Two nights ago I received DMs from multiple sources and I finally had the opportunity to get some conversations in as we approach the pro scouts meetings for the Edmonton Oilers. Now, couple that with some of the things that Bob Stauffer and Mark Spector were talking about on Oilers Now (630CHED) yesterday morning and I think there’s a chance the fanbase in Edmonton might have something to be very pleased with once the 2021-22 NHL season starts.
Bye Bye Nuge (Maybe)
One message I received from a source on the West coast told me that it was his belief that Ryan Nugent-Hopkins was looking to test the market and sign a big contract. The teams brought up included Seattle, Ottawa, and Columbus. This source was of the belief that aside from the fact that those teams are quite a distance from being Stanley Cup contenders, Nuge could still be interested if the contract is right.
There’s some common thought that if RNH is looking to make bank that he’ll be sacrificing success for money and the teams in the best shape to be able to offer him a large contract would be those that are closer to the bottom of the NHL standings.
Now, we all remember Elliotte Friedman talking about how it was his understanding that the Nugent-Hopkins camp and the Oilers were close to a deal earlier and somehow it fell apart, right? My source relayed this story to me as to why he thinks it fell apart,
- “I think what happened is that Nuge played really well last year (2019-20) and over the offseason him and Holland had a deal getting close. I believe it was at that $7M mark over 6 years but then Nuge’s form dipped this year and the Oilers are now concerned he’s trending down.”
What do you think? Is that a valid conclusion to come to? Are the Oilers making a big mistake by letting RNH make it to market?
Stauffer and Spector
Check out some of these quotes from yesterday’s Oilers Now,
On Nugent-Hopkins
Spector – “If Toffoli’s making four and a quarter, I’m not sure why RNH makes any more than five and a quarter, what do you think (Bob)?”
Stauffer – “Ya, I think he’s going to get it… Does he get more than $5.25M? Would you offer him $5Mx8yrs, I don’t know. That might be the only way you could circumvent that. I think he’s getting north of five and a half, I wonder whether or not what gets it done is $6Mx6yrs only because I think he can get $6Mx6 out there.”
Spector – “I really believe that the Oilers should sign Nugent-Hopkins. I think that he’s very important to them and I think that they would take a step back as they’re already light on the left side. If they lose their only top-six LWer to date now you’ve got to go out and get two. You don’t find two of those in the same offseason.”
Stauffer – “I could see Columbus looking at a Nugent-Hopkins, I could see Seattle, and I’m going to add two more teams, LA and Anaheim because I think there’s going to be an impetus there- Darren Dreger reported this morning that he could see the Kings adding a couple top-six players. I think he indicated a winger but Nuge can play the wing and play center.”
On Seth Jones
Stauffer – “Mark, I would say 95% sure that Seth Jones is looking at a US destination for a long-term extension. Does that change your appetite for him at all?”
Spector – “My understanding is that Seth Jones has built a house in Dallas. I’m not sure that blueline has room for Seth Jones on it.”
Stauffer – “I wonder if there’s a collateral benefit if he ends up in Dallas? Would Dallas trade Klingberg for Jones? Maybe Klingberg plus and then Columbus signs Klingberg, Dallas gets Jones and would take them out of a like like Oleksiak because he’s now a 2nd pairing left-shot defenseman. He might be the exact type of guy Edmonton needs.”
The Cryptic Source
Lastly, one of my main go-to guys over the years when it’s come to insider info came out of hiding for a brief moment to answer a query of mine regarding Nugent-Hopkins, DeBrusk, and Ethan Bear. Basically, I wanted to know what was up with RNH from his end of things, what the feeling on Ethan Bear was, and if Jake DeBrusk was in Ken Holland’s plans since he was a healthy scratch for Boston this week? This is what I was sent back,
- “Expect the unexpected ;)”
So, taking what you’ve read today, is there a world where the Edmonton Oilers could start next season with Zach Hyman or Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Jake DeBrusk as their top-six LWs, Jamie Oleksiak as their 2nd pair left-shot defender, and Chris Driedger as their 1B in net?
What about Edmonton coming away with both RNH and Hyman signed to twin $5M/8yr deals? That would be unexpected. Something else that might be expected, Tyson Barrie re-signing in Edmonton in the event Ethan Bear is traded or is there a minute possibility that a contract cannot be agreed to in Boston and Taylor Hall suddenly becomes an option… Expected? I don’t think so.
My read on everything I’ve been told this week? The Oilers are in on some players that aren’t being talked about in the rumor mill (or are but are considered unlikely acquisitions) and are of some significance… Plus some notable change could be coming but it might not have to if the two parties can smarten up.
Lastly, did you hear what Edmonton-based sports broadcaster John Sexsmith said on Oilers Now about Bear? Stauffer had asked him who he would’ve take out of the line up to get Evan Bouchard in and this was his reply,
- “Ethan Bear. unequivocally. I think Bouchard is a better skater, he’s more skilled, he does a lot more things better and he can skate backwards. That might be a decision the Oilers have to make in the long-run between those two.”
Ouch!
