Edmonton Oilers Talk: Would You Rather Spend a 1st Rd Pick on Moving Koskinen or Bringing a New Goalie In?

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!

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Sources Say

I just wanted to share a few tidbits that was passed on to me over the weekend in this spot before we get going into the latest Edmonton Oilers news and NHL rumors, if that’s cool.

Despite the market still being pretty dry, Ken Holland continues to grind with regards to finding a new home for Mikko Koskinen. As soon as he does that, he can then make a move to bring in a different goalkeeper.
The thing that is holding up any deal for Koskinen is that teams are asking a shit ton to take on that contract.
The ask? Unless you’ve been under a rock this week, you’ve probably already hears it. In case you have indeed been “off the grid”, here you go:
Koskinen, Dmitri Samorukov, and a 1st rounder.

My feeling is that there’s some internal debate as to whether or not to use a first round pick to get rid of Koskinen’s contract or to use one to bring a goalie in because no doubt, unless there’s a deal on the table already agreed to, as soon as Koskinen is moved, the price on available goalies will go up…

For me, I’d just gamble on Smith and Koskinen even though the odds on Mike Smith having a “good year” are quite low. The first rounders in the next two drafts are going to have some excellent value and this team needs to keep adding prospects to its pipeline.

Besides, have you ever gone through all of Detroit’s goalies from the year Ken Holland was named GM of the Red Wings (1997) to his leaving the club (2019)? You’d be able to count on both hands how many years his starting goalie had a SV% above .920 and he had some fantastic goalies in that time like Chris Osgood, Dominik Hasek, and Curtis Joseph. Albeit, Hasek and Joseph were at the end of their careers, the point remains.

Osgood (1995-2000, 2005-2010) never had a season where his sv% was above .917 and he’s got two Cup rings won ten years apart… Between those two championships, unspectacular puck stoppers Manny Legace (2000-2005) and Jimmy Howard (2008-2019) were mainstays in Detroit.

I just don’t think that Holland is ALL that worried about having a high-priced goalie on his roster right now and is quite comfortable to go into the season with who he has and work to improve the team in front of his goalie so that his netminder is taxed infrequently.

In the meantime, he’s going to keep grinding to find Mikko Koskinen a new home.

Oilersnation.ca

All About Xavier Bourgault

Here we’ve put together a collection of scouting reports and highlights regarding newly drafted forward, Xavier Bourgault.

“His uniqueness comes in the form of regularly being one of the most reliable and productive pass outlets in the offensive zone.” -Brayden Olafson, Dobber Prospects
“His skating and speed are standout qualities and he showed a knack for finding the soft spots in defensive coverages to create scoring chances for himself and his teammates.” -Adam Kimelman, NHL.com
“Quick mind and with it, he can take advantage of opportunities that he creates offensively and defensively. In the battle with a real focus on finding positive results.” -Craig Button, TSN
“An exceptional stick handler with buttery-soft hands and a quick-strike mentality, Bourgault has to be in the running for the flashiest wingers available in the draft.” -Steve Kournianos, The Draft Analyst
The 18-year-old models his game after two current NHLer’s, and both happen to play on his favorite NHL team. “I really like Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak on the Bruins”, Bourgault admitted. – CHL.ca

BLH’s Thoughts: I’d like to add some more reports here,

“Bourgault is a wizard with the puck who can pull off moves that other players could only dream of. He is a slippery and creative puck-handler who can beat defenders one-on-one, including at full speed and in spectacular fashion. Can buzz when around the offensive zone when he’s feeling it. He’ll need to tweak his play style to make it more team-oriented.” – Derek Neumeier (FC Hockey/Defending Big D)

“The scouting reports on Bourgault suggest that although he may not be the best skater, his shot is a force to be reckoned with. Armed with a vicious one-timer and the ability to quickly elevate the puck from the slot… Whether it be in the defensive, neutral or offensive zone, the crafty forward has an uncanny ability to find space. This allows him to facilitate the breakout and expedite the counterattack.” – Craig Jones (Wingsnation.com)

The more reports I look at on this fella, the fewer scouts I find who praise his two-way ability. I’m starting to wonder what Craig Button was going on about on draft day when he compared him to JG Pageau and Patrice Bergeron. Personally, from the highlights that I’ve seen, stylistically, he reminds me of Jake DeBrusk. Some say William Nylander too, though… Only time will tell with this young man.

Oilers UFA forward Patrick Russell has signed a two-year contract with Linköping HC (SHL). #LetsGoOilers

— NHL News (@PuckReportNHL) August 1, 2021

The Daily Goal Horn

NHL Rumors Roundup: Golden Knights and Rangers in on Jack Eichel; plus latest on Vladimir Tarasenko

Unless the Sabres changed their tune on only wanting futures, I can’t see a deal (with Vegas) here. There would need to be in excess of Eichel’s $10 million cap hit sent the other way. Are the Knights going to trade Reilly Smith ($5M), Shea Theodore ($5.2M), and more to accommodate this move? Those are two big pieces that would hurt Vegas in the long-run.

In a report from Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic, he listed nine of the teams that the unhappy Tarasenko will accept a trade to go play. They included the Lightning, Capitals, Islanders, Rangers, Flyers, Golden Knights, Panthers, and Bruins. At this time, the tenth team is unknown.

Of the teams mentioned, I believe the NJ Devils would absolutely love to add Tarasenko to play with Jack Hughes. To date, the Devils are not on his 10 team trade list. The question is, would Tarasenko waive his no-move clause to play in Jersey? After acquiring Dougie Hamilton in free-agency he may change his mind.

NHLTradeRumor.com

Frank Seravalli of The Daily Faceoff is reporting the Ducks are certainly listening to offers on Manson, one of the top right-shooting defensemen available this summer.

Seravalli went on to say, the Ducks are looking for a first-round pick as part of the package. There is no word on what teams are showing interest in Manson this summer.

Manson, 29, has 1 year remaining at $4.1 million AAV.