This is the winter top-20 prospects (actually 42 deep) from the winter of 2017. Jesse Puljujarvi, Kailer Yamamoto, Juhar Khaira, Ethan Bear, Caleb Jones, Laurent Brossoit, Stuart Skinner and Vincent Desharnais either landed as NHL players or appear to be on the way.
There are 23 players since 2011 who played successfully as AHL regulars age 20. They are: Teemu Hartikainen, Tyler Pitlick, Magnus Paajarvi, Martin Marincin, Martin Gernat, Bogdan Yakimov, Jujhar Khaira, Ethan Bear, Caleb Jones, Tyler Benson, Evan Bouchard, Ryan McLeod, Kailer Yamamoto, Dmitri Samorukov, Raphael Lavoie, Mike Kesselring, Philip Broberg, Dylan Holloway, Xavier Bourgault, Tyler Tullio, Max Wanner, Jayden Grubbe and Matvey Petrov. The shocking number: 13 of the 23 came in the last five seasons.
Does Ken Holland’s patented ‘sundial’ plan work?
THE ATHLETIC
- New Lowetide: Ranking Edmonton Oilers GM Ken Holland’s 10 biggest moves
- Lowetide: Edmonton Oilers complete 2023-24 prospects update
- Lowetide: Why NHL’s goalie trade market a strange brew for Oilers
- Lowetide: Stuart Skinner, Ryan McLeod and the Oilers’ development system
- Lowetide: Oilers close NHL standings gap during a brilliant December run
- DNB: Connor McDavid marks 600th NHL game by coming to the rescue in pivotal Oilers win
- Lowetide: Evander Kane’s concerning season and what it means to the Oilers.
- Lowetide: How the Oilers measure up to ‘reasonable expectations’ after 31 games
- Lowetide: Did the Oilers solve Leon Draisaitl’s winger issues in New Jersey?
- Lowetide: What can Dylan Holloway bring the Oilers when he returns?
- DNB: Evan Bouchard is unlocking his potential on the Edmonton Oilers blue line
- Lowetide: Edmonton Oilers top 20 prospects ranking, winter 2023
FARM WORKERS 2024
If a prospect can establish himself as an AHL regular at 20, it bodes well for an NHL career, but does not guarantee it.
If we look at the successes (Khaira, Bear, Jones, Skinner, McLeod, maybe Kesselring) and compare them to the shy ones (Hartikainen, Yakimov, Benson) I think we’re dealing with players (in both cases) who have a resume with both strengths and weaknesses. The weakness that does seem to be fatal for an NHL career? Foot speed. All of Hartikainen, Yakimov and Benson lacked the boots. Khaira was not a fast train, but had a rugged style, size, could play center and penalty kill. During his four peak Edmonton seasons, his five-on-five pts-60 (1.27) was adequate for a bottom-six forward with utility. Derek Ryan, a player who fills a similar role in a different way, owns a 1.44 pts-60 with the Oilers.
Among the rookies at 20 this year, I like all three but it’s clear Max Wanner has captured the imagination of Edmonton’s management. He’s getting a push with a capital P. His most recent games show progress, too.
What about foot speed? All three have been credited with “good” speed, although Petrov has been described as an awkward skater. I’ve seen them in the AHL and all seem fast enough for that league, with Grubbe looking a little slower due to his size (he doesn’t look like he’s going fast but those strides get him there). We’ll see, and Red Line noted Grubbe’s speed as a positive on his draft day.
Pretty much everyone who is in the AHL past 21 is having some issues and may spend time meandering.
This is a strong rule that never gets broken. Evan Bouchard’s progress was delayed, but his final AHL season saw him turn 20 in October and then he was in the NHL the following season. Edmonton played him sparingly, but that didn’t mean he was unready for the challenge. I’ll argue that Philip Broberg is also over-ready at this time but he’s 22 now so that’s a difficult argument.
Among the men who were 20 a year ago, all are in mid-meander at this time. Xavier Bourgault isn’t scoring and his two-way game is a little off. Carter Savoie is coming on now, but he took his time (injuries had an impact) and the current run is his first really. Will have to see it for some time to completely trust that this is a step. Tyler Tullio has battled injury and then had a difficult time getting into and staying in the lineup. Struggles in year two pro aren’t unusual, but this group seems to be more bogged down than the last prospect family that turned 21 together (Broberg, Lavoie, Holloway). Part of that is draft pedigree, but Bourgault was a first-round selection and he’s struggling, too.
Ordinarily, I would take this time to hammer the coaching staff for not playing Bourgault, Petrov and Savoie more and in feature roles. There are two reasons I’m not comfortable doing it. First, Wanner is getting a push, so it’s not certain this is the coach being stubborn on Bourgault, Tullio, Savoie and Petrov as opposed to having too many young wingers arrive at the same time. Second, there is evidence (Campbell over Rodrigue) that NHL management is putting their finger on the scale of deployment. So, with those things hanging in the ether, I don’t believe it’s fair to rip Colin Chaulk at this time. Your mileage may vary. I do think Bourgault with Lane Pederson is an overdue idea. Hell it worked the first 10 days of the season! Why not now?
If you haven’t established yourself as a prospect by age 22, you’re in trouble. The players who will be successful have played at least some games in the NHL during entry deals.
The players in this category are Philip Broberg and Raphael Lavoie, both of whom have played in the NHL. I believe both men will have NHL careers and am hopeful the organization will find room for them in the days to come. Edmonton’s draft (scouts) and development (AHL coaches) people have worked hard, so have these athletes. It is a dangerous time, as Ken Holland’s exit will mean all of these youngsters (save Brady Stonehouse) are no longer directly tied to the (new) key decision makers in the organization.
Exceptions are college men, who often turn pro at 22.
This might be the most interesting group. College players on the Condors roster (among prospects) are Savoie, Carl Berglund, Ethan de Jong and Cameron Wright. Why is this group interesting? Cameron Wright. He leads Condors players in even-strength goals, he is one of the reasons the prospect wingers can’t get prime time, and he is noticeable in every game. He is 25. I’d sign him, because he is a bull. I also like de Jong, who plays a more subtle game but has been successful as a rookie pro. On defense, Phil Kemp remains a quality player in the AHL, his outscoring numbers are quality again this year. I don’t know if he’ll make the NHL, another college man (Vincent Desharnais) ate his lunch it seems. Still, good to see Kemp playing well enough for recall consideration.
No matter what you and I think about a specific AHL player, the largest category of player in the minors is ‘tweener’.
Oh, boy. Whenever I see this part of the FW series, I think of that Python scene “bring us your dead! bring us your dead!” and some poor bastard screaming “I’m not dead!” This is where sports gets cruel. Rob Schremp, Slava Trukhno, Tyler Benson, Cooper Marody and dozens of others were tweeners. This year’s crop includes (but is not limited to) Berglund, Wright, de Jong, and James Hamblin. It’s more difficult to place defencemen in this category, but Phil Kemp, Noel Hoefenmayer and Cam Dineen may well land here. I don’t believe in placing players who remain in their entry deals in the tweener department. Five years after draft day. It takes time.
If we make a list of rfa’s each summer, we can probably pick the cuts and be pretty close.
This is more of a summer question, but here goes. NHL RFA James Hamblin will return, probably an early re-signing by Holland or the next general manager. The contract won’t be much, he can slide to Bakersfield before Buck Owens starts singing and he’s proven himself in the NHL this year.
Among the AHL RFA’s, Philip Broberg, Dylan Holloway, Raphael Lavoie, Carter Savoie, Noel Hoefenmayer, Cam Dineen, Markus Niemelainen, Olivier Rodrigue all return. I’m uncertain about Ryan Fanti, but there’s no draft pick goalie turning pro (unless Samuel Jonsson comes over and that seems unlikely). I could see one of the LH defensemen being dealt, it’s a damned logjam at the Leftorium.
Dan Cleary, Fernando Pisani, Jason Chimera, Stuart Skinner and Ryan McLeod are the success stories in this study.
I’ve added two new names after 20 years of running with Cleary, Pisani and Chimera. If an organization can draft a player in the second or third round, or even later, and that player becomes useful, well that’s a lot. Edmonton’s draft picks since 2000 who match the description: Jarret Stoll, Matt Greene, Kyle Brodziak, Jeff Petry, Tyler Pitlick, Tobias Rieder, Erik Gustafsson, Jujhar Khaira, Caleb Jones, Ethan Bear, John Marino, Skinner, McLeod. Guys like Brad Winchester and Jujhar Khaira didn’t play prominent positions, although you could argue it. I think Mike Kesselring could join this group. So it isn’t once a year, and the 2002-2005 and 2015-2018 crops were highly productive, but I think it’s key to make those picks count. Aim high, don’t draft checkers who check in junior. Oilers learned that about 2013, although that 2016 third round remains a wonder.
WHY DO YOU DO THIS SO OFTEN?
Procurement and talent development are key elements for NHL teams. It’s easy to lose sight of just how important this area of team building becomes for a cap strapped team. Since 2019 fall, NHL rookies deployed by the Oilers include Evan Bouchard (impact defenseman), Stuart Skinner (starting goaltender), Ryan McLeod (No. 2 LW/No. 3 C) and a mile of young defenders like Philip Broberg, Ethan Bear, Caleb Jones, Markus Niemelainen, Vincent Desharnais and William Lagesson. Mike Kesselring was used as a trade piece. This isn’t a golden era for the Oilers development, due to traded picks and prospects, but the development of each of these players is important. Philip Broberg, Dylan Holloway, Raphael Lavoie and Phil Kemp are important to this team. A reminder that Ty Rattie was a viable option on this team’s scoring line not so long ago. Pipeline is more than a Chantays song.
We’re back on the radio at noon today, Sports 1440. Rachel Doerrie from Staph and Graph Podcast will join us to talk about the Oilers best trade assets and what course the Flames should take at this point. Jason Gregor will drop in to talk Oilers defensive recall and how long the winning streak may last, and Declan Krueger will deliver another ripping edition of Mamma MMA. You can reach me at Lowetide on twitter, in the comments section or on the Sports 1440 text line at 1.833.401.1440 directly.
New for The Athletic: Ranking Edmonton Oilers GM Ken Holland’s 10 biggest moves
https://theathletic.com/5184411/2024/01/08/oilers-gm-ken-holland-ranking/
Nice write up LT
I like that you referenced Holland snookering himself on the Keith Nurse deals. I don’t get a lot of love around here for saying it. The kicker for me is Nurse was ready to make a deal before this went down and was asking mid 8’s, so they probably could have settled 8 or low 8’s. Not a tidy bit of work, even if we like the players
Holland takes Keith off of Bowmans hands so he can sign his stud defenceman. Holland obviously knows Keith is going to retire and wants 1 more shot at winning the cup. Holland also knows that he’s the reason why he now has to overpay Nurse. Why did he go this route he could of looked elsewhere for a 1 year vet instead of Keith.
Or, just sign Nurse first. Holland should have been paid something to take the Keith cap hit in full, as is typical, but Jones and a 3rd that he sent wasn’t damaging. The bigger problem was overpaying Nurse
It was a perplexing trade for Ken Holland.
Stauffer mentioned around the time of the trade, in his usual roundabout way, that taking on the full cap was a feature not a bug. It allowed the Oilers to be a cap team without actually spending to the cap.
Gostisbere was traded around the same time by Philly for free plus some draft picks and his cap hit was $1m less than Keith’s.
Taking the cap was key for the Hawks as they wanted Jones. Fair enough, get paid for it. Internal budgets shouldn’t be a feature in a deal, do the deal or don’t if you’re trying to save cash. How would the other GM know if you didn’t tell them?
Agreed, could have signed Nurse first…but honestly how much would we have saved…$1m per year? it’s material but not a crippling difference…I’m just glad Nurse is playing like an Elite Dman.
Also I was of the mind he should have signed Booosh before dealing Barrie…but that doesn’t seem to have had much effect on his 2 year contract.
Wondering where Harpers Hair is with Vancouver doing so well, then it dawned on me that the Canucks are too close for HH to want to associate with too closely.
I should have been a shrink lol
You look for the second half pop in FIRST year AHL forwards
In their 2nd year you are looking for a first half that forces a recall in January
We shouldn’t be looking for a second first year
Ken Holland doesn’t operate that way.
nor Gretzky
the organization could use a paradigm shift in the development department
You could soundtrack Tom Waits’ “What’s he building in there?” to Pat Verbeek’s creation in Anaheim.
McTavish – Carlson – Gauthier all project as top-line forwards, and they own a quality pipeline of D prospects.
AND they’re sucking hard this year, so more draft lottery gems to come.
Unlike the olden days, in this 32 team league it’s feasible for a team to receive several top draft picks then mismanage the situation where now the team has failed – Buffalo looks like this season’s winner.
Kemp recalled.
That’s fantastic. Happy PK is getting an NHL call-up.
I wonder if Ceci might be taking a night off. He didn’t practice yesterday, not due to his face, but something else he had been dealing with.
Thinking of either Vinny or Kemp with Nurse is somewhat frightening.
In my mind’s eye, Kemp is a perfectly boring defender.
MAH will be happy to hear this, awesome to see!
I sure as hell am happy! I started a new job yesterday and just getting a chance to catch up now. This starts my day well!
Congrats! Enjoy day one of the new gig.
This is great news! I hope he actually plays a game or two!
Peterson of the Dys with a filthy goal, no quit
But, that all started with Hughes turning the puck around quickly, twice
This is why I think upgrading RD is key for the Good Guys. Two weak skaters and puck movers at RD, weak on turning it around, weak on entries. Puck quick and good up to the scorers does a lot
Is Cutter Gauthier that good? I guess he’s a 5th overall and killing it in the NCAA so probably.
I think Drysdale could be a very high end d-man but I’m not sure if injuries already suffered haven’t already lowered his ceiling…..
Dry is a small D. If he’s like Q Hughes great. If not he will always struggle in the bigs
Anaheim gets a good ‘big’ prospect. They need some size
Apparently hockey trades do still happen.
Nobody said they didn’t.
Of course, this trade has one team getting back an amateur without pro contract so not really a hockey trade.
It kinda reminds me of the Eric Lindros trade.
It really is tough to differentiate it from the trade of one of the highest touted prospect in history for like 11 pieces.
It wouldn’t surprise me if Cutter plays more career NHL games than Lindros. I probably won’t be around to see this but you keep a eye out for this young man.
Apologies if this was already mentioned, but I’d add a 3rd reason to that list:
Pretty much this exact time last season Chaulk was being hammered for not playing the youngsters enough. Then Lavoie and basically all the other youngsters had much stronger 2nd halves to their seasons. There appeared to be method to the madness last season – perhaps we see that in the months to come.
The Nylander deal just blows my mind. Obviously a very good player but how tf can you build a team around 3-4 forwards (two wingers) getting paid 10+ million.
I was skeptical of the length of the RNH and Hyman deals. Those contracts are looking like a steal.
Would you rather have Nylander at 11.5 for his 28-35 year old seasons OR Hyman AND Nuge for their 28/29-35 year old seasons?
We live in fascinating times. Also, thank f Treliving is not the Oilers gm (maybe Holland’s Guide and Record book ain’t bad).
The other thing that always gets me about Nylander is the fact Dubas could’ve traded him for Alex Pietrangelo in late 2018. The Leafs have always been short one impact defenseman and they were unwilling to trade Nylander for one.
Meanwhile dynamic wingers come and go. See Hall, Taylor.
Hyman and Nuge don’t even total Nylander’s salary either.
If we account for the roster spots it’s actually:
Nylander and 2 league min players
OR
Hyman, Nuge and Skinner/McLeod
(there’d be $2.425M left, right between Skinner and McLeod’s AAV)
Sobering comparison though for sure.
https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/flyers-send-american-prospect-cutter-gauthier-to-ducks-for-jamie-drysdale-second-round-pick-1.2059824
Flyers acquire Jamie Drysdale, 2nd round pick from Ducks for Cutter Gauthier.
Huh – wonder why he refused to sign in Philly?
Likely watched too many episodes of Parking Wars.
I’ll take who is John Tortorella for a 1000
JT
Since the Oilers are tight to the cap, Broberg’s agent should market Broberg to teams with weak defensive depth for a one year offer sheet. The Oilers would struggle to match a 1-year $1.5-2 million dollar offer sheet for Broberg.
It is nuts that the Oilers are not load managing seven defensemen for six spots to get Broberg established, and.or to maintain/maximize his trade value.
And now we hear not even halfway through the season that the OIlers are playing banged up defensemen.
It is a significant organizationial FAIL from the GM and from the coach.
Six Oiler defensemen were playing better than #86. The team left themselves little margin for error after their start. None of their top-6 D needed to miss time due to injury.
Bad circumstance for Broberg, but fact of the matter is he didn’t play himself into the lineup ahead of Kulak, Ceci, or Seaweed.
His time is coming. My guess is Kulak gets traded this off-season.
Do you think the Oilers should been prioritizing load management over icing the best lineup (in the mind of the coaching staff) over the last 25 games?
Do you mean this coming summer?
Broberg is under contract currently.
No one can extend an offer sheet until at least July 1st.
Yes. This summer.
I guess an offer sheet could be a concern, but I highly doubt the Oilers couldn’t/wouldn’t match something under $2M (this on top of ‘offer sheets almost never actually happen’).
As of today, the Oilers will have a shade more than $14M to sign 9 players this summer. That’s projecting a 22 man roster and assuming a Campbell buyout (Kulak still among the 22 players but a prime target to clear some additional Cap). Brown’s cap overage is included here as well.
I doesn’t see any reason to think that the Oilers will be so Cap strapped this summer that a $1.5M-$2.0M offer sheet for Broberg would be successful.
Yeah because offer sheets happen all the time
Especially for unestablished third pairing defensemen….
Since I’m an Oilers fan, I disapprove of this comment
Also, I see your point with load management. But the NHL doesn’t do that. I could wish that the league mascot was an Einhorn, in honour of Leon and Germany as well
I didn’t know Lois was German.
Trying to see what the roster might look like next season at the projected 87.7M cap, if they resign the RFAs/UFAs at reasonable money close to what they get now – nobody deserves a big raise as it stands – let Foegele go and trade Kulak so Bro can play, Brown’s bonus of 3.225M, Campbell on the roster, it leaves about 5.2M in cap with 21 players
The next GM might want some different players, might do something with Jack, but the more expensive ones are already signed for another season. They will have to use Bro Holloway and Lavoie (which isn’t a bad thing)
So there is room for another good player, and hopefully they leave some cap space, so that if a player comes along by whatever means they can add, and also accrue cap. The holes remain the same – goalie, top 4 RD, another centre, probably a better 3 RD (unless Des keeps progressing. But I’m not paying him 2M or whatever number has been suggested. He’s replacement level at the hockeying unless there is a pretty decent jump)
A good GM should always be looking for and aware of young high pick players falling out of grace, or blocked, or waiver players or cap dumps. But you need cap room to do that. Given the system is thin right now, it’s the way to get some depth back
The 2025-26 season looks a bit challenging as Bouch and Leon are both up, McLeod another RFA deal, and Ceci is finished, but they need to replace him with a top 4. The cap then if it’s a 5% increase again is about 92M, so another 4.3M. Hmmm. Leon will get say 3.5M more to 12M, if Bouch gets close to Hughes (same age, Bouch less productive) that’s another 3.95M to 7.85M, McLeod another 1.4M to 3.5M, that’s 8.85M without resigning or replacing Ceci
Maybe they can leave some cap in 2024-25 to help, but something will have to give. Neal is off the books at 1.9M. 8.85M – 4.3M increase leaves 4.55M. Less Neal’s 1.9, still about 2.65M short needing the RD. Unless I’ve missed something
Brown’s bonus overage expires after 24-25 so that’s another 3.2M. They have been accruing some cap space so depending on the trade deadline Brown’s overage may not be that bad
Right that’s good. A little wiggle room
Yeah I had a look earlier and came up with almost exactly the same thing – there should be something in the $5M range left for a 2RW (or I guess a D upgrade) as the 22nd player on the roster.
I’ve read this blog basically every day for the last 7+ years. And wound up here on and off before that too.
Today was my FIRST time tuning into the radio show. Your writing reminds me of my dad’s. But your radio voice/personality reminded me of my uncle. That means nothing to you, but it was weird for me to find this out.
Thoroughly enjoyed it! It won’t be the only time I tune in.
I will start with the statement that I am not a fan of the overall work by Ken Holland during his time with the Oilers. He has made some very nice deals; signing Hyman, Nuge and Kane; trading for Ekholm and trading of Lucic when all thought it impossible. However, his cap management, drafting and how he burns through assets is not great and has left this team’s long-term future in doubt.
But, be thankful though that Brad Treliving is not the Oilers GM. The guy who gave exorbitant contracts to Kadri and Huberdeau has now out done even himself. Signing a sone-to-be 28 year old RW who has ONE season over a PPG (1.06 PPG in 22/23) and has never had over 40 goals in a season to a 8 x $11.5 contract is madness. If the Leafs were handcuffed before, now they will have to get rid of more good players (thank you for ZH).
I would suggest that there is a big gap between these two players as Broberg, at a much younger age, has already shown he can play in at the NHL level (see last Jan-Feb) and this is more of a function of being blocked by established vets.
Lavoie, on the other hand, hadn’t done anything do warrant an NHL call-up until about a calendar year today. He’s now pushing, he’s shown he can “tread water” in a very light deployment role but has now shown much more at the NHL level, yet.
As my original statement doesn’t relate to your followup statement, we are in agreement.
LeBrun had a conversation with Holland and the full article is up at The Athletic. Holland wouldn’t give info on what they are looking for as far as upgrades – spoke to having their pro scouting meetings in a few weeks and the standings will dictate of a buyuer or seller. When asked specifically about goaltending, the quotes were:
“We’ll make an assessment. In the meantime, I’ll keep watching to see. Certainly Stuart Skinner is playing really good, Calvin Pickard has been a really good backup. There’s great chemistry between them. Pickard’s an unreal team player; he really supports Stuart Skinner.”
“I’ll watch Jack Campbell, I’ll work the phones, I’ll watch our team and ultimately between now and the trade deadline, make some decisions with our staff as to what we think we need to do,” Holland said.
https://theathletic.com/5185084/2024/01/08/oilers-ken-holland-jack-campbell-trades/
I guess watching Rodrigue is not high on the priority list…
Holland did get the opportunity to watch Rodrigue play when the Oilers were in California – he veered off to Bako for at least one game – it happened to be the game Oly let in 5 but he wasn’t bad, the team defence was atrocious. Not sure if he stayed for the 2nd game that weekend.
“Pickard’s an unreal team player; he really supports Stuart Skinner.””
How do you know this?
Ken Holland said it in the Lebrun interview iirc.
Sometimes it’s good to point out the positives. As fans, we tend to focus only on the negative. The negatives regarding Holland have been beaten to death (that Athanasiou deal cost us chance to draft Brock Faber in the 2nd round). The Campbell deal was atrocious. He bid against himself for Nurse and Keith. So here are some positives:
I like that that Holland really knows what’s going on with the players on his team. He’s a lame duck GM, whose legacy is completely secure, but he hasn’t checked out even a little bit.
I like his patient approach to prospect development. The prospects should have to take a vets job; this is how it always was, up until the team had to be run on a shoestring budget in the 90’s, and then started gifting roster spots to teenagers in the aughts. Lavoie, Broberg and Rodrigue will get their chance.
I like that the Oilers have been air-tight when it comes to information leaking out. We all like juicy gossip, but it’s the sign of poorly run organization when the media is airing out your dirty laundry.
I like that he doesn’t ever throw any player under the bus, no matter how much of a disappointment their performance has been – easy for us keyboard GMs to do so, but again it’s total unprofessional for the actual GM to do so.
He’s not perfect, but he’s the best GM we’ve had since Sather.
Ken Holland 8 measly wins away from the cup. Kevin Lowe 2 goals away from the same cup.
That wasn’t me, that was Ken Holland.
Moments in time can be very interesting. I’m not sure anyone noticed this but on December 30th in the game versus the Kings; it’s early in the second and the Oilers aren’t getting much going. Leon Draisaitl and Warren Foegele hop over the boards and instead of Ryan McLeod joining them, along comes Raphael Lavoie. He comes out looking like he just mainlined a can of RedBull; so excited to get this first shift ever with real NHL skill.
Then Adrian Kempe hops over the wall, Raph catches him with a blind shoulder (terrible call!) and he never gets another shift with skill. He’s now back down in the AHL and who knows when the opportunity comes again.
Now maybe McLeod was getting repairs or something but in an alternate universe, he has a good cycle shift with those guys, wins a few puck battles and gets off a dangerous shot so the coach wants another look-see.
Moments man…
That was a terrible call!!!!
It was only 4mins or whatever but my eye test has me playing Lavoie 9th or 10th in toi.
Young Maroon out there, “The Grand Derrick”
Too much time off between games.
Here’s a fun, very surprising, stat for a slow day.
If he doesn’t notch a powerplay point tomorrow against the Hawks, Leon Draisaitl will go a full month without a power play point. That’s nearly unpossible.
I’d like to see Draisaitl and Nuge flip spots, see what it does to the oppositions scouting reports. Somehow they’re on the PP and Leon has 3 fellas on him. Gruppenvergewaltigung
All the PP really needs is for McDavid to be in motion – when he’s in motion it seems to open up everything.
To my eye.
The PP is at its best when there is motion and its at its worst when Leon has the puck on the right side and he, and everyone else if totally stationary.
With my suggestion Leon would be in the top left rover position being forced to move a bit while making the pk have to respond.
A moving McDavid is always a key, yet I don’t think it’s wrong at all to also serve other players needs.
Draisaitl needs some support and focus on him by the staff to freshen it up for him, give him back some inspiration. McDavid has every best offensive weapon the team has other then Draisaitl catered to his needs and rightfully so, imo it would not be wrong to share a bit of the wealth with a player that could be better with a easy to do swap in an advantageous position for the team.
Get the big fella going.
LT I really like this post.
However, player development starts so young now. This kids become one sport athletes, very young and the best are pushed through a machine that produces finely tuned athletes.
Consideration has to be given to what agency signs you and where you sit in their roster. We rent the Quartex management facility from time to time. That is a marvel of performance medicine. Those players become a minor league pro with several advantages.
i believe three Oiler defenders are part of that organization.
Going to presume that the Oilers make the d-man call up official today so that the player can travel with the team and get settled in for the road trip.
Now, as discussed yesterday, Kulak is banged up (he’s skipped multiple practices and the skills recently) and has recently been the clear 6D not playing at all on either special teams and was 4 minutes less than Vinny last game (only 2 of that was PK).
It seems to make perfect sense to call Broberg up and play him at 3LD and give Kulak at least one game off and I hope to see this.
Of course, if they are going to have both Kulak and Ceci (who is also battling something from coach) tough it out then, no, leave Broberg in the AHL to keep playing.
Perfect time to call him up and play him 3 games while Kulak rests.
Nice write up LT.
As I was reading this, one thought stood out to me.
Ken Holland is ok with having guys sit in the box eating popcorn, riding the bike and showing up for practice, getting their feet wet. But he’s not ok for a young stud playing 4th line minutes b/c they want him to reach higher. I’m ok w/ sending a guy down to play 20+ minutes in all situations refining their skill until an opportunity pops up. But KH approach seems bifurcated. Maybe it’s a case of finding the right solution for the right player, and the cap is playing a factor.
Anyways, it’s just a thought.
For me, Broberg needed to get better along the boards. He was loosing puck battles that an NHL D shouldn’t loose.
I also thought sitting on Kesserling for another year would have paid deeper dividends. I saw great value in that player.
I’m not sure this is 100% true – we’ve been complaining about top prospects getting 4th line minute for years under Holland, right?
Don’t get me started on Kesselring – I was immediate with not being happy with his inclusion in that trade.
Stauffer was on the Two Mutts pod that dropped this morning and he mentioned that Kane has been dealing with a core issue for about a month or so.
I think this is the first we’ve heard of what the injury is?
He’s been back at practice full time for pretty much 2 weeks now but Stauff thinks he’s still battling through it a bit.
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Named recipient appears to be an interesting part of the story.
Yes, OP has seemingly extracted some top-secret info
Is he secretly part of the Mission Impossible team.
I was having tech issues and couldn’t post from my lap top so I had to draft the post in an e-mail on my lap top and save the draft which meant I could copy and paste in on my phone to post – it appears I neglected to delete some of the excess verbiage when I pasted.
It’s okay OP
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That sounds like something Named Recipient would like us to believe.
It’s okay, OP. IF that is your real name. 🙂
Be interesting to see how well Holloway plays at C in Bakersfield. He was great on the dot his last year in College. I understand with the play of the team why Lavoie is not here. I do wish the last coach would have played him more. The last game on that recall he was very good in Ltd ice. Even if they were to recall Broberg I am not sure how much playing time he would get unless someone gets hurt. Some chatter that Kulak is a bit banged up and missed a few practices. If so let Broberg loose. I do think if traded this kid will have a very good career and we will regret the trade .
Yup, it was coach the said yesterday that, in addition to taking yesterday off, he almost took Friday off (plus the skills).
The will be calling up a d-man for tomorrow and, if Kulak is battling something, given his role recently (13 minutes at 5 on 5 with no special teams), it seems like a no-brainer to give him some time and play Broberg for a game – against the Hawks.
Ceci is also banged up, per coach (missed practice with something he’s been battling – not due to the puck to the face).
Brad Treliving set to issue another dandy contract. Overpaying for marginal talent. One ppg season, one 40 goal season, two 30 goal seasons and Brad is going to hand him 11.5×8 with a full eight year NMC? Add this one to Hubby and PLD as easily one of the worst in the league.
Another day another nail in the coffin of the Leafs chances.
Shanahan gonna get the axe at the end of the season I reckon.
Panarin — his first two seasons ran at .93 and .90 ppg. He’s been over a PPG since. Career – 1.14 PPG.
Pastrnak – hasn’t ran below a PPG since 17/18. Career – 1.067 PPG.
Willy career? .867 (hehe like Jack Campbell’s sv%). Willy and Hyman have the same number of goals the last two seasons as well. Let’s keep an eye on that as the season wears on.
Anyone comparing Willy to Pasta or Panarin should be laughed at and patted on the head. One is not like the other two.
He’s an elite player, for sure. Big contracts always look bad at the start. I don’t think the leafs have room for both Tavares and Marner now. Petterson’s gonna get PAID.
Are you sure he’s elite?
There’s little in his Bio that screams 11.5×8. Actually there is nothing in his bio that screams that.
There’s a strong case to be made that Willy, who turns 28 in May, is at Peak this very second. Considering his best year offensively was last year that’s what I’m leaning towards. I don’t think a single season of this contract will be worth the cost and in 2.5 seasons we might be talking about Hubby as his comp.
Treliving panicked on this one cause he flexed on Willy this summer and is now watching him go Tkachuk. So he hands him the keys to the arena and says “please, drive my car from now on. No more subway rides for you.” Idiot. So glad Shanahan picked him up as a GM but also sad he’s out of the WC for the time being.
Thanks, I might be stretching the term ‘elite’ a bit, but a Tkachuk comparison would seem to justify this price? Leafs could only dream of Nylander doing what turtle did in year 1 of a big contact …
Also I wonder what the trade market would be for Nylander, given how difficult he was in the last negotiations? – not sure Treleving could get fair value in return
His best production is this season, the first really above 1 PPG. Last season that put you around 25th in scoring. That shouldn’t get you into the top tier of pay, if cap efficiency matters to the team. Treliving should have signed him in the summer or dealt – snookered himself, again
Nylander might stay up at this current level, but aging curves tell us his most productive seasons are likely mostly behind him. Another high cap beauty also belongs to the Leafs – Tavares. Marner also heavy with him at 1.08 PPG this season. At least his career is over 1 PPG. Looks like Matthews Marner and Tavares have full NMCs. None of the 3 known as solid two way players either, as coach Keefe will attest to
They’re done. Unless something big and assertive happens. 2024-2025 4 forwards at 11M +, 12 signed players (2 top 4 D and no set starting G). Tavares and Marner expire the year after
Also next 3 drafts in the first two rounds they have 2 first round picks left
And that is without having or using a first rounder in 2021 and 2022… member when the Savant had to trade a 1st to get rid of Patty Marleau?
0/3 2nd round picks in the next 3 drafts as well. Dubas really cleared them out.
Bourgault’s year is a major down arrow on the Oilers development program
It’s looking like it, but there is the second half of the season. The concern is that Bourgault is playing with a checking center, the last time Edmonton did that with a skill winger it was teenaged Jesse Puljujarvi and he kept scoring anyway.
The Oilers need to start developing players who play well before Christmas. Seems to be an issue plaguing many of their system’s graduates too.
Yamamoto in 2019 as well.
He played with Marody and a still productive Brad Malone, plus 4 games with Sam Gagner in 2019-20.
I believe there was some material Luke Esposito mixed in there.
I have no recollection – who did Puljujarvi play with that year?
Josh Currie mostly, but whenever the put him with Lander, bam! Music!
Yeah, I had a look at some of the old box scores after asking the question – he did score a lot of his points with Lander, who was a high end AHL player at that point. And even Currie was quality at that level IIRC.
That only strengthens your main point though. We may actually have to go back further than rookie Puljujarvi to find the last time a skill winger played with a checking center on an Oiler farm team.
Meanwhile, Wallstedt gets called up.
The goalie makes it to the NHL before yet another forward the Oilers just had to have.
Don’t goalies take years and years and years to develop and even then it’s voodoo and nobody understands how goalies work and when they’re going to be good?
Does this make Rodrigue #1 in the AHL now?
Imagine having 2 great looking goalie prospects… I know; it’s not allowed.
I’d settle for just 2 great looking prospects!
Wallstedt was gifted to us in a wine and cheese basket yet Holland said nyet.
Seeing that lineup with perhaps two Oilers still with the team(Skinner + Desharnais), reminded of the times when MacT would complain that he’d be getting players from the AHL who had no clue about taking the next step.
I might have just made that all up.
What has happened with Niemo? He came onto scene ahead of Broberg and Vinny but seems to have faded?
The book on him was he was faster than Vinny and could hit heavy. But now we barely hear of him and it seems like he’s getting passed over repeatedly for consideration. Maybe because he’s a lefty and there’s just no room I guess. Just curious what happened to this player?
Injuries have hit, but he has played well to my eye in Bakersfield. I think the Condors are very deep at his position, and the Oilers are so deep Broberg can’t find a job. A cull is likely this summer imo.
I never did get the 4 year deal for Kulak at $2.75 mil per year it totally blocked Broberg who’s Hollands priced pick. This is bizarre and doesn’t make any sense. Why draft Broberg?
Very good point.
@Reja,
They didn’t have Ekholm when they drafted Bro, and Bro’s been taking his time establishing himself.
The only time Broberg was given a regular spot in the NHL, for two months last season, he passed with flying colours.
Ekholm is righty. Do you expect a raw rookie to feel comfortable and succeed while breaking in on his wrong side?
Ekholm is NOT a rightie.
The Ekholm acquisition (due to Kulak not being able to handle 2LD) which put Kulak back at 3LD is blocking Broberg, 100%.
They also didn’t have Ekholm when they signed Kulak.
Kulak was signed as a potential 2LD with Broberg sliding in behind him.
Kulak not being able to handle 2LD was a main reason for the Ekholm acquisition which has blocked Bro.
Because banking on kids isn’t a smart thing to do. Hoping for potential is what got us into the decade of darkness. Rangers got the 2 and 1 ov and still signed Panarin. Get good players. Bro has not done enough to this point to supplant Kulak.
That, and Holland develops players by sundial. It’s his MO. Why are you surprised by this.
Broberg is trending as a trade chip. Broberg and his pedigree are still in the AHL he should of been playing 3rd pairing on the cheap last year and this year. He should be learning his craft on the 3rd pairing it’s obvious they dont believe in him. There’s a reason why Holland is quietly getting shit canned. Are you surprised by this?
Worked fine for Bouchard, not worried.
Bouchard was ready earlier he sat in a hotel room eating hawkens cheezies and watching blue movies. Holland stunted a year of his growth because Holland doesn’t believe in youngsters making mistakes even if these players have upside. Holland will always go the safe route and overpay a journeyman player that’s his MO going back to the no cap unlimited Little Ceasars cash falling from his office ceiling.
For me Holland makes choices that seem to have unintended consequences, or has his reasons that are pretty hard to put logic to.
He was a great hitter.
I actually disagree with LT’s earlier response that Niemo has played well, I think he’s struggled (relative to his status as an NHL option) this season and may be behind each of Gleason, Broberg and Dineen on the depth chart.
Also, I think there is something odd going on with Niemo.
Ryan Holt on the broadcasts kept saying he was out sick and then Keith Gretzky on Oilers Now mentioned that Niemo has been out “taking care of some things” – said it wasn’t injury but “taking care of some things” – didn’t sound like illness.
I think he had missed at least five games over a 2+ week period (not sure if he was scheduled to play this past weekend prior to the games being postponed).
Also, he’s been very “meh” this season when he has been in the lineup. I’m not sure that both Gleason and Dineen (and Broberg) aren’t all ahead of him.
Niemelainen’s only poor game, and he wasn’t alone, was the recent one against Coachella Valley imo. He was 0-3 goals in that game and is 11-7 even strength goals aside from that game. He still gets out of position on hits, but his mobility, size and rugged play are quality IF he’s healthy and that hasn’t always been the case.