This is your TL/DR (too long, didn’t read) summary post where excerpts are taken from the best of the best when it comes to Edmonton Oilers blogs. BLH gives you his two cents on the latest posts being published in the Oilogosphere! Including those from Lowetide.ca, The Athletic, Oilersnation, The Cult of Hockey, Copper N Blue, Oil on Whyte, and more!
The latest NHL news, rumors, and speculation comes from all of the internet’s top sites like Spector’s Hockey, The Fourth Period, NHL Trade Talk, The Hockey Writers, and The Daily Goal Horn just to name a few!
If you’re short on time but want to keep up with the day’s Oilers news, you’ve come to the right place!
Give us a follow on the socials!
- Youtube: Beer League Heroes Channel
- Twitter: @beerleagueheroe
- Instagram: @beerleagueheroes
- Facebook: Beer League Heroes
The Cult of Hockey
9 Things
- “I would never say never to the thought of Jonathan Toews in Oilers colors. But there are several big questions to be answered beyond just the price-tag. One is his physical health which limited him to 52 games last season. It looked like he was carrying more than his customary 201 pounds. Two, and the bigger one for me, is whether both Toews’ head and heart are both in it? I admired the year Duncan Keith delivered to this franchise. But he was all-in. Toews would need to be as well. And I am not sure that is where he “is”, right now.”
- “There are some murmurs out there that Phillip Broberg could be part of a deal if the circumstances (and return) were right… But the Oilers are in the business of winning and winning now. I like Philip Broberg lots. But if Broberg is not a significant part of that “win now” equation, then it is really difficult to rule out a deal including him that could bring back an asset that would play every night.”
- “A lot of people have assumed that retaining Nick Bjugstad would be too expensive for the cap-strapped Oilers. And that may ultimately prove to be true. But I do not think Holland has turned the page on the veteran.”
BLH’s Thoughts: Prorated, Toews would’ve scored 50+ points on one of the worst teams in the NHL. If he was scoring at that rate overweight, out of shape, and not 100% committed mentally, I’m all over that for $1M because at that price and him getting even the slightest bit of motivation from playing on a Cup contender, I think he’d easily hit a 50 point mark that’s not prorated. Weird for Leavins to be calling out Toews’ character though. Mind you, I could be reading it all wrong.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, aside from some unforeseen circumstances or a bloody awesome training camp, Philip Broberg won’t be on the Oilers to start the year or end it. If he makes it to camp, he’ll probably get sent down for some conditioning and to give Ken Holland some time to open up a roster space. That might last a month or until Christmas, who knows, but I do not think it’s the end of the world for Broberg. He’s only 22 years old and unless you’re a superstar not many NHL dmen are established by that age. I think if I’m wrong in my prediction, he could be another Oscar Klefbom/Nik Hjalmarsson type for Edmonton going forward, but the coaching staff has got to give him his reps and I’m not too sure they’re willing to do that at this point in time.
I’m all for bringing Bjugstad back but I wouldn’t let him touch the top-six. Not even on the wing. He’s bottom-six or bust because that’s where he’d be most effective. If Holland could find a way to bring both Bjugstad and Toews in, I’d be happy with those two running the 3rd and 4th lines. Maybe McLeod would get moved to the wing and Foegele used as trade fodder.
What do you think?
Oilersnation
Monday Mailbag
- Connor Brown has been tied to the Oilers a lot over the last week but I want to know if everyone thinks he’s a fit?
- “The biggest upgrade is the contract. You can likely pay Brown less than what you paid Yamo which is a huge win. Additionally, I think he’s better both ways that Yamo makes him a great fit for the team. In the playoffs, having another scorer will go a long way.” – Horrobin
- Do you think that the Oilers need to increase their rate of signing college free agents and European players to fill out their prospect pool and help our young players in Bakersfield?
- “Most NCAA free agents are the most overrated prospect in hockey IMO.” – Gregor
- I’ve heard people throw around the idea that getting rid of a newly acquired free agent that the Oilers just signed a year ago would hurt them with future free agent targets. How much stock do you put into that narrative?
- “I can’t imagine it helps. Players talk and news about having a bad experience in any market is sure to spread.” – Baggedmilk
BLH’s Thoughts: Brown is totally a fit as long as he signs the $1M plus incentives contract.
I don’t mind the idea of signing NCAA and European free agents but a lot of the time the hype fails to materialize. Sometimes a talent falls through the cracks though and a gem is unearthed but for the most part if a club is bringing these guys in from college or overseas, they should be used to fill out their minor league roster. Problem is, how many players from those leagues want to sign a multi-year deal to play in the minors?
There’s no issues trading a freshly signed free agent as long as they’re 100% on board and even better if it’s their idea. Moving said freshie without their knowledge is something that’ll stick to the GM that made the call and yes, agents and players will be aware of that when negotiating a deal with that general manager. However, sometimes there are circumstances where a player needs to be moved. I think Oilers fans will be able to get a sense as to what I’m getting at but I’ll let you read between the lines nevertheless.
Trade Rumors
The Fourth Period
- “Philadelphia Flyers winger Travis Konecny, Carolina Hurricanes defenceman Brett Pesce, and Buffalo Sabres forward Victor Olofsson are among the players Edmonton is reportedly looking at on the trade market.”
- “During Thursday’s “Insider Trading” segment on TSN, Darren Dreger reported the Oilers are trying to add at both ends of the rink and could be aggressive in the process.”
- “You’re looking at maybe Cody Ceci getting moved, Warren Foegele being on the move, Kailer Yamamoto and maybe others,” Dreger said.” So, the Oilers could do more than just tweak.”
- “The Oilers could also explore the free agent market, with the likes of Vegas Golden Knights forward Ivan Barbashev, Boston Bruins defenceman Dmitry Orlov, and Tampa Bay Lightning veteran Alex Killorn potentially becoming available July 1.”
BLH’s Thoughts: Personally, I don’t think Holland has a lot of assets or room to be aggressive, but if it happens it happens. I’ll just be a bit surprised if it does, that’s all. Also, wouldn’t it be a tad risky to swap out a number of players at this point? You’d hate for things to backfire on the organization with them being so close to their goal. Probably wouldn’t help in re-signing Draisaitl and McDavid.
The feeling I get is that Holland’s going to be patient this offseason but he’ll set up some big moves for next summer when it’ll be that biggest summer in the history of the franchise… AGAIN, but with more cap room.
