Is Zack Kassian About to Get Pumped and Dumped?

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Lowetide.ca

MAIN COURSE

I’ve been reading opinions here and there about Dmitri Samorukov or Philip Broberg emerging as NHL regulars by mid-season, but I think that’s going to take an injury.
Will Keith fall off so much he’ll get scratched? I don’t see it. Dave Tippett could move him to the third pair but I don’t see a long stretch of healthy scratches this year. Next year? Absolutely possible…
The Zack Kassian moving to the top line chatter is coming from media who work for rights-holders, so there may well be some truth to the idea. I think logic and reason suggest that, even given the opportunity, it is unlikely to result in success.
I’m not against the idea, because moving Kassian to the top line would give the team even more strength in the top three lines. I just don’t believe it will work.

BLH’s Thoughts: Unless Duncan Keith has turned into Mark Fayne 2.0, why should we think he’s going to be a healthy scratch ever? Is the analytics community that dug in to the numbers that they can’t see the kind of physical specimen that Keith is? What do they make of Gerry Johansson taking him on for free? A player agent of that stature doesn’t just do somebody a favor like that…

Now, with Kassian, I don’t mind throwing him into the top six but not at the cost of Pulju, who’s shown that he can produce and play very well with Connor McDavid plus they’d already have Zach Hyman on that line.

Kass is a better fit for Leon’s line I reckon because it could use that physical element that Zack brings, no? Then move Kailer Yamamoto down to the 3rd line with McLeod and Foegele and let them wreak havoc out there.

I think if Kassian does go up to the first line, I believe it’ll be a showcase for an early season trade. They’ll see how he does with fans back in the stands and that’ll be the advertisement to whatever team(s) (*cough* New York Rangers *cough* Pittsburgh Penguins *cough*) are interested in him.

Oilersnation (Lewis)

ON’s 2021 Prospects Countdown – No. 6: Dmitri Samorukov

Position: Defence
Shoots: Left
Nationality: Russia
Date of Birth: June 16, 1998
Drafted: 2017, No. 84 overall (EDM)
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 189 lbs

Samorukov will return to Bakersfield in 2021-22 after an impressive showing in a good league with aspirations of playing top-pairing minutes for the Condors.
The Oilers have a wealth of interesting young defenders who will be battling each other for playing time, including Broberg, who’s going to be making his debut in North America this fall.
Edmonton’s blueline is likely set with Darnell Nurse, Duncan Keith, Kris Russell, William Lagesson, Tyson Barrie, Cody Ceci, Evan Bouchard, and Slater Koekkoek.
That said, a strong performance from Samorukov could earn him a call-up in the event of an injury. A gig on the team’s third pairing doesn’t seem too far away for the big, Russian defender.
Dmitri Samorukov, the team’s third-round pick from the 2017 draft, has thrived playing in the KHL and will look to prove this season that he can be a part of the team’s future.

BLH’s Thoughts: Bob Stauffer was saying on Oilers Now yesterday to keep an eye on Samorukov. Intimating that he might not be back to 100% from shoulder surgery stemming back to an injury he had in February I believe.

If that’s the case, and I’ve had a few people reach out to me to tell me it isn’t (so take whatever you hear with a grain of salt), he’ll definitely be going to Bakersfield for the year possibly. UNLESS! He’s traded… Remember all the rumors he was involved in from the trade deadline through to the offseason…

The Daily Goal Horn

Tarasenko trade update

Andy Strickland notes that “there’s at least one team willing to retain a portion of Tarasenko’s salary” in order to help get a deal done.
That team is most likely the Detroit Red Wings who are still looking to build up future assets as they weaponize their $15 million in cap space. Another possible team that needs help getting to the cap floor are the rebuilding Buffalo Sabres.

Latest on Brady Tkachuk and Senators

According to TSN’s Shawn Simpson the Senators have offered Brady Tkachuk a max term deal. The only hold up right now is money.

“Sens have put out that they have offered Tkachuk 8 years. What I’m told is Brady loves Ottawa, and is more than willing to sign for 8,” Simpson tweeted. “The question is the money and figuring out a number. My guess is they keep working until the eve of camp, and if nothing is done, bridge deal.”