Speculating from an Edmonton Oilers fan’s perspective, BLH comments on the latest NHL news, rumors, and speculation featuring players such as Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Patrik Laine, Gabriel Landeskog, Matthew Dumba, and more!
The News and Rumors
- Adam Gretz (NBC Sports): “He (Gabriel Landeskog) could easily hit the $7M per season mark on a seven-year deal when he signs his next contract”
- Re: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins’ next contract with the Edmonton Oilers, “$7 million a season seems like a number that could fit in for the Oilers. That would put them at about $53 million for 12 players for 2021-22. They’ll have pending UFAs in Tyson Barrie, Adam Larsson and Tyler Ennis. They could look to move the salaries of James Neal or Zack Kassian.”
BLH’s Thoughts: It’s been very interesting to watch the careers of Landeskog and Nugent-Hopkins since they were drafted 1st and 2nd overall in 2011. Now that they’re both on the back-9 of said careers, how will it all end up for both of them?
In a way, I see RNH blossoming into an elite two-way winger alongside Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid which is kind of unique because how often do you see NHL players emerge as the stars they were projected to be as teenagers so late in their careers?
As for Landeskog, I don’t think he’ll trail off like Peter Forsberg did but my feeling is that due to his abbrasive style of play, injuries will creep up and slow the Swede down eventually, but there’s a caveat. I think RNH will retire before Landeskog. That said, the Avs captain will still be a very valuable player due to his toughness, leadership qualities, and outstanding 200ft game.
$7M/yr would be very team-friendly deals for both of these players in my opinion.
- Anthony Scultore (Daily Goal Horn): On a potential Matthew Dumba for Patrik Laine trade, “Dumba is a defenseman that the Jets need and he comes with another three years left on his deal at a great cost. For the Wild, well if you want to get younger and add offense, who better than Laine.”
BLH’s Thoughts: As most dynamic defenders in the NHL do as time wears on, Matt Dumba has become less dynamic and more calculated. He doesn’t go out looking for that big hit as often as he used to and he sits back more. That said, he’s a fantastic NHL defenceman and I agree with Scultore on both points. I just wonder, which club will be asking for the sweetener? Maybe Minnesota because they’re potentially taking on the larger contract?
- Jim Parsons (The Hockey Writers): Believes the Oilers should keep high-priced depth players like Alex Chiasson, Zack Kassian, and James Near. Instead, if they need to open up some cap-space, they should trade Jujhar Khaira and send some players to the AHL.
BLH’s Thoughts: Dealing Khaira and his $1.2M deal outright without taking on salary in return plus sending Nygard and Russell to the AHL would open up close to $2.7M in salary. I imagine that would be enough to bring in an impact bottom-6 player but it wouldn’t give them as much roster flexibility as dealing Kassian or Neal would.
- Jim O’Brien (NBC Sports): Speculates on Eeli Tolvanen’s potential to break through with the Nashville Predators in 2020-21. “Tolvanen possesses something that’s still all-too-rare for the Predators: a lethal shot. For an often-dreadful Predators power play, that could be a godsend. Crucially, though, Tolvanen will need to toe the line in other areas to get those fruitful opportunities.”
BLH’s Thoughts: Tolvanen has been an absolute enigma to me. He tore up the junior leagues before he was drafted and he was lighting up the KHL before he came over to North America. He scored 21 goals for Milwaukee (AHL) last season, could the Predators utilize him in a manner that would highlight his strengths whilst minimizing his weaknesses to the team? That’s a mystery yet to be solved. Good luck to him though!
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