How about some late night reading?
Early this morning Taipei time I got a message from one of my sources that told me something very interesting. I would’ve written something earlier but I’m dealing with two sick kids, a sick wife, and a cat who loves to piss on anything and everything. Including my hockey bag… But the news is nothing really new to those of us that pay closer attention and don’t pretend to think they know it all but with regards to Zack Kassian I was told that unless the Oilers retain salary in a trade, he won’t be going anywhere.
**Remember what you read here is what you make it. I don’t work for any media outlets or professional sports franchises. I simply know folks who are close to the Edmonton Oilers who tell me things and allow me to publish them online. Whether those things come true or not, only time will tell us that and in fact, the reality of the situation is that things change almost all of the time and what I’m told rarely comes true because the pieces are always moving.
So treat what you read here with a grain of salt. Entertainment if you will. It’s watercooler banter or a subject of conversation at the pub if nothing else. – BLH**
So back to Kassian.
When I read that message what I took away from it was that teams are saying to the Oilers that they’re going to have to retain salary if they want to open trade conversations because it doesn’t sound like any of the interested teams are frothing at the mouth to pay Kassian $1.95M for this year and next to play on their 4th line.
For me, I’m in the same boat as TSN’s Ryan Rishaug, who on today’s Jason Gregor Show said that he’d want Kassian on the Oilers for the playoffs despite his shortcomings.
I like what Kassian brings to the table. He’s the kind of player who can flip the script (either way) on a game in one shift with his physicality and intensity.
I can see why he might want to move with his maybe not to his expectations and he’s newly married. Perhaps it’s just a lifestyle change that he’s looking for. He and his wife are from Ontario and I have heard that Buffalo is a team that is interested in him. Seems like that would be a good fit for the Kassian family.
Jesse Puljujarvi Will Be Moved… To the AHL
The other thing that I was told is that Puljujarvi will be sent to the minors soon.
I can see why the Oilers haven’t sent him down yet and that’s because Bakersfield has only played a few games so far but starting on the 31st they will play 11 games between Halloween and Nov.29th. In December they’ll have another 13 games.
So those two months would be the best to try and get Puljujarvi’s confidence back to exemplary rates, no?
I thought that they might try and get him into the game tomorrow versus Minnesota but who would you take out of the lineup to get him in?
- Yamamoto? – Playing well on McDavid’s wing but not producing. Welcome to the club.
- Chiasson? – Also playing well on Draisaitl’s wing and IS producing.
- Caggiula? – Playing VERY well where ever he’s slated. Candidate for promotion in my opinion.
- Kassian? – Had a good game vs. Chicago. What message would be sent if they took him out?
Then don’t forget there’s Cooper Marody who’s in the press box too.
There is simply no room for a struggling 20-year-old in the lineup at this moment in time but I’d bet the family cats that an injury will take one of the wingers out at some point and that would be when Jesse could draw back in.
If there was any player that could come out for Puljujarvi I think it would be either Kassian or Chiasson.
I just think if the coaching staff is being honest with themselves that they can’t sit Puljujarvi for the fourth game in a row. How in Sam’s Hell would that be putting Puljujarvi in a position to succeed? Unless of course, they’re not interested in putting him in a place to succeed and this is where the GM has to step in, check his ego, take action. Chiarelli has to admit that having Jesse on the Oilers when he was 18 and 19 and now 20 hasn’t been the best course of action for his development and put him down on the AHL affiliate where he can play with the Oilers young blue-chippers like Tyler Benson and Cameron Hebig.
Everybody on Oilers talk radio talked about it on Monday and I expect the move to happen sooner than later.
Evan Bouchard Will Be Sent Back To London
The last thing I was told was that Edmonton’s prized defensive prospect is slated to be sent back to the London Knights of the OHL in the coming days. Stauffer talked about it on Monday and Spector wrote about it then as well.
It’s the right thing to do and it tells me that the Oilers are learning from past mistakes. Bouchard could be given more minutes this season and be given a bigger role on the team but it’s just not the prudent thing to do this season when jobs are on the line and an expansion draft looming.
I’ve loved what Evan Bouchard has shown me this year. He’s calm, cool, and boy, can he move the puck. I love how when he takes a slapshot he looks like Al MacInnis and I’m encouraged with his hockey IQ and on-ice vision.
Next year’s training camp is going to be a doozy if the Oilers have Adam Larsson, Andrej Sekera, Kris Russell, Matt Benning, Evan Bouchard, Ethan Bear, Joel Persson, and Filip Berglund all vying for the three right-defense spots on the team.
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