The sky is falling in Edmonton again I see. Did everyone forget that the quality of competition during that massive heater was the worst of the year for the Oilers and that it was going to get significantly harder after the All-Star Break? I swear I remember multiple pundits make that point over and over… But here we are again pining over new goalies and wishing for the GM to be fired. The vocal minority online within this fanbase are insufferable and last I checked, none of them are running professional hockey teams nor have the applied or ever been approached as a result of their online opinions…
Anyway, I want to talk about a couple of outstanding Russian wingers and a young Canadian in today’s post.
I should start prefacing these blogs with the fact that I write them a day in advance and because we’re getting so close to the deadline there’s a good chance I might write about a player or a team and it be old news by the time it gets to your beautiful eyes. If that happens, my apologies!
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The Latest Edmonton Oilers Trade Rumors
Are the Russians Coming?
“Most of the Senators’ trade discussions involve pending free-agent Vladimir Tarasenko. He has a full no-movement clause but it’s thought that four or five teams have expressed interest in the 32-year-old winger. It’s believed the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers could be among the suitors. The Senators could get a better return if they retain part of his $5 million cap hit.” – Spector’s Trade Rumors
- I’ve talked at nauseum about Tarasenko. I don’t think there’s much more to say here with him.
- He’s got a fantastic track record of scoring in the playoffs without a Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl as his center.
- If Edmonton can get a 3rd team involved so that they’re only paying him 25% of his deal, I think there’s a lot to like there.
Doubtful
“Jim Matheson indicates the Oilers have been scouting the Blues. He believes they’re looking at Buchnevich as a second-line winger option. Matheson believes the cost to acquire him could be comparable to what the Oilers gave up in last year’s Mattias Ekholm trade (a first-round pick, a fourth-rounder and a prospect).” – Spector’s Trade Rumors
- The cost is rumored to be TWO first rounders for Buchnevich… I don’t know if that means actual draft picks or a player that was once a 1st rounder like Xavier Bourgault or Philip Broberg.
- There’s another year left on his deal after this if I’m not mistaken and it’s at $5.8M.
- I’d like him on the Oilers because he ticks off a lot of boxes but I can’t see it happening. Maybe Vegas gets him if the Blues drop off even more here.
Another Option
“Staple and Kurz speculate it could cost the Rangers at least their first-round pick to acquire Laughton. With the Blueshirts being a division rival, perhaps the asking price might be higher than for other clubs.” – Spector’s Trade Rumors
- I know this is a Rangers rumor but it applies to the Oilers as well seeing as they’ve been looking at Laughton.
- I took a look at Laughton and Colton Sissons (NSH) recently and I’m not as sold on them as I was before. I think they don’t bring enough offense OR defense to justify spending a 1st rounder on them.
- However, a player who caught my eye was Arizona’s young pivot, Barrett Hayton. And the reason for that this season his relative defensive advanced analytics 5v5 are very good.
- CA/60: -10.37
- FA/60: -7.06
- SA/60: -0.42
- xGA/60: -0.74
- SCA/60: -10.85
- HDCA/60: -4.48
- HDGA/60: -2.26
- His 5v5 PDO (0.948) is in the dumps and that could be one of the reasons he’s only scored 4pts in 24 games. I mean, he also plays for Arizona… Probably doesn’t help a lot there.
- In 82 games last year he scored 43 points, as a 22 year old when his PDO was 1.001.
- He’s an RFA this summer. The deal he’s on has him making $1.75M/yr. 6’1″, 207lbs… Thick boy! Plays an honest game.
- The Coyotes franchise is an absolute garbage fire and I don’t see that changing. I know Jeff Marek and Elliotte Friedman were talking about the club possibly relocating to Salt Lake City. Would that have an impact on player availability?
- My thought is that it’s not everyday that you find a player as young as Hayton who’s playing that “well” defensively according to the metrics and would be able to grow with the club going forward.
- I would deduce that he’s the type of player who embraces a role fully and for the love of Christ, the Oilers could use a shutdown center on their third line, couldn’t they? Buy when the value’s down for a change…
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