curious about your take on Holland “not caring” about goaltending. Tell me more about Holland, goalies.
Steve Werier, former AGM of the Panthers when they were in their strange finance/army front office era, had a very good idea on Mareks show about what Anaheim should do.
match the offer sheet, and then you are unable to trade him for a year. 20M signing bonus is due this summer and then another 20M next summer. No NMC until year 5. Next summer, as soon as they are able to, trade him to the highest bidder. Even better if it’s a team in Phillys division. Retain 2M if you need to and you should have an extremely valuable player and contract, with almost half of the salary already paid and there’s still 80% of the contract left.
this seems by far the best option to me, and I will be judging Verbeek if they don’t match
I think that strategy could work so long as Anaheim’s owner is onboard. He does have the money so it’s a question of whether he wants to burn it for this strategy (and if he thinks he’ll get better that PHI’s 4 1sts).
PHI finished 11th last year but was 29th, 26th, 21st, 29th the four previous years. If I’m ANA, I might let him go. $18M and 4 1st round picks can fill a lot of holes. You’d have to be very, very certain that Carlsson would get you a big, big pile next summer as he’d still have 4 years left with an average of $12.775M per year on his contract.
They can do so much better than 4 mid/late first round picks IMO. There’s a tool going around on twitter where you roll a dice and see 4 random recent mid to late first round picks and your chances of getting value close to Carlsson are very low. If they were top 10 Thats a different story. I don’t think Tocchet lets them be a lottery team though – he seems to coach to a high floor.
But Carlsson is a 6’3 C That was a point per game at 21 and excellent in the playoffs. He will have a massive return unless he regresses in a big way. But agreed he has to have a good year.
Matching is obvious – Philly’s next four 1st round picks aren’t worth a first line C.
The next problem is signing Gauthier … but they have less than 10 million left in cap space, which is not going to get it done. Dorofeyev just got 11 million from the Rangers; Gauthier is a much better player.
What Verbeek is going to have to do is eat a sh!t sandwich. He has three 2nd round picks next summer, and he should use them as sweeteners to offload at least 2 of Kreider, Vatrano or Killorn.
Looks like Michaels’ deal is a 2-way for the first year (with an AHL salary of $225K) and a one-way for year two.
Good for him.
I’ll need to see him in Bako but, as of now, I consider him a distant bell with a Quinn Hutson tweener upside.
I’m hoping for a right handed Tim Washe.
Seems like a tweener to me too. Stauffer tweeted about him being an important prospect as a RHC. We did sign Lazar got league minimum which seems like his ceiling so I don’t know if I agree. But maybe there are intangibles we don’t know about with Michaels
He’s a 4-Line RHC who can win faceoffs, PK and he’s big, fast and can defend. They’ve been looking for that guy for a long time as they’re kinda rare. Puckpedia lists 82 skaters as Right Shot Centres and a number of those don’t play C (3 Oilers – Hyman, Savoie, Kapanen). Actually finding that player AND he’s young enough to play C for a number of years is a challenge so it’s a plus when you can do it even though it isn’t a huge one.
Michaels “superpower” is his competitiveness and his work ethic, from the information I took. If he has enough skill and can keep up, he has the size to be a valuable fill in this season or next.
Like Noah Philp, if he has enough going for him, he would be a unicorn in the annals Oiler history.
5 X $7.25MM for Nemec…… definite upside for sure but he needs to grow in to that deal for sure.
Worth it for them more thsn adersson. Call it a win given where they are in rising from ashes…woukd have liked x7 though. Like in for penny why not as close to msx pound as possible upside of best case vs downside anything less.
Flames building a very impressive young D corp.
Parehk, Nemec and Carson Carels could be the bomb.
Welp they’re cooked now lol
I just see Valimaki, Valimaki, Valimaki…..
Your myopia is legendary.
It was a shrewd acquisition by Conroy, and fits their re-build well. Lacking a bit of size amongst their D though.
More importantly they’re still three forwards short of a top-line, so it’ll be a while before they can outscore the opposition.
They’ve been building from the goal out, but it’s the “out” that’s a major Work in Progress. Maybe 2030 they can compete?
Carels is 6’2 200 and will most likely add weight as he matures.
Cole Reschny shows promise as a top line player.
He was the 18th overall pick in 2025 and finished 3rd in scoring for NCAA UND as a freshman.
And you *could be right one day about at least one of your predictions.
Love this song.
Yep these type of songs will live forever.
When I was a ‘yute’ who knew didly about music, I went thru a Beach Boys phase. This was my least favourite Beach Boys song back then. Now, as an adult, it’s my favourite.
Anyone know if Erling Haaland can skate or take faceoffs? He’d be perfect!
Truth be known that is Jesse after his hip procedures.
Unless they plan on making 2 powerplay units:
There is not enough ozone minutes for soft minute top 6 wingers the way this team has been ran.
Like the pure offense forwards who end season at -10 even strength. If they aren’t balancing it with specisl team PP benefit.
Ssme as bottom 6 guys and how much less valuable they are if not effective part of PK.
So where does that lut Howard?
I went through it all in depth already but it seemed to me at least that there is a better than coinflip chance samanski surely might have been plastic part of straw stirring drink in bako as far as even strength goal differential.
Smart player an “adaptable” (drai/nuge/hyman/ekholm/podz) guys who make line better as they mold to fit what is needed.
Like that line howard’s even strength scoring numbers are a black hole head getting kicked in outscored when you remove samanski.
And that is my biggest issue with howard very well be an NHL talent but i’m okay admitting i still think his max value as an asset would be the shiniest object in a trade package for “what are we missing or be good plug and play no doubt benefit?”
Like if the team was in a stable place with coaching and systems sure maybe you have time to figure out how to optimally break a guy with his size and skill set in.
Going into a season where they geab a hardline drill sergeant coach and explicitly aiming to buckle down on defense and goal against every lime has clear identity….
Like i just am not adding howard or at least projecting him in starting lineup quite frankly.
It’s not the player it’s the fit. Like his best spot to suceed in lineup woukd be with drai and podz as linemates on his offwing. Like there they are solid bet to cover any defensive short comings awhile aslo figuring out how to optimize his chances offensively.
The most ideal position on this team up front is that spot. Beyond a doubt. But no preseason and for the love of gord don’t bleed out so many points in standings at start of season
-> i think any new coach would be nuts not to stsrt season rolling by all evidence the sum greater than parts most sure bet of:
Podz drai kap (like that is as cap efficient as you can find potential post season weapon)
So howard in a top 6 audition is mcdavid or bust if i was coach….and as a coach i wouldn’t be interested as unless something with that lines is adjusted you simply can’t afford to add a guy that can’t carry outscoring line without help of a defensive NHL level talent down there playing on line with him.
Iceman mcdavid hyman = logically not outscoring mistakes if it’s mcdavid obiwon rushes 1 vs the many catch up & be ready….but also puck maybe heading other direction just as you are getting up to speed behind me….pay attention for that -> p.s. i am your centerman but maybe you can cover back for me.
I just don’t like his odds of breadcrumbing enough points while defensively compensating well enough if line is bleeding goaks against. Like savoie better option if “this is the way” and mcdavid is untamed wild stallion adapt to compliment.
And 3rd line buried in d zone draws is zero sense.
And 4th line whatever it may be is surely more suited to north south crash banger with sone defensive competence.
Like he as a player isn’t really ideal anywhere and if you add no pp2 insult to injury he is not in the place he can likely get confidence required for traction that may help him progress to regular NHL’er.
Like i would have rather seen him in an offseason package for blake coleman and maybe oli maata…but mainly as shiney centerpiece for coleman.
Lastly:
I pray literally pray they don’t cap out podz growth.
Like you saw some thimfs developing with drai that are far more valuable talents than “hustles hard back” and “you stand im front if net trying for goal mouth garbage or hard forecheck get me puck back”
Like yes he can do those things and is of use. But like before it all got scrambled around there was huge huge changes and growth on display. Like his confidence and adapting lock step with drai was just getting “holy shat je just did that”.
One timers from drai office and desdly distance. Carrying puck hard with confidenxe cut ins.
Like he became far less noticable offensively to be the hyman with plus defense on mcdavid line sure.
Or he became deadly shutdown third line winger that made line better.
Like there is room to grow in thise sure but it’s nothing. Not even close to what was starting to bubble up to surface with him playing on drais wing. Like his confidence and his purpose best value to a very important asset there is no way it’s not developing even further on drai’s wing until maximized. Like more important thsn howard or savoie.
I hope someone in orgsnization has keen enough detail sense and recollection to not use him to mitigate line combos over maximize his positive imosct in lineup.
All signs to me was there is higher ceiling benefit if they don’t misstep.
One idea I’ve had is a Howard for Shane Wright swap.
I don’t know if the Kraken, or the Oilers for that matter, would go for it.
There is pretty equal risk/reward on both sides
But the Oilers would get the more ready player right now, and one who can line up as a RH centre.
I do think Seattle does this deal. Both players would be a better fit. I wonder how soon the Iceman agent ask to be traded
Instead of waisting his best years in Bakersfield
LOL – he is in the 2nd year of ELC and got almost 30 NHL games last year.
This wild narrative you have is, well, wild
Yes, this bizarro fixation with Howard is bordering on a DSM-5 diagnosis!
Agree with this idea.
Long-term RHC with untapped potential. Good motor and 2-way ability.
Start him on Draisaitl’s wing with faceoff spot duty to improve his skillset. Allows McDavid/Draisaitl to play together as coach sees fit moving forward.
Add to Howard to make it happen.
At this point, I think it would be more than a 1 for 1 swap. Howard isn’t established by any means in comparison.
Like the player, and would make that deal in a heartbeat, but think Seattle could get a lot more for him than Howard. Seattle covets an established star (Robertson, Panarin) not more potential. Depending on whether St. Louis is truly rebuilding, I would think Seattle would look at adding to Wright to get a Thomas?
Ironically, the team that could use him the most as a 2C is Montreal….now that would be fascinating!
Agreed. Part of my thoughts are that the Kraken have struck out adding a marquee player so far. So do they go in a different direction now?
I also do think the Oilers could have to add more to make this happen.
I was looking at thst last night debating to dig into what he actually is or has done in as deep a dive as i could
He doesn’t PK and doesn’t win faceoffs is the problem
I’m not sure that PK ability is needed at this point.
Just swapping Shea in for Nurse will help the PK immensely.
But there’s nothing that suggests that Wright couldn’t develop PK ability.
Anecdotally, there’s a positive correlation between number of games played and increased faceoff win percentage.
He should be able to learn, he was a top 5 pick. But I think any bottom 6 going forward has to PK on the Oilers. Not sure they would want to wait for him to learn FO if acquiring a RC C
RS
As an example, Jordan Staal had a sub 50% faceoff percentage in each season until he was 23 years old and had played 350+ games in the NHL.
Now that there is no longer a perfect fit for this roster in Giroux (cheap, amazing RH faceoff guy that can play up and down the line up with tenacity), I strongly believe keeping the powder dry is best.
Give your Dachs, Howards, Savoies, Samanskis and potentially Tralmaks, Hutsons, Michaels etc the time to show what they can do in the first 60 games of the season. There is no point in acquiring young talent if you don’t actually give them legit opportunity as that is a very underrated part of development.
Save your cap space, see if you have a cheap young player to fill the role and augment with Tarasenkos at the deadline who are usually available for a 3rd round pick if you can pick up full freight
100% agree.
I would like to spend more time givimg benefit of doubt maximize dach potentisl value over howard. Like distinct possible from my sightlines worth more rope and at bats.
Like if his defense is adequate or better 200ft i like him as mcdavid’s younger line audition more.
Owen Michaels signs, 2 X $900K – don’t know if it’s one or two way but that doesn’t matter, he’ll be a Condor.
Bowman was on Gregor last Friday and mentioned that Oilers did a ton of work on Shakir. Said DJ looked at a ton of film on him, saw lots he likes and lots he thinks he can work with him on.
Let’s not forget about the potential impact of DJ Smith in general and with a guy like Shakir – a top 20 pick, long/lanky d-man that can skate and is just establishing himself in the league – he’s at that age that these types of d-men often start to find their game – no lock it happens but there is solid top 4 upside and they don’t have the pressure of over-extending him given the depth.
Retrievals, Retrievals, Retrievals. Get to Work.
I like this pick up.
Especially given the price.
I love that asset swap for long term sustainability of dcore.
Like saw a facebook post of defensive lineup with ages and cap hit even style. Smiled. Like holy shit cost snd agewise plus potential our dcore on paper is as sustainable “balanced” as it’s ever been beyond just 1 or 2 years even.
On better end of capped out cup competition at least debatable at this juncture
Friedman said again this morning that the Oilers are not going to get Giroux.
He does continue to wonder about Tarasenko.
I would note that 18 of his goals were at 5 on 5.
Not sure on that idea. Don’t mind the player but infuse Howard first give him a real shot, we need youth marbling. Give him the Savoie chance. It will likely take him half the season.
I agree – Giroux has a ton of complete, face-offs and versatility, Tank is a top 6 complimentary goal scorer that, from accounts, has some motivation issues at times – he’s a pure block of Howard.
The Oilers have the real ability to give the kid that’s banging down the door a real shot and, if they. need an upgrade in-season, the cap room to make the move.
Lets take advantage of the potential upside of Ike popping in the top 6.
Tarsenko was my poor man’s kuzmenko scoring winger for mcdavid. Slow as hell but skates his ass off anf better defensively….just not worth it IMO for cap crunched over vetting inhouse options and this being prime deadline potential add position if no ome fully grabs ring.
I was set on “pass over” unless bargain basement 1 yr contrsct offer accepted for best shot at cup has vslue enough to plsy for peanuts or heavily bonus based terms.
Like best we can offer is we will psy you if you are worth it but not in advance.
Here is some nice footage of Eduards Tralmaks.
He scored several “Draisaitl-esque” goals.
I gotta think this guy will be in the competition for a spot this fall.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQfOCaBrp9s
I would love to see that even if just for the story!
Dude is a tank. It would be a oilville miracle if he can translate his game and keep up and produce. Maybe we are due for one of those.
Inconceivable!
Problem is how does one compete for a spot this fall.
Sure, there are line rushes at practice but those only mean so much.
There are four exhibition games total (and vets with 100 games can play two, Exhibition games don’t really mean all that much either but they mean more than line rushes at practice but I suspect Babcock needs to get his roster and lineup ready for game 1 – not trying out career AHLers, even if they are intriguing, right?
I agree.
But to me, the 13th forward spot is an open competition.
I wouldn’t rule out a 14th spot being available, even if it is just temporarily, as well.
As of right now, two of Howard, Samanski, Janmark, Joseph and Jones need to be cut with one of them getting the 13F spot.
Its tough to see real time for the big Latvian to compete for it.
How do you figure a 14th forward if they carry three goalies?
Now, an IR placement or two could/would/will open up more spots – they have the cap room to support that.
Yes- it has been stated that they plan to carry three goalies.
This is not a guaranteed to happen.
From my perspective, from that list of forwards, I have Jones and Janmark traded, claimed on waivers, or playing for the Condors.
Joseph I have on the fourth line with Dach and Dickinson.
Tralmaks would have to beat out Samanski for the 13th spot.
As you pointed out, injuries do indeed happen. This also would make it possible for Tralmaks to secure a spot.
There are plenty of ways for Tralmaks to make it!
OK, so you have Tralmaks ahead of Jones and Jamark heading in to camp.
Sure but I would suggest the management and coaching staff don’t have that and there is vey little time at camp to beat out an incumbent for a job with the four exhibition games – and this isn’t a young pedigreed prospect pushing up.
I’m all for it – if this dude earns it and impacts at the NHL level – tough of me to see given camp structure.
True. What I’ll say is that outside of Howard, who I think is essentially a lock to make it, I don’t see any of those forwards as incumbents.
He is a career AHLer who exploded the last 2 seasons. Bowman signed him for a reason. This isn’t Justin Kirkland we’re talking about.
Yes, Bowman signed him for a reason and I would suggest, in Stauffer’s words from last week “a scorer for the AHL”.
I would love to see him press for a spot but, when two of Jones, Joseph, Janmark, Howard and Samanski already need to be cut (without any new addition) unless there is IR, its tough to see it – being realistic here.
Giroux is one guy that I’d like to add because he is versatile and has compete and legit faceoff stardom.
He “blocks Howard” but not necessarily as he can play up and down the lineup and wing or center.
I don’t see him coming west and I’d be fine given Howard the top 6 opportunity he’s earned and pivot if necessary in season with their flexibility on the cap.
Deep at bottom six forwards (acknowledging they could use an established top 6 wing but they do have a legit scoring prospect banging down the door). As of now, two legit NHL options would need to be cut. Not including the likes of Hutson, the Latvian, Michaels, Marjala.
Deep at defence with Stastney and Regula as 8/9 if they clear waivers.
Deep at goalie with one legit upside potential kid.
Cap flexibility on top of it all.
Love this.
Giroux is no longer a centre. He is a RW who can win faceoffs.
Perfect.
He took 39 less draws then Dickinson last season if the data isnt lying to me.
Pretty clear he’s a center.
He lines up at the dot, but doesn’t play C, posionly he plays as a winger.
Ask any Ottawa or Flyers fan, it’s been over 10 years since he has covered the opposition’s C.
Sadly, Friedge said on 32 Thoughts this morning regarding the Oilers and Giroux “they aren’t going to get him”.
I started reading about Giroux as one of the free agents left July 2 at the athletic. I knew he was playing well, but it surprised me how he’s still a plus player. And what he excels at is essentially being a complementary veteran winger anywhere in the lineup – scores well, defensively responsible, is a leader who would be a good mentor for the youths. Honestly such a perfect fit, I will be disappointed if/when he signs in Philly or Ottawa. That said, even if we don’t sign him, it’s encouraging that Bowman has inserted himself into the conversation, as it sounded like pretty much a done deal that he ended up at one of those two places before the off-season. Another sign that we are identifying the right opportunities to improve and being active in pursuing them.
We have 5-6M in cap space – if he’d take 2M AAV + 2M in bonuses x 1 year, I’d do that in a heart beat. Adds a significant player and still leaves us with enough wiggle room for one more add later in the season.
Giroux has been a plus player and has been a versatile veteran winger anywhere in the line up. Those qualities would be perfect for the oilers roster.
The gamble is that at 38 years old the cliff is at least a year off. The oilers gambled that Henriques cliff was a few years off at 35. The cliff came quick.
Signing Henrique for 2 years was a mistake. Counting on him to play C with a bunch of bottom 6 guys was another mistake. Giroux could absolutely fall off a cliff, but there’s no sign of that at this time, and you would 100% only sign him one year. Making a chunk of his salary contingent on playoffs like we did with Anderson would help further mitigate that risk.
I think the team looks ok as it is now, but if we go into the season with a top 6 guy like Howard as our first call up, then that’s the kind of depth you want on a real contender.
I agree with this.
I was under the impression that Friedman pretty much ruled out Giroux coming to the Oilers.
Keep the powder dry and see if Boston implodes this season, grab Pastranak.
This!
Oilers need one more impact forward – either a really good 2C who allows 29 and 97 to play together full time, or an all-star winger with term.
Keep a few cap dollars or keep trade assets for a meaningful move to upgrade the top-6.
I don’t want them playing together full time, in particular on the road.
Its not the 60% goal share flex it once was.
So Walman is officially a 3rd pairing defenceman now?
If he plays like he did for most of last season, then yes unfortunately. He was looking better in the playoffs and at the end of the seaaon though, in which case he’s definitely our #2 LD
I think he is our 2LD. He will show up. Book it.
I fully expect Walman to start at 2LD and he’s proven, when healthy and not battling through injury (as he was most of last season – guy couldn’t pivot for the first half of the year), he can be a solid 3D.
Ryan Shea as a very good 5D pressing up is great cover!
I’d be very content if the oilers standing pat with this roster. Or perhaps build more flexibility with moving a player like Janmark out. There will be opportunities popping up early in the season or late summer.
To be in a position to take advantage of opportunities is something oiler fans aren’t used to.
When the rumours about Giroux popped up I read about him because of his age. Apparently he plays wing more now, taking faceoffs and spotting in at centre
That’s just fine, he can play wing and be a righthanded faceoff specialist on whatever line they want him to play on. That would be exciting.
I often wonder why RW don’t learn how to take faceoffs. I would. Someone was telling me Patrice Bergeron used to ask his right wingers to practice them against him, so if he got booted they had some idea of how to do it
One of my favourite things about MacT when he was coach. He was obsessed with finding out if a player could play in the middle. I watched him for a long time with Chad Kilger just working on faceoffs.
There’s talk of signing Giroux, there’s talk of Tarasov, there’s talk of a trade with Vancouver for Jake DeBrusk and there’s talk of a trade with the Pens for Rickard Rakell. Four different directions to go and they can only pick one. Ike Howard might be involved directly in all four different scenarios whether it’s his ice time or he might be part of a trade. But it sure looks like Edmonton wants to make at least one more move before training camp begins.
Man what an incredible summer it’s been.
tarasov signed with detroit. pretty sure thats off the table and we already have 3 goalies.
I suspect cowboy bill meant Tarasenko?
Tarasenko
Debrusk would be terrible. An overpaid, one-dimensional player who was unhappy in Boston for years. But with the Oiler connection, it’s probably already a done deal.
Giroux would be amazing.
It’s not fair to call DeBrusk one-dimensional.
Most modelling shows that he has a positive defensive impact at 5 on 5. Also, for his career, he has a 54% goal share at 5 on 5.
However, he got absolutely caved in the goal share last season.
As for his strong goal share numbers earlier in his career, it’s likely that he benefited from exceptional goaltending.
DeBrusk is a very strong penalty killer.
On the PK, he has a career 5.45 GA/60, and a career 0.76 GF/60 for a net of 4.69 GA/60. These are very strong numbers.
However, he generally hasn’t been utilized as a workhorse penalty killer.
DeBrusk’s three 5 on 5 goals that he scored last season did not come close to living up to a $5.5 million dollar cap hit.
And the main issue is that the Oilers have multiple players on relatively pricey contracts who had lackluster 5 on 5 offence last season.
You’re not making Friends with the new Popcorn Playhouse Club by suggesting trading the Iceman for immediate help in the bottom 3-6. Surprisingly the Iceman still
has value as a shoot first former Hobey Baker winner. I would say there’s a deal to be had with several American Teams. Seattle for one would love this kid and would elevate him to the spots that aren’t available in Edmonton. Howard is not a checker he needs PP time he’s also not an energy player. I see the MVP of the Memorial Cup making Tampa this fall or a call-up by Christmas. O’Reilly was our handpicked choice and whoever okayed that deal sure in the hell didn’t okay the O’Reilly for a player that the coach barely played in positions to succeed. It’s not hard to figure out why K.K was booted. The usage of Howard-Jarry-Frederic was K.K demise.
Do you think it’s going to be easier for Howard with Babcock coaching? Knoblauch was a boy scout.
Yes I do as long as this kid can skate hard and score Babcock won’t fuk him over. His handle is the Iceman Babcock needs to turn this kid loose. Howard could also be pumped and dumped this coming from headquarters.
I wonder if Babcock knows “his handle” in order to know how effective he can be on the ice?
Its very odd that one cannot understand a reasonable development path for a rookie pro.
Not to mention an over-rating of the “Memorial Cup MVP” similar to the over-rating of a Hobey Baker winner for a player in his 20s.
The last Memorial Cup MVPs:
Sam O’Reily
Easton Cowan
Owen Beck
James Malatesta
William Dufour
Joel Teasdale
Sam Steel
Are you saying Sam OReily is a bust? I don’t know which player is going to have more of an impact but I would say O’Reily is leading. It wouldn’t surprise me if Sam makes the team out of camp with Howard lost in the woods again.
Of course not.
I’m saying you put too much stock in things like “Memorial Cup MVP” and what winning the Hobey Baker in you 20s means. Oh, and, of course, having a handle “Iceman”.
Would suck for Ike but landing Giroux would be like bringing in Peca to start 2005…
Giroux would mesh well with this team without doubt.
Henrique meshed well with the oilers. Giroux is a similar player but a righty.
There is 100% chance qiroux hits the Henrique cliff. The gamble the oilers would make is that it doesn’t happen this year.
I think Giroux has game still, but he has to be used correctly. In Ottawa he’s played 82,82,81,82. The last 3 seasons though his TOI/G 20:06, 18:12, 16:18. Reg season his zone starts were even between O/D zones
100%? Bold prediction. Certainty is a pretty rare position to take. I mean I am pretty certain the sun will rise tomorrow, not sure if even that could be considered 100%.
The sun rising is a misconception. It mostly stays in one spot in our solar system. I get what you’re saying.
I however am certain that at some point Giroux will no longer be able to play in the nhl. That could be this year or maybe not this year but it is 100% going to happen. At 38 years old the end is near.
I tried to delete my last comment as it comes off a bit asshatish. Somehow it reappeared…… for me Giroux is closer to the inevitable end than Henrique was a few short years ago at a younger age.
Dickinson is far more of the Peca role, 23pts, heavy dzone starts, takes all the draws. 838 draws with a 71% dzone start when he joined Edmonton.
Giroux took 799 draws last season with a 44% offensive zone start, not the Peca mold.
Yeah my preconditions would be 1 year low AV
And i’m just as happy to see the Oil sit tight and assess.