STL, CAR, NJ are Possible Destinations for Puljujarvi AND Oilers Fans Aren’t Going to Like the Kassian Trade Says Team Insider

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The Athletic

5 AHL players who can help the Oilers next season

[Jack] Studnicka is an attractive player for Edmonton because he’s a right-handed centre who can also play on the wing. He’s 6-foot-2, 186 pounds and has two-way skills, including plus passing ability.
- …with Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci rumoured to be returning, it’s possible the organization could move on from the talented forward.
- Studnicka is waiver-eligible and unlikely to clear. Edmonton could use a two-way winger who can also play centre, especially attractive due to his cap hit (needs a new deal coming off entry-level).
[AJ] Greer has size (6-foot-3, 210 pounds), speed and brings a physical game (102 PIMs in 53 AHL games last season). His offence has been uneven but he delivered his best year in 2021-22.
- For Edmonton, who may be losing Evander Kane and Zack Kassian (two physical forwards) this summer, Greer in a support role would be an attractive (and inexpensive) option for the Oilers.
At just 5-foot-8, 165 pounds, [Matthew] Phillips belongs to the Kailer Yamamoto family of skill wingers. He’s fast, elusive and talented as a shooter and passer when in possession of the puck.
- He is not a volume shooter (165 shots per 82 AHL games) but owns a career 16.7 percent shooting percentage in the AHL. Even letting some air out of the tires, his scoring rate in the NHL should be enough for him to hold on to a job.
At 6-foot-2, 185 pounds, Pierre-Olivier Joseph has the size and mobility to play in the NHL as a regular.
- He doesn’t move the needle much offensively, and through three pro seasons it’s holding him back.
- If the Oilers are unable to sign Brett Kulak and are looking for more help on the blue line, Joseph may be available…
The Los Angeles Kings have a large number of quality prospects and a player like [Samuel] Fagemo could get blocked out in the next couple of seasons despite solid AHL performances.
- …his foot speed and shot (Scott Wheeler called it “ridiculous” in a later winter look at Los Angeles prospects for The Athletic) are far more dynamic.
Studnicka could be useful in a middle six role, Greer as a physical winger with speed, Fagemo and Phillips complementary scorers. Joseph could be a solid pickup if Edmonton doesn’t sign Kulak.

BLH’s Thoughts: Studnicka reminds me of Ryan Spooner a bit. Great skill but when the going gets tough, he disappears.

AJ Greer is intriguing because I wonder if there’s some Pat Maroon in his game but a much better skater.

Philips is really small but has great edges and is zippy out there kinda like Nic Petan or Tyler Ennis. Not sure he wouldn’t get bullied out of NHL games though.

I don’t know if Fagemo has enough to get him to the next level. He scores quite a few goals on the powerplay… But who knows? Is he another Eeli Tolvanen or more?

Honestly, is there a point in bringing in another left shot dman when the Oilers already have Broberg, Niemelainen, and Samorukov fighting for a spot on the bottom pair?

Edmonton Sun

Holland facing tough challenges in bid to restock Edmonton Oilers

As for Puljujarvi, the relationship between he and the Oilers isn’t broken, but wide gaps have developed in how each side views his role.
Puljujarvi believes he is a top-six forward worthy of a coveted spot next to either Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl.
When new coach Jay Woodcroft arrived on the scene, he saw Puljujarvi as a good third-line winger and slotted him there down the stretch and through the playoffs.
The evidence suggests Woodcroft is right — he got more out of the Oilers than any coach in the last 15 years and any team that considers itself a contender can’t have a first line winger with four goals in 37 games.
Nevertheless, Puljujarvi isn’t happy with the coaching change and this is where the gulf begins.
The market isn’t going to be great for the 24-year-old and Holland has already said he’s not going to give him away just to quiet the storm so, unless they get a very good offer, there is a chance he’s back next year. The problem is that he’s eligible for arbitration and right now Jesse Puljujarvi at $3 million isn’t a great price. So it’s another tough spot for Holland and the Oilers.

BLH’s Thoughts: The entire article is full of quotes from Ken Holland aside from the Puljujarvi section. Weird. Also weird is that not one journo in Edmonton who’s had access to the Oilers GM has asked him why he would want to trade a player that shows up so well in the advanced analytics or if he thought it would be a tad rash to deal a young player who started the year so well (in the top six) before running into injuries and COVID.

Pulju has never said he wants to leave Edmonton. Be that because of Connor and Leon or McLellan or Woodcroft. He’s always said it’s out of his hands and he’d come back to the Oilers but his ultimate goal is to play in the NHL.

I’m tired of all this and am hoping a resolution is found this weekend. Tomorrow hopefully. It’s my birthday today, so if anybody reads this and sees Holland, can you ask him to trade Jesse to Carolina for me?

STAUFFER SAID

Yesterday on Oilers Now, Bob Stauffer brought up St. Louis (Chiarelli/Hitchcock), NJ (analytics driven), and Carolina (Aho/analytics) as three possible desinations for Jesse. So we can add those three to San Jose (Kane deal) and Ottawa (Looking for a top-6 winger).

Bob has also spoken of Curtis Lazar a couple of times lately as someone he’d could see on the Oilers 4th line making about $800k-$1M.

Zack Kassian’s name came up yesterday and Stauffer said the Oilers fans aren’t going to like that trade but that’s just how it is.

Evander Kane is on Washington’s wish list according to Bob Stauffer. Maybe the Caps would be able to give him $7Mx4yrs.

Last thing Stauffer said before he ended his show today was "Hmmm. Hmmm." (gotta hear it) when prompted about Dan Milstein client Nikita Zadorov.

Gave me a similar feeling to when Bob started bringing up Adam Larsson right before he was acquired by the #Oilers. #LetsGoOilers

— BLH (Edmonton Oilers Enthusiast} (@BeerLeagueHeroe) July 6, 2022

Trade Rumors

Spector’s Hockey

Bruce Garrioch suggests keeping an eye on Seth Jones. He said the rebuilding Chicago Blackhawks hope to move the 27-year-old defenseman’s hefty contract.
Garrioch also reported the Blackhawks are trying to trade Dylan Strome but there are rumors the 25-year-old RFA center won’t get a qualifying offer.
The New York Rangers and Washington Capitals are believed in pursuit of [JT] Miller. The Rangers need a second-line center while the Capitals face uncertainty over the long-term absence of Nicklas Backstrom as he recovers from hip surgery.
NHL WATCHER: cited Jeff Marek on yesterday’s “32 Thoughts” podcast wondering if the Detroit Red Wings would be a destination for Nazem Kadri. The 31-year-old Colorado Avalanche center is slated to become a UFA on July 13. Marek observed the Red Wings have lots of salary-cap space this summer and it’s believed they’re really going to try and compete next season.
THE SCORE: cited a report by The Columbus Dispatch’s Brian Hedger indicating the Blue Jackets are talking to the Arizona Coyotes about defenseman Jakob Chychrun.
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports there’s some trade buzz surrounding Ottawa Senators goaltender Matt Murray. The Blackhawks, Arizona Coyotes, Edmonton Oilers, Toronto Maple Leafs and New Jersey Devils are among the clubs that could use some help between the pipes.
The Anaheim Ducks would like to get goalie John Gibson’s contract off their books.