Coming from an Edmonton Oilers point of view, BLH provides you with 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!
From NHLRumors.com
Elliotte Teaford: With the O.C. Register reporting that Anaheim Ducks pending UFA Ryan Getzlaf buying a $5 million farmhouse in Coto de Caza, it’s likely safe to say that Getzlaf will only be signing with the Ducks and not anywhere else.
BLH’s Thoughts: Well, there goes any hope of the Oilers getting in on Getzlaf. Well, for the regular season at least… Maybe something changes around the trade deadline if Edmonton is lucky. Perhaps they go out and get Getzlaf’s ex-teammate who’s the latest lucky coin for whoever hires him. Montreal being the latest…
Emily Kaplan and Greg Wyshynski: Taking a look at some of the offseason questions the Carolina Hurricanes are facing.
- An extension for Dougie Hamilton
- Bring Rod Brind’Amour back
- Be wise in planning for the expansion draft
Top options for the Seattle Kraken will likely be one of Brady Skjei, Warren Foegele or Morgan Geekie.
(LINK)
BLH’s Thoughts: Tell ya what, if Ken Holland plans on targeting some of the teams who are in a tough situation with their expansion draft lists, there are worse teams to talk to than Carolina. Edmonton could use all three of Skjei, Foegele, or Geekie as it’s my understanding that they are intending to bring in as many as three LWs and a left-shot defenseman to possibly replace Oscar Klefbom.
Skjei makes $5.25M for the next three seasons and his production has dipped recently going from 23pts in 60gp two seasons ago to 10pts in 52gp but he’s a solid top-4 defenseman nevertheless.
Foegele is is an RFA coming off of a 10g 10a season in 53gp. He’s a decently-sized winger (6’2″ 198lbs) that can skate very well and, in my opinion, would be an excellent middle-six winger for the Oilers as he’s a shooter and they need one of those. He’s only 25 and has room to grow production-wise.
Geekie, also an RFA, is still filling out his 6’2″ frame (168lbs) but he should top out in a similar manner to Foegele. He’s only just finished his second year with the Canes so his production at the NHL level isn’t there yet but he’s proven that he’s too good for the AHL now. In 138 games with the Charlotte Checkers Geekie produced 41 goals and 47 assists for 88 points. He also spent a pair of games this past year with the Chicago Wolves where he amassed 5pts in that time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SWLYWnNv3w
Luke Fox of Sportsnet: (mailbag) If the Toronto Maple Leafs are looking to make a blockbuster trade this offseason, Mitch Marner‘s frontloaded deal may entice some teams looking to save some salary.
If the Buffalo Sabres called and Jack Eichel was brought up, that would be something to listen to. An Eichel-Marner deal would save the Leafs $903,000 off the cap. Eichel’s health is a big question mark though.
Colorado Avalanche Brandon Saad may be a cheaper signing than Zach Hyman. Nick Bonino could be a third-line center option. Mattias Janmark could be a nice middle-six winger addition. Would Montreal Canadiens center Phillip Danault sign with the Maple Leafs?
(LINK)
BLH’s Thoughts: Do it. I dare the Leafs and Sabres to make that trade. It would be glorious! Just completely forget about defense and netminding and focus all of the resources on the first line. At least Toronto would be left with somebody decent after Auston Matthews skips town when his contract expires.
As I’ve watched the Avs/Golden Knights series I’ve noticed Brandon Saad has gotten better with every game. His speed is outrageous and the fact that he can absolutely snipe with that shot of his would be more than welcome alongside Leon Draisaitl or Connor McDavid in Edmonton. He’s not soft either. Saad’s got some edge to his game and you cannot discount the championship experience he has.
The Avalanche winger is 28yrs old now and his $5M/yr deal is expiring this summer. He only scored 15 goals this past season, a career low since he scored 10 in his rookie year back in 2012-13.
One has to ask what his market value will be come the end of July, right? Will it be similar to Alex Iafallo’s ($4Mx4), Evgeni Dadonov’s ($5×3), or Tanner Pearson’s ($3.25Mx3)? Maybe Mike Hoffman’s one-year deal worth $4M is more realistic too.
I’d be happy if the Oil could get Saad with a three year deal worth between $3.25 and $4M per season but I think a lot will depend on how far the Avalanche go too. It’d be awfully hard to leave that club seeing how good they are and how high their ceiling is.
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