Coming from an Edmonton Oilers point of view, BLH provides you with excerpts from 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
Can You Have BOTH Tyson Barrie and Adam Larsson Here (in Edmonton)?
This was the question posed to former Edmonton Oilers enforcer Louie DeBrusk and The Cult of Hockey’s David Staples by Bob Stauffer on Oilers Now yesterday morning. Here’s what they had to say,
DeBrusk – “At the right price point, for sure you can. It’d be difficult, but no question. I get the sense that people think that Tyson Barrie is just done here (in Edmonton) and I don’t necessarily feel that way…
There’s no question that he for sure liked it here and why not? He was on the best PP in the league and that’s his language, it’s perfect for him…
But they also have some up and comers. They’ve got Evan Bouchard, who certainly needs to be tested and needs to get some time and to be able to step in and see exactly what you have in a player that I think now, it’s time to give him that opportunity to see, “Hey, what do we have here?”…
There’s no question he could quarterback a powerplay. So you can have an offensively minded defenseman like a Tyson Barrie, but it’s an entry-level deal, it saves you money to spend somewhere else…
At the same time, if you can get a deal done for a good number, I don’t see why you couldn’t have both of them back.”
BLH’s Thoughts: I don’t know if there’s a whole lot to add to what Louie has said here. The old adage, “Get good players, keep good players” only seems to apply in certain circumstances mostly dictated by the financials. If Tyson Barrie wants to win, he should come back. If he wants to make a buck, he’ll need to head elsewhere, simple as that. It’s his gamble to take, but no doubt about it, I’d love to have him on the Oilers for another three seasons because I know exactly what he brings to the table. Nothing is set in stone with the younger defenders on the team so far…
Staples – “It’s an interesting question, I just feel like you have this player in Evan Bouchard. So, for me, if the Edmonton Oilers make this commitment to themselves and to Bouchard, ‘We’re going with you. Here’s a roster spot, you earned it this year, but we couldn’t give it to you because were blocked.’, So Bouchard’s on the team. It’s my team, that’s my vote.
So then you bring Larsson back, I think you’ve got to bring him back. You see the kind of defenseman it takes to succeed in the playoffs, Adam Larsson’s that kind of rugged shutdown defenseman. Larsson’s at the top of the list.
Then you have a choice, Barrie or Ethan Bear. If you bring Tyson Barrie back on a reasonably deal, would you then trade Ethan Bear for a third line center or as part of a deal for a top winger? Playing four right-shot dmen is also an idea.”
BLH’s Thoughts: After thinking about it for a while, I don’t think they can have bona fide right-shot NHL defensemen skating every night. You can be damned sure if that was an acceptable plan with the coaches, they’d have implemented it last season. Plus, somebody is sure to get the shaft TOI-wise.
There’s nothing wrong with making a good hockey trade to improve your team if you can and perhaps swapping Bear for a good third line center or as part of a package to bring in an excellent LHD for the 2nd pair is the right move for this team at this time.
For what it’s worth, Stauffer also mentioned that it was his belief that the Dallas Stars are going to really try to re-sign Jamie Oleksiak and hinted that Jake McCabe would probably stay in the US since he’s American. Notice the ages of those two and the style of hockey they play? 28 (Oleksiak) and 27 (McCabe) and both are physical take no shit dmen…
What’s Going on in the Market Place According to Bob Stauffer
- “Teams realize you need scoring. Seattle’s coming into the NHL and they’re not going to have any problems getting defensemen. There’s going to be defensemen available. Some teams will only protect three. Edmonton is probably going to be one of those teams that protects three defensemen, so there’s going to be some dmen out there and I wonder if finding scoring and top-six guys is going to be tougher for Seattle and does that change the complexion for Tyson Barrie?”
- “The other part of it is, size for defense. You look at the size the Canadiens have, is it a factor for Montreal in being a position to have gone on this run? I think it clearly is. Now, if you’re Tyson Barrie and you’ve just lead the league in defense scoring, maybe there’s a short-term number that might make sense for the Edmonton Oilers.”
BLH’s Thoughts: What I’m gleaning is that Seattle will try to get their top-six scoring via trade, possibly with teams who have a surplus of scoring and need defense. Hence why we’re hearing Elliotte Friedman talk about defenders like Mark Giordano, Matt Dumba, and Duncan Keith in connection with the Kraken.
On the flip side of that conversation is the fact that Ron Francis loves to stack his defense… So in a scenario where he loads up on dmen this summer, he can sit pretty knowing he’s got what he wants AND he can afford to move an asset or two to upgrade elsewhere.
Specifically to Barrie, the numbers 3x$4.5M is getting tossed around a lot… Especially by Stauffer and some other local pundits. How many UFAs can Ken Holland convince to sign sweetheart deals with the Oilers and is Barrie his new Brian Rafalski?
Give us a follow on the socials!
- Youtube: Beer League Heroes Channel
- Twitter: @beerleagueheroe
- Instagram: @beerleagueheroes
- Facebook: Beer League Heroes
