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 Oilers Now
- “When it comes to the third line center, I think the Oilers are going to have to acquire that player via trade. We’ll wait and see and monitor if that’s even something that’ll occur, nudge nudge wink wink, before the expansion draft. Maybe it’s an organization that’s not sure if they’re going to keep that individual and it would make sense for Edmonton said player in a 3rd line role.” – Bob Stauffer (1st hour)
- “Right now you need toughness that can play and be part of your group. Here’s somebody that if I was the Oil I’d be looking at, and I’m not suggesting this is a Zack Kassian swap, but I’d have my eyes on Trent Frederic from the Boston Bruins… I think he’d be the kind of guy that’d be great for the Oil.” – Kevin Weekes (3rd hour)
- “Frederic, to me, has a different dimension and a willingness, I mean he fought (Tom) Wilson this year. I’m sure they (Boston) make room for him next season, do they not?” – Stauffer (3rd hour)
BLH’s Thoughts: Sometimes these segments feel like advertisements for players, do you know what I mean? Did Weekes really just pull Trent Frederic out of left-field for Edmonton or was Stauffer doing his agent buddy Allain Roy a favor? I don’t know, the portion of the show yesterday just felt premeditated somewhat.
Anyway…
If the Oilers are going to move on from Zack Kassian and Jujhar Khaira, they’re going to need to add some bottom-sixers who will pull guys into the game a bit. Trent Frederic is one of those players, he’s a younger version of Matt Hendricks sans the branded shootout move.
Before we get going, forget about any sort of offense with him. Frederic’s amassed FIVE points in his career so far. In Boston, it looks like they’ve used him on the wing for the most part. I mean, with Bergeron, Krejci, Coyle, Kuraly, etc. there’s not been much room for him anyhow. That said, in 59 games, he’s taken 151 draws and won 51.7% of them.
His advanced analytics are atrocious though, so if you’re going to go down that route to determine his value, save yourself the trouble and just take my word for it.
So, if the Oilers were looking for player who could keep things honest, doesn’t fear anybody, and is positionally flexible as well as potentially surplus to requirements in Beantown, Mr. Frederic might be the guy. I reckon he’d be an adequate option on the wing on Edmonton’s 3rd or 4th line but there are most likely better options if the team has improving 5×5 goal scoring on its to-do list.
For what it’s worth, Sean Kuraly has taken 1300 more faceoffs than Frederic in the past three seasons and has a better FO% (54.5%) including the second best DZFO% amongst regulars (52.1%) on Boston. He’s not as old school as Frederic though.
From Oilersnation
Trade Proposals by Jason Gregor
I asked a few co-workers to come up with their trade proposals and present them here as well as today on my radio show on TSN 1260.
Jason Strudwick: Edmonton trades Kyle Turris to Anaheim for Adam Henrique. Ducks retain 50% of his salary.
Strudwick’s thought process.
- “Henrique would be a $2.9m cap hit for three years as the Oilers third line centre. Both players were on waivers last season, and Edmonton will take on salary, but I am confident Henrique will rebound. I’m betting the COVID situation played a part.”
Tom Gazzola: Oilers trade Caleb Jones and their 2021 fourth round pick to Chicago for Dylan Strome.
Gazzola’s thought process on the deal.
- “If the fourth isn’t enough of a sweetener, I’d be willing to move a second in 2022. Edmonton is getting a guy heading into the meat of his career with lots of potential. And rumours suggest the Hawks are looking to make a play for Seth Jones, so adding his brother could help them.
- “I do this deal planning to start Strome on left wing, and if he has to play centre at times he can. Gives Edmonton a versatile C/LW option if Nugent-Hopkins leaves for free agency.”
Connor Halley: Oilers trade their 2021 first round pick, prospects Michael Kesselring and Tyler Benson and veteran Kyle Turris to San Jose for Tomas Hertl.
Halley’s reasoning.
- “The Sharks have very little cap space and need to shed some salary. I would start Leon Draisaitl with McDavid and Hertl will be the second line centre. I’m not re-signing RNH in this scenario. Hertl is really good on faceoffs (13th in NHL last season) and he can kill penalties. He is also a proven playoff performer.
- “Hertl would have to waive his NMC, and the risk is he walks after this season when he is a UFA, but if he waives to come to Edmonton then I believe he would be open to re-signing. I added Turris only for salary cap reasons.”
Ryan Rishaug: Oilers trade Ethan Bear and a conditional fourth rounder in 2022 to Philadelphia for Nolan Patrick. It becomes a third if Patrick plays 65 games and scores 15 goals.
Rishaug’s thoughts.
- “Patrick is still very young and has tons of upside as a top-six winger or third line centre, or even second line centre if you want to move Draisaitl to wing at times. Patrick wins over 50% of his faceoffs, and is ripe for a change of scenery/bounce back year. A lighter touch from Tippett may help. Philly could use an upgrade on the right side on D. There is some risk/reward for both sides.
- “I only do this deal knowing that Larsson has already signed.”
Jason Gregor: Oilers trade Caleb Jones, the rights to Jujhar Khaira and a 6th round pick in 2021 to Minnesota for defenceman Carson Soucy and the rights for Nick Bonino.
- “With Oscar Klefbom’s uncertain future, the Oilers need a few players who can slot in on the left side. Edmonton needs a third line centre and Bonino fits the bill. I like him as a third line C for a year until Ryan McLeod is more prepared to take on that role. Minnesota frees up a bit of cap space to re-sign Hartman while Edmonton adds more experience. Jones could slot in on their third pair, and Khaira would be centre behind Eriksson-Ek, Hartman and Rask.”
BLH’s Thoughts: I can’t see Hertl, Henrique, or Strome being traded in those trades, but the offers from Gregor and Rishaug were intriguing. It never hurts to bring up a local boy (Soucy) in trade rumors and I imagine him having an Edmonton-based agent is merely a coincidence.
Did you notice every one of the proposals had a third line center going back to Edmonton. Top that off with Stauffer saying that Edmonton is going to probably have to trade for that player as well as Kevin Weekes suggesting Frederic (BOS) and we’ve got some smoke folks.
I also found it interesting that the two connected media members suggested trading Caleb Jones and Ethan Bear… One could argue that might mean the presence of more smoke…
This is the game people. Now we wait.
Give us a follow on the socials!
- Youtube: Beer League Heroes Channel
- Twitter: @beerleagueheroe
- Instagram: @beerleagueheroes
- Facebook: Beer League Heroes
