Speculating from an Oilers fan’s perspective, BLH comments on the latest Edmonton Oilers news as well as the freshest NHL speculation featuring players such as Tim Stutzle, Erik Haula, Mikael Granlund, and many more!
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The News and Rumors
- Hailey Salvian (The Athletic): As new Ottawa Senator Tim Stutzle continues to rehab his broken hand in German, some questions as to his eligibility to play in the NHL next season have arisen. There is a rule that a player with a valid European contract for the 2020-21 season cannot be signed to an NHL contract after August. 15th. Unless Stutzle is released from his current contract with Adler Mannheim (DEL), he won’t be available to the Senators until possibly June of 2021.
BLH’s Thoughts: I wonder how much of a push the Sens will put on here. There’s nothing wrong with Stutzle spending another year in Germany and playing in the DEL. The NHL is not a developmental league and throwing 18 year old hockey players into the fire before they’re ready is a sure way to stunt their progress. It’s not like the Sens are going to be contending for a cup anytime soon. Wouldn’t it be best long-term for Stutzle to spend another year getting stronger and more mature? I think it would.
- Dan Kingerski (Pittsburgh Hockey NOW): If the Pittsburgh Penguins want to bring free agent center Erik Haula into the fold, a combination of LTIRing Zach Ashton-Reese and sending Colton Sceviour to the AHL might be enough if he signs for the rumored offer of $3M per year for three years.
BLH’s Thoughts: All this roster manipulation from Pittsburgh reminds me of the final few years of Ken Holland’s time in Detroit with the Red Wings. This club is going to be a mess in a few years because they’re still trying to win a Stanley Cup when they should be going through a mini-rebuild. The result will be a full-blown rebuild…
- Adam Gretz (NBC Sports): Believes the Columbus Blue Jackets could be a potential landing spot for UFA forward Mikael Granlund.
BLH’s Thoughts: Yeah… I don’t know about this one. CBJ has only one spot available in its top-9 and that’s on their first line IF they don’t want Alexander Texier or Emil Bemstrom in it. We haven’t even mentioned Liam Foudy who looked quite capable of being able to play in the NHL during the playoffs.
- Ben Kuzma (Vancouver Province): It’s unlikely that the Canucks will buy out veteran forward Brandon Sutter. GM Jim Benning believes that it could have a detrimental impact on the team and values Sutter’s leadership.
BLH’s Thoughts: This is a tough one. I can definitely see where Benning is coming from. On the other hand, the club needs a top-6 winger and if they lose out on a guy like Mike Hoffman because they want to keep around a veteran who, if we’re being honest, can’t stay healthy; that could come back to haunt them down the road.
- Elliotte Friedman (Sportsnet): The Coyotes are looking to bring back a familiar face as they are in talks with Shane Doan about a position in their organization.
BLH’s Thoughts: Shocking. NHL team plans on hiring their ex-captain. Let me know if you’ve heard this one before.
- Jason Bell (Winnipeg Free Press): Defenceman Sami Niku has not requested a trade away from the Winnipeg Jets. There’s a belief that the player could benefit from a change of scenery but that he’s not actively asking for it.
BLH’s Thoughts: Niku is 24 years old. It’s time that he found a club that will give him an opportunity. He’s done all he can at the AHL level.
- Arthur Staple (The Athletic): The Islanders might be interested in free agent forward Mike Hoffman on a short-term deal but they’d need to move out salary.
BLH’s Thoughts: The Isles are a bit of a wildcard here. If they can pay their way out of this with prospects and/or draft picks, they could find themselves in a really good position to add one or two really good hockey players. Who will be the GM that helps out the Islanders though? Lou Lamoriello knows a lot of people in the game and always seems to come out of some sticky situations. He is the NHL’s Teflon Don.
The Oilers Talk
Yesterday, Edmonton icon Joey Moss passed away at the age of 57. He’ll be forever remembered in Edmonton as a symbol of professional sports in that city. You can’t think of the Edmonton Oilers without Joey popping into your mind’s eye and that’s what legendary humans tend to do. They make themselves unforgettable.
Now, I’m not going to go over Joey’s accomplishments or his history with the Oilers and the Edmonton Eskimos. There are folks out there that will do a much better job of that and you should read those. What I will do though is share an experience I had that involves Mr. Moss.
I never met him but I could have. The year that Leon Draisaitl and Vladdy Hockey were playing for the Oilers rookies against the University of Alberta Golden Bears, I attended that game and as I waited for my friend outside the Clare Drake arena I was walking around and notice a small group of people were surrounding someone sitting on a bench. So the curious individual that I was at the time, I walked over to see who it was they were talking to. Low and behold, it was Joey Moss! My heart skipped a beat and I became weak at the knees and suddenly very nervous. I wanted to stop and say hi, maybe even ask for an autograph but I was too awestruck. I kept walking…
The next time the Edmonton Oilers hit the ice for an NHL season, you can be sure that they’ll have Joey Moss and Colby Cave in their hearts and in their motivations. It will be an emotional season to say the least, so don’t bet against them. They’ll be doing it for Joey and Colby.
I’ve got a feeling that we may hear Joey singing the national anthem at least one more time.
See ya on the flipside Joey! Say hit to Semenko and the boys for us!
