Summer of ’16

by Lowetide

At the 2016 draft, the Edmonton Oilers had something going on. Then the Columbus Blue Jackets turned the draft upside down and left Peter Chiarelli and company to select Jesse Puljujarvi, the giant mannish boy from rural Finland. Music! Matthew Tkachuk, Clayton Keller and Mikhail Sergachev remained on the board.

In the second round, the Oilers chose Tyler Benson. Immediately we saw reports where he had been skating in Edmonton (with Oscar Klefbom) and the organization had inside intel on his (good health). More music!

THE ATHLETIC!

The Athletic Edmonton features a fabulous cluster of stories (some linked below, some on the site). Great perspective from a ridiculous group of writers and analysts. Proud to be part of the group, here’s an incredible Offer!

  • New Lowetide: Is Kirill Maksimov progressing as the Edmonton Oilers’ next great hope for a true homegrown sniper?
  • Jonathan Willis: Oilers ease pressure on crowded defensive pipeline by trading John Marino to the Penguins
  • Daniel Nugent-Bowman: What the 2021-22 Oilers might look like after their steady build toward contender status
  • Lowetide: Joel Persson is ideally situated to win an opening night roster spot with the Oilers
  • Daniel Nugent-Bowman: What the 2019-20 Oilers might look like without trade missteps.
  • Lowetide: Finding the best candidates for the final two spots on the Oilers skill lines in 2019-20.
  • Jonathan Willis: Projecting the Oilers’ opening night lineup, line combinations and more.
  • Lowetide: Does the James Neal acquisition impact Oilers’ prospects in 2019-20?
  • Lowetide: Oilers’ acquisition of James Neal could add badly needed scoring to the top two lines.
  • Daniel Nugent-Bowman: Ken Holland puts his stamp on the Oilers with first big move in Lucic-Neal trade
  • Jonathan Willis: Ken Holland ends an ugly situation for the Oilers by trading Milan Lucic for James Neal
  • Daniel Nugent-Bowman: Potential free-agent options for the Oilers in 2020
  • Jonathan Willis: Which Oilers defencemen can make an outlet pass?
  • Lowetide: Looking ahead to Oilers training camp: 35 players for 23 jobs
  • Jonathan Willis: Josh Archibald won’t fix the Oilers’ biggest problems, but he’ll help with some key issues.
  • Lowetide: Will the 2019-20 Bakersfield Condors be the Oilers’ best minor-league team ever?
  • Lowetide: Oilers top 20 prospects summer 2019.

HARVEST MOON 2016

I ranked 150 players for the 2016 entry draft and the Oilers drafted six of them. I ranked Edmonton’s picks in this way:

No. 3—R Jesse Puljujarvi, Karpat (Sm-Liiga): Big, fast, rambunctious.
No. 34—L Tyler Benson, Vancouver Giants (WHL). Physical two-way forward. Injured a lot.
No. 61—RD Filip Berglund, Skelleftea AIK (SEL). Intriguing offense, may take awhile.
No. 108—LD Markus Niemelainen, Saginaw Spirit (OHL). Giant defender, mobile, some offense.
No. 112—C Aapeli Rasanen, Tappara U20 (Jr. SML). A fine prospect, good size and skill.
No. 145—LD Matthew Cairns, Georgetown Raiders (OJHL). Smart defender with good size, mobility.

It has not gone well since 2016. Puljujarvi has struggled to find his way, and that’s on and off the ice. If he has an inside champion it isn’t possible to see from the outside. Whatever the barriers holding him back, they are real enough to put the big man’s NHL future in doubt. Per 82 games, JP is 10-12-22. His hip surgeries this summer put his health for training camp in question, but the real issue is contract and where he plays in 2019-20.

Tyler Benson is the brightest light in the sky of the 2016 draft, coming off a truly impressive AHL campaign with a clear shot at NHL work this winter. His NHLE (37) suggests he might get some time on a skill line and would bring enough offense to hang in the top 9F.

Markus Niemelainen had a much better sophomore season in the Sm-Liiga but I don’t think he’s pushing for NHL duty (or a contract). Edmonton controls his rights until June 1, 2020.

Matthew Cairns had the most difficult time getting into games after he was drafted. He checked down from the USHL to BCHL in draft plus one, and then barely played as a freshman at Cornell. He improved in his sophomore season so there’s still a spark.

Filip Berglund is a player I liked a lot in his draft year, and he’s posted two solid if unspectacular seasons in the SHL. Not much buzz around him, Edmonton holds his rights until June 1, 2020.

Dylan Wells has performed well since his draft season, earned a contract and showed some potential in his first year pro. Miles to go and there’s plenty of competition.

Graham McPhee was progressing well as a two-way forward at Boston College, but the entire program experienced a power outage his McPhee was part of it. Fell from 24 points to nine and will need a big senior season.

Aapeli Rasanen also played at Boston College, and scored five goals (one more than he posted as a freshman). Rasanen has the reputation of a two-way center, something the Oilers badly need.

Vincent Desharnais earned solid reviews as a shutdown defender during his time with Providence College, but there was no NHL contract at the end of his college career.

Kevin Prendergast was Edmonton’s scouting director in the early years of this century. He used to say an NHL team needed two actual players per draft to keep pace, and badly needed to score in the first round. He lost his job at the 2007 draft when the club chose three men in the first round and didn’t come out with close to enough value.

The 2016 draft was run by Bob Green and a lot is riding on young Mr. Benson. If Ken Holland can get Jesse Puljujarvi signed, and Dave Tippett can unlock him, the 2016 draft can be saved. I don’t think we’ll have the same level of uncertainty about this draft one year from now. That could be good or bad news.

LOWDOWN WITH LOWETIDE

A busy morning, dominated by MLB and the trade deadline. I have three potential baseball guests lined up, their availability depends on media avails in exotic places like Kansas City. Scott Mitchell from TSN, Cam Lewis from Jays Nation and Jason Gregor from TSN1260 are all likely to contribute, but it’s a loose show, kind of like Neil Young at the Fillmore. 10-1260 text, @Lowetide on twitter, we get rolling at 10 on TSN1260.

You may also like

0 0 votes
Article Rating
156 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
defmn

Professor Q: “And she knows just what it takes to make a pro blush.
She’s got Greta Garbo stand-off sighs;
She’s got Bette Davis eyes.”

LOL

Professor Q

Reja: Not for his wife and half a baseball team they have. Mark Messier has a better chance of coming out of retirement and lacing them up for the Oilers.

I wasn’t aware that Marleau was a billionaire?

Professor Q

defmn: I’m not sure ‘precocious’ means what you think it means.

precocious

adj. Manifesting or characterized by development, aptitude, or interests considered advanced for a given age.

“And she knows just what it takes to make a pro blush.
She’s got Greta Garbo stand-off sighs;
She’s got Bette Davis eyes.”

defmn

OriginalPouzar: We did an 18 day Tanzania/Kenya safari adventure back in 2016 finished with 5 days on the beaches of Zanzibar – just an amazing trip – exceeded our expectations which were very high to start with.

We are booked on another 3 week trip July 2020 – Rawanda, Uganda and the DRC (only 2 days in the DRC to climb a volcano and camp at the top over-looking the worlds largest lava lake.

This will be less safara and more culture – staying in villages, eating with the locals, etc. Gorilla trecking in Uganda – can’t effing wait.

The level of luxury is quite a bit down from what my pretentious ass is used to but its going to be an amazing experience.

https://www.rockmyadventure.com/uganda-rwanda-drc-group-adventure-solo-travellers/

That looks amazing. I am old now so trips of that sort are no longer on my agenda – not to mention that your “pretentious ass” is probably less pretentious than my wife’s. 😉

We have 5 weeks in Vietnam booked for Jan – Feb this winter. That is about the extent of her adventurousness.

defmn

Jethro Tull:
Can I see some math into the interest/60 of the continents please?

Personal interest is subjective to the individual.Each tiny region of the world has so much history, if you look for it, let alone entire continents.

I dunno. I guess I find sweeping statements like “continent X is more interesting than continent Y” really precocious.

I’m not sure ‘precocious’ means what you think it means. 😉

precocious

adj.
Manifesting or characterized by development, aptitude, or interests considered advanced for a given age.

ArmchairGM

Reja: Best surfing conditions off the coastline of California or between September through November.
Pros
1) Best swells of the year.
2) excellent wind conditions
3) Kids back in school.
4) Wife back in yoga class.
Cons.
1) Slightly less Bikinis on beach.

So what?

If Marleau signs in SJ it’s because he wants a chance to win a Cup, not because of surfing conditions. For that reason he isn’t going to go to a non-playoff team like Edmonton.

End of story.

Reja

ArmchairGM: I agree that he’s very likely to go to San Jose and not very likely to go to Edmonton. But surfing isn’t the reason.

Best surfing conditions off the coastline of California or between September through November.
Pros
1) Best swells of the year.
2) excellent wind conditions
3) Kids back in school.
4) Wife back in yoga class.
Cons.
1) Slightly less Bikinis on beach.

ArmchairGM

Reja: Not for his wife and half a baseball team they have. Mark Messier has a better chance of coming out of retirement and lacing them up for the Oilers.

I agree that he’s very likely to go to San Jose and not very likely to go to Edmonton. But surfing isn’t the reason.

Side

Reja: Not for his wife and half a baseball team they have. Mark Messier has a better chance of coming out of retirement and lacing them up for the Oilers.

I always find it a bit odd when someone is so adamant about how a person they have never met before will behave.

So you’re saying he signed in Toronto for the money but now he wants to play in SJS to surf?

Jethro Tull

Can I see some math into the interest/60 of the continents please?

Personal interest is subjective to the individual. Each tiny region of the world has so much history, if you look for it, let alone entire continents.

I dunno. I guess I find sweeping statements like “continent X is more interesting than continent Y” really precocious.

HT Joe

OriginalPouzar:

XXXX/McDavid/ass
Khaira/Drai/Chiasson
Benson/Nuge/Neal

Jesse Puljujarvi a wild card for 1LW.

Sam Gagner in the mix.

Nygard is a LW but I refuse to put him in the top 6 until I see if he’s at least an NHL player.

You and I are very aligned. Can Puljujarvi play LW? Can Kassian?

Reja

ArmchairGM: How nice for you. But the Surfer Dude narrative is just silly.

Not for his wife and half a baseball team they have. Mark Messier has a better chance of coming out of retirement and lacing them up for the Oilers.

OriginalPouzar

defmn: I have only been to parts of North Africa so I will take your word for that. The cuisine tips the balance to Asia for me.

We did an 18 day Tanzania/Kenya safari adventure back in 2016 finished with 5 days on the beaches of Zanzibar – just an amazing trip – exceeded our expectations which were very high to start with.

We are booked on another 3 week trip July 2020 – Rawanda, Uganda and the DRC (only 2 days in the DRC to climb a volcano and camp at the top over-looking the worlds largest lava lake.

This will be less safara and more culture – staying in villages, eating with the locals, etc. Gorilla trecking in Uganda – can’t effing wait.

The level of luxury is quite a bit down from what my pretentious ass is used to but its going to be an amazing experience.

https://www.rockmyadventure.com/uganda-rwanda-drc-group-adventure-solo-travellers/

rickithebear

Holland’s history shows a desire for mature players all being equal
Current signed depth.
Mcdavid C (22)
Draisaitl LW, C, RW(23)
Khaira LW, C (24)
Cave C (24)
RNH C (26)
Granlund LW, RW (26)
Archibald RW (26)
Nygard LW (26)
Jurco LW,RW (26)
Haas C (27)
Chaisson LW,RW (28)
Kassian RW (28)
Gagner RW (29)
Neal LW (31)
Brodziak C (35)
15 FWDS 7 who can play center.

Nurse LD (24)
Benning RD (25)
Persson RD (25)
Larsson RD (26)
Klefbom LD (26)
Manning LD (29)
Russell LD,RD (32)
7 Dmen 3 LD, 3 RD & 1 who can play both.

Koskinen G (31)
Smith G (37)

Prospects by age:
Day D (26)
Gambardella LW (26) in dec
Lagesson LD (23)
Maroody C,RW (23) in Dec.
—————————————— All below cooking for 1-2 more years in AHL would be Holland’s way.
Hebig RW,C (22)
Jones LD (22)
Bear RD (22)
Benson LW (21)
Yamamotto RW,C (21) in sept
Maximov RW (20)
Samaroukov LD (20)
Mcleod C (20) in sept.

rickithebear

Looking at forwards & D under 23
——————————— Lowe GM; MacT Coach
05-06 hemsky (22)
O6-07 Smid (20) MAP (21), JFJ (21), Lupul (22), Thoersen (22)
07-08 Gagner (18), Cogliano (20), Smid (21), Storitini (21), Nilsson (22), MAP (22), JFJ (22)
———————————- Katz new owner Tambellini GM
08-09 Gagner (19), Cogs (21), Smid (22), Reddox (22), Storitini (22)
———————————- Quinn New Coach
09-10 Gagner (20), Cogs (22), Brule (22), Chorney (22)
———————————- Renney New Coach
10-11 Hall (18), Pujarvi (19), Eberle (20), Gagner (21), Peckham (22), Petry (22)
11-12 RNH (18), Hall (19), Pujarvi (20), Lander (20), Eberle (21), Gagner (22)
———————————— Kruger Coach
12-13 Yakupov (18), RNH (19), Hall (20), Pujarvi (21), Lander (21), Eberle (22), Schultz (23)
———————————— MacT GM, Eakins Coach
13-14 Yakupov (19), RNH (20), Hall (21), Marincin (21)
14-15 Draisaitl (18), Yakupov (20), RNH (21), Klefbom (21), Hall (22), Marincin (22)
————————————- Chiarelli GM, Mclelland Coach
15-16 Mcdavid (18), Draisaitl (19), Nurse (20), Yak (21), RNH (22), Klef (22)
16-17 JP (18), Mcdavid (19), Drai (20), Nurse (21), Caggulia (22), Benning (22), Slep (22)
17-18 JP (19), Mcdavid (20), Drai (21), Nurse (22)
18-19 JP (20) Mcdavid (21), Drai (22)
——————————Holland GM, Tippett Coach

Nicely set up not to bring on any 22yr olds other than Mcdavid.
Which Holland has done often in the past.

rickithebear

Holland has not had the Forward depth he would like the last few years.
We here he lets players cook in the minors.

Question is how old does he prefer his players before they get 32+ gm season in NHL.
Is he like LT draft +5 (23)
Does he give them a chance after age is no longer a translation issue. (22)
Or is it sooner than that.

Holland publicly stated that players have asked for trades and he has convinced some to stay and some wanted to go. He only made a trade when the trade was in the teams interest.
Puljujarvi played in NHL @ 18, 19, 20.
Young forwards under Holland with close to 2/5 of season.
22yr is draft +4 when age adjustment is gone.
18-19 Rasmussen (19) 4 evg 10 PPA, Larkin (22)
17-18 Larkin (21), Mantha (22), bertuzzi (22)
16-17 Larkin (20), Mantha (21)
15-16 Larkin (19), Athanasiou (21), Jurco (22)
——————————————————- Blashill becomes coach
14-15 Jurco (21), Sheahan (22),
13-14 Jurco (20), Sheahan (21)
12-13 None
11-12 None
10-11 None
9-10 Helm (22), Abdelkader (22)
8-9 None
7-8 None
6-7 Hudler (22), Filpulla (22)
5-6 None
——————————————- Babcock becomes coach
3-4 Zetterberg (22)
2-3 Zetterberg (21), Avery (22)
——————————————- Lewis becomes coach
1-2 Avery (21)
0-1 Devereaux (22)
99-00 butsayev (20)
98-99 Dandenault (22)
97-98 Dandenault (21)
————————————————- Holland made GM July 1997
96-97 Dandenault (20), Lapointe (22)
95-96 Dandenault (19), Lapointe (21)
94-95 Lapointe (20), Primeau (22), Kozlov (22), MaCarty (22)
93-94 Lapointe (19), Primeau (21), Kozlov (21), McCarty (21), Sillinger (22), Draper (22), Johnson (22)
——————————————- Scotty B. Becomes coach

97-98 to 12-13 seems to be (22 yr) draft +4.
When age translation is no longer an issue.
Core development should be closer to complete

Jurco LW/RW was the only 20 yr old game count Season under Babcock.
Butsayev under Scotty B.
Larkin was brought in under blashill.

Holland must still think their is something their in Jurco.
I would expect a chance for the guy who has shown top 6 fwd even production pace thru his limited career.

Age this season:
Maroody (23) in dec.
—————————————— draft +4
Puljujarvi (21) this season
Benson (21) this season
Yamamoto (21) in sept
Maximov (20)
Mcleod (20) in sept
Lavoie unsigned (19) in sept
Who has been remarkable last 2 seasons in our prospects.

LT: your draft +5 education early on in this blog.
Is a mantra any fan should hold.

ArmchairGM

Reja: The centre of the hockey universe was a great fit for Marleau allowed him one last huge contract with zero pressure and a good chance at the cup. If he doesn’t retire I’ll take California for $500 Alex.

How nice for you. But the Surfer Dude narrative is just silly.

rickithebear

OriginalPouzar: If Benson proves to be legit middle six or top 6 ready, it could/should lead to the ability to go to the three center set.

Pairs:

McDavid/Kass
Dria/Chiasson
Nuge/Neal

Maybe:

XXXX/McDavid/ass
Khaira/Drai/Chiasson
Benson/Nuge/Neal

Jesse Puljujarvi a wild card for 1LW.

Sam Gagner in the mix.

Nygard is a LW but I refuse to put him in the top 6 until I see if he’s at least an NHL player.

Age NHLE curves created by Desjardins are the only way to check for consistent performance in NHL production translation.
Benson sits as our 4th best total point option at 42.
But one of the 2 worst total goal options with Mcleod.

Age NHLE can identify regression of players year to year.
Even though standard NHLE would lie to you and say it is the same.
As a player matures his standard NHLE should increase by a marked %.

Benson consistent age NHLE suggests top 90 C total goals & top 65 C total points
Clearly a #3 C but his even production could increase to fringe 2 Nd or better.
His (20 yr) 13 evg in AHL age league NHLE translates to 7.8 (8) evg

Lavoie draft -1 & draft playoffs suggests top 25 C total goals & top 35 C total points
His draft reg season suggests top 40 C total G & top 50 center total points.
It is not known were he is best suited C/RW
Drai, Mcdavid, RNH
Kassian 14 evg #38 RW
Chaisson 13 evg #41 LW, #44 RW
Archibald 12 evg #52 RW
Granlund 10 evg #60 LW, #62 RW

What do we know of Khaira.
17-18 10 evg
18-19 14 eva
Top 40 PK forward in league

Puljujarvi 19 yr season per nat stat
65 gm 815:28 10 evg
.74 evg/60

Tkachuk 19 yrvseason per nat stat
76gm 958:49 10 evg
.63 evg/60

The one concern I had with Puljujarvi pre draft was the sub 7% shooting he had in Finland.

defmn

OriginalPouzar: Agreed.And Africa is more interesting that Asia, in my opinion.

Europe is just fine, and potentially even better, for a recently single 21 year old.

I have only been to parts of North Africa so I will take your word for that. The cuisine tips the balance to Asia for me.

OriginalPouzar

defmn: Asia is more interesting imo.

Agreed. And Africa is more interesting that Asia, in my opinion.

Europe is just fine, and potentially even better, for a recently single 21 year old.

OriginalPouzar

KingerOilredux: – This is long my biggest beef with the Oil: there was one set of rules with Hall-RNH-Ebs who got to play together, got all the PP time

– But when Yak comes up (for instance): he had to be taught lessons, and play to a different set of standards than the Austins.The Austins weren’t being taught lessons, they just played together and did what they did.

– The team has had a hard time with how to handle the roster save a few studs that play together.I hear what Ricki is saying :Drai and CmD play together, but then don’t draft skilled players and be p+ssed when they aren’t 200-foot players or score much with grinders, and bench them to teach them lessons.Or wonder why skilled guys don’t like being mis-cast with no opportunity

Yak’s most common linemates in his first season were Gagner, PRV and Hemsky.

In his second season, they were Gagner, Nuge and Eberle.

This does not line up with you pet peeve.

OriginalPouzar

Responding to the following from AndyDufresne
_______________
Agreed – things have changed and I’d love to see a healthy and motivated Jesse Puljujarvi in camp with his mind on right.

Adding him as an option somewhere in the top 9 would be wonderful.

Justthestatsman

Andy Dufresne: Love Wilf Paimont!

Excessively Long Post Warning:

From 1970-71.If you went to Esso that year, you could get a booklet with six stickers in it, each of which you could then keep in a special Esso wallet or paste into either a softcover or hardcover album.

There were 252 of them, 18 stickers for each of the 14 teams in the NHL.They were about the size of a large postage stamp, maybe an inch and a half tall.Since there were no stickers for trophy winners, all-stars or checklists, this actually made it the biggest set out there in terms of actual players depicted.(OPC had 264 cards, but gave up a bunch to awards, etc.)
They’re cool for a number of reasons,

The first is that this is the only product you could get in 1970-71 that had actual game shots in it.Everything else that you could get at that time used posed photographs, and it had been that way for years.For early 1970s action shots, Esso was it.
For this reason, for goalies, this means you actually get to see them in gear.This, to my knowledge, is the only card produced during Gerry Cheevers’ actual career that actually shows him in that famous mask.

Another reason why this set is cool is that the shots are all up to date.Vancouver and Buffalo were expansion teams, but Esso managed to get current game action pictures of every player for both teams. Also new for 1970-71, Toronto unveiled a new uniform.Every Leaf player in the Esso set is shown wearing it.

The final thing is that since the Esso set had more players in it than anyone else (say three extra players per team, on average), there are certain players here that are never seen otherwise, or at least never seen with the team they played for in 1970-71.Phil Myre (who was in Atlanta for most of the 1970s) is among the Montreal Canadiens goalies.Detroit has Al Karlander (who?) and Danny Lawson (probably most famous with the Calgary Cowboys).

For Toronto, Esso has the forgotten rookie of 1970-71 – a guy you simply never see.The most famous rookie that year, of course,was Darryl Sittler.While Sittler went on to fame and fortune despite only an 18-point rookie season (wrist injury), another rookie – a guy named Bill MacMillan – actually potted better than 20 goals.

Hey thanks for this reminder and all of the nostalgic memories everyone has shared.

I certainly remember the stickers. I loved collecting them but I didn’t get too many. My mom drove a puddle jumper of a car with a small gas tank and unless you got a friendly gas station attendant you had to buy at least $3 worth of gas to collect a sticker. Mom was kind of ticked when we did get a sticker, as it usually meant the price of gas had gone up.

My memory may not be totally accurate, but I seem to recall that in spite of the few stickers I was able to collect that I somehow managed to get multiple copies of Bruce Gamble.

OriginalPouzar

KingerOilredux: – Will see.My point is that unless he has a good C to work with: I agree with 12 points 40 games

– If he’s not going to be partnered with RNH, Drai or CmD: whose his C and linemates going to be? and they are going to cycle through all of the Holland guys and incumbents before getting to him in the bottom-6: Jurco, Garlund, Archbald, Neal, Haas, Nygard, Jar, Pool, Malone, etc

– So yeah, put him on a line game 1 with CmD or Drai then all bets are off.

-3 C’s on top 2 lines though, no way Benson gets to the front ofbus ahead of Chiasson, Kassian, Neal, etc.So he’s bottom 6 with sucky C’s some time in the bigs to start career IMO

– And this was Blue Bullet point: based on draft pedigree, points to date, age and stage, etc…

– And if they aren’t going 3Cs: math don’t lie.Hope tricks us though

If Benson proves to be legit middle six or top 6 ready, it could/should lead to the ability to go to the three center set.

Pairs:

McDavid/Kass
Dria/Chiasson
Nuge/Neal

Maybe:

XXXX/McDavid/ass
Khaira/Drai/Chiasson
Benson/Nuge/Neal

Jesse Puljujarvi a wild card for 1LW.

Sam Gagner in the mix.

Nygard is a LW but I refuse to put him in the top 6 until I see if he’s at least an NHL player.

Justthestatsman

Rube Foster: Parker’s throw, Carter’s tag 1979 Allstar Game.

I don’t watch much baseball anymore.. Still remember Dave Van Horne’s “El Presidente El Perfecto!”

Reja

Side: What outdoor entertainment does Marleau enjoy so much in Toronto that he couldn’t do in Edmonton?

18.75 mil for 3 yrs at 37yrs with zero pressure. Now it’s back to surf city with the gang in San Jose for one or two last attempts at the Holy Grail.

Ryan

Dellow’s been busy.

Subban, Gusev, Simmonds…

russ99

BONE207,

Been about 10-12 times to Europe myself, and the most fun I’ve had is off the beaten path. It’s better to experience things yourself than be stuck on a bus with a guide, but to each his/her own.

Unless you spend more time in rural areas, most people speak English, just be polite about it, especially when In doubt. Most cities are safe but be a little more wary after dark. I’ve has great luck with Uber the last two trips (be sure and check the plate every time) and the European rail system is relatively inexpensive and very efficient.

Also, for the major attractions, especially during tourist season, things sell out, so I usually either order days ahead of time online or get an early start and get there when it opens.

The other tip I have is get one of those SIM cards at the airport so you can stay connected on your phone. Being in a foreign country and in doubt of where to go with no internet can be a bit daunting.

Try to experience as much of the local culture and food that you can.

Best wishes on your trip!

Ryan

Victoria Oil:
Andy Dufresne,

Andy, I see you’ve made 2 or 3 posts today. Are you attempting to outpost OP?

Would be curious to see the stats on how many times different guys post on this site.

I’m pretty certain that OP has the highest posts/60 stats at this site.

Although Reja’s probably the posts/60 leader from the draft until now.

pts2pndr

jp: Thanks for posting this, and I agree 100% that we should temper expectation on Benson a bit.

But I think Brad’s projection is a little low for a couple of reasons.

First, he took the pool of players drafted 31-71 as a comparables. Benson is at the very high end of that group by draft position. One could also argue that Benson would have been picked higher if not for injury. But regardless of what could have been, his actual draft position was at the very top of this pool.

Second, his Draft +3 season was better than any of the comps. The very best 7 comparables had AHL PPG of 0.71 to 0.88. This group is very encouraging long term with 5 of the 7 having strong NHL careers (Marchand, Trocheck, Vermette, Bolland and Stoll). Benson was 0.97 PPG last year. So the off the curve based on Draft +3 production.

Based on both draft position and Draft + 3 AHL performance Benson is ahead of every comparable used by Blue Bullet.

I do agree we should keep our expectations in check. At the same time a reasonable conclusion of the analysis is that Benson is performing BETTER than every one of the comparables at this point (obviously no one thinks he’ll become Marchand long term).

IMO there’s a good chance that he beats the 40 games, 12 points average of the group. Especially considering the openings the Oilers have for skill wingers. Will be interesting to see.

There was a player named Dino Cicarrelli who was not drafted due to a serious leg injury in his draft year. He went on to play over 1200 games. Recovery from injury, particularly with serious injuries is very hard to predict.

Side

Reja: Jagr didn’t like the beach his entertainment was more indoors.

What outdoor entertainment does Marleau enjoy so much in Toronto that he couldn’t do in Edmonton?

unca miltie

Munny,

still brings tears to my eyes thinking about it. The Hall of Fame was on the exhibition grounds, The display was incredible. Took a good half an hour to go through it all.

geowal

Andy Dufresne: Thank You VERY much. You just saved me a fair amount of time.

No prob, I don’t often manage to contribute something useful where someone else hasn’t already done so in superior fashion! I’ve learned tons on this site so I’m due!

franksterra

SkatinginSand,

Third this. Beautiful

Victoria Oil

Andy Dufresne,

Andy, I see you’ve made 2 or 3 posts today. Are you attempting to outpost OP? 🙂

Would be curious to see the stats on how many times different guys post on this site.

Andy Dufresne

tileguy,

Thank You.

The old “knee to the groin; shoulder to the head slide” haha

Back when baseball was a full contact sport.

Andy Dufresne

Reja: You made me think of hockey cards and if you had the same one 6 times they would be used
in the spokes of your bike with the old wooden clothesline pins. Sometimes you woulduse two or three. You could actually hear and know which buddy was coming from a block and a half away because they all made their own distinct sound.

Another thing that brings a smile to my face everytime. 🙂

Andy Dufresne

geowal: The website is a bit clunky. Once you’re at the iihf page for the tourney and click through a couple buy ticket links you should see individual games. If you see an odd looking arena map with a colour that matches the colour in the price legend, tickets are available with a number in the section for how many. Zoom in and you should see individual seats to pick.
If it’s all grey it’s all sold out.
-all Czech games sold out, plus Canada except the German games.
-final is sold out. Tickets available for both semifinals and the qtrs that are in Ostrava.
-apparently more seats will be released in mid September.

Thank You VERY much. You just saved me a fair amount of time. 🙂

Andy Dufresne

deardylan: If you delay
Life can get in way

A few more years
a nest to feed
A few more years after that
Parents age and start to need

A few more years after that
You age and start to be unable to read

Then its the 2nd best perfect time for epic travels
At 27 and 72 the future unravels

Raise a glass for a life full of mirth
When you really saw touch tasted felt melted into

THE EARTH

Nice. Did you just make that up?……kidding 🙂

Melted into the Earth….What Am I?….the Wicked WItch of the East.

(Serioulsy though, there is a reason why sarcophagus’s have drain holes in the bottom)

Victoria Oil

Munny: He was an extraordinarily valiant human, being.

Agreed – Terry Fox was one of a kind. My wife’s friend just ran 7 marathons in 7 days in 7 states on two legs. Terry Fox ran, on average, a marathon a day for 143 days. On one leg.

Reja

Side: I think I’ve said this before – reminds me of all of the Jaromir Jagr conversations about where he would sign in his last season

“there is absolutely no way Jagr would ever play in Alberta!”

If Jagr can go to Calgary, I really don’t think it’s too unrealistic to think that Marleau would go to Edmonton…

Jagr didn’t like the beach his entertainment was more indoors.

Reja

ArmchairGM: Just how much surfing do you think goes on in Toronto between October and April? Or any time,really?

I don’t think surfing is going to decide where Marleau ends up.

The centre of the hockey universe was a great fit for Marleau allowed him one last huge contract with zero pressure and a good chance at the cup. If he doesn’t retire I’ll take California for $500 Alex.

geowal

Andy Dufresne,

If you see a little “more information” text next to a game it is currently sold out.
-I have no idea what the secondary market looks like for this, or if there is one.

Reja

Andy Dufresne: Great story. Im guessing “just about cried” was not just a figure of speech. We all had that one sticker that was really really hard to find / trrade for.

You made me think of hockey cards and if you had the same one 6 times they would be used
in the spokes of your bike with the old wooden clothesline pins. Sometimes you would
use two or three. You could actually hear and know which buddy was coming from a block and a half away because they all made their own distinct sound.

geowal

Andy Dufresne: Nice summary. Thank You.

Are the semi finals and finals already sold out?

Was just at the IIHF site. Cant figure out how to buy tickets

The website is a bit clunky. Once you’re at the iihf page for the tourney and click through a couple buy ticket links you should see individual games. If you see an odd looking arena map with a colour that matches the colour in the price legend, tickets are available with a number in the section for how many. Zoom in and you should see individual seats to pick.
If it’s all grey it’s all sold out.
-all Czech games sold out, plus Canada except the German games.
-final is sold out. Tickets available for both semifinals and the qtrs that are in Ostrava.
-apparently more seats will be released in mid September.

defmn

Crazy Pedestrian:
Soooo…..

Who do you guys suppose TBay will need to trade to get Point signed to mega deal we’re all expecting (but will be astonished that they were able to sign him for $2M less)???

Not sure what they will do this fall but take a look at their 2020-2021 projection. 13 players signed for $66,716,905 with Sergachev in his RFA contract year.

That’s going to take some fancy footwork. 😉

defmn

Side: I think I’ve said this before – reminds me of all of the Jaromir Jagr conversations about where he would sign in his last season

“there is absolutely no way Jagr would ever play in Alberta!”

If Jagr can go to Calgary, I really don’t think it’s too unrealistic to think that Marleau would go to Edmonton…

SJS have about $5.3 mil with 20 players signed and, I presume, Thornton and Marleau both wanting to play and split whatever is left.

I think they want to get the band back together and are just waiting for Wilson to say he is finished and this is what I can offer you.

Tesla's Hair

Andy Dufresne: I’ll summon all my wisdom and expertise (I stuffed it into a thimble, its around here somewhere.) and advise you to GO

GO GO GO GO!!!

You will never regret it. Not just Prauge and The World Chmapionships (although that will be AWESOME especially at age 27) BUT ANYWHERE.

GO,

GO GO GO GO !!
.
.

..
..
.

.
..
Serioulsy, go.
You have the rest of your life to worry about/save money. Youre only 27 once.

If you delay
Life can get in way

A few more years
a nest to feed
A few more years after that
Parents age and start to need

A few more years after that
You age and start to be unable to read

Then its the 2nd best perfect time for epic travels
At 27 and 72 the future unravels

Raise a glass for a life full of mirth
When you really saw touch tasted felt melted into

THE EARTH

Crazy Pedestrian

Soooo…..

Who do you guys suppose TBay will need to trade to get Point signed to mega deal we’re all expecting (but will be astonished that they were able to sign him for $2M less)???