We knew the Oilers would bring us news soon, and we also knew the first days leading up to camp can bring surprises. As we tippy-toe into the fall of 2026, the injury news of Wednesday came like a swift kick to the junk. Not good!
Wingers Matt Savoie and Mattias Janmark, along with goalie Frederik Andersen and rearguard Alec Regula, are all going to miss training camp due to various injuries and or maladies. What does it all mean?
THIS YEAR’S CERTAIN OILERS (19)
Center: Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Jason Dickinson
Wingers: Zach Hyman, Vasily Podkolzin, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Kasperi Kapanen, Mathieu Joseph, Trent Frederic, Colton Dach
Defense: Mattias Ekholm, Evan Bouchard, Ryan Shea, Connor Murphy, Jake Walman, Ty Emberson, Shakir Mukhamadullin
Goalies: Tristan Jarry, Devon Levi
I didn’t move Ike Howard up to ‘certain’ because his skill set is not a match for Matt Savoie (or Janmark, clearly). I think the replacement for Savoie on the McDavid line (left wing) will be one of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins or Leon Draisaitl. I did move Mathieu Joseph up to ‘certain’ and do believe the chances of Josh Samanski making the team have increased. However, the biggest increase in the ‘certain’ category is ‘Oilers sign free-agent center’ and we can stay tuned for that announcement. I also moved up Shakir Mukhamadullin, as he is now both the No. 4 LD and No. 4 RD, assuming all goes according to Hoyle.
THIS YEAR’S UNCERTAIN OILERS (9)
Center: Josh Samanski, Owen Michaels
Wingers: Ike Howard, Quinn Hutson, Max Jones, Connor Clattenburg, Eduards Tralmaks
Defense: Spencer Stastney, Josh Brown
Goalies:
This category got a haircut, Josh Samanski and Ike Howard should be the next players to move up, but I’m going to hold off until we see who among the free agents is added. Oilers have several directions available depending on how much of the cap Stan Bowman wants to spend.
THIS YEAR’S DISTANT BELLS (22)
Centers: Viljami Marjala, William Nicholl, Caden Harvey
Wingers: Matt Savoie, Mattias Janmark, Aku Raty, James Stefan, Brady Stonehouse, David Lewandowski
Defense: Alec Regula, Damien Carfagna, Beau Akey, Riley Stillman, Atro Leppänen, Tomas Cibulka, Andrew Robinson
Goalies: Frederik Andersen, Matt Tompkins, Samuel Jonsson, Connor Ungar, Nathan Day, Eemil Vinni
Moving any of these men up to ‘uncertain’ seems premature if only because Mike Babcock’s decisions have a wide range of possibilities. I do think a player like Aku Raty may enter the chat, but honestly can’t say he would or would not deliver a reliable two-way game. Best to let the information come to us.
On the Lowdown today, we’ll talk Oilers with Janson Duench at The Athletic about his latest article, and to Bagged Milk from Daily Faceoff Edmnton about the injury announcements. Jays, NFL, CFL and more, noon to 2pm, Sports 1440 and You Tube.
2 Mutts Hockey Podcast
@2MuttsHockeyPod
Matt Savoie has a knee brace on after they removed cartilage from his knee.
The cartilage was something he was dealing with at a young age and he finally was able to remove.
I’m thinking we’re gonna see Levi and Ungar in net, and it’s gonna be a roaring start with the coach’s philosophy.
Jarry has a career .907.
Highly reasonable chance he is just fine, or better, in front of a more structured system with better puck management.
Little doubt it would be Matt Tomkins coming up if they needed to recall someone in the first few months of the season.
These injuries seem almost pre-planned.
Anderson – was expected to be a part timer. Stay out of the way till we see what the other goalies can do. He was and is the insurance.
Regula – keeps him and the Stastny off waivers or a trade decision until coach can get a better look at that 7-8 dman spot, and GM might still be looking for a trade. Stall tactic.
Janmark – not going to be playing this year, i do not think he ever was.
Savoie – I believe he is injured, however, taking him right out of the picture for camp will allow looks at several wingers. I think the Oilers believe Savoie is at the point he can get healthy and caught up with out a training camp so stay out until you are 100% your position is secure.
There is no significant impact here.
Janmark we kind of knew – Bob had been alluding to this for weeks now and I’ve presumed he’d start on IR.
I did mention earlier in the off-season that it wouldn’t be awful if Andersen started the season on IR as it would create a roster spot for a normal 21 skater roster and, of course, would allow Jarry the runway to re-establish himself and give Levi the games he needs at this stage.
I don’t believe for a second that the Savoie thing is anything but legit injury that they know will need at least a month- they aren’t taking out this player, last season’s 1LW down the stretch and to start the playoffs and having him start behind – nor would Savoie and Gerry J. permit that in a contract year (or ever).
Pre-planned?
For what effect?
This isn’t Andrew Ferrence or Evander Kane (or Stone/Kucherov, depending on your inclination) going to Robidas Island.
They have the cap space.
Injuries are what they are.
Oilers have added Misha Donskov as a Coaching Consultant.
He will join the Oilers at home for a select number of days each month while he remains Hockey Canada’s Vice President of Hockey Operations & National Men’s Teams Coach.
The nice thing about this season from my pov is I have zero expectations for this season. This team could win the Cup or completely implode under Babcock and neither outcome would surprise me.
It’s not a bad place to be as a fan. There’s no possibility for disappointment. I’m just along to enjoy the ride.
I hope the team is entertaining and I hope they represent the city well. Beyond that, any accomplishments achieved are gravy.
Cheer up we might only have 2 more realistic chances before it implodes for 20 years. We finally have goaltending a coach that is a prick and a rested core.
— instead of rolling the dice on three goalies we have the same issue as last year : a bottom 5 goalie tandem
— the only winger with “upside” also out.
— pre season injuries: for as long as o can remember they are always pitched to fans as “well it’s only a few weeks”.
— it’s a good bet that any player in any sport who is rehabbing when the team is in pre-season will end up having a poor season. That’s just how it is.
Plan all along. Keep him on the shelf until surprise postseason heater 😉
Exactly this was the plan the second Andersen put ink on such a friendly contract. Babcock wants his former goalie to be fresh for the playoffs. Thankfully we’re not playing the Bruins in the 1st round.
Savioe can readily be traded before the season starts.
What is the. issue?
The only winger with upside is out?
I believe Howard, Dach as well as Podz all have upside. Savoie is I big part of this team and will be back. Until then…. knock knock.
— I get a kick out of fans self-bargaining
— I’m sometimes guilty as charged
— Howard Dach are a year behind Savoie amd don’t have the same pedigree
— Podz is already penciled in (he’s a year ahead of Savoie)
— it’s kidding oneself that this team today is better than they were last year on the same day.
— goalie is fire tire, amongst worst in league (and was doubtful that the 3-headed goalie was actually good)
— not enough wingers.
— it’s too late for “knock knock”.
— only the cap space gives a little hope.
— this wasn’t a cup win roster a few days ago and certainly further away with the injuries today
Dickensen is an improvement over Henrique as third line center. Shea and Murphy improve the defense. Instead of Tomasek, Manigiapane, and Lazar there is Dach, Joseph, and Samanski.
This team is better than the one that started last year. It’s far from perfect, the Savoie injury stings, but it is better and deeper.
Dickinson is a 4th line centre on any good team.
Is Shea better than Nurse? Show your work.
Dach had a goal share of 38,5% last season playing the dregs.
Joseph is the definition of a tweener and had a goal share of 38.9% last season and is now in his fifth NHL organization. Mangiapane ain’t much but he’s better than that.
Samanski is raw And may or may not be better than Tomasek.
Different does not mean better.
You don’t believe young talent can Pop?
“same as it always was”
But yea, the goalie item hasn’t been solved since Smith/Koski or Smith/Skinner was a workable duo.
A run for Helly would have been something, I guess with sending out the 1st rnd for the pickups prior to last year’s playoffs Ctrl Alt Del that guy
The goaltending looks worse than last year, entering this season. Two injury prone goalies with ebbs and flows and an unknown. Curious what Helly would cost…
https://x.com/raypetkau/status/2093048644731879640?s=12&t=aPEPkWOuGxN9KZYvJmhqrQ
I’m guessing he’s not looking at moving from Winnipeg to Edmonton……
I would think not. We are still paying 2,6 million and 1.6 mil in each of the next 3 years for Jack Campbell. There is no do over trades involving Jarry. I would think there’s a better chance that Adam Graves comes out of retirement.
Goaltending wasn’t and isn’t “the problem” with this team. The problem was and remains, until we see otherwise, 200-ft play from team leaders. All five of last year’s goalies had great numbers in the (very) brief period when leaders led (Nov 26-Dec 25).
I’m confident of two things:
a) team leaders are embarrassed by last year’s effort and really, really want to do everything to make amends (eg, winning Cups);
b) any one or two of the current three goalies will be more than enough, if and when (a).
— its bottom 3-5. Anderson as the third you knew he was going to miss a bunch of games.
— I do t know how many years in a row we have had shitty on paper and on record goalies.
— I know what I need to do but I don’t know if I have the strength to do it.
Connor H. with a very clear statement that he requested a trade a few months ago and the request remains outstanding and he hopes it will be resolved in short order.
No, I don’t think the Oilers are a reasonable landing spot.
Disgusting
Hellybuck should be made to honor the entire term of his contract.
Or at least until Winnipeg misses a pay check.
As Ottawa proved, you get nothing in return when you placate these demands.
It took the Oilers a decade to recover from trading Pronger for nothing.
They all should. Notice it is all High end Yanks doing this. Different values in the American hockey culture compared to the Canadian.
The USA figure they are the best in the world. They all talk to each other about a super team like the crap they pull in the NBA. It’s too bad Russia didn’t compete in the Olympics.
They could just sign Bunting, or Tarasenko, or I suppose Tolvenen. But neither of them are centers and that’s the stumbling block.
For me, if they weren’t planning on signing anyone prior to the Savoie news, I don’t see a reason to change now – a 4-5 week injury should not alter team building plans and cap structuring.
For me, perhaps Tolaven but give Howard 4 weeks of top 6 reps. He earned that even before this lineup spot opened up.
Nothing has changed with respect to saving cap space and seeing where they need to spend it in-season.
Let’s not forget, a bunch of players on IR, leading to roster replacements, adds cap commitment while on play. To run a 23 player active roster with the listed 4 on IR will take them down to under $2MM in cap space for the time being. LTIR does nothing unless they add close to $5MM before putting guys on it.
You may be right. This is just a minor test for their depth players. Nothing to over react to.
I’m with you.
And, this will test LT’s “MB needs a fast start” hypothesis.
I suggest a tempering of expectations in Oilerville this summer and fall may be a healthy thing.
We may see, again, an October “training camp.” As per last year, the coach has many new and untried faces, and injuries to tried and true players.
There’s a lot of magical thinking about this coach. Injuries, unfamiliarity with the roster, high expectations will all test the magic.
Stanley Cup final Oilers in six against Panthers. Andersen the Conn Smythe. Clattenburg with a game 2 Gordie Howe hat-trick in the Final. Boooook it………….
As I said, magical thinking. If it works, I’ll be happy, too.
As Bon Jovi once uttered “Keep the Faith”
Staples brought up another name Phillip Kurashev who is UFA center/ LW who might be a fit for the top six. I guess we’ll see.
Surprise!
And once again the famous LT is correct and there are training camp surprises. Impossible to predict 100% roster accuracy when you don’t have all the information. And we still cannot see Babcock’s whiteboard.
For sure – at least for me, I always qualified my “locks” with “subject to injury”. This likely opens up 2 prior cuts to make the team out of camp. Jones and Starney perhaps. Or Jones and Samanski.
Of course, there could be more injuries in the next month too.
Joseph is D.J horse whisperer on the P.K. You know Babcock is going to pick someone from left field even with a short camp. Babcock has had years going over film after film phone usage after phone usage. Babcock will be well prepared the Oilers will come out of the gate like a missile just as the Red Wings had done year after year.
Gazolla says he was told Savoie is a leg issue, something that has been lingering and it finally “gave out” and he’s been seen in a walking boot this past week.
Too bad lingering wasn’t dealt with as soon as playoffs were over
You’re assuming he was injured during the playoffs.
True, but lingering leaves a lot of room for being conspiratorial!
Depends on if there was anything to “deal with”…..
I’m also not 100% convinced of Tommy’s info – he didn’t seem all that “up to speed”, wasn’t aware of any time line including the timeline posted by Rishaug hours earlier until texters advised him – he is clearly in summer mode.
Dumb question. Let’s say a NHLer gets hurt waterskiing, parasailing, getting hit in the head with a golf ball etc. Do the players have insurance for this like when they’re playing over in Switzerland in a lockout season.
The players likely have personal insurance coverage, but most sports contracts have personal code of conduct restrictions prohibiting players from skiing, motorcycling, skydiving, alligator wrestling,etc. during their playing career.
Thanks. I knew this somewhere deep in the back of my brain. I can’t think of the last player that got stung by this though I assume everything is handled discreetly.
faaaaak…
This Savoie injury should be the sliver of daylight Howard needs to get into the top 6 out of the gate, and should lead to a realization similar to the Dave Tippet/Ethan Bear “knock-knock” conversation at camp for him.
They might be looking for more of a sure thing which to me looks more like a trade than anything.
Good point. When they happen, injuries always seem like bad luck. But if this opens the door for Howard and he seizes the day, we’ll look back on this as good fortune for the team in hindsight.
How do you hurt yourself as a professional athlete “training in the off-season”?
Most seem able to avoid it. Savoie is in his early 20s.
Incredible.
How do you watch sports and pretend like professional athletes don’t get hurt in the offseason just so you can push a narrative about players you are absolutely deranged about?
Incredible.
Is it wrong that I imagine a persistent raincloud over your head?
Me bro pulled his hammy on the dance floor while playing for the Dub. Patented Travolta move went sideways.
Boinked in the lower head by a golf ball – Pro Hockey’s second sport. Ball didn’t hit the cup. Er.. had to stay with the lower body injury report.
Have you ever been boinked in the top of your head by Titleist 3 golf ball. It leaves a goose egg lump for life with the number 3 recognizable with a magnifying glass.
Eeli Tolvanen …
Seems like a nice fit for the 3rd line. Can we sign this player for under $2M for a season?
Id avoid it, keep the funds for whale hunting.
Word is he wants ~$4M/year for his AAV.
$2M would be some tidy work, but if he wants 2x that, I agree with DL, save the coin for wale hunting.
Training injuries suck. Players putting in the offseason work to improve deserve better.
Minnesota Wild PR
@mnwildPR
The Wild today named Peter Thome Hockey Operations Analyst and Emergency Backup Goalie (EBUG).
Chris Johnston
@reporterchris
Further to this, it sounds like every EBUG is required to wear No. 00 for their NHL team this season.
As a reminder: Everyone will carry an emergency backup home and road this season. Those goalies can’t have NHL experience or more than 80 pro games.
Elliotte Friedman
@FriedgeHNIC
About to go off-line for a bit, but the much-anticipated extension for Cale Makar and Colorado is closing in
Going to be a biggie…but a critical piece of business for the Avalanche
About to find out if that young man is wise or not.
What would be wise?
The Flyers opened the Pandora’s box every NHLer should be sliding Brière some green under the table. We are going to see near max or max contracts allowed under the CBA. Buckle up get the double buttered popcorn out have the dog and cat jump up on the couch and let the shit show begin. Agents are going to be even more aggressive they will literally bend over hard nose G.M’s like Sakic.
I expect Makar to set the record with a $20 million cap hit.
However the Avalanche have a very tidy cap sheet with $32 million in space next season and no other pending UFAs of major significance to worry about.
And, of course, the cap spikes another $10 million the following season.
Sakic moved Val Nichushkin in anticipation.
Hell yeah!
Go Makar!
Dial it up to $22 million per year… the Avs will still have $10 million left over.
He’s worth every penny, I swear.
Makar will end up getting traded to Calgary just in time for the opening of the new rink.
Taking significantly less than his pure market value to chase titles, a larger legacy, and ultimately more earnings.
I’d also suggest he go shorter term for a number of reasons (motivation, betting on yourself, etc) but that’s me nitpicking.
Not sure who they would bring in as a Cman? Kevin Hayes, Lazar, Henrique, Glendening and Nikita Alexandrov seem to be the only options as UFA’s. Pretty much all 3-4th line guys and Alexander not much NHL experience and Samanski is much better than him IMO.
It really would be nice to trade for a legite 2nd line C man . Maybe they look at Shane Wright ( lots of chatter of him being dealt), Dach in Montreal ( bit of a bandaid), Ryan O’reilly ( old but probably a year or 2 left where he could be a 2nd line C man ) . Those are all UFA’s next year. Or do they split McD and Drai and go get another winger like Tolvanen who is fast, PK’s hits a lot and has a really hard shot. Scored 23 , 2 years ago and is only 27. Guess they could add him and Run Nuge at 2nd line Cman which seemed to be the plan with Babcocks supposed plan to play Drai and McD playing together.
Guess we see pretty quick what the plan will be
Hayes has signed in the KHL, Glendening on a PTO for NJD. Not that a PTO means much – as we all recall!
Also I gave a “thumbs down” only because I am clumsy and hit that when I meant to hit reply! So please ignore!!
Hit thumbs up to cancel out a thumbs down, and vice versa.
I did not know that! Thanks!
Why not Lazar? I had no issues with him.
Yes I’d sign Lazar too assuming they can’t find a 2/3C Im a trade.
Hes a right shot, PKs, character guy, and had a great second half of the year when they played him. Was surprised they didn’t resign him earlier.
They couldn’t even trust Lazar on the PK last season as it went on – he was killed on the PK and unplayable in that role. He’s a face-off guy, that’s it and I don’t sign him when we have Samanski – unless he’s willing to ride buses in the AHL until there is injury.
I think they would want a higher end one. Be interesting to see how Babcock utilizes his C men. All rumours have him wanting to play McDrai together. If that’s the case your C men currently would slot in as
McD
Nuge
Dickenson
Samanski
Not sure if Nuge can drive a 2nd line all year and have it be productive. I do think he can easily play a top 6 wing still but we shall see I guess. Now if they could trade for a legite 2nd line C man great. But not really a lot on the trade block. Wright has been mentioned as has Kirby Dach ( In possible trade talks. But are either an upgrade over Nuge? No clue.
So do they drop Drai back to the 2nd and push Howard into the top 6 and make no more moves in the top 6 until they see how Howard does? Maybe grab a tolvanen for extra pk and a bit of scoring or just run a bottom six as shown here
Nuge/McD/Hyman
Howard/ Drai/Pods
Freddy/Dickenson/Kappanen
Dach/Samanski/Joseph
I have time for O’Reilly… have always thought we should aquire him since he left the Avs, and again leaving Buffalo. Seems to me if we are resetting the defensive awareness culture (and exactly why I wanted him in 2015), he’s a pretty solid player and one that Babcock would be familiar with.
O’Reilly is the Predators #1C on a sweetheart $4.5 million cap hit.
What would motivate Nashville to trade him?
Young talent to help the rebuild
The Oilers don’t have any significant young talent that would move that needle.
If you disagree, check the latest top 100 players under 23 at the Athletic.
Crickets.
Think he would be a great pickup. Still got 25 G and 74 points on a bad team . Still a 55% faceoff guy and great pk guy. Be an unreal 1/2 C punch with him and Dickenson on the pk . Add Nuge, Joseph, Kappy and even Pods to the pk mix and it would be great. He has no clauses and I am sure if they offered up a very good package they may trade him as a pending UFA . He has a great 4.5 per contract. You think maybe he would be ok with coming here for a shot at a cup?
Is it accurate to call Wright a centre? Dach?
Tolvanen might be an interesting addition on the cheap.
I’ve been calling Dach by trade deadline for 4 months now. If Kirby has nagging injuries and is in a funk the Habs will cut bait. Bowman drafted him and his brother that would be something else with the speed of those two missiles throw in Clattenburg. Tkachuk clan won’t be so mouthy when we meet them in the final. Bring in McSorely as well have him sitting near old man Tkachuk. Your excellent with the puns what would be a classic name for the Dach-Dach-Clattenburg line?
The Kirby Dach that Bowman drafted is not available – he’s ceiling has been massively reduced by his injuries. He’s not a center any longer. He’s not a top 6 player any longer.
Dach/Dach/Clattenburg is more likely to be an AHL line than an NHL line this year (although I do think Colton is an NHL player).
Shane Wright is a 22 year old RHC that IMO would be much more useful in the Oiler lineup than Ike Howard. Ditto for Kirby Dach.
My goodness, Kirby Dach was a net negative for the Habs last year and he’s at $3.6MM.
What are we doing here?
He was injured.
He was healthy in the playoffs – as healthy as he will ever be.
He is NOT the player he was prior to all these injuries.
I believe that’s been his career. Lots to like about him, and I enjoyed a few moments of him against TBL. But I don’t get a sense from Habs media that he’s long for that org. And unless someone (Stan? Colton?) knows how to revive him, I don’t think he has anything to offer the Oilers.
How about Wright’s FO% and zone starts over the last couple years?
From what I can glean online at a glance, Wright’s usage increased substantially in 2024/25, but his FO% fell from 50.6% to 44.5%, then to 39.7% in 2025/26.
His usage across two NHL coaches indicates he’s a sheltered bottom-6 player.
Perhaps he’s primed for a breakout. I’m not up to speed on his games to say either way.
You said Wright “IMO would be much more useful in the Oiler lineup than Ike Howard” but I have a hard time seeing that from here. Are you certain he’s a bonafide NHL top-6 centre?
Dach was playing C in the playoffs. But is definitely a bandaid and not sure if he has 2nd line potential, and Wright took 576 draws which is pretty much a full time 3rd line Cman. He sucks on the draw, but the kid can skate and score. He is only 22 and took a step back last year but came on great 2years ago with 19 G and 44 points.
Tolvanen is 27 he’s Finnish he’s a PKer and he can get unexpected goals with his Roslovic like shot. You were right about pumping this man’s tires. Get Kurri on the bat phone he still owes us a bit on Mikko Koskinen venture even though Mikko had his moments he couldn’t live up to that fat contract.
But he’s not a center and that’s what they’re longing for.
He’ll be cheap-cheap The reason he went so high in the draft because he’s skilled-big-skates like the wind and is a Centre.
Not sure where you get that he’s a center? He’s one of these guys that shoot left but want to play on the RW.
I thought he was a Centre when he owned us in the famous Play-in bout when we lost to the Hawks.
He was a center but he’s not the player he was before all the injuries.
He was fantastic in the play-in and a rising star – that is no longer available with this player.
Yup, no need to be in on any of those UFA center – sure, having Glendeniing or Lazar in Bako could be nice but not taking Samanski’s job – no way (and nothing in a short camp should change that).
Wright would be a nice add but he’s not a 2C in this league (at least not yet).
Kirby Dach is $2.5MM over-capped, not a center and certainly not a 2C – his injuries have materially lowered his ceiling.
Not great news yesterday and very interesting that they formally announced it a month before the season starts and weeks before camp. This org has the history of lying with early timelines, they did it with Hyman all off-season and in to camp last year – they were telling us he’s likely to join the team during camp and maybe play exhibition games – boom, missed the first, I believe, 19 games.
In any event, the only real concern here for me is Savoie.
Janmark was expected, Regula was unlikely to make the team and I had suggested this off-season that Andersen starting on IR wouldn’t be a terrible thing as it gives Jarry and Levi good opportunities to re-establish and establish themselves. Jarry was always going to be given that runway and we need to see Levi in games, he needs games.
Of course, I want all these guys healthy but, as far as on-ice issues to start the season, it’s only the Savoie injury that hurt much, for me. They have cover for him.
I think Howard should play with McDavid (during non load up scenarios) but it very well could be Nuge.
I go:
Howard/McDavid/Hyman
Podz/Drai/Kap
Nuge/Dickinson/Joseph
Frederic/Samanski/Dach
Jones
I’d flip Howard and Nuge depending on the situation. In moments where Babs has line matched some clean air, insert Howard. Tough comp or d-zone start, run Nuge.
I think sheltering Howard, at least to start, is the play. Note, this is different from not running him with McDavid at all, aka the Strome deployment. That is something I am not in favour of, at all.
I don’t like Howard with Dick at all.
i think Dick is a rough minutes/tough comp player, right. Hes not a player to center a line to our score soft competition.
Howard is a competitive player on the ice but I don’t see him meshing with Dick and the role he likely is playing.
JD scored two nice goals in the playoffs.
He’s scored before.
Deployment and QoT probably has a lot to do with his results.
Assuming he’s not offensively aligned and will crater Howard is a false narrative IMO.
That was a great game in the playoffs and I do think he can up his offensive production a bit with the Oilers but, at the same time, he has scored before, once in his career. He has one season over 9 goals.
I would expect that Dickinson will be used in a tough minutes role facing the opposition’s top 6, defensive zone starts, etc.
I don’t think Dickinson as Howard’s center sets up Howard (or the team) for success.
I’m fine with Howard on a third line, if its entered by Nuge (if Dickinson is 4C) but I just don’t see the fit with Dick and Howard at this point.
Howard was acquired to be a scorer in the team’s top 6 – that’s his primary skill. He had a great season last year developing and is banging the door down. Why would they not give him an opportunity there – they have a clear spot (two really).
If it doesn’t work, pivot, but not every offensive prospect needs to work their way up from the bottom six.
Howard is still a question mark. We’ll see how Bowman responds to this, he usually finds quick answers for these difficulties that have lasing results.
Not sure where LT comes up with this UFA center signing because it appears to me that there aren’t any to be had.
Howard was very likely on the team and potentially in the top 6 even before this. I know you had him in the AHL, and, sure, we don’t know what we don’t know, but it seemed unlikely then and moreso now.
Of course he’s still a question mark vis-a-vis performance but there has been nothing but up arrows for him for a while and nothing but glowing remarks from his AHL coach and positive remarks from his GM in recent months.
At least you say he’s a question mark, that’s progress.
Of course, I’ve never had him as a lock in any of my posts – he was always in the group of 5 after the locked 10.
I would be shocked if he’s assigned to Bako for opening night (and would have been even if Savoie was on that roster).
Hope he fires through camp like a rocket full of piss and vinegar. This is his moment if he can seize it.