In the comments section yesterday, there was discussion about signing Russian winger Maxim Berezkin and US college defenseman Paul Fischer. Some believe both will sign, and that would be a good day. However, history suggests that may not happen. Please read this.
During the decade 2010-19, the Oilers drafted nine Russian players. Five of them were drafted out of Russian leagues, the other four were playing in North America in the season leading up to their being selected. Nail Yakupov, a No. 1 overall selection, played 350 NHL games. Anton Slepyshev played 102 games, and Bodgan Yakimov played in one NHL game. That’s it.
Many felt things would get better with Ken Holland as general manager. He was scouting director for the Detroit Red Wings when Sergei Fedorov (1989), Vladimir Konstantinov (1989) and Vyacheslav Kozlov (1990) were drafted. When he became general manager, the Russian connection clicked again with players like Pavel Datsyuk.
Oilers players drafted during Holland’s time as general manager included Ilya Konovalov, Maxim Denezhkin, Maxim Berezkin, Matvei Petrov and Nikita Yevseyev. There is some fine talent there, and Holland’s patience in waiting for Russians to come over was legendary when he was with the Red Wings.
Thing is, the Oilers have never been good at getting Russians to come over to North America and stay long enough to establish themselves. Russians don’t like playing in the AHL. Yakimov, Konovalov, Ziyat Paigin and others couldn’t wait to fly home, and Dmitri Samorukov managed to play overseas while remaining a signed prospect.
All told, the Russian investments have not given much in return for the Oilers. I can’t tell you to stop dreaming about Berezkin playing for the Oilers, but I can remind you of the facts.
The Oilers made a trade for Paul Fischer in August of 2024 (the offer sheets trade) and he has performed well since. The Notre Dame defenseman did not sign this summer with the organization, and that’s an alarm bell. He can go the free agent route next spring, and can John Marino the Oilers.
You would love Fischer. A fine skater, ruthless hitter but remains in position. Your basic nightmare for opponents. The Oilers recruitment side has Notre Dame connections (Bowman is GM, Andy Slaggert is director of NA recruiting) so this thing should have been done. It remains undone. You can talk past it, but it’s a thing and you have to at least acknowledge the possibility. Otherwise, it’s disingenuous.
I’m planning the fall and winter Lowdown guests and have two sponsorship opportunities. If you run a business and are looking for a unique and compelling advertising option, send me a note at lowetideedm@gmail.com and I’ll tell you what’s happening. Lowdown returns tomorrow.
What’s key to a complete ‘two-way’ season for Oilers captain Connor McDavid?
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7570382/2026/09/07/connor-mcdavid-edmonton-oilers-stats-defence/
Like this. I won’t say it’s the best Athletic piece of yours I’ve read (can’t remember them all), but right now it’s def in the running.
@Ryan makes a good comment on the article. I especially like his idea of making Podz plus Savoie/Kap the McD wingers (when it’s not McDrai, then I like Howard there). Draisaitl is a teacher and mentor. He’s schooled Podz and now Kap. Maybe they are ready to graduate to McD’s wings? (Savoie to push Kap back down, when he returns.)
Meanwhile, back in school, Drai has Howard. What about Dach on that line? Fast. Hard. Has some skill. What could Drai do with that?
I was the first person arguing that Podkolzin/Savoie would be McDavid’s wingers months ago, and Podkolzin/Kapanen now that Savoie is out to start.
For the record, I didn’t argue that in the article but rather threw him in with “other candidates.”
I have enjoyed reading your analysis over the years, not uncommon that you have different opinions than the consensus.
McDavid, in my opinion, needs to play “smarter” in this regard not “harder”.
McDavid works hard in the 2-way facet of the game but, to my civilian eye, he makes a lot of mistakes out there. For example, he works hard on the back-track/backcheck but how many times have we seen him try and attach the puck carrier that is already covered by a d-man in good psotioin and, in doing so, leave the trailer or middle of the ice attacker, the most dangerous attacker, open to receive an easy pass for a high alarm chance?
McDavid should develop to play within that structure of rush defence in that regard.
Also, his defensive positioning in the d-zone structure game is often more rovery that “cover the middle” and, more than anything, Babcock’s pressure in the d-zone game could really help McDavid presuming he buys in. I’m talking about stopping on the puck and battling for puck retrieval in the defensive zone as opposed to trying to tap the puck forward and jump for an offensive fast break.
Absolutely horrendous take imo.
Go apply your “what he should be doing” to some minor league hockey and see if you can climb the ranks.
That take was out of left field. The whole he needs to be like Yzerman is bunk. Yzerman was getting old that’s why he was slowing down on pushing the river. It’s like asking prime Bure to ease up no coach in his right mind would try to neuter a phenom.
I think the other common talking point about Babcock’s coaching style, or his existing style of team governance, is basically a moot point at this stage.
The NHL has changed drastically since Bab got the boot. Trying to predict exactly how he’ll coach now is about as difficult as trying to dial in the Oilers’ lineup for this season.
This team has a lot of change to navigate, and there’s plenty they’ll need to figure out if they want to be successful right out of the gate.
The take was not even close to “he has to have his Yzerman moment” and I have been consistent that I don’t agree with that at all.
I don’t think his offensive production needs to suffer one iota by making better decisions within the team’s defensive structure – I mean taking the right guy on the back-track rush defence and puck chasing less is not a big ask nor positing for an “Yzerman moment”,
Regaining possession of the puck in the defensive zone will ultimately lead to more possession and more offence (and less goals against and less chasing the game).
McDavid and Leon were both tired after the Olympics with having the weight of a nation on both their shoulders. Both players were injured in the playoffs we needed Ranford to bail us out while Leon and McDavid got healthier but that didn’t happen. As you noticed no one is dialing Ingram number for play-date and it’s 11;00 pm. I’m willing to give McDavid and Leon lots of rope for the Playoff upset by the Ducks.
I am not willing to give the team leader the rope to play irresponsibly defensively, and then to have others (team, d-corps, goalies, coaches) held accountable for a disappointing season. Not just playoffs. Not just slow start. À season.
The impact of two losing SCFs runs is, I believe, more significant on overall team performance than most want to acknowledge. I also believe, because of how competitive McD is, it hit him differently than anyone. But, he’s the Capt. He *knows* what this team can do when they play responsible hockey. It’s up to him to lead.
We all saw it in the 2024 and 2025 runs. We saw a glimmer in the glorious month from Nov 26-Dec 25. Who led the way during that month? McD. He pretty much corrected his awful +/-, played strong 200-ft hockey, scored tons of points. To OP’s point, when McD plays responsibly, he has the puck. When he has the puck, he scores. He leads the team. Goalies look good. Team wins. Everyone wins.
McD is talented. And stubborn. He wants to be able to do what you’re asking. It’s what people have expected of him since forever: score this team to winning.
McD is also smart. I’m hoping that the embarrassment of last year (winning Art Ross, having a defensively awful year) helps him see that his success and the team’s success depend on him leading the way as a 200-ft player.
You keep railing against this. I’m not sure why. The “Yzerman moment” thing is a metaphor. It only means that at some point in his maturity as a player and as a team leader he’ll stop playing like a kid who thinks he can win the Cup the way he got his cabinet full of trophies: on the back of his innate talents and individual hockey smarts. This is a team game. He’s the leader. When he leads, with maturity, everyone wins. We’ve all seen it. He has too. Just not a whole season of it. Maybe this year.
But I don’t want to hear him talk about it. I want to see him do it. Come back to support his D and his G. Play positionally smart and not puck-chase. He’s smart enough to win Selke. If he did, believe it means he also wins Stanley. That’s what “Yzerman moment” looks like to me.
Sure, fair opinion.
This does not mean that McDavid couldn’t, nor shouldn’t, make some tweaks to his “away from the puck” game – there are mistakes, decision based mistakes, that have crept in to his game more in the last couple of years.
I’m not trying to single him out, this is not unique to Connor, but the post was about McDavid and optimizing his 2-way game.
You think his 5 on 5 play has been as good as it could, or should, be the last couple of years? Free to post a substantive response to the specific examples as opposed to just “you are wrong and stupid” which is essentially what you did.
I didn’t think that specific examples of some defensive mistakes was a hot take.
I’m neither agreeing nor disagreeing, but I have never faulted McD for effort. That hero play that cost Canada the gold? That was maximum effort as far as I can see. I agree there’s room for moevement between hard and smart, and I don’t think anyone behind the bench has had the cojones to have that conversation (or y’know it just wasn’t time. Hard to fault TMac allowing the kid and the team time to see exactly what’s going on here).
anyways. I’m among those who believes McD can improve on his play and cement his record as a champion. Until then? Champion in waiting.
Maybe he can get 200 points while winning the Selke. I would say there’s 25 other things the team can fix before politely saying Connor has no hockey sense. The OT goal wasn’t his man yet Connor takes the fall. Blame the Coach for having 3 octane players instead of spreading it out. I get it Messier took tons of flack so did Fuhr-Coffey and then Steve Smith. It’s the coaches job to manage the minutes Connor-Leon looked tired in later minutes last year. What is a player suppose to do if the coach over uses you. Babcock will manage minutes it’s a 84 game marathon give some other players rope.
Personally, I never said Connor didn’t hockey sense but, of course, you consistently attributes opinions to me that I’ve never posted.
I read he needs to be smarter if it’s not hockey sense then I take those words to mean Connor’s thick in the head?
McD is indeed “thick in the head” when it comes to his ability to win games and seasons by cheating for offence. He is so talented and so confident and so stubborn he doesn’t realize how this weakens him. It is his kryptonite. He is smart enough to overcome this. That’s why he hired MB: to “accountability” it out of his game.
Sure, don’t disagree with any of them and none of what I stated include altering his “with the puck game” in any way. I spoke about puck chasing while defending, better decisions of who to cover not he back-trade and regaining possession of the puck in the defensive zone. Somehow that was dumbed a horrendous take.
I just have to say that in your new era of plants and animal pictures. This is my favourite so far.
Fraser Minten an 7 years, $50.4MM
Savoie’s AAV will be around $8MM on a long term deal.
Add Howard next after he has a solid year.
Sounds like we’ll get the media at the Wed and Thursday skates.
I wonder if anyone will be in the best shape of their lives or I they feel so rejuvenated after a long summer……?
Trent. Trent for sure.
In school we always dread June. It’s not quite done, there’s important stuff to do, but it’s nice outside and kids are dreaming of being anywhere but here. On this blog, I’m getting some “June” vibes in the comments. Lots talked about, but a generally irascible tone and the sense that better things are coming & no one can wait for it.
Anyway, students are back tomorrow, NHL camps kick off pretty quick & we only need to hold on for a little while longer before we can stop speculation & start observation.
Here’s reasonable take (using actual data) on my favorite incoming Lithuanian:
https://nhltradetalk.com/the-oilers-most-mysterious-signing-could-eduards-tralmaks-actually-make-the-team/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-oilers-most-mysterious-signing-could-eduards-tralmaks-actually-make-the-team
I have 2 bones to pick with the article:
1 – The bulk of his career has been played in North America, not in Czech
2 – I completely disagree that he is a Tomasek comparable. Tralmaks has superior foot speed, forechecking, board work, physicality and net front acumen.
Regardless, the numbers in the article reveal why I think he has a better than widely considered opportunity.
Just for your information, but Tralmaks is Latvian.
Dagnamit! Obviously there is too much basketball on my brain, thank you for correcting me.
Big men always take longer to grow into their body. I’ve been saying it since day one Bowman has been loading up on the big skilled wingers. He may strike-out with Frederic but he’s bound to hit on a few others. Bowman was outstanding in Chicago at finding the Bickells getting a few damn good and cheap years out of these types of players. Does Tralmak fit the description 230 pounds at 6’4” that can lumber-skate-score we shall see.
The injuries have opened the door. With Andersen likely on IR, they will have 2 goalies on the active roster and can keep either 14F or 8D. Jones is likely locked as 13F but there could be an opening for Tralmaks (Hutson, Raty, Michaels, Marjala) as 14F.
I think they may decide not to expose Stastney to waivers and keep 8D.
Do we have the worst track record in the league involving goals for a Russian since Expansion. One 32 goal scorer in Kovalenko and a 20 goal scorer in Semenov. Nothing in 30 years has any other team gone that long without a Russian 20 goal scorer? A healthy Podkolzin snaps that doubt this season. Bowman took Podkolzin in when he was going the wrong direction quickly. Leon took him under his wing and I have feeling Vasily would go through a brick wall for Leon.
What did Alex Selivanov do to hurt you?
Thanks for that for some reason I blacked out on this player and he scored 27 in the Weight-Smyth era. The only reason I remember Semenov was him scoring 5 playoff goals and that huge one against the Flames in the playoff comeback that broke every Calgarians heart into a million pieces.
Selivanov married Carrie Esposito, Phil Esposito’s daughter. She passed away years ago, a sad ending to a nice hockey story.
Yes that right now I remember him more vividly he married the big cheese daughter.
Scored one of my favorite Oilers goals ever against the Hawks. Sadly can’t find it on YouTube. All that came up was Schneider throwing him into Richter on a net drive and the resulting fracas.
Was that the night of his 4 goal game? Nov/99
Sounds right to me.
Ziyat Pagin was supposed to be our Chara
Watched him at a preseason game at the saddledome. Dude was huge.
John Marino set the precendence in E-Town. The Harvard grad was drafted by Chiarelli, who had cultivated a relationship with the player, but did not sign with Holland due to his Eastern seaboard preference, apparently.
Following this debacle, the Oilers were able to sign Phil Kemp and Michael Kesselring, New Englanders, just like Marino. Of note, Marino was a teammate of Adam Fox while at Harvard. The year before they graduated, Fox’s rights were traded to Carolina. This undoubtedly had some influence on the situation.
I looked into this more and I was only able to find 9 instances of this happening. Edmonton was on the receiving end twice, although Schultz is Canadian.
The players I was able to find are as follows:
Blake Wheeler 2008
Justin Schultz 2012
Kevin Hayes 2014
Jimmy Vessey 2016
Alex Keefoot 2017
Will Butcher 2017
Adam Fox 2019
John Marino 2019
Cutter Gauthier 2024
Isaac Howard 2025
Can anyone think of any other similar situations? Are we, as Oiler fans, feeling so disadvantaged/disrespected, given the seemingly universally perceived undesirable geopolitical location and history of slights against the organization that this isn’t a real threat (until we collectively manifest it)?
Bowman, has seemingly cultivated a relationship with Fischer (like Chiarelli, he has a type). So perhaps this is not true…
Players (and their agents) have been much more militant about choosing development paths that allow them to hit pay dirt as early as possible.
Gone are the days when teams completely dictate the path of players.
One good example how that situation can impact a players life is that of Evan Bouchard,
At every step of the way, he has fallen further and further behind in career earnings and has foregone tens of millions.
Bouchard and Rasmus Dahlin were both drafted in 2018 but there is a stark difference in career earnings.
Bouchard made league minimum for 4 seasons before signing a 2 year deal at $3.9 million and then his current 4 year deal at $10.5 million.
Meanwhile Dahlin only spent 3 seasons on his ELC before signing a 3 year deal at $6 million followed by 8 years at $11 million.
Another player from that draft is Quinn Hughes who, because he had a much more direct development path, signed for 6 years at $7.85 million but next season will likely surpass $20 million while Bouchard makes half that for another 2 seasons.
Agents are paying very close attention to this now.
Bouchard will get paid but not like some others. I knew Bouchard was a point magnet in his London days and the moment they drafted him. Bouchard is not a flashy player like Hughes-Hutson and his blunders always seems to be what most most eastern viewers and writers see. Hell he couldn’t even make the Olympic team and wasn’t even really considered. Everyone out east seen most of Bouchard 2 playoff runs yet they still don’t believe what their eyes and numbers are showing. They still believe Evan is being zoomed greatly by Connor-Leon.
All intel is that Bouchard was highly considered for the Olympic team.
funny story about Bouchard… some “guy” believed he would never be as good as Rafferty and would never trade him for him one for one so ;)…
Dahlin was the 1st overall pick.
Comparing any player’s NHL opportunities and subsequent contracts to a 1st overall pick, unless it was a coin flip like Tyler/Taylor is completely dishonest.
To compare the early NHL opportunities between Dahlin & Bouchard is like comparing apples to elephants.
Hughes had completed 2 seasons of playing vs men when he was drafted by a team with a weaker defensive corps and was drafted ahead of Bouchard, which usually means at least 2 things are true.
1 – the higher pick is a better player
2 – the higher pick is going to weaker team
3 – weaker team = more opportunities
4 – 95% of 1st overall NHL picks play games during their draft year. The majority will be a top 5 player in their draft year on that NHL roster.
This was true of Dahlin, and was not true for any of the other players drafted that season.
Quinn Hughes was not a 1st overall pick but his career earnings are already much higher and will soon skyrocket past Bouchard’s.
2021/22
Hughes – $7.85 million
Bouchard – $863K
2022/23
Hughes – $7.85 million
Bouchard – $863K
2023/24
Hughes – $7.85 million
Bouchard – $3.9 million
2024/25
Hughes – $7.85 million
Bouchard – $3.9 million
2025/26
Hughes – $7.85 million
Bouchard $10.5 million
2026/27
Hughes – $7.85 million
Bouchard – $10.5 million
2027/28
Hughes – $20 million (est.)
Bouchard – $10.5 million
2028/29
Hughes – $20 million
Bouchard – $10.5 million
We of course don’t know the term of the next contracts for these players but there is speculation that Hughes will only agree to a 2-3 year deal with Minnesota and could call Bingo! again just as Bouchard extends.
However, by the time Bouchard extends, Hughes will already have career earnings nearly $36 million higher which could be even more depending on what Hughes does.
If one assumes those extra dollars have been wisely invested over the years.
Hughes is no longer with the team that drafted him…. He, like Dahlin, got massive NHL opportunities in his draft year, unlike Bouchard.
Again, you have turned an NCAA Draftee discussion —> Dahlin/Bouchard —> Hughes/Bouchard.
Why not Boqvist/Bouchard or Dobson/Bouchard or, even better, Dahlin/Hughes?
Finally, what does this have to with Paul Fischer?
I assume Bouch reads this blog and therefore would be thrilled with his career earnings to date compared to Brogan Raffles
So you’re saying Oilers management has gotten quite the bang for your buck outta Bouchard?
The Dahlin-Bouchard situation doesn’t relate in any way, shape or form to drafted NCAA players.
There have been 10 NCAA players (that I can find references to, perhaps there are more) in 18 years who have refused to sign with the team that drafted them is the entire point of my post.
Agents do appear to be playing hard ball more often, but entry-level players don’t have as much leverage as you seem to be portraying and the vast majority just want to play games on the ice, not outside the arena.
The point is the newfound militancy of agents will very likely lead to players taking the path that leads them a second contract as soon as possible.
The Carlsson contract may be somewhat of an outlier but you can bet others will soon follow.
You post this in the same discussion where you say Fisher will sign elsewhere in free agency?????
As has been explained, if Fisher wants that second contract sooner, he signs with Edmonton when Notre Dame is gone this season and burns the first year – end stop.
Good Grief!
This is hilarious given how long you argued Bouchard was not even an NHL quality player and now you’re here talking about all of his missed career earnings.
From: “Elite D show themselves early and Bouchard is too old to become elite”
To: “bouchard is financially lagging behind his elite peers, Dahlin and Hughes”
Bouchard developed more slowly than either Dahlin or Hughes, both were Calder trophy finalists while Bouchard spent a year in the minors. They’re not really comparable,
Furthermore, Dahlin is earning 11 million until 31-32, Bouchard will be signing a new contract in 2029 and could be close to double Dahlin’s salary when he signs
There is a trend for American players wanting to play in the U.S. and current geopolitical events may accelerate that.
As the NCAA increasingly usurps the CHL as the prime development league and, in many ways is also diluting the talent pool in the AHL, more and more players will opt to take the Paul Fischer/John Marino route.
However, Canadian players, like Schutlz, are an attractive target for a team like Edmonton. I wonder if the practice of drafting American kids (and Russians, too) eventually fades for Oilers management.
Well…the Oilers are already the most “Canadian” team in the league.
The only American players on the active roster are Frederic, Howard, Murphy and Shea.
2 Germans
1 Swede
1 Finn
2 Russians
Of those, only Draisaitl was drafted by the team.
Believe this topic popped up weeks ago, but Bakersfield has to have an impact for prospects.
They need to get their farm team closer.
It would help if they had a top tier coach with NHL potential in Bakersfield instead of Jay Woodcroft’s buddy, who has a skimpy coaching track record with very little winning.
Petrov and Berezkin, or their agents, probably know each other, and Matvey probably suggested Bakersfield and Chaulk were not worth it.
Colin Chaulk has done a great job at developing prospects in his tenure – he’s had very little top talent/high pedigree to work with.
We don’t know what we don’t know but I think it’s highly unlikely that Colin Chaulk is deterring anyone from signing.
I have no comment regarding your coach comment, lol. I don’t think our host (AM/LT) have spoken negatively about Chaulk.
However, the AHL is ultimately a development league. I don’t think most players are as concerned about the city name or even the coach’s name as they are about the organization as a whole — specifically, how good the development environment is.
Edmonton has already been determined to be a “hard” location for NHL players to want to live in; does adding Bakersfield to the equation make it even less desirable?
Things like travel time, maximizing reps in the gym, the quality of the practice facilities, access to training resources, and connections to the pro (NHL) level all seem like much bigger factors.
Here’s my “friend of a friend” story:
One of my closer friend’s cousins “cousin’s nephew’s auntie’s former roommate” was drafted in a later round in the early 2010s. He got into a couple of games in the show, then bounced around a few different organizations, which is pretty typical of the AHL grind when you’re trying to eventually stick in the NHL.
His last stop before going overseas was with the Marlies. He mentioned that being in the same rink as the Leafs, having access to the same facilities, and even just being around the NHL players made a massive difference overall.
Even if some of that was purely mental, I think there’s something to it. He specifically mentioned that the facilities were noticeably better than some of the other places he’d been, although that may have been directly tied to the Marlies sharing the same space and resources as the Leafs.
So, anecdotally at least, it seems like being closely integrated with the NHL organization can be a pretty significant advantage for development, regardless of what city or team name happens to be on the jersey.
Watching the Flames/Wranglers over the next five years, especially after their new facilities are built, will be interesting.
The following teams have their AHL affiliate within 50 km of their NHL parent:
-Leafs/Marlies
-Jets/Moose
-Flames/Wranglers
-Sharks/Barracuda
-Canadiens/Rocket
-Golden Knights/Silver Knights
I really have no insight into how well each of these organizations is actually doing in terms of development, player retention, or allocation, but it’s an interesting group to compare.
Canucks & Kings affiliates are an hour or so drive away and Anaheim to San Diego is around a 2.5 hr drive.
Edmonton is therefore at a considerable disadvantage in comparison to it’s Divisional rivals.
Oilers-Saskatoon
The following Americans are also signed to NHL contracts with the Oilers:
Emberson
Howard
Stastney
Regula
Hutson
Jones
Michaels
Carfagna
Stefan
How many of those do you expect to be on the active NHL roster on opening night?
Why do you think that Emberson and Howard won’t be on the active roster for opening night?
Interesting to note that all 4 of those Americans agreed to come to Edmonton on their own accord within the last calendar year
Tier 2/3 players have fewer options.
Okay then. Why did you bring them up?
What is the Paul Fischer route?
Play 4 seasons in the NCAA and then become a UFA.
And, as more and more Canadian players opt to play in the NCAA post draft, they may opt to do the same.
In the 2026 first round, 19 drafted players were committed to NCAA teams including 13 Canadians.
Some might make the NHL out of camp but most won’t and will have options if they don’t want to start their careers in the AHL.
You seem very sure of yourself, but Fischer has only played 3 seasons and is just entering his 4th.
It hasn’t happened, he has not even started his 4th season yet and there has been no mention of this, other than perhaps on this blog.
Since what I have stated is fact, how can you call it the “Paul Fischer route”, when it is, in fact, not true?
There is zero intel that Paul Fischer plans to go to UFA.
He may.
He may also sign with the Oilers this season.
His route, has not been determined.
4 years of you attend college but only 2 years of you don’t.
Seems if becoming a free agent is your goal you would not attend college.
All drafted players , other than players in a league that doesn’t have an agreement with the NHL, become free agents if not signed in their allotted timeline.
Also, according to Claude, if you leave college early you can be a from agent in 30 days after Central Registry is notified, This would be the fastest route to free agency since, if you were drafted from college you could leave college the next day and become a free agent 30 days after the draft.
Nothing to see here. Move along.
Most players want to be closer to their families especially with what happened 6-7 years ago. Parents of NHL players sacrifice so much that the young men want their Parents-Siblings rest of family to be along for the journey.
Paul Fischer hasn’t taken any route at this point except for continuing his college career.
i believe this is, at least partially, directed at me and neither is an accurate representation of my opinion nor how I presented it.
With Berezkin, I posted straight up I think it’s unlikely he ever signs with the Oilers. I was simply adding that we just have no idea what is in his head and what might be in 1, 3 or 5 years and the Oilers hold his rights indefinitely. He has been quoted as saying his dream is to play in the NHL and he can only do that through the Oilers, either by signing at some point or being traded. Him playing well in the KHL may be irrelevant or it may be good – it’s not bad and I will continue to follow his progress and he has had a great start.
On Paul Fischer, I expressly acknowledged when the Oilers would lost his rights (next August) but simply pointed out the very relevant CBA information. Whether he signs with the Oilers at the end of this season in March or waits until he’s a UFA in August, he will have to sign a 2-year ELC. If he signs with the Oilers in March he’ll burn the first year of that ELC and will effectively have one year to RFA not two. I imagine that (and getting two signing bonuses within a few months) could be a factor in his decision. It’s far from a lock they’ll get him signed but I believe the above will be information provided to the player by his Agent (and the Oilers).
You always express your views thoroughly, OP. I don’t think anyone can reasonably push back against that statement. I’m glad we agree that the Oilers are in a bit of a bind with Fischer, and that the chances of Berezkin in an Oilers uniform fade with each passing KHL contract signed.
I think I was the only one that didn’t think “the door was closed on Berezkin”, so I’m not sure who else “some think both will sign” is directed at.
I wanted to clarify my position on both these players and potential Oilers signing given the statement in today’s blog.
Honestly, if I’m Fischer and I see 4 left handed NHL defensemen signed, I’d probably look at signing elsewhere as well.
A man shouldn’t walk into another man’s home and act like he owns the place. Common decency.
I’m not even sure what this means.
The homeowner made a statement towards me and I clarified my position on the substance in the comments section.
I was not disrespecting anything but engaging in discussion on the substance of the blog in the comments section thereof.
I don’t follow any of the other leagues or the players in them, whether they are Oilers property or not, so I always appreciate the insight and discussion from those who do follow them, which includes LT and many other commenters on his blog. With that said, when discussion turns into debate about who said what, and when points are posted in a defensive manner, I tend to appreciate it less, because it’s no longer insight and discussion, it’s a competition.
My personal favorite is when someone posts an item and OP leads with a response “I already posted about this below”. Overruns the blog unfortunately. Quality does not equal quantity.