God Only Knows

The Oilers signed two RFA defensemen this weekend, reasonable deals for Ty Emberson 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!