Stop Making Sense

by Lowetide
  • Philip Broberg
  • Dylan Holloway
  • Matthew Savoie
  • Sam O’Reilly
  • 2025/26 first-round selection
  • Beau Akey
  • Future second-round pick
  • Maxim Berezkin

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Elgin R

Nice to see that he is progressing every year. Both HockeyDB and the Condor’s website have him listed as 6-3 / 184. To punish players in the NHL he is going to have to get heavier – put on some muscle! Could make the NHL in a year or so if he gives them no choice. What a great story for a 7th rounder from Estevan, SK.

OriginalPouzar

I don’t think hockeydb updates its weights – that was likely his junior weight.

dulock

HockeyDB does update weights but they only use publicly available numbers so they would likely have pulled that number from the AHL which would have likely used his draft weight which was 181-185lbs depending on your source. Lavoie is listed at 215lbs but was 194lbs when he was drafted. The NHL does seem to update these numbers every year and HockeyDB would follow suit at some point once those numbers become public.

Scungilli Slushy

Oilers’ site has him at 185 still. And I think you’re right. I knew Niems was going to get into injury trouble. 6’5 and only 200 out trying to smash folks. It’s too bad but the UBIs started

Defensemen who are tall and a bit light also have trouble in playoffs with big forwards. It’s easier for a forward to have that build. Max is only 21, he will gain some

Mayan Oil

Just a quick thumbnail sketch to facilitate your calculations. Assume a healthy Kane for now.

Barring any trades, retirements, LTIR, etc. with prior bonus overages and Buyouts included, we can safely see 11F 6D and 2 G who will definitely be on the roster if no other moves. that means room for only 1 F if we run a 20 man roster for opening day. there is room for wither 1F and 1D, or 2F if we run a 21 man roster, 2 F and 1 D if we run a 22 man roster. here is our min and max Cap space under these scenarios, assuming either the most expensive and the least expensive options from our existing stable of players.

22 man roster 1,466,667 over the Cap using the most expensive current internal alternatives. 741,667 over the Cap using our least expensive. A move would have to be made if we want to have a 22 man roster on opening day.

21 man roster 566,667 over the Cap using the most expensive internal options.
33,333 UNDER the Cap if we use the least expensive options. this can be done for opening day, theoretically, allowing a little leeway for making a move on or after opening day to remedy our roster for the initial part of the season.

20 man roster 433,333 UNDER the Cap using the most expensive F12.
808,333 UNDER the Cap using the least expensive F12. depending on waiver risks, etc. we might go this way for opening day for max room and to buy time for arranging any other moves to get compliant for a more manageable roster size. we could run a 20 man roster for a couple of games or more in a pinch if we have something else in the works and more time is needed to close the deal for example.

to sum up in a more visually easy way:

20 man 433,333 to 808,333 cap room
21 man 33,333 cap room to 566,667 Cap over.
22 man 741,667 to 1,466,667 cap over.

hope this helps.

Mayan Oil

I suspect they are taking a wait and see until Camp on any moves at this point, but should have several irons in the fire for alternatives as the situation becomes more clear, vis a vis any trades. In my mind, it hinges entirely on the health and/or possibility of trading Evander Kane. i would be beyond shocked if this management has approached Kane about waiving his NMC at this point, as it is not yet clear we will have to try trade him until more is known about his health. it would be very detrimental to their relationship to do so at this time, and be a very large distraction to the team in general, for now. I expect, given all his injuries over the past 2 seasons – don’t get me wrong, they were one off events mostly but the effects do accumulate in performance in the short term – they need to know how healthy he would be to start the season. If, at camp they see any discomfort and the medical staff puts him at anything less than 100% or think any kind of surgery/rehab is required (especially for the sports hernia issue), they approach him about starting on LTIR, presenting it as desirable for his long term health and for his value on his next contract, which comes at the end of the 2025/26 season. A break to get to his maximum effectiveness, as it were. This allows us some extended time to run a full 23 man roster under the Cap, and if the young uns at 12/13 F for example do well, we might later in the season approach him about his NMC as an option at that time. It is conceivable that he gets moved and if Broberg is able to supplant Kulak, we could also look at moving BOTH Ceci and Kulak as well and use the additional Cap space to upgrade BOTH Ceci and the 7D.

Just a thought….

Last edited 3 months ago by Mayan Oil
Mayan Oil

FWIW, i made the above calculations assuming 1.9 M combined for Broberg and Holloway… as these figures are being thrown around in the media at this time.

The Great One

Chai Chai Rodwigezz has passed at 88.

https://youtu.be/7WmTsLO-hUI?si=kGenKPBFu7TCHvDL

John Chambers

Evander Kane
My guess is that he’ll attend camp where it will be determined that he needs surgery.

Oilers can start the season with a minimal roster, then put Kane on LTIR to toll his cap throughout the season. From there they have the cap to carry a 22 or 23 man roster while accruing space.

Kane then heals up and is ready by March – an internal deadline add, essentially.

These are the manoeuvres of contending teams.

OriginalPouzar

No, there is no accrual of cap space while in LTIR – none.

dulock

Yep. Gonna be these two things:

  • If a team cannot be cap compliant on opening day without using LTIR, the LTIR Pool is the amount the team exceeds the Cap. For example, if a team is $3M over the Cap and places a player on LTIR with a $4M Cap Hit for the opening roster submission, the LTIR Pool is the $3M that the team exceeded the cap
  • While on LTIR, Cap Space is no longer accrued, meaning any portion of the LTIR pool not used cannot be used later.
OriginalPouzar

There is a path to cap compliance with Kane on the roster and then placing him on LTIR on opening day (of course, if he actually is eligible and not able to play).

Then place Kane on LTIR and open up a bunch of cap space to call players up for a 23 player roster

It would be very tough to get cap compliant with a 21 player roster and Savoie on it.

They’d probably need to drop down to a 20 player opening roster which would make it tough to get as close to the cap as possible.

They’d probably be about $650K under the cap (give or take) which means, if they placed Kane on LTIR, they would lose $650K of room and be able to go over the cap by $5.125MM minus $650K.

As of now, I expect Kane to be in the opening night lineup.

defmn

I have Broberg signing for $1.25M and Holloway at $.85M and Savoie and Kane on the opening night roster sending Ryan and Janmark down to leave them $9,166 in cap space and a 21 man roster.

I am not advocating sending Janmark down but it does accomplish what the capologist would be telling them is the best case scenario.

OriginalPouzar

I think there is all but zero chance they waive Janmark.

They may waive Perry though.

defmn

I think it is highly unlikely as well but Perry’s cap hit won’t get it done which was my only point.

If they waive Janmark and he gets picked up and then they place Kane on waivers that gives them some significant walking around money though.

OriginalPouzar

Waiving and assigning Janmark and Perry have the exact same effect on the cap.

The max amount that can be buried is $1,150,000 (which happens to be Perry’s exact cap hit – not a coincidence I don’t think).

If Janmark is in the AHL, he still has a $300K dead cap hit.

I am very certain they do not want Janmark claimed off waivers given they just signed him – he likely wouldn’t get claimed due to his overpay (on term and cap hit).

Reja

Does anyone know the contract terms for Bowman? When Holland was hired the 5 year deal was immediately talked about with Bowman it seems all hush-hush

BornInAGretzkyJersey

JJ runs a tight ship.

OriginalPouzar

Stauffer would disclose but said its not short term.

Reja

Does a G.M contract not need to be made public knowledge. Am I the only one asking this like isn’t there Reporters are Hockey analysts that have knowledge of this. Maybe they’re sworn to secrecy if they want to stay in the special club.

Last edited 3 months ago by Reja
OriginalPouzar

Does it need to be public knowledge? No.

It doesn’t even really matter what the term is. If its a one-year deal (it isn’t) and he’s performing, he’ll get extended. If its a five-year deal and he’s failing, he’ll get replaced. The owner has proven he will spend money in any way he can to help the team.

Reja

Ok thanks for clearing that up. I always assumed since the fans pay the way that they would have access to how much a G.M or another higher ranking individual like Jackson makes and what his term is.

Mayan Oil

It would be nice to know, as a fan. But it is in no way required that they disclose this info on non-player hires.

OriginalPouzar

There is also the potential that this lineup does not require a big add at the deadline.

I mean, if Broberg can handle the 2RD role, well, Ceci on the 3rd pairing is high end/elite plus there are two experienced RD for injury fill in (Stecher and Brown) plus a potential prospect ready (Kemp).

At forward, fully healthy has Holloway on the 4th line and he can fill in up the lineup – plus the likes of Lavoie and Pederson and Philp and Hamblin and Jarventie and Savoie as forward options through the season.

This lineup is very good and there are legit NHL players to fill in for injuries. Of course, a Drai or Bouchard long term injury can’t be “replaced” but there is depth.

godot10

Unlikely that Ceci is good enough to win the cup with in the top 6.

OriginalPouzar

Sure, you can have that opinion.

Of course, in reality, he is closer to an absolute elite 3rd paring guy than “not good enough”

godot10

Ceci is at best a mediocre 3rd pairing D. On a contender, he should be in the press box.

Reja

Scored a huge goal on the road against the Canucks in game 7. He also made a pass of beauty to Janmark for the goal of the playoffs for me.

MushedPeas

And yet his first year as an Oiler I was unexpectedly unsad he’d replaced Larsson, who then seemed to be slowing, and who now absolutely has to be.

MushedPeas

ps I find this stance at odds with the unrelenting Nurse can do no wrong and everyone who criticizes him is a hater, and the unwitting Broberg is a sure thing no matter what (also my opinion but I’m saying).

Scungilli Slushy

Most of the opinions people have about these D provide no backup info, just opinions

Which is fine, but they ignore the other facts. I find debates here always circle back to ground zero, seems it’s more about who folks like or don’t like as players

What I have come to putting up many comments with NST numbers mostly and reading the many looks by people doing video work and manual tracking projects is:

Nurse isn’t doing what he used to as well, why? Over seasons now. He’s not great, not terrible, he’s not going anywhere soon, definitely needs the right partner

Bro is a very talented young player, his numbers which are limited say he’s in tight pulling off 2 RD well. He has work to do still to establish in the NHL

Ceci is tumbling down the depth chart and his only strength is in zone defending, meaning he and his partner do it a lot. Struggles with gapping so defending the line, retrievals, breaking cycles and outlets. Is that what you want for an offensive team that breaks down in coverage under sustained pressure, and is the opposite style to what the coaches want?

They want quick puck movement so the team doesn’t have to defend as much and gets up ice before teams set up their D structure. They tried Desharnais over Ceci, who they let walk, and then used Bro. Not good use of the cap IMO on third pair on a team over the cap and not a good fit anymore

Last edited 3 months ago by Scungilli Slushy
John Chambers

Cody Ceci is a very good NHL defenseman with very strong defensive acumen.
He’s no Alex Pietrangelo, but he has delivered strong results in 3 years as an Oiler on a cap hit of $3.25M.
I would agree the Oilers can upgrade at this position, but the way you choose to criticize the player is disingenuous & inaccurate.

Sierra

I would agree the Oilers can upgrade at this position, but the way you choose to criticize the player is disingenuous & inaccurate.

For sure.

Godot acts like the Oilers didn’t have the incredibly successful season that they just did with Ceci playing a positive role in that success. To suggest that he doesn’t belong on a contender is most certainly disingenuous.

Reja

Ceci has been renting the upper floor in his head going on 2 years.

godot10

The Oilers still do not have a Stanley Cup. Ceci had a lousy playoffs.

OriginalPouzar

godot10

 Reply to  Reja

 August 9, 2024 9:36 pm

The Oilers still do not have a Stanley Cup. Ceci had a lousy playoffs.

The Oilers still do not have a Stanley Cup. Nurse had a lousy playoffs

Last edited 3 months ago by OriginalPouzar
Bruce McCurdy

Cody Ceci played 54 minutes on the penalty kill during which time the opposition scored 0 (zero) goals, but do go on.

TravisTDK

John, were you not on the same page with godot10 that Ceci should be Doughty or Makar or he’s a bust and shouldn’t be in the NHL?

Mayan Oil

Hear, hear. As much as people want n upgrade on Ceci, there are very few that does what he does at his price point that could in any world be available. If you had a player of his level at a materially lower price point, there is no way you are trading him. upgrading him becomes an exercise in both availability and additional Cap cost, which are very material considerations right now.

OriginalPouzar

What can the Oilers offer? Remember, a future first-round pick left when O’Reilly came in through the out door. So, when we look at possible trade pieces, the list begins with Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway. However, those men are valuable to the current NHL team, so what else is there?

Would be very surprised if either of those guys got traded.

First, I presume both of them will establish themselves through the season as important middle of the lineup players.

Second, value contracts going forward are a MUST. The will both be value contracts, big ones, for this coming season. Stauff keeps talking about a 2-year deal for Broberg coming up which means that’s a huge value deal for 2 years.

Perhaps its Max Wanner killing the AHL with 2-way play that is trade bait? Maybe its Beau Akey having a great start to the season and making the World Junior Team? Maybe Oly Rodrigue is a top 3 AHL tender by the trade deadline?

oilersfan

value contracts can also come in August from quality ufa’s without a deal. Janmark was one…Vancouver just got Sprong for less than Holloway will get…Yamo will be lucky to get a league min deal as will Tyson Barrie and Justin Schultz. It’s not always ELC draft picks that are available for cheap

Mayan Oil

That begs the question… if the oilers could sign Barrie or Schulz at Stecher money on a 1 year deal right now, do you do it? I am interested in your take on that…

OriginalPouzar

What are the odds Sam O’Reilly gets traded in the next two years? Will he be an Edmonton Oilers player on the day he turns pro? What about Matthew Savoie? As a fan of team building no matter the sport, I am fully aware of the fact that ‘going for it’ is paramount for a team like the current Oilers. All of their cannons must be pointed in the same direction, which is winning Stanley. So, will we see O’Reilly and Savoie as NHL players over the rest of this decade?

I would suggest that, generally, a 1st round pick has more trade value than a late drafted prospect. Sure, if O’Riley does pop (as hoped/expected) this season in London maybe he ups trade value but I think, generally, teams like to trade for the 1st rounder and make their own pick (Reid Schaefer inclusions do happen, of course).

I think Sam O’Riley will be a Bakersfield Condor for his first pro game.

I would be surprised if Matt Savoie didn’t play games for the Oilers this season, and probably disappointed as well.

Savoie was a top 10 pick and, top 10 pick offensive forwards generally don’t spend much time in the AHL, even if the NHL team is stacked. He should force his way on to the NHL teams with a PPG plus through 40 plus games.

defmn

Which means, as you have often pointed out, that he has to be on the opening day roster in order to not have his bonuses impact the cap when he is called up.

This adds a layer of complexity to the team being compliant for day 1 that most of us have disregarded when attempting math gymnastics that doesn’t involve a player being traded or put on LTIR.

OriginalPouzar

Yes, but only if they are in LTIR to start the season and that is far from a certainty.

If the Oilers are not in LTIR to start the season, he doesn’t need to be on the roster – he does if/when they go in to LTIR though (if they want to ensure his bonuses don’t count against the cap).

defmn

Thanks for the clarification.

Lewis Grant

I would suggest that, generally, a 1st round pick has more trade value than a late drafted prospect. 

Agree 100%. A draft pick is all about promise. There’s a reason that magic beans are so magical. Come June 2025, Sam O’Reilly might be developing nicely, but the guy who will be drafted with our pick is a guy that some team’s scouts will have been salivating over for months. That team’s scouts (and their fan base) will all be convinced that they, being smarter than everybody else, have identified the next Patrice Bergeron or Corey Perry or Claude Giroux or Shea Theodore.

Sure, you might offer them a Sam O’Reilly who has put up 75 points in 50 games along with stellar defensive play, but if they hold on to their pick, they’ve got the next David Pastrnak!!!

This is why I was not crazy about the trade to draft O’Reilly. With next year being our best chance at a Cup (before the Drai/Bouch extensions), we need to be able to load up at the trade deadline. We had to spend a 1st on Henrique. Will O’Reilly even net us next year’s Tyler Toffoli? I doubt it.

Reja

Wether the Ceci saga gets resolved or not the Oilers won the Stanley Cup when they acquired playoff Arvidsson and soon to be hero and scorer Jeff Skinner. The main reason for my optimism is they finally have a 3-C, praise the good Lord. I’ve been begging for this position since Jarret Stoll was winning face-offs for us. In my opinion the deeper you go in the Playoffs the more valuable this 3-C position becomes.

MushedPeas

Don’t know if I agree but I like what you’re selling!

Reja

Eff this 2-1 low event strategy lets outscore and run up the score starting in game 1. We have a gunslinging offence that hasn’t been matched since 1986. The Henrique line is going to feast like it’s Oktoberfest. I called it a month ago and I’ll call it again this team scores 47-50 more Goals this year.

BornInAGretzkyJersey

The prospect pool looks good, will it be the same this time next summer? If it means Stanley, management will scorch the earth of Oilers future and I doubt most will care. It does suggest that the day of reckoning, when it comes, will be severe.

This is the pattern previously established by Bowman. Having browsed his trade history (again) I am not enthused. I really hope the adult in the room, IE Jeff Jackson, will help steady the rudder when it comes to extending or moving players to maintain cap compliance.

Below are just a sample of some interesting trades on a six page history of his time in CHI.

Out / In

  • Panarin / Saad
  • Bickel, Teravainen / 2nd, 3rd picks
  • Dannault, 2nd / Weise, Fleischmann
  • Leddy / bag of pucks
  • 2010 1st (#30, NYI drafted Brock Nelson) / 2010 2nd (#35), 2010 2nd (#58)

Yes, there were some strong trades sprinkled in there as well. On the balance, he made a ton of trades and won very few. Typically losing value in an attempt to shed salary.

Yikes.

defmn

A look at the Oilers NMC’s has me wondering who you are concerned they might trade in order to shed salary because everybody making any real money appears to have the final say.

cowboy bill

More buyouts might be on the horizon. Which totally sucks.

BornInAGretzkyJersey

Of whom?

BornInAGretzkyJersey

Valid point. Although an NMC doesn’t render a player untradeable, it does make consummating a deal more difficult.

Depending on the draft acumen, prospects are chiefly what will remain. And Bowman regularly bled quality prospects in an effort to stay under the cap. So I guess the issue I’m pointing to is resource allocation and personnel evaluation.

defmn

I understand your reservations concerning his tenure in Chicago. I don’t know enough about the details to comment. I was just mentioning the NMC conundrum that will put a brake on salary dumps. I know players often waive their protection to allow trades but rarely on contending teams I think.

What you see is what you get for at least the coming year. Kane might be moved at the TD but even that seems unlikely if he is healthy and contributing and if he isn’t moving him would be a positive I would think.

MushedPeas

I’m just taking this moment to remind myself that I’d convinced myself, nine years ago, that surely, SURELY Chia had learned from past mistakes.

Some dudes simply Do Not.

OriginalPouzar

One difference being that Chia never came in acknowledging previous management mistakes.

Bowman has been express about some of the mistakes he made in player transactions in his prior job.

BornInAGretzkyJersey

Wait, was that regarding transactions, or… personnel management?

OriginalPouzar

Player transactions.

He spoke recently about the mistakes of expecting teams and players to do similar things season from season. You can’t go in to a season expecting everyone to perform as they did the prior year and just fill in the gaps., etc., etc.

Reja

Any idea what the status is on Hyman-Nuge-Kane on the contract front when it comes to trading them.

BornInAGretzkyJersey

Any idea what the status is on Hyman-Nuge-Kane on the contract front when it comes to trading them.

https://capwages.com/teams/edmonton_oilers

Click on the individual player to get contract details like trade protection, etc.

Reja

As Count Floyd from SCTV use to say
“Skelly, keeds, skelly!)

oilersfan

does he get no credit for finding Panarin in the first place? Not sure why he preferred Saad, other than he won the cup with them (maybe 2-3) and was well liked in the room? Also most of those trades were cap dumps where he had no choice but to trade them. You don’t mention him bringing in many players to help win cups… Timonen, Handzus, Stalberg, Oduya, bringing in Leddy in the first place..

BornInAGretzkyJersey

I acknowledged he had some wins. His record isn’t all bad. Getting Nick Leddy and Kim Johnsson for the ghost of Cam Barker was a nice move early in his tenure. Sending away a useful Leddy for four spare parts (one being Anders Nilsson, whom he also sent here for, *checks notes…. peanuts Liam Coughlan) six years later is exactly what I’m concerned with negatively impacting our team in the coming years.

His record is full of cap dumps going out because he couldn’t retain key talent. Or, worse, signed the wrong players to contracts they’d never live up to and had to send away with emerging talent to regain the cap space. This is a reoccurring pattern in his record. That speaks to an issue in assessing key talent and bargaining ability, both of which are crucial elements of being a GM. Most of his trade trees, some wins acknowledged, end in bleeding talent because he sends away useful players for multiple bets that don’t typically develop into useful pieces.

The husk of a team he left behind was the ghost of two legacy players signed to forever contracts, and a long term spot in the basement with little talent to build around.

Last edited 3 months ago by BornInAGretzkyJersey
defmn

I think that is pretty much the tale of most teams that have long runs at the top, though, is it not?

BornInAGretzkyJersey

Up until the Tanner Jeannot deal TBY seemed to constantly have quality talent to replenish aging vets who were looking for a retirement contract. Or use as trade bait to improve the team. They also seemed able to get good players, and keep good players for ages (taxes and location obviously a hurdle when comparing the two teams).

PIT seemed like they were finding key pieces out of thin air for a long time. Will be interesting to see what Dubas does with what Burke/Hextall left behind.

Prior to and early in the cap era DET was renowned for drafting and developing players, retaining the key pieces and sending out passengers for valuable assets in return. They were competitive for almost the entirety of the Lidstrom era doing this.

Sure, that’s only a few examples spread out over a long time.

And Bowman definitely played a roll in prolonging the success of CHI. It wasn’t all inheriting Tallon’s team. I just look at the trade trees over Bowman’s tenure, and don’t see many that branch off with strong results; more duds than buds, let alone studs.

defmn

I agree there are exceptions but there are always details to explain them. Due to a level of incompetence that is impossible to defend in retrospect Edmonton’s window is shutting without having produced one single cup. It will take both luck, incredible pro scouting & a ruthless GM to produce the level of skill the team will start this season with going forward imo.

OriginalPouzar

Up until the Tanner Jeannot deal TBY seemed to constantly have quality talent to replenish aging vets who were looking for a retirement contract. Or use as trade bait to improve the team. They also seemed able to get good players, and keep good players for ages (taxes and location obviously a hurdle when comparing the two teams).

TBL won the cup in 2019/20 and 2020/21 (well, 2021) and lost in the final the next sesaon. They lost in the first round each year after.

Bowman won that first cup in 2010 (yes, a team he inherited much of as GM but he was part of the management group that built that team) and then re-tooled for cup wins in 2013 and 2015 and 7 years after that first cup had the team in 1st place in the West.

Has Tampa had “post-cup longevity” even as much as the Bowman teams did?

BornInAGretzkyJersey

That Tampa was competitive during the entirety of John Cooper’s tenure, until BriesBois gutted the team, was more my point than post-Cup success. The Yzerman era, which obviously technically netted zero Cups, was the main reason for their modern success.

MushedPeas

Not the Pens. Or. not exactly the Pens.

Genjutsu

Also three cups in there.

If we win three and he guys the team?

Good.

cowboy bill

Two years from now, who knows? They might be more interested in moving out dead weight as usual. By that time Savoie & O’Reilly might have arrived on the scene making their mark on this Oiler team along with Holloway & Broberg. Vital parts of the roster. By then they will probably have a good read on Beau Akey, maybe he gets moved. First round picks are always a possibility and who knows if Berezkin will ever make his way from Russia, I suppose they could trade his rights.
There’s always Raphael Lavoie & Phil Kemp. But they might already be gone by then. Then of course Maximus Wanner who may be a vital cog as well.

Last edited 3 months ago by cowboy bill
cowboy bill

I may have miss read. But in the next two years I can’t see them moving on from Savoie or O’Reilly, they went out of their way to acquire these two players. Holloway & Broberg are finding their way on to the NHL roster and soon they will be pushing some vets out the door. Lavoie & Kemp somehow didn’t make your list and probably should be front & center.

John Chambers

I think Savoie is off-limits in a trade, but if the “perfect fit*” emerges as a trade possibility I think you have to consider trading your 2nd, 3rd, or 4th best prospects.

*Perfect fit is a top-4 RD with a manageable cap hit and term, basically the right-handed Ekholm.

Scungilli Slushy

For me high profile deadline deals are not necessary unless there is injury. Adding high profile players doesn’t guarantee a cup, but it does guarantee depleted assets

I have noticed quite a few teams won’t trade first round picks easily. I think that is smart, the other picks have much lower odds of producing a contributing player

So adding some depth for lower round picks or lower prospects sure. Build the team you want in the summer and see what’s happening toward the end of the season. It gives the roster time to get into a solid rhythm. Parachuting guys in unless you have a hole disrupts the rhythm and can affect the locker room I think. Don’t go into seasons with holes if at all possible

The Oilers need all of their young players now to see if they can get a few good ones. They are going to be so top heavy there is no alternative

jp

I have noticed quite a few teams won’t trade first round picks easily

Like Holland’s Red Wings and Oilers. Though I guess that’s not what you were thinking of?

BornInAGretzkyJersey

Zito isn’t shy about trading first round picks.

Reja

This team is stacked especially if Broberg steps up. I myself would of pumped which they did but then have traded Foegele-plus for a quality under cost control D-Man. Anyhow Jackson did a unbelievable job first cleaning out the top cupboards when he traded Bourgault for a actual cost controlled prospect with edge. Then he turns around and gets Savoie for BarBara Ann Scott and then surprisingly snatches O’Relly who will pop once he sees the soft point minutes. Once they sign Leon it’ll be the best off-season in 20 years. In saying this Bowman scares the shit out of me.

OriginalPouzar

I myself would of pumped which they did but then have traded Foegele-plus for a quality under cost control D-Man. 

How would this have been reasonably possible? I’ve asked you before.

Foegele was a pending UFA. Non-playoff teams would not have been interested. What playoff team is giving up a quality cost controlled roster d-man for a 3rd line/middle six UFA forward?

Reja

I could give you 10 examples. Here’s 1 the LA Kings have interest in Foegele and have abundance of young capable D-man that they are willing to part with 1 because they have a good feeling that Foegele wants to re-sign with them in the off-season. Action Jackson just traded a wanna be 3-C for a possible future stud. Holland is gonzo. Hockey trades do happen

OriginalPouzar

Then LA would likely keep their “cost control quality d-man) and sign Foegele in the off-season – as they did.

MushedPeas

All TBD. The Glimmer contracts, round three, could be a new window, or theycould be the end of contention for the foreseeable,

Reja

It’s been along time but what Action Jackson has done this off-season has been pure joy to follow. In saying that he then goes out and hires the controversial OBC hire of Bowman which brings my joy level down to a shocked&scared level.

OriginalPouzar

What “Old Boys Club” is Bowman part of with the Oilers?

Rafa Nadal

Kinda surprised the team published the locker room video after game 7 that’s going around twitter right now. A tough watch either way.

Moonlight

Yeah, love Hyman’s ask that everyone come back. That was pretty powerful.

jonrmcleod

Link?

jonrmcleod

Nevermind, found it.

Reja

How can you watch that?

OriginalPouzar

The clip is all over social media but Oilers + is where the full episodes are and “The Drop” series is more than worth the subscription price.

Its fantastic production, in my opinion.

cowboy bill

Zach is obviously a leader in that dressing room. Otherwise, you could have heard a pin drop, except for Bettman and all that noise in the background. It brought a tear to my eye.