Coming from an Edmonton Oilers point of view, BLH provides you with the latest NHL news, rumors, and speculation from all of the internet’s best sites including Spector’s Hockey, The Fourth Period, NHL Trade Talk, The Hockey Writers, Sportsnet, The Athletic, TSN and more!
From Spector’s Hockey
Lyle Richardson writes,
NBC SPORTS PHILADELPHIA: Jordan Hall examined the possibility of the Flyers signing Dougie Hamilton. The Carolina Hurricanes defenseman is slated to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.
BLH’s Thoughts: I’ve often wondered if Edmonton should consider signing Dougie Hamilton this summer. He’s an elite right-shot defender that this club could desperately use.
There are a few problems though. He’ll be looking for a long-term contract and it’ll surely be one that’ll have him making at least $8M per year. Can Edmonton afford to add that kind of ticket with Darnell Nurse more than likely looking for similar money in a year.
Also, the team has two younger options emerging at the moment. Ethan Bear might’ve had a couple of tough shifts in this year’s playoff series vs. Winnipeg but he’s shown that he can play anywhere in the lineup he’s asked to and he’s on a bargain deal at $2M for the year.
Evan Bouchard is coming and he’s shaping up to be something special. Some think he could top 40 points next season if he’s a regular in the Oilers’ lineup as well as running their PP.
So that would beg the question, if you’ve already got a player who can produce that kind of offense and he’s on an ELC, why would Edmonton go out and sign Hamilton? Well, I say you’d do it because he’s a sure thing. Bouchard and Bear show insane promise but I’m not sure they’ve proven they could hit the kinds of levels Hamilton has. I’ll give Bouchard the benefit of the doubt as he hasn’t played much at the NHL level to date, but Bear… Not too sure there.
If the Oilers had Darnell Nurse and Dougie Hamilton on their top-pair, they’d have one of the best pairs in the NHL and teams don’t go about having that kind of talent without paying for it. It would also make a statement to the players on the team and the fanbase that management is serious about taking the club to the next level.
Now, if it were me, I’d sign him and trade Bear for help on forward. Nothing against Ethan, but Hamilton is a massive upgrade on him and I don’t think you’d find many that would argue that point.
This would be my defense going in to 2021-22,
Nurse/Hamilton
(Klefbom)/Larsson
Koekkoek/Bouchard
Jones
I have Klefbom in brackets there because I’m not feeling great about him returning next season BUT I’m also not writing him off either. I give it about a 20% chance that he comes back and that means someone else would need to be signed to play there unless Philip Broberg blows the doors off at training camp…
NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks suggests the Rangers should consider acquiring Nazem Kadri if the Colorado Avalanche dangles the 30-year-old center on the trade market this summer. Kadri is serving his third playoff suspension in four years and the sixth overall in his nine NHL season.
BLH’s Thoughts: I don’t mind his suspension history at all. In fact, I would love nothing more than for the Oilers to go out and get an edgy player like Nazem Kadri. At $4.5M, he would be a perfect third line center for the Oilers. I’ve always said that the spine of the team has to be strong in order to be a contender and having a 1-2-3 of McDavid-Draisaitl-Kadri might be considered tops in the league.
What does a player like that cost though? We know that Joe Sakic isn’t one to be rushed into trades and he’d be looking for even value because he knows Kadri is an excellent NHL hockey player who brings a special brand of intensity. In addition to that, he’s f*cking annoying to play against. Can you name one Edmonton Oiler who’s as irritating to play against as Kadri is?
THE PROVINCE: Steve Ewen reports the agent for Vancouver Canucks forward J.T. Miller said his client loves Vancouver and hasn’t asked for a trade. Brian Bartlett said Miller “has loved Vancouver and we’ve never discussed him wanting out.” He added this stemmed from a meme with a fake quote attributed to his client.
BLH’s Thoughts: Ah… The old “Meme” excuse… Maybe Miller likes playing in Vancouver but how many employees criticize their bosses to the extent he has recently and has survive in that company?
I don’t think that Mr. Milller would complain if the Canucks moved him. Now, that’s not a trade request, but it’s not NOT a trade request either and actions speak louder than words. Meaning, one more than one occasion, he quit on the ice and left his team hanging.
If I had to guess, I think he does want out but doesn’t want it going public. I saw it time and time again in Edmonton over the last ten years from Zack Kassian to Cam Talbot to Milan Lucic…
Now, if that’s the case, I’d have time for him in Edmonton. When he’s at the top of his form, he’s a fantastic two-way forward who brings real sandpaper and a scoring touch.
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