It was a busy day in trade rumours and general pondering yesterday, with names like Sergei Bobrovsky and Ethan Bear being made available. In the pondering (or ponderous) department, we have (so far) crickets on the Jay Woodcroft extension. Mutual interest between the Oilers and free agents Evander Kane and Brett Kulak (via Pierre Lebrun’s appearance on the Dustin Nielson show Monday morning on TSN1260) and we’re well underway as the first day of summer dawns.
THE ATHLETIC!
- New DNB: Which Oilers are most likely to return next season? Who goes?
- Lowetide:Β Are Oilers prospectsΒ Philip Broberg, Dylan HollowayΒ NHL-ready?
- Lowetide: How Edmonton OilersΒ would benefitΒ from signing Andrei Kuzmenko
- DNB:Β What if Edmonton Oilers tradeΒ Jesse Puljujarvi? The case for and against
- Lowetide:Β Edmonton OilersβΒ Tyler BensonΒ is at a career crossroads
- Lowetide:Β What does OilersβΒ optimal rosterΒ for Jay Woodcroft look like?
- DNB:Β Connor McDavid and Leon DraisaitlβsΒ playoffs for the ages: Whatβs the legacy?
- DNB & Scott Powers:Β What it means for Blackhawks, OilersβΒ cap situationsΒ if Duncan Keith retires
- Lowetide: Oilers pro scouts have toΒ get it rightΒ in free agency this summer
- DNB:Β Edmonton OilersΒ offseason priorities: A 10-step plan for success
- Lowetide:Β What willΒ Edmonton OilersΒ do in first round of 2022 NHL Draft?
- Lowetide:Β Can the βConnor McDavidΒ will ask Oilers to be traded?β group please sit down?
- DNB:Β OilersΒ end-of-seasonΒ takeaways
- DNB:Β What Oilers goalie Mike SmithβsΒ unclear futureΒ could mean for offseason plans
- DNB:Β Oilersβ season ends, andΒ critical roster decisionsΒ will define what comes next
- Lowetide: In defence of Edmonton Oilers defencemanΒ Darnell Nurse
- Lowetide:Β OilersβΒ Warren FoegeleΒ may be victim of cap crunch this summer
- Lowetide:Β WHLβsΒ 2022 defence cropΒ attractive target for Oilers at NHL Draft
- Lowetide:Β WhyΒ Jordan DumaisΒ could be NHL Draft steal for Edmonton Oilers
CRAIG BUTTON’S LIST
I love reading Craig Button’s draft lists. First, he was an outstanding scout and scouting director, and second he has the courage of his convictions. So, among public lists, Button’s has the most outliers by many miles. I guarantee he feels strongly about the players he’s ranked high, and there are reasons for fading others.
If I compare my list, based on math, to Button’s, what I find this year is some surprising WHL rankings. I have Matt Savoie No. 2 overall, Button has him No. 19. I have Denton Mateychuk No. 8, Button No. 24. As well, I have QMJHL forward Jordan Dumais No. 19 and Button doesn’t rank him at all. Fascinating. I think all three players are likely impacted on the Button list by size, whereas my list doesn’t have a bother with that aspect of the profile. On the other hand, Mr. Button has Reid Schaefer No. 20 overall (I have him No. 32). Great list and we’ll spend more time with it as the summer rolls along. It is here.
Ethan Bear spiked as a prospect in his only season with Jay Woodcroft and Dave Manson (in Bakersfield). I am 100 percent certain that Bear will land either back in Raleigh or another NHL city (perhaps Seattle), but he would make sense for the Oilers if Tyson Barrie is dealt.
THE TALK
I think we should have a chat. I know you have an idea about how the summer should go. I know you have your free-agent list and your trade targets and preferences lined up. I don’t think your preferences in free agency or trade are coming this summer. A year ago, Zach Hyman was added, and honestly it’s the first time Ken Holland and the fan base agreed on a target.
What can you expect? If Mike Smith retires, we might hear about Ville Husso as a target, but Braden Holtby or a trade for James Reimer is more likely. If Evander Kane can’t be signed, expect another veteran who can score goals, keep up with the impact centers, and intimidate. Expect Brett Kulak. Expect a painful trade and perhaps a surprise or two. Expect a free-agent signing from the CHL, and maybe one from Europe, too. The goalie will be key and this is a tough year for that position. Stuart Skinner might save the whole damn bunch of them.
LOWETIDE AND JAMIESON
We’re thrilled with the early response to the show, thanks for your input and your texts. A big show today, we’ll review the Lightning-Avs game and preview the Oil Kings-Cataractes Mem Cup game. 10-1260 text, @Lowetide on twitter. 10-2 today, TSN1260.
Hardest thing for Woody professionally (or that he didn’t realize) was the intensity of the schedule as soon as he got there. He’d coached over 100 games so was well aware of the schedules generally but, as soon as they got there, it was 5 games in 7 nights, travel all over, etc.
Tried to approach it with an open mind and immerse themselves in the challenge.
Woody’s deal is $2MM X 3 years.
Paul Maurice (not Andrew Burnette) will be the head coach of the Panthers this coming season…..
Maybe 97 comes back pissed off and throws down 70-130-200 in the regular season next yearβ¦
I could see 60-90-150.
Hart Voting
Matthews 119-49-15-6-4
McDavid 29-66-56-20-19
Shesterkin 24-25-41-29-24
Draisaitl 0-1-1-3-7
A few thoughts:
This was “As Voted By Leafs Fans,” right?
Good for Leon! It’s not easy living in Connor’s shadow. Very underrated here IMO but at least they noticed him. Progress.
100 bucks says whoever had Leon 2nd had Connor 1st
10 bucks says Connor was ranked one spot higher by everyone who ranked Leon.
I would honestly expect Matthews and McDavid to be closer to the other way round.
119 people were wrong about something extremely obvious.
I give the benefit of the doubt to the 24 who thought Shesterkin most valuable. I still disagree with them, but a Center->Goalie comparison is less direct than a Center->Center comparison, so there’s more room for disagreement IMO.
19 people had Connor 5th? Did they know what sport they were voting for?
As far as the 119, the players voted Matthews the best player in the league for this past regular season…… are the players wrong as well?
The players live inside NHL culture as well. Intelligent, high-functioning people who work in a closed-off group of elite professionals are prone to becoming paradigm locked.
The reason that Ukraine surprised so many experts by resisting Russia was because, to any competent analyst with access to the information that was seen as “correct,” it was obvious that Russia would stomp Ukraine flat. The problem wasn’t the acumen or the knowledge of the individual analysts, it was the fact that they had been trained to think alike and they were all acting on the same (incorrect) data.
Haha that said, that’s a lot of words and maybe a skimpy analogy to try to justify why I, some rando on the internet, am right about this when NHL players are wrong.
I guess I just keep coming back to “If we’re choosing teams, are you really going to choose Matthews when you could have had McDavid? In that case, you can choose first if I can choose second and third.”
If I’m not mistaken, there were 195 voters. Matthews had 193 total votes (1st to 5th) Connor had 190, which would mean that there were 5 voters who……leave me at a loss for words.
No shineys for Connor at the NHL awards. I think they must feel like it’s someone else’s turn. Or they’re going all ‘Oscars judge’ and refusing to recognize the legitimately better movies so they can sniff each other’s farts about how artsy they are for liking the film about the person who cried the best. Do you know that Die Hard didn’t win any Oscars? I demand a recount! Or a relevant award to give out that isn’t controlled by a bunch of self-regarding comically clueless assclowns.
Anyways, on the one hand, 60 goals in today’s NHL is legit impressive and deserves to be celebrated, although I seem to remember there being a trophy for the person who scores the most goals already. On the other hand… is there a word for “goals that are counted as assists because you did all the bloody work to school four players and the goalie and your teammate got a tap-in?” How about a record for “opposing players who wouldn’t be good enough to be on the same ice as you unless they were allowed to cheat? Pretty sure Connor would lead the league in those.
I liked Kenan Thompson a lot before today. I didn’t see the NHL awards tonight, but I like him even more after seeing this.
https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/kenan-thompson-takes-shot-at-maple-leafs-at-nhl-awards-020030148.html?fr=sycsrp_catchall
I didn’t know who he was until just now but I think he’s 10 feet tall. That article says he hosted the same event before COVID. I wonder if he’ll ever host it again?
Cossaβ¦..wow.
Yes, just one game β¦β¦
He was terrible on the winning goal.
Guenther is out for the entire Mem Cup with injury, right?
Yes, a lower body injury.
Yes.
Summarizing!
Shawinigan wins again, a 4-3 victory over the Kings of Oil. The Bourg had 1+1 and tied for a game-high 5 SOG, earning ο»Ώle premiere etoile ο»Ώfor his efforts.
SHA gets a day off and returns to action Thursday vs. Hamilton. They’ll be fighting like Cats and (Bull)dogs!
He was the most dynamic player on the ice in the 3rd period which is the only part of the game I saw.
Video evidence of The Bourg’s tally:
https://mobile.twitter.com/QMJHL/status/1539390391484657671?cxt=HHwWjsC98fXZgd0qAAAA
I donβt get how Matthews gets the Hart.
they finished second in division. Without him they finish 3rd, at worst 4th and still in playoffs
With Mcdavid Oilers finished 2nd in division. Without him they finish? 5th?? 6th??
TO would cry if he doesn’t get it.To many voters from there too
Ah well. As NHL screw jobs go, it’s like a 1.5 out of 10.
Bourgualt: Player of the game.
I think the Oilers should forget about Bear and aggressively pursue a Jakob Chychrun deal.
Phoenix is apparently shopping him. He has 3 years left on a great contract ($4.5) which fits nicely in the Draisaitl window. His fancies are consistently the best on Phoenix which isn’t saying a lot, but he is playing both special teams. He is big and can skate and may still develop more.
Oilers could offer Puljujarvi, 1st, and one of their lesser D prospects like Samorukov, Niemelainen, or Berglund. Not sure if that is enough to get the deal done, but its a move they should be pushing hard for IMO.
I doubt management is thinking about acquiring Bear.
I think in a Chychrun deal, the Yotes would be insisting on Broberg.
As an aside, I wouldn’t consider Berglund and Oilers prospect any longer given he’s heading back to Sweden for next season….
You’re right Broberg is the more realistic add. I’d be comfortable with it. There would likely be some other very good offers as well.
I don’t see Bear coming back. Both he and Edmonton have options, and I think if Holland saw him as part of The Plan he would not have sold him at the price he did. I was enjoying rooting for Bear and hope good things happen for him.
Oil Kings down 4-3, 2 min left and they take a too many men penalty….
They are an affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers…..
Connor McDavid: “And I took that personally.”
That is poor tending by Cossa
Yea that was not great on his part. Went down and stayed down.
Oil Kings up 3-2 after 2.
Matthews wins the Hart – I can’t argue he didn’t deserve it based on the regular season and the description of the award.
Haha based on the description of the award, I’m not qualified to have an opinion. In order to know which player is most valuable to their team I’d have to have followed all the teams, and I dislike the NHL far too much to do that.
Matthews wins the Ted Lindsay!
Given the players voted for him as the best player, he’ll almost assuredly win the Hart as the most valuable to the team which I believe he is more deserving of than the Hart (and, yes, definitely arguably more deserving that McDavid based on regular season and description of the award – in my opinion).
And then the playoffs happened and made the voters look silly.
There’s a trophy for that.
McDavid was the best playoff performer and wonβt win the Conn Smythe. He was also the best regular season forward and didnβt win a trophy. Iβm not sure why they let the PHWHA pick these awards; these people are highly focused on his/her market and donβt watch the competition. Also, Josi finishes higher than Makar in Hart voting but loses the Norris vote to Makar.
Its arguable that he was the best regular season forward – if we are being honest, it really is.
For what its worth, which is ALOT, the players voted Matthews over McDavid in a landslide.
Its McDavid the best player/forward? Almost universally, yes.
Did he have the best regular season? Definitely arguable.
The Conn Smythe Trophy always goes to the “most valuable player” in the finals…as it should.
Scoring a ton of points in early rounds has never been a thing, especially if your team gets swept by a finalist….winning is important.
McDavid DID win a trophy…the Art Ross…which is awarded to the highest scoring player in the regular season.
Your notion that Makar shouldn’t win the Norris because Josi finished higher in Hart voting is conflating very different things.
Josi was more valuable to his team because it lacks the high end talent possessed by the Avalanche but voters determined Makar is the most valuable defenseman.
(Worth noting that Josi actually got more 1st place votes but Makar was named on more ballots…perhaps a passing of the torch)
Vote totals here:
https://nhl.nbcsports.com/2022/06/21/2022-norris-trophy-colorado-avalanches-cale-makar-wins-award/
Not mentioned earlier:
2021-22 First NHL All-Star Team
C: Auston Matthews, LW: Johnny Gaudreau, RW: Mitch Marner, D: Cale Makar, D: Roman Josi, and G: Igor Shesterkin
2021-22 Second NHL All-Star Team
C: Connor McDavid, LW: Jonathan Huberdeau, RW: Matthew Tkachuk, D: Victor Hedman, D: Charlie McAvoy, and G: Jacob Markstrom.
Not that the voting is about this but to my eye I take the 2nd team over the 1st team if I am playing them head to head.
Maybe Shesterkin tips it the other way.
The Makar – Josi pairing would be a wonder to behold.
Maybe this makes me a dinosaur but I take Hedman over either one of them for my team.
Josi had better stats. Josiβs defense partner did not finish seventh in Norris Trophy voting. Josi did not play on a powerhouse team. Josi finished third in Ted Lindsey voting, which by your own admission means a lot.
No they didn’t – these awards are based on the regular season and performance in the regular season.
60 goals is real and its spectacular.
That Josi point is easily explained. Remember, the Hart isn’t “best player” or “best season”, its “most valuable to his team” its very easy to see how one might consider Josi more valuable to the Preds than Makar to the Avs but Makar the “better d-man”.
So goals are the most important criteria then? Or specifically 60 goals? The reason I ask is because the Rocket Richard winner hasnβt won the Hart in years (2013). And the last Richard winner who scored 60 goals (Stamkos) did not win the Hart that season either (Malkin, 2012).
Draisaitl was only 5 goals off Matthews pace but Drai had more points and more game winning goals. Draisaitl therefore should have finished 2nd in Hart voting, right? He finished 9th.
Also, Toronto would have made the playoffs without Matthews (7-2 without him this season; 30-15-2 all time without him). The Oilers without McDavid would not have, imo.
Seems like the criteria are a set of goal posts that move faster than an HH commentary thread.
I’ve seen enough Japanese culture to know that I would get some things if I was Japanese but I can’t because I’m not Japanese. Maybe some things make sense to someone inside NHL culture that don’t make sense to people outside of NHL culture?
McDavid did have the best performance in the regular season and was snubbed. You could see it coming a mile away. The Toronto sports media were touting Matthews as the Hart winner when he scored 50. Now McDavidβs playoff performance just reinforces the fact that he was the best player this year. Both regular season and playoffs.
That’s your opinion – I don’t disagree but I can argue for others as well.
The players themselves voted that Matthews had the best performance – I take their opinion over the PHWA and yours and mine in this respect.
McDavid’s playoff performance is complete non-factor in the Hart or the Lindsay.
This surprised me more than the Hart.
I suspect a lot of voters thought, “we can’t just give it to McDavid 15 years in a row.”
Well, he had won it one-year in a row before this year……
I might have hyperbolized a bit π
2-2 in Oil Kings game in the 2 nd. Borg scores second goal for Quebec. Close game. An Oil King given a game suspension in first period for hitting from behind. Dangerous play.
luke fox
@lukefoxjukebox
Connor McDavid did not fly down for NHL Awards. Ted Lindsay and Hart finalist.
What would Vancouver be asking in return for JT Miller?
5.5M Cap … see him listed as C/LW. Would add some flex to Woody’s ability at swapping Drai in and out of 97’s wing. Depending on the asset cost, might be a better alternative than Kane? He had 99 points and 36 goals last season.
Vancouver is reportedly considering a 1st round pick, a young cost-controlled RD a good prospect.
Sounds like they are going to be considering a long time then lol.
We need a goalie. Not sure how. Or the cost. But we need a reliable starter.
That is pretty much my list. Is it easy? No.
But Holland has had a few years to address this long time org. need.
Everything else is up for debate.
Resigning Kane after the numbers he produced is a tough ask. Finding a ‘replacement’ for Kane’s scoring will be impossible.
Internal solutions and growth from JP, McLeod and Kailer are the bet.
I think it will be a relatively quiet summer for Kenny.
Only pick 29 to play with really and can’t see that will move the needle for any decent size transaction.
Jake Allen.
Montreal is almost certainly trading Petry (to Dallas to replace Klingberg). Tyson Barrie tor Jake Allen and Montreal’s worst 3rd round pick.
I wouldn’t mind Husso-Skinner. I like the idea of two relatively young goalies where one (or both) could take a giant leap. Keep a lower level vet in the minors (I’d choose Hammond), but go with the higher possible ceiling at the NHL. If you’ve got a line on the next Husso – pick that guy instead.
I’d read somewhere that Nedeljkovic may be available. Wouldn’t mind that bet at all.
I don’t think Holland would do Husso-Skinner (since he’d likely prefer to pair a vet with a youngster) but that’s not a bad idea.
Husso killed it in regular season last year, but faded in the playoffs, whereas Skinner can bring it in the playoffs (as in Swift Current). So they may complement each other well.
How did that work for the Washington Capitals? If one is breaking in a goaltender, one has to break him in with an established goaltender as a stabilizing force when things get rocky.
Completely disagree. And I hate the dynamic it creates. Remember Jason LaBarbera?
Retro – Fuhr-Moog turned out pretty great.
Now – The Rangers are in a damn fine spot. Pens weβre right behind them too with something very close to what Iβve suggested.
Unless you find a truly special and talented mentor type (read: not Mike Smith), which is the exception and not the rule, then take the higher potential every time. Otherwise you have to nail the projection 1/1 on the young goalie you pick.
Give yourself two or more shots instead.
Been on the Connor Brown train for years, so Friedman saying he is available is exactly who i’d rather have then Kane. Price point and two way play. Add him to our existing top 9 and we have 3 solid and balanced lines and it also means not losing Puljujarvi or Yamamoto.
Could you do a Connor Brown for Tyson Barrie deal? Would Ottawa?
Hyman-McDavid-Brown
Nuge-Draisatl-Yamamoto
Holloway-McLeod-Puljujarvi
Swap Nuge/McLeod/Holloway however you see fit. But the savings money wise for Brown (not to mention he is Hyman lite) vs Kane means this top 9 stays intact for all of Draisatl’s contract. And if Brown doesn’t re-sign then you slide in one of the kids at RW/LW from the farm
Move out Kassian and you have even more money for the goalie, but a 4th line of
Foegele-Ryan-Kassian/Shore is fine (expensive but serviceable) with Foegele able to step up if needed.
Kane at the very least showed we still aren’t deep enough at the wing. I would be open to this kind of move.
I wouldn’t be against Holtby but want the term one-year and I imagine that’s a non-starter.
Reimer is indeed in the “one-year stop-gap group” I’ve been advocating – the group, for me, consists of, in some order: Varlamov, Allen, Talbot, Reimer.
Given injury history, I’m not sure Holtby can be counted on for 50 games (Skinner 30, subject to “pop”) but he does just cost money, the others would require assets out.
The Holland modus operandi “cheap mediocre instead of overpaid above average” goalie bets. Expectation is another “interesting ” year?
From a high level, I would love to have Ethan Bear as 3RD but the issue is the numbers. I mean, Tyson Barrie did a wonderful job at 3RD (when moved there during the regular season and in the playoffs) but, of course, $4.5MM is the issue.
If Barrie is moved, the main reasons are (a) cap structuring and/or (b) balancing the skill-set (although Barrie’s d-game was just fine for much of the season).
Bear is set for a $2.4MM QO – does that make sense? The skill-set is different than Barrie but I would say that Barrie is more valuable at this point (although I’m sure that’s a debatable point).
A “Bear return” likely means no Kulak.
I mean, assuming Barrie out, I think its either Kulak/Broberg or, if this happens, Broberg/Bear.
Now, Broberg doesn’t have to be “gifted that spot” as injuries will happen but, still.
I don’t imagine Ethan Bear back as an Oiler.
With the racial comments made by some “fans” before he left, I would go so far as to say he most definitely won’t be back.
I can’t prove it, but I think that a lot of the nastier stuff in situations like that comes from a small group of people that have a large online presence. It’s not so much that a fanbase is racist, it’s more that racists saw a chance to say a bunch of nasty stuff about someone who wasn’t white without any repercussions, so a whole bunch of them showed up with lots of stuff to say.
I suspect it is Broberg as well.
Mutual interest between the Oilers and free agents Evander Kane and Brett Kulak (via Pierre Lebrunβs appearance on the Dustin Nielson show Monday morning on TSN1260) and weβre well underway as the first day of summer dawns.
Of note, that mutual interest with Kulak was confirmed by his agent on Oilers Now this past Friday. Its not a done deal, and there hasn’t been an offer made yet, but the agent confirmed interest and how much Brett loved playing back at home.
I’m not sure why there was some angst regarding Manson being brought back along with Woody or thought that it not happening was even a possibility.
I don’t think Woody would have even thought of signing anywhere unless he was permitted to bring Manson along as his primary assistant.
Woody has talked many times about how much Manson means to him ad their relationship dating back to when Woody recruited him out of Prince Albert. I don’t see any reason why management would have had any issue with in to start with but it was a no-brainer in my mind.
For me, the more prudent question is the rest of the staff. Will Woody want to bring Gully and/or Wiseman back (and will either be “foisted” on him)?
I’d like to think Woody has full autonomy to hire his preferred staff. That may include Gully who, from accounts, was very professional when he was essentially passed over for the job and there is chemistry with Gully and the new staff.
We’ll see. Presser tomorrow at 10am!
If Gully does the offense Iβm not impressed. The PP has no creativity and is good all because of the talent involved
Watch he Avs PP. Consistent designed plays to generate close chances and redirects
The Oilers remain poor at creating slot chances even though they now can cycle. On PP they havenβt changed much and sometimes they canβt find the magic when they need it. We saw a few playoff games lost with PPs at the latter part and no dice. Because it is so predictable
The offense and PP need to take the next step to more east west attack that is far more dangerous. And a more tactical approach which I just donβt see consistently
Woody may be in that, he changed how they play O zone so they would be better coming back
You watched lots of condorβs, did they attack well from the low O zone to the slot? And get better PP cross seam plays etc? And cross seam 5v5?
and, yet, the Oilers PP converted at 26% and the Avs at 24% during the regular season and one can argue that, with Makar, the Avs personnel is every bit as skilled and dynamic as the Oilers.
Gully was also the PP coach last season when the Oilers were near 30%
I’m hoping Woody has some say in player procurement and usage. I’m not sold that Holland is fully aware of what the team requires to continue moving forward.
I love how HH said the Edmonton coaching “was up in the air” just a few days ago and here we are, just as most had assumed. Hah!
I kind of hope they’ll explain the delay. Such a no-brainer decision for the Oilers, I thought.
Tyson Barrie … is a luxury on the 3rd pair, but is there a plan for 3RD that can make the team better?
Ethan Bear – I doubt this is an option for the Oilers.
Gudbrandson – He probably costs $2.5M x 2 or possibly more. Major puck-moving downgrade.
Mark Pysyk – A cheaper option but a #6 guy
Broberg – A rookie on his off-wing?
Holland needs to squeeze some economy into the lineup, and jettisoning Kassian & Foegele are the obvious options. If we have a shot at Kane & Kuemper then the Oilers probably need to dispose of Barrie’s contract, but the replacement options are a notable downgrade from his offensive talents.
Nurse-Ceci
Keith-Bouchard
Broberg-Barrie
Run this for a year, sign Bouchard at a reasonable number next summer because he hasn’t had all the PP points, and then maybe move on from Barrie. Keith also comes off the books next summer, so you can add a replacement 3RD. Someone mentioned here recently about how giving Bouchard full run of the PP this year is going to cost us on his next contract. Plus, Barrie looked pretty darn good since the coaching change.
What you saying is kiss next year off! The coming year is critical for more forward movement and getting the young group the experience they need. Barrie and Keith need to be moved along with a couple of fringe forwards that are too high for the cap moving forward.
If GA is the Oilers biggest issue then a lot of D would be an upgrade. NHL SID looked on ON at the Oilers D and the eye test for many meets the stats he compiled
He uses Sjnaderβs work and Woodguyβs Puck IQ and other sources
Barrie adds some offense but is poor at the core of a Dβs job. Bad defending entries etc. Kulak the Oilerβs best at defending entries. Keith poor all over the map
Puck moving is great, but if you are defending too much and canβt get the puck itβs a moot point right?
They need to acquire better defenders that can skate with forwards well enough. If Bro is right D with say Kulak 3rd pair, thatβs probably it until Keith is off the books. Bro will outplay Barrie defensively soon enough so an upgrade if a small one
FWIW (I know, nothing)
Barrie was #3 among Oilers D this regular season in GA rates (behind Keith and Russell), and 2nd in the playoffs (narrowly behind Kulak, who played 2 minutes more with the same number of GA)
For me itβs not the goal tally itβs the aggregate numbers. Barrie and Keith were the worst but Barrie had lower QC which es no bueno
The article also points out that Kulak was carrying Barrie, which is why he did ok
Kulak Bro by year end might be a smokin 3rd pair. Even better go Kulak Bouch Keith Bro
Iβd like to see more physicality but Holland is no chess master. Maybe he adds 2 D with Barrieβs money for more depth. Nobody is ready after Bro
Samorukov deserves the chance to prove his worth but in a protected third pairing role!
I haven’t read the article yet, but I’m not sure what micro-stats would be more important than what actually happened on the ice.
And just in case it wasn’t clear, Barrie was 3rd in regular season GA/60, close 2nd in playoff GA/60 (not ‘aggregate’ goals for/against, if that’s your objection).
On Kulak carrying Barrie, he was clearly better with a veteran partner. But Barrie only played 18 of 73 regular season games with Kulak, so Kulak didn’t ‘carry’ him for 75% of the season..
In terms of ‘no chess master’. I think Holland just doesn’t agree with you that more physicality if what’s most needed to improve the team. Nothing at all to do with his chess playing ability, or lack thereof.
Agreed but played in a protected role. He is a marginal top four D and can not mentor a younger less experienced partner.
Yup.
I actually think he’s the least likely of the 3 (with Kassian and Foegele) to be moved because he’s the most valuable on the ice. (Barrie was 28GF-16GA 64% and Kulak 28GF-19GA 60% in the 34 post deadline games).
If he is traded, I think it will be to clear cap for a goalie or Kane/replacement, and accepting that his 3RD replacement will be a downgrade.
My belief is you may be surprised to find Barrieβs success was due to Kulak as his partner. Barrie did however have a very good playoffs!
kuemper has been inconsistent on a very good team. I’m not so sure he is the real deal that can steal a few wins.
I donβt think heβs running at a 100%
Keith and Broberg as the 3rd pair is fine.
It might be the 2nd pair. Broberg ameliorates Keith’s issues. And Keith’s experience will ameliorate Broberg’s rookieness.
Too much cap for third pairing. Keith needs to be gone.
But he likely will not be. The only way that happens is if he decides to retire, which is not what he has signaled, or suffers a legitimate injury that prevents him playing this upcoming season, which can’t be expected before the season starts. He is not getting traded.
One can always hope! π
Yup, I don’t get that “Holland has to move Keith” – there may be one team that he would agree to waive for (and, no, I don’t think he’d agree to waive to a team that would buy him out with an agreement to re-sign with the Oilers – even if it “made sense financially”).
If you listen to the 32 thoughts podcast, it provides some good insight into the Bear situation.
Slow boots.
Smallish too. I rather have a bigger body.
Bear is a good player, but an upgrade no
To me heβs a tweener. Heβs not big, fast, mean or high skill. Good at a lot, great at nothing. The lessers that establish well with medium abilities are usually big and likely mean
Gudas is a size comp and probably skill, but heβs a killer and it makes him coveted
What is the TL:DR (Or TL:DL)?
At this point, beyond strange that the coach is unsigned. Is one side trying to grind down the other?
Jay is signed.
The Washington Post reporting that the Caps are looking to move one of their young RFA goalies to bring in a more veteran option. I would be VERY interested in either Samsonov or Vanecek.
As return, you can’t get anymore “veteran” than Mike Smith no? Am I right? They actually mention bringing back Holtby
Both of those goalies have really underperformed the last couple of years. I can see why Washington wants to move on.
I think the Oilers need to add more of a sure-thing for the remainder of the Draisaitl & McDavid contracts.
Jake Allen has an established level of mediocrity in the starter role #ChrisOsgood #BrianEliott One wants a stable vet to pair with Skinner. Reimer fits it but Allen is younger, and one might be able to run the pair for several years with Skinner taking the starters role over time.
One doesn’t want another younger guy who isn’t fully established.
I’m the same as everyone, circling targets and preparing for departures. And I’m reading so much into everything. So I’ve decided to just stop it all and just let the offseason drama play out and enjoy it. I’ve spent enough time criticizing and lamenting everything. I’m embracing optimism now. Overall, Holland has done a good job in righting the ship here, and I’m interested in how he figures he can get us over the hump. That’s the point he’s gotten us to here, we’re trying to get over the hump. It’s great!
I trust him with the keys, and he’s been saying the right things for a while IMO. He knows what needs to be addressed, and I’m sure Woody will have some input into how to improve the team. There also seems to be lots of opportunity to make moves by the sounds of things. Should be a fun summer.
+1
When you give the kid the keys it is prudent to be concerned and assure the insurance is payed!π
Dan Bylsma has been picked up to be coach of Seattle’s AHL affiliate.
Drafting small skill players is a wonderful recipe for regular season dominance followed by playoff disappointment.
I see it a little bit differently. I have no problem with small skill players but I see them as a ‘specialty item’ in that you can only have a limited number of them on any one team.
And there is no doubt that they need something extra in order to make up for the size disadvantage – be it skill or speed or determination or whatever.
But definitely a specialty item. You can’t have a team full of them.
For me if they have to be very high skill and willing to go to scoring areas, and be faster than the players trying to annihilate them
They end up on the perimeter pretty often when it gets ugly
In the nick of time, Kypreos via Twitter today says Woody x 3 yrs is a done deal.
Was there ever a doubt?
Seriously, there really wasn’t, was there?
Kypreos says dogs can’t look up.
Great news. Glad that is settled for both him and the players.
Glad it’s not 5 years. They and other teams kept making that mistake. 3 years is a nice term.
1 year past when Holland’s current deal expires too, FWIW (which is probably nothing).
Now for Dave Manson to sign.
Gregor just tweeted that Manson will be joining him and Woody only agreed to come up from BAK if Manson came with. What a guy!
The question of who was responsible for Manson arriving with Woodcroft is one I have been looking for confirmation for since it happened so thanks for that.
I assumed it was Jay that insisted but that is still a ballsy move when a veteran GM is offering you your first shot as a HC in the NHL.
Playfair was Tip’s guy.
Manson is Woody’s guy.
I think the firing (and the interim hiring) was a package deal.
Yes. But that wasn’t my point.
Haha I shoulda read before posting I guess
Prospectotronic!
The Bourg and the Shawinigan Cataractes had the 2nd-longest break of any team in the Memorial Cup–next to the host Saint John Sea Dogs–as they embark on the quest for their first title in a decade. (And look who the teams were for the 2012 Memorial Cup.)
Two new things for the Memorial Cup:
(a) For the round-robin, it’s 3 points for a regulation win, 2 for an OT win, 1 for an OT loss, and zilch for a regulation loss. Just as it should be in the NHL. But I digress.
(2) Round-robin OT will be 20-minute periods of 3-on-3. Tiebreaker and playoff OT will the usual 20-minute 5-on-5.
Shawinigan vs. the Kings of Oil will be on TSN 1 and 5, with puck drop @ 4 p.m. Edgerton time.
That’s impressive!
And Hamilton isn’t so far from London either.
Edgerton! My great grandfather was an original settler in the area, my fatherβs parents met and got married there and my father was born there. I also lived there for almost 5 years.
Murray Murdoch, a Rangers and Yale legend (who no one has heard of, probably) grew up in the oasis of Edgerton:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murray_Murdoch
*Murdoch scored 26 goals in 8 games in the 1923 Memorial Cup as a member of the U of Manitoba hockey team. That is an insane number, lol.
Murray Murdoch has a long history on HockeyDB:
https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=3849
A decade with the Rangers, including Cups in 1928 and 1933. Then he started to coach Yale, but that only lasted a year, from 1941-42, then he was absent 1946-47. If I had to guess, he was serving his country during the war. Then back to Yale, looks like they kept his spot behind the bench for him, which is a sign he was greatly respected.
I had not heard of him until today, but now I am glad I know the name. An honourable lineage!
According to this page, he’s cousins with Ken and Dave Dryden, and Bakersfield’s own Luke Esposito is his great nephew.
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/80214/murray-murdoch
The site also shows him as head coach of Yale from 1938 to 1965 without interruption (I hadn’t heard of him before today either).
Just had a thought about the Kane grievance. SO far, everyone has focused on an outcome that has Kane winning and the NHL reinstating his contract, leaving SJ holding his rights. Is it also possible that Kane’s team pushes for a cap penalty for SJ and free agency for Kane? Perhaps Kane gets free agency, SJ suffers a 7m x 3 cap penalty as payment for their sins? To balance the book CAP wise with any new deal Kane signs, there might be two possible mandated solutions: 1) SJ gets relief from the 7M per in the amount of any contract Kane signs up to the 7M per for the next three years. Kane might be indifferent to that, but SJ gets a bit of a Get Out Of Jail Free card watering down the penalty – not sure if the NHLPA would like that much. 2) Any team signing Kane gets the relief instead, either in full or in part, almost as though SJ traded him with salary retained. This helps increase the market for Kane, mitigating the impact he might suffer when his grievance limbo pushes him past the start of the FA period. Kane would like that better, may still be palatable to SJ, and would possibly satisfy NHLPA as well. As retained salary transactions are limited to 50% of contract, that would likely be a limit for sharing the cap hit re the grievance for SJ to an even split.
Any precedence for this kind of calculation? I am NOT a labor lawyer.
No, the dude is bankrupt. It will take a lot if convincing for the creditors to agree walking away from 7M is a good idea.
I’m not sure that is how it works once he declares Chapter 7 or 13. I do not know what he declared under but if it’s 7, his debtors no longer have any say.
Just checked and it’s Chapter 7 so basically whatever assets he had at the time of the declaration, that’s all they get. And some assets do not qualify so debtors do not get those.
Ksne filed for Chapter 7 but the case is still in court with the creditors trying to convert to a Chapter 11 based in Kane’s future earnings.
https://www.conductdetrimental.com/post/new-evander-kane-s-motion-to-dismiss-creditor-s-appeal-denied
Don’t think they can convert to 11. 13 maybe.
I think you miss the point. This has nothing to do with how much money Kane gets, but is about how much and in what way SJ might be stung in losing this grievance – and what that might mean in Kane’s FA status and eventual (new?) contract.
I don’t think any of that is possible. I think the arbitrator is asked a simple straightforward question: Did the Sharks have standing to terminate the last years of Kane’s contract. If yes, then he becomes a UFA. If no, they are stuck with the full bill of the remainder of his contract, as if he never left. They have options after that (trade, buyout, swallow cap hit in minors or welcome him back to team). But the ruling is simply is his contract still valid or not.
Could be wrong but I wonder about the status of this past season’s contract as well.
Are the Sharks responsible for the difference in pay between his contract with them and what he signed for with the Oilers if they are found to have terminated him without cause?
You may be right, and I suspect that is so. However, I am still wondering due to the Impact of the grievance and potential NHLPA pressures to protect Kane as a member, if there might be other permutations of a judgement that might arise. Particular note is the delay in justice impacting his future earnings, all because the NHL can’t mediate and resolve this before the FA deadline. Can this become an issue in the judgement?
Also, the arbiter is only one aspect. After Judgement, the NHL/NHLPA might come to an agreement in additional punitive OR remediative measures deemed necessary be aggrieved parties to mitigate material secondary effects of the judgement. Wuld the league or the NHLPA go there?
Whether you like Kane or not I think it’s fair to say the NHL has needlessly put him in a very bad spot. Not a great look for the nhlpa either, who appear to be putting no effort into representing over if their members. Amateurish.
The NHLPA filed a grievance on Kane’s behalf…exactly what they were supposed to do.
You can bet the league approved the Shark’s termination after Kane lied about his vaccination status.
Pretty hard to feel sorry for him.
The most likely outcome remains an award where the contract “remains terminated” but Kane gets a financial award (paid over time) and the corresponding cap hit to the Sharks.
There is precedent for a settlement along these lines but I’m not sure about a direct reward from the arbitrator.
From accounts, both sides feel they have strong cases and there hasn’t been material settlement talks (at least as of about a week ago).
Bobrovsky has 4 more years at $10m. Even if Florida retains half, do you want to gamble $5m/year for 4 years on the Bobfather?
This is the exact type of deal where I’m Florida, looking at, say, the Edmonton Oilers as the destination for Bob, but knowing that we’ll only pay $3-4m/year for him. Can they find a 3rd team who would eat $2m/year for a pick or something?
Price or Bobrovsky (each with 50% retained), who do you chose?
That’s a tough one (can I vote neither?).
I would ask for Spencer Knight 1st Bobrosky may not recover
IMO, Brobrovsky’s contact will evolve into a boat anchor the team can ill afford. Moreover, his playoff record doesn’t suggest to me that he’s the answer. He’s a ‘name’ goalie who has had some level of success on a stacked Florida team.
No thank you.
The famed Florida analytics team never saw this one coming.
Lol! Very true. What happened there eh?
I never understood why they signed Bobrosky to a term contract and drafted Knight the same year. Knight was looked upon as a high number 1 goalie prospect in his draft year.
The only thing that is a sure thing about a goalie is how much you have to pay them. I suspect Smith will provide better value than Bob.
Summer and lack of hockey is causing player fixation to set in.
Obsessing over Ethan Bear and JP and others specifically rather than “what makes the team better to win a championship” is always a mistake. Hopefully no one in charge of things is making that error.
Get good players. Trade good players for great players. Don’t waste money. Win Cups.
Exactly Bear was traded straight up, heβs not coming back just like Caleb Jones. Either J.P or Yamo will be traded as well in the next month .
“I endorse the idea of Ethan Bear returning to the Edmonton Oilers.”
Do you think he could/would play in front of Ceci or Bouchard? Broberg?
I agree he would be a legit target as third pairing RHD at the right price.
Following the paradigm, look at the top D Corps in the league and target their 7th Dman
Don’t think it happens.
But hey, Expect the Unexpected.
Bear will end up on the Vancouver Calottery’s, carrying OEL to a nice 29th overall.
I like Bear more than most, but don’t think he can push that team so high in the standings.
Like Benning before him, Bear’s fate is sealed when he didn’t out perform (out grown) his 2M second contract. Very difficult to QO a RFA at 2M+ who is not much better than the 1M~2M guys who also has arbitration rights to make things go ugly.
The expectation for a “good” top 4D is tough. One needs to be competitive and either shutdown or out-scores opposite 1st and 2nd lines/pairs. He hasn’t shown enough to be that guy orher than the time he got to play with Nurse and CMD/Draisatl few years back.
Bear wants minutes, lots of minutes. He’ll end up on a lottery club.
Get Florida to eat half of Bob’s salary.
Hoping Pittsburg fails to retain Letang and pushes hard for a Barrie.
I’m wondering which big man they’re looking at for 4C, it’ll be like Malone but alil better with Malone being the fall back.
And maybe that’s what he needs. Lots of minutes to prove himself. Be it on Seattle, Vancouver, etc.
I don’t think he’d necessarily get that in Edmonton.
I’d be targeting Dakota Joshua off the Blues’ roster. 26-yr old pending UFA that has some appealing qualities for that kind 4C role.
McDavid, Draisaitl, Nugent-Hopkins, McLeod, Holloway, Ryan is a lot of centres already.
Not sure if the org thinks Holloway is one going forward. He didn’t play center even after is late season injury when he came back (and the thumb/wrist looked 100% (or at least markedly better)).
BEAR MARKET
Nicely Done!!
Agreed. Top Ten Title of the Year.
“What can you expect? ”
Softball……. Answer: Expect the unexpected!
“I think we should have a chat.”
Jeeeez….I thought we were in trouble there.
Not sure who I fear(ed) more hearing that phrase from… My Dad, My Wife, My Doctor, or My Conscience.
“Expect a painful trade “
What would qualify?….
JP
Bourgault
Holloway
Broberg
Josh Anderson
John Gibson
Sergie Bobrovsky
RNH is sitting in the cat bird seat.
Of all the teams in the NHL, the one team who values him the highest is the team he already plays for.
He is in the cat bird seat because he a full NMC for the full term of his contract. Clearly Holland valued him sufficiently to offer that clause, but not sure why you believe no other team would have offered him as much or more (limited to 7 seasons) if he’d gone to free agency.
One: because in the recent negotiation, no other team stepped up to contend for his services (that we know of)
Two: Because of RNH’s trade rumour history. Of all the trades ever rumoured, none came to pass. The opposing team always chose another route/player
Three: Because large parts of RNH’s value are subtle. Something you only get to see if you watch him play 80 games a season.
It’s my opinion that RNH will remain an Oiler not because he has a NMC. NMC’s can be worked around. No, RNH will remain an Oiler because the Oilers have the inside track on the depth of his abilities and so value him more than other teams. AND, RNH has deep ties to the Oilers as well. Cat Bird Seat.
1. Made up in your head.
2. Made up in your head.
3. Nuge is a cerebral player, other teams watch all the video tapes, they know his value just like the Oilers. Not mentioning all his former coaches and managers sprinkled throughout the league.
No team had the ability to negotiate with him – he was signed well in advance of free agency.
Agreed.
Last season Nuge was the #120 cap hit among NHL forwards.
He’s a 20 minute a night player who plays both special teams and who’s scored 22-38-60 per 82 games for his career.
Only 23 forwards played 20+ minutes a game last season.
Only 70 forwards had 60 or more points.
Similarly aged forwards who’ve recently signed for between $5M and $6M include:
Bryan Rust
Jared McCann
Kyle Palmieri
Zack Hyman
Phil Danault
Mikael Granlund
Jaden Schwartz
Taylor Hall
Oliver Bjorkstrand
Evgeni Dadanov
There’s virtually zero question that Nuge would get $5M+ with term on the UFA market.
And yet he didn’t.
But he’s never been a UFA.
He and the Oilers agreed to terms on an extension they were both happy with.
I believe it was below his market value (ie – what he could have gotten on the UFA market). I can’t prove it though.
And to you’re reply to Redbird. I think it’s possible for the Oilers to value Nuge more than other teams, AND for his contract to also be below market value.
I agree with everything you said here. Especially that last sentence (you nailed it)
That last sentence was actually part of the point I was trying (and failed ) to make.
I was really thinking of/responding to LT’s comment about expecting a painful trade; To which my response is RNH is not on that list; RNH is in the Cat Bird Seat, because the Oilers value him more than other teams do AND because his contract is below market value.
That contract is not getting moved, no how no way….imo
Thank you both for helping me to clarify my thoughts/point/post
I did misunderstand you.
Glad to be of help π
But when will he crack 50 points………
Seriously!
(and you mean 70 points π )
LOL. Dave Keon was one of my favs growing up. Smooth. As LT says, best comparable to RNH for the 2 way play. He is a steal at the term he signed for.
He had a dynamite playoff playing hurt, delivering big goals, and contributing in all game states. Why wouldn’t one value Nugent-Hopkins highly.
As I’ve said before, I disagree that Holtby/Reimer are more likely.
(And I hope it turns out I’m right π )
What do you think the chances are that Skinner finishes the upcoming season as the Oilers #1 goalie?
I would hope that it’s at 50%. This upcoming season will be one where he has a chance to grab the bull by the horns and settle things in that position for the team. That’s why Varlamov might be a good option for the team.
Yes, one year stop gap: Varlamov, Allen, Talbot, Reimer – that’s the play.
Please not Talbot
No more first shot goalies
I want normal, style looks normal, makes normal saves type goalies
Done with weird and abnormal
I think it is too disruptive to the team. If a softie goes in itβs deflating. If a goal that might go in does, the skaters look in the mirror because thatβs on them
Players know the difference. They canβt do anything different to fix erratic goalering
Do you have objective numbers showing that Talobt lets in a high number of goals on 1st shots and, if so, have you done the work to parse through and see which one’s are off HD scoring chances or weak, etc.?
Hmmm, good question. Probably a lot lower than you, from what you’ve said about Skinner previously.
If Smith returns, I’d guess maybe approaching 40%, partly due to injury risk (and extra chances to play from that) and partly due to what their respective play might look like.
If not, it depends on who replaces Smith. I’d say the chance is pretty low if Husso or Kuemper or Campbell were the adds (say 10%?).
Higher than that obviously if Holtby (he of .897, .889 and .913 SV%s) ends up being the add (50%, maybe higher in that case?).
Again, this says as much about my outlook for Skinner as it does about the other goalies. I think he can be an NHL backup, but I think there’s a pretty good chance he isn’t a starter/1A at the NHL level.
Fair. As you say if they spend big bucks to bring somebody in that pretty much sets the season. I just don’t see where that money is coming from or the guy that would justify the money being available.
But then I don’t see this coming season as Holland’s ‘all in’ season.
I think he wants to see one more strong regular season, good run in the playoffs, money coming off the cap and 23-24 is the ‘pull out all the stops for the cup’ season so to some extent he can take a chance in goal up to the TD because the rest of the team should be strong enough to get into the playoffs with average goaltending.
I see where you’re coming from with ‘not all in’, but after reaching the conference final I don’t see how Holland can wait a year on that.
If Smith decides to play, I think Smith/Skinner is clear, and that’s probably Skinner’s best chance to establish himself.
If Smith retires though, I just don’t see a thoroughly mediocre goalie being the replacement (read: Holtby, though I do think Reimer is much more possible and also a better goalie at this point).
In terms of money, Smith’s salary plus a Foegele trade opens up $5M (they might need to forego Kane or replacement in that case). I think goalie becomes the top priority if Smith isn’t returning though.
In that case, I wonder if Husso would be the target (it really depends what the scouts think of him). I think $4M-ish should be the range for a Husso deal. One of the other UFAs (Kuemper/Campbell) or a trade are possibilities as well, but your point about who would justify the big bucks is well taken.
There’s so many unknowns right now (Smith, Kane, Keith) that even prioritizing the teams needs is impossible.
I see where youβre coming from with βnot all inβ, but after reaching the conference final I donβt see how Holland can wait a year on that.
=======================
Sorry, I don’t think Holland is waiting so much as he tied his own hands with the Keith and Kassian contracts and the buyouts etc. that he inherited – Klef’s LTIR. The following season a lot of that clears up.
Not so much ‘waiting’ as building. Broberg and Holloway with a full year, maybe the Bourg arrives. Skinner will be established or the need for a named goalie will be established. I see the 23-24 season as the one for the final push while this coming one will add experience, chemistry and maturity to a core just entering its prime.
Look how long it took Colorado to get where it is and remember we were only one game away from first round and out this year.
This makes sense, and there definitely is building that will happen this year.
On the goalies, I guess what happens depends both on what the org thinks of Skinner (could he become a 1A in short order), and on the other goalies out there (Smith’s health too, I suppose). I think if there’s a goalie out there they think is legit and worth paying for (potentially Husso, Campbell, Kuemper), they can and will make the money work. There’s really no reason to wait a year to make that move, if they believe in the goalie.
On the flip side, if they think Skinner has a good chance to be that guy, and/or they don’t like the available goalies, then for sure they’ll get a stop-gap and wait to see what they have in Skinner/what’s available next summer.
I choose option 2 (unless a reasonable deal for a legit guy the team knows they can lean on for a few years come up – which seems unlikely).
I wanted to reply to this as well.
Yes it’s true, though Colorado this year was being tested by St. Louis until they put Binnington out. (so let’s sign the other guy, lol).
Seriously though, I believed Holland in his year end presser when he said the difference between the last 4-8 teams standing is razor thin, and any gap between them is less than it might seem (or something to that effect).
I think Holland truly believes that (he was GM when the best regular season team since 1980, who’d already won a couple of cups, got knocked out by the #16 seed, for instance).
And I largely agree with him, FWIW (a healthy Draisaitl and Nurse, some good luck, some strong goaltending, and that could have been a different series).
Because of that though, I really do think that Holland is all in as he he can be right now and going forward (and he did also speak of spending assets to move out bad cap, for instance).
I don’t disagree with any of this. I just think that this season offers him less room to manoeuvre than the following season as well as the young guys I expect on the team next season. That makes this coming season another step as much as the peak for him.
jmo
No argument there. More experience and more cap space make 2024 a more natural peak than 2023.
I think we can be reasonably certain he’s a legit NHL back-up that can play 25 games. If he is ready, or will be ready, for more is really up in the air which is why I’m all over one of the vets signed for one more year with a history of being an actual starter or at least a 1A.
Lets give Skinner the rope to prove he’s ready for more.
He may not be more but he looks MUCH better right now than Husso did last year at this time, for example (and younger).
Yeah, Skinner will get a chance to see what he can do one way or the other (whether there’s a stop gap or a more clear #1 added, or Smith of course).
I’d been with you being skeptical on Husso because of his recent couple of meh seasons, but looking back he was pretty consistently good before that. I’ve come around on him a bit, though obviously what the scouts think is what really matters.
But Husso was a starter in Finland (with solid/good numbers) at ages 18 (.923), 19 (.915) and 20 (.927). Then he had 2 quality AHL seasons (.920 or better) before stumbling. He has a quality track record, and he definitely didn’t come out of nowhere.
I like Jake Allen as the target.
Is he available though?
He has one year left on his deal. Does Montreal want to left him play out that deal? Do they want to extend him? Or do they want to monetize the asset and get a return now?
Petry is likely to be traded to Dallas (to replace Klingberg).
Barrie for Allen and a 3rd round pick makes a lot of sense for both teams.
Montreal would be doing a solid for Allen, sending him to a good situation in the other conference.
Maybe. I can see Montreal wanting to get younger out of the deal if they want to move him and wanting to keep him to shelter the rest of the team as they get younger on their defence.
Going to be an interesting summer for speculation.
What is Montreal going to give Dallas as a sweetener or how much salary will they retain to get them to take Petry? A soon to be 35 year old defenseman with 3 years left at $6.25 million, whose play fell off a cliff this past season, once he no longer had Weber carrying the mail as the number 1 right D in Montreal, and having Carey Price as his netminder.
Petry finished the season strong under St. Louis and the new regime.
It’s true, he did have a great last 30 games. Definitely assayed at least some of the fears teams would have in taking on his contract.
Maybe, but he’s been all over the place year over year. He’s had some crazy good SV% seasons, plus lots and lots of meh.
4 of his last 5 seasons have been below .907 for instance. Now, none were below .905, and the 5th was a .927 season, but he hasn’t been consistent at all.
You could do worse for sure, but he wouldn’t be my 1st or 2nd choice.
Just for context for those who didn’t see/read it.
Elliott Friedman tweeting:
“CAR has given RFA Ethan Bear permission to talk to other teams. From what I hear, Hurricanes still wish to sign Bear, but two sides are not close on an agreement. Remember, nothing can happen before July 13 without Carolina approval”
The Hurricanes don’t want to risk arbitration. This is just like the Hurricanes and Foegele last year. They probably want Bear back at his current number or lower.
Letting the player ask around, means they find out what their value is or someone willing to offer them a bigger role.
This is the Hurricanes trying to avoid arbitration to either 1) sign the player at a number they like for longer than one year 2) find a trade for the player where they get value back.
I’d have no issues with that either, but the rumor also included not being close on an extension.
His QO is $2.5M, and I don’t think I’d endorse much/any raise on that number in order for him to return.
I think the idea is to find a team willing to sign him to a deal and then get a pick back. This shouldn’t break the bank.
Yes, fair enough.
I find the ‘not close’ part concerning, when his baseline salary is $2.5M.
As with Barrie, there’s definitely value in having three RD that are capable of playing top 4. Though I guess I’d expected any trade of Barrie to be a cap clearing move for a goalie or winger. If Bear wants >$3M per, then Barrie for Bear wouldn’t be opening a lot of cap.
Anyway, agree this could make sense, but I’m not convinced Bear returning at $3M+ would be the best move for Oilers team building.
If Broberg is pencilled into playing the rightside I don’t see Bear being a fit or better option. Your thoughts?
It’s going to be interesting to see what Bear’s number comes in at.
For a while there was some contention as to who was more valuable Foegele or Bear; Where contention is spelled LTOP.
I proposed that the answer to that question would be definitive when we saw Ethan Bears next contract.
Foegele went from $2.15m in Carolina to $2.75m x 3 yrs in with Edmonton.
Where will Bear land and at what price an term?
Ha!
It will be interesting, but I definitely don’t think the AAV of Bear’s next contract will settle anything definitively.
Well not for those two π
But perhaps for some of us objective observers.
I think that’s highly unlikely as well π
“The goalie will be key and this is a tough year for that position.”
Yeah, tough year if you’re the Toronto Maple Leafs.
I’ll have a heapin helpin of some hearty Beef and Barley please.
Why train in vain when all you have to do is continue the brain drain. Who figured, an Oil pipeline running east to west.