Today’s the day. All those rage moments in the comments section, grownups spending hours constructing arguments pro and con while sitting in chairs made of the finest Corinthian leather. Will Raphael Lavoie end the day as a member of the Edmonton Oilers? Is Jack Campbell going to do this all year? What exactly is a Ben Gleason?
THE ATHLETIC!
- New Lowetide: Why the Oilers’ veteran-laden AHL team offers better depth
- DNB: Jack Campbell has earned the right to start opening night for the Oilers
- Lowetide: Why Mattias Ekholm’s injury situation is a worry for the Oilers
- Lowetide: With Oilers rookies in short supply, expect more from sophomores
- DNB: Five intriguing Edmonton Oilers developments from the preseason
- Lowetide: Do the Edmonton Oilers have a blockbuster trade in their future?
- DNB: Oilers release Brandon Sutter from tryout offer
- Lowetide: Oilers reaching critical pressure point with prospect Raphael Lavoie
- DNB: A third Edmonton Oilers tenure, no matter the odds, is Sam Gagner’s goal
- Lowetide: Should the Edmonton Oilers alter how Connor McDavid is deployed?
- DNB: Oilers, Flames unveil Heritage Classic jerseys: How do we rate them?
- DNB: Vincent Desharnais Q&A
WHERE ARE THEY PLAYING?
The Oilers top 20 prospects will be playing across the hockey world this winter. Here’s the list, by team and league.
- 2-Edmonton Oilers (NHL): Raphael Lavoie, Vincent Desharnais
- 11-Bakersfield Condors (AHL): Xavier Bourgault, Matvey Petrov, Max Wanner, Tyler Tullio, Carter Savoie, Jayden Grubbe, Markus Niemelainen, Olivier Rodrigue, Phil Kemp, Jake Chiasson, Ryan Fanti
- 1-Barrie Colts (OHL): Beau Akey
- 1-Yaroslav Lokomotiv (KHL): Maxim Berezkin
- 1-Kazan Ak Bars (KHL): Nikita Yevseyev
- 1-Boston University (Hockey East): Shane Lachance
- 1-Merrimack College (Hockey East): Matt Copponi
- 2-Vermont (Hockey East): Luca Munzenberger, Joel Maatta
Once again this season there is a large number of kids who are either in the NHL or AHL. A total of 13 (65 percent) men are either in the NHL or a phonecall away. Last year, it was 15-20 (75 percent).
EARLY DAYS
Well hell Luca Munzenberger has a pulse. Joel Maatta too! Leagues are underway now and early story lines include mostly KHL players. The college and junior kids are starting up too and so far arrows are good in expected places. Maxim Berezkin owns an NHLE of 35 points in the KHL, Beau Akey is at 20 points in the OHL.
Lots of comments on Lavoie. The relationship with Niemeläinen injury. The possibility of waiving Janmark.
But has anyone considered this might be all Michael Parkatti’s fault?
😎
For the win.
..
I did, but saved it for my piece at The Athletic.
I’m predicting Lavoie does get claimed.
As for the Lavoie vs Janmark debate, the question isn’t who will have a better impact on Wednesday, it is who will have a better impact in the playoffs.
This probably depends on usage. If Lavoie plays 7 mins a night 40 times this season then I doubt he will be much use in the playoffs. But if he plays 12+ mins a night 80 times, then he might be more impactful than Janmark.
I’m not sure the Oilers view the season as a way for young players to gain valuable experience. Broberg is another player who will likely be a drastically different player come the post-season depending on if he spends the bulk of the season as a top 4 D or as a 7th D.
Honestly, the ONLY reason I’m not fuming Re: Lavoie being on waivers is me waiting to see if he gets claimed or not…because of we lose him for nothing I’ll be very unhappy.
HOWEVER, historically, there are stories over time, that there can potentially be a gentleman’s agreement amongst GMs where there might be behind the scenes assurances said player won’t be claimed.
So, with that said, if Lavoie clears, obviously no harm no foul, but if he doesn’t… oh boy.😡😡😡
Seems as if there’s a vast chasm between expectations re Lavoie getting claimed or not.
Holland has demonstrated (with the long play on Keith) that he can work under the table without worrying what people —who have no access to his phone— think.
If Lavoie doesn’t get claimed I would be curious to see if Holland gets any credit for the decision.
It a bad decision regardless. Lavoie is more likely to help beat Vegas than Janmark will.
Lavoie probably won’t even see the ice against Vegas . Where as Janmark is a trusted veteran. No team will pick up Lavoie on waivers. It’s a non issue.
Janmark stupid penalty probably cost us the series against Vegas this trust thing you speak of doesn’t apply. No way in hell Janmark gets picked up on waivers will see about Lavoie.
Janmark is the trusted veteran who took the careless high sticking penalty to put the Oilers down two men in Game 5.
Individual errors in time, though memorable are poor indicators of future errors (See Steve Smith) unless it is something that is a reoccurring problem.
Tell that to Bill Buckner if he was still alive 2715 hits multiple batting titles a fine defensive player. Not in the HOF when some would say lesser players are. Buckner was dogged till the day he died because of 1 single play.
It was a brain-dead penalty when your a man short the Refs give you leeway especially in a tightly contested game 5 Playoff game. There’s only 2 things that will get automatically called if seen by the Refs a Puck over the glass and a highstick to the opposition player with the biscuit.
Teams know that if the Oilers ( a Stanley Cup contender) had the cap room, they would be keeping Lavoie on the roster.
Think of the Oilers about 8-10 years ago, they would have definitely looked at taking a player like Lavoie for a test drive. For a team that is not up against the cap, there is very little risk to claim him, if he doesnt pan out, its just a swing and a miss. But the upside is a team could have a middle 6 big right-shot scorer in a couple of years.
He gets claimed
Lavoie’s agent is Phillipe Lecavallier of Quartexx Management based in Montreal.
I would imagine he’s been very busy this afternoon.
There are better player than Lavoie with actual NHL experience that weren’t claimed off waivers.
How many of them can beat a starting NHL goaltender with an open shot from distance?
That shot was from inside the faceoff circle – it was a snipe but your verbal on beat Demko from distance is vastly exaggerated.
Whitecloud’s goals against Skinner from May was from farther distance.
Here is a Janmark goal from further distance than the Lavoie goal:
https://www.nhl.com/oilers/video/janmark-scores-goal-341274926
I will be shocked if Gleason or Lavoie are claimed.
Wouldn’t be surprised if Gleason is picked up too.
On the one hand, it is a good sign such skill is being waived, but man the thought of losing guys like this for nothing sucks…
Gleason is a 25 year old career AHLer – it would be shocking if he’s picked up on waivers.
Getting stuck behind Heiskanen one season, and Harley the rest of the time, and the signing of Suter blocked him.
The Ekholm and Kulak injuries have given teams a much longer look at Gleason than he might otherwise have gotten. He has a 2nd year on his contract, so with a high AHL salary, so that should make it easier to slide him through.
Please, he’s played zero NHL games in 4 seasons.
Dallas used 8 d-men each of the last two seasons – he never got a game.
With all the players on waivers, Ben Gleason is not getting claimed – I’d be shocked.
Have a good career as a Hab Ralph!
Been looking at some Habs boards for this exact worry haha. Looks like they still have to cut a couple more players so as of today wouldnt be in a position to add Lavoie, especially at his slightly higher then league min. salary.
Ottawa.
The apx $100K that Lavoie makes over league min could be a real factor for Ottawa – it could preclude it.
Norris is likely going on LTIR which would give them a ton of flex. Don’t know if it’s a sure thing yet though.
Staios knows Lavoie has the potential to be a boon for free. A big one shot foward that can skate who has been marinated by another team. Easy pickings like a ripe peach.
They have $60K in cap space today with Norris on IR (as per the capfriendly roster) – placing him on LTIR won’t do anything (as of now)
Montreal waived Joel Armia ($3.3M cap hit) and Gustav Lidstrom ($950K) today.
Before that, they had $5.3M in free cap space.
Lavoie may be celebrating in downtown Montreal smiling ear to ear within 24 hours.
Columbus, San Jose, Anaheim and Chicago get first crack at him.
Columbus & San Jose claimed players already, they are last in line there Skippy.
Given their forward roster, he doesn’t see like a player they would claim.
Summarizing!
Stonehouse again failed to incur soup, so has yet to register a point in the three games since his return to Capital City.
Prospecting takes a break until Wednesday.
Why did you do this to me, Nimmy?
They should have waived Janmark instead of Lavoie, IMHO.
Woodguy
@Woodguy55
After thinking about this for a few minutes now I’m mad they didnt go that way.
Mad on a long weekend.
Thank you all.
They likely think that Lavoie will clear but lets not forget that Janmark cannot be recalled on an emergency basis without cap effect and Lavoie can and this is a very realistic option as early as Saturday.
Of course, the coaching staff definitely thinks that Janmark helps them win game 1 more than Lavoie does (which is probably correct)
Janmark would only going down temporarily until Niemelainen is healthy. He would be a regular recall.
The Oilers have big problems if the difference between Janmark and Lavoie is critical to winning a game in Vancouver. And we know Lavoie beat Demko with an open shot from distance. Janmark cannot do that.
The Oilers may be using the emergency recall rules as early as Saturday – Niemo could reasonably likely be precluded from being waived at that point.
Noone set critical – I said “best lineup” and Jay Woodcroft very likely thinks that Janmark in his lineup gives him a better chance to win over Lavoie in his lineup – including when only 11 forwards are dressing.
Woody doesn’t know if Lavoie is a useable player in an NHL regular season hockey game – noone does for certain. Woody knows he can play Janmark in an NHL hockey game, in various game states – even if some fans don’t value the minutes he plays.
Yes, Lavoie beat Demko with a great shot in an NHL exhibition game. Janmark has beat NHL goalies 76 times in actual NHL games.
I’m not even a big Janmark fan and I do think that Lavoie can play in the NHL but some of these takes are, sigh, wild.
MoneyPuck.com
@MoneyPuckdotcom
Hockey is back! Oilers and Canes start off with the best chances. https://moneypuck.com/predictions.htm
We already know it will be Canes Stars as you told us Book It! How is our bet coming along?
Moneypuck had the Oilers winning the cup last year too…obviously they were wrong.
Percentages this season:
Oilers – 7.9
Vegas – 6.7
Stars – 6.5
Avalanche – 5.0
Not a great deal of room between them.
And our bet?
We don’t have a bet….nor will we.
Are you yellow McFly?!
Not in the least interested in doing business with that.
You missed the quotation marks of everyone that knows you saying that about you and your track record.
🤣🤣🤣
What’s that coach on Letterkenny say every time he kicks a trash can? Effing embarrassing? 🤣
Well, I guess we know what “Book It” is worth………
So, did they choose to keep Janmark over Lavoie due to veteran vs rookie?
Is it a cap decision?
Did Janmark out-perform Lavoie in camp?
Isn’t Lavoie’s upside considerably higher than Janmark’s?
Gotta say, I’m a bit stunned.
Its not a cap decision – Janmark makes more on the cap.
There is no doubt the coaching staff thinks that Janmark helps the team win more than Lavoie, right now, today.
As much as some likes to talk about it, neither Ryan nor Janmark were reasonably getting waived, even to “save the waiver risk on Lavoie).
Also, lets not forget, there is a decent chance the Oilers will be using emergency call-ups, as soon as next Saturday and neither Ryan nor Janmark would qualify as they are over the $875K threshold (league min plus $100K) – both Pederson and Lavoie could be called up via the emergency rules.
Wait a second, was Pickard not on waivers – how does that work?
Disregard – he was on waivers yesterday and cleared.
Placing Lavoie on waivers is absolute joke and another blatant asset management fail. The more time goes on the more things stay the same.👎
https://x.com/Woodguy55/status/1711095199148167512?s=20
Woodguy with the words of reason, as always.
Another option would have been sending Broberg down so you don’t risk losing Lavoie. Broberg comes back up as soon as Niems healthy. That works unless both Kulak and Ekholm are not ready for game 1, which is certainly possible.
Diablo mentioned below possibly having to keep Bro and Holloway up due to bonus reasons on the cap as well, so that might have contributed to the decision.
Yeah I saw that after I posted and it makes sense. I would have likely waived Janmark then, but can understand both choices (Janmark or Lavoie). Hope he makes it through.
I believe that has been established as only affecting teams starting the team on LTIR.
Except for the fact that he likely clears and the team likely knows that.
I have posted a few times that a Niemo injury would create a big and material cap/roster issue:
PuckPedia
@PuckPedia
·
17m
The #LetsGoOilers waiving Lavoie, Pederson, & Gleason could suggest Niemelainen is injured.
Injured players cannot be sent down. Since he’s on a 1-way contract, his full cap hit counts against cap while injured (he does not qualify for Season Opening IR).
Thanks for posting, I couldn’t for some reason. Frustrating situation but at least makes more sense now, and just have to cross fingers that they can slip thru.
Well, apparently none of us knows anything about how to build a NHL roster because we only needed to fill in one empty space on the bingo card and I don’t think any of us came even close to guessing this result.
Niemo injury seems to be gumming up the works as they are forced to keep him up for now unfortunately.
Looks like that might be the answer. They could have sent Broberg or Holloway down for a few days though.
I think keeping Broberg and Holloway up has something to do with their bonus clauses, right?
As I understood the conversation over the summer that is only applicable to teams starting the season on LTIR.
That only matters on the day the team heads in to LTIR as it has to do with setting the “bonus pool” for LTIR reserves.
Elliotte Friedman
@FriedgeHNIC
Sam Lafferty has been traded to Vancouver
Return is a fifth rounder in 2024,
That’s actually pretty funny. Lafferty makes $1.15m. Right handed centre…
Didn’t we just trade a 5th rounder for some guy who can’t skate?
Vancouver had already acquired Pius Suter and Teddy Blueger as potential bottom 6 centres.
I wonder if they’re up to something bigger.
Lafferty has mostly been a winger in the NHL.
Yep.
However, Vancouver already had a glut of wingers so I imagine they’re planning to use him at centre especially since he is right handed,
More on the trade.
https://sportsnet.ca/
Well, they have a glut of mostly bad wingers. Di Giuseppe is penciled into their top six.
Friedman has waivers league wide in this thread.
Elliotte Friedman
@FriedgeHNIC
·
11m
Other waivers: Brown, Greer (BOS); Coghlan (CAR); Anderson (CHI); Tufte (COL), Damiani (DAL); newy signed Zach Aston-Reese (DET); Gleason, Pederson (EDM), Dalpe, Fitzgerald (FLA)…
https://x.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/1711080969719968119?s=20
If the Oilers pick up Greer on waivers today makes a bit more sense, he is an LT fave.
Picking 26th doesn’t seem to me to give very good odds of anybody decent making it to the Oilers. I guess we wait.
Why is RL not on Friedman’s list?
He’s there unfortunately, just in an earlier tweet
The Oilers cannot pick anyone up unless the are assigning Broberg or Holloway.
Niemo wasn’t waived so there will be 8 d-men (and 11 forwards) on the opening roster submission.
Puckpedia seems to be on it. Niemo injury may be the reason he’d still there. Id suggest its the only reason.
They just tweeted it but I cant link it here.
PuckPedia
The #LetsGoOilers waiving Lavoie, Pederson, & Gleason could suggest Niemelainen is injured. Injured players cannot be sent down. Since he’s on a 1-way contract, his full cap hit counts against cap while injured (he does not qualify for Season Opening IR).
A bunch more.
https://x.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/1711082117231169790?s=20
Lets not forget, a player that clears waivers doesn’t have to be sent down, they can stay on the roster, however, this likely means that one or both of Ekholm and Kulak aren’t ready for Wed but will not be placed on LTIR.
They very well could be going 11/6 on Wednesday – having 8 d-men on the roster but two that are hurt and only 11 forwards.
This would allow for emergency recall for Saturday.
The surprise is keeping Niemo over Gleason based on camp performance.
All three likely clear.
For this interested in who was successful on their PTO, this list is here:
https://www.capfriendly.com/professional-tryouts/2023
For those who don’t care to look:
Zach Aston-Reece was signed by Detroit after he was released from his PTO
Colin White was signed by the Pens
Several have been released and a handful still remain unsigned.
Kassian and Comtois are still in contention, it appears…
As per oilers Twitter l:
Forwards Raphael Lavoie & Lane Pederson & defenceman Ben Gleason have been placed on waivers.
So they kept…Adam Erne?? Or are placing a waiver claim of their own?
If they keep Erne over Lavoie, that is dod level of stupidity
They don’t need to make a commitment to Erne for a couple more weeks…
We still don’t know how all this is going to be played out.
Absolutely, hence the “if” haha. Hopefully they have a good reason for doing it, we wait.
Well the message boards,
Twitter, and 911 will be busy today. Time to go outside and enjoy the sunshine …
This is pretty stupid. If they lose RL then it will just prove they have learned nothing with the new leadership.
So Adam Erne gets a contract?
This is puzzling to me. I wonder if there’s something else about to happen
I don’t imagine Erne is getting a contract.
They are keeping an 8th d-man. Niemo is on the team which means they will only have 11 forwards to start the season (unless they are assigning Broberg).
This signals one, or both, of Kulak and Ekholm will not be able to play on Wed (but are likely not out long enough for LTIR).
Waiver claims thus far this pre-season:
Spencer Martin, 28, G CBJ
Ty Emberson, 23, RHD SJS
Samuel Fagemo, 23, RHS Winger Preds
Jasen Harkins, 26, LHS LW/C – Pens
Grigori Denisenko, 23, RHS LW – VGK
When are we to expect these announcements today??
I think the waiver timing is in 5 minutes from now. 12:00 Mountain time.
How long it takes for the info to get out after that????
Cap Friendly tracks them.
Nothing so far.
https://www.capfriendly.com/transactions/waivers
And Shane LaChance lined up on the 2nd line for Boston U. as a 20 year old rookie last night – and got an assist.
That’s a very good arrow for a distant bell.
LaChance is the return for the John Marino trade…..
The McCurdy segments on your show are probably my favourite Al. I’m not a huge Steve Lansky segment fan as I feel he always steers the conversation into the territory of ” no one knows how to produce TV anymore”. I do however agree with his take on the Oilers and how maturity is holding them back. Are they really going to reduce their goals against this year? Will they stop taking so many stupid penalties in the playoffs? Will Nurse get suspended for another pivotal game 6? Can they actually be ready for a series and win game one?
I have to boycott the show for the day when Lansky is on (which is too bad as its Yaremchuk day).
The crazy over the top vitriol and bashing of DeBrusk(and others) that Lansky continuous tweeted out last year was so over the top – cowardly and childish, i just can’t tune on on days he’s on air.
This isn’t about defending Louie – one can have the opinion that he isn’t good at his job but the way Lansky goes about it was awful, awful, awful.
If Gleason (or Deharnais) and one of Pederson and Lavoie are not on waivers today, that would signal someone on LTIR to start the season (or a shocking assignment of Holloway or Broberg).
I like the trade possibility better.
Like who?
I don’t know? Wait and see. I would like that big Russian winger in Ottawa Egor Sokolov who they just put on waivers. It will be interesting to see if he gets claimed.
He cleared waivers a couple days ago
It’s pretty simple, no one will pick up Gleason or Pederson. Can’t wit to get this over so the 6 week obsession about the line up can end.
If Kulak and Ekholm are scratched for the home opener yet aren’t placed on LTIR Gleason is staying put. I have no idea how they dress a cap complaint team. I hope the Oilers have a good accountant.
They are safe, no one wants to gamble on having to pay full or even half the NHL salary of a Tweener.
Lavoie has a $70K AHL salary, so that’s were a claim on him would have some appeal, much lower risk, with a much higher potential upside.
but a team that claims Lavoie can’t assign him to the AHL without putting him back on waivers.
Yup, but if they are sending him down, why would another team want to risk taking a chance on the player after that failed experiment? Chances are one or 2 teams have an advocate for the player, the line-up will be short for his services and roster spots are fewer and farther between, so he is worth the risk.
Waiver pick-up Tolvanen and his rocket shot have worked out really well in Seattle, a rare example of how it can really work out once in a while.
I would think the Oilers would claim him back.
I wasn’t responding to say he won’t get claimed (although I do think there is a good chance he slides through – not a lock though) but was responding to the point re: his AHL salary – don’t think its a material factor.
Prospectranity!
Here’s the story of a man named Brady. He went through the draft twice unclaimed, but the Oilers liked him enough to sign him to an ELC yesterweek. How much do they like Brady? A bunch.
The spotlight shines solely on Stonehouse, beginning with the puck drop at noon Flatbush time.
Good sir LT,
Where wouldst thou see the House of Stone rank amongst the score of prospects stout and true?
It’s interesting. I think he would rank No. 11, behind all of the other skill guys and in front of the checkers and shutdown guys. I say interesting because he might turn out to be more valuable than Savoie or Tullio but we don’t know it yet.
https://theathletic.com/4647879/2023/06/30/edmonton-oilers-top-20-prospects-summer-2023/