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!
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The Cult of Hockey
9 Things
- “Players like RHS (Phil) Kemp and LHS Markus Niemelainen remain an injury away from meaningful NHL minutes.”
- “(Nick) Bjugstad will likely get paid at least 50% more in 2023-24. He has earned that and I sure do not hold that against him. But Edmonton should make sure it is not by them.”
- “I do not think (Kailer) Yamamoto just forgot how to do all that. But the drop-off displayed all the signs of injury that has impaired his hand-eye abilities. How long-term that situation may be is anyone’s guess. As a result? Danger, Will Robinson.”
- “The Oilers had been in on Jayden Grubbe for a very long time. But I believe they set the price they were willing to pay for him early in the process and then stuck hard to their guns.”
- “…there may be a move out there for Edmonton that on the outside may seem anywhere from a long shot to impossible. It is probably not a specific move that Friedman refers to, rather a mindset which the Oilers have adopted going in.”
BLH’s Thoughts: Just as I mentioned last week right before he was signed, Phil Kemp’s name has surfaced. I’ve read that his speed is an issue but I call BS on that. If Vinnie Desharnais can play in the NHL with his iron boots, Kemp could.
If Leavins is saying the Oilers shouldn’t sign Nick Bjugstad for around $1.4M/yr, I’d like to know which 6’6″ right-handed centre the Oilers are signing that is cheaper. Edmonton spent years pining and chasing Brian Boyle and now they have one within their grasp at a ridiculously affordable price point and Leavins is out there screaming, “Don’t do it! It’s a trap!”…
Now, that said, if there IS a better option at $1.4M, then by all means, go for it; but I’ll believe it when I see it.
MSM has started in on Yamamoto like they did Puljujarvi last summer. Killer’s got himself a problem with the old noggin that is impairing his eye/hand coordination according to Kurt here. So, do you really think if he’s talking about it that all the other teams in the NHL aren’t aware and how is that going to play out in trade negotiations? Poorly I’m thinking…
So if nobody was willing to give up a 5th for Grubbe, what does that tell ya? I hope the kid is all the Oilers think he’s cracked up to be but I don’t envision seeing him in an Oilers jersey FT for another four years possibly. Maybe two if he gets really lucky.
Friedman is already at work setting up the 23/24 NHL trade deadline. Now watch the other insiders follow suit. If it’s true and the Oilers do have an ace up their sleeve, it won’t be a secret for very long. All we’ll have to do is pay attention to how their summer goes. If it’s conservative, then Holland’s going to trade and accrue as much cap space as possible for the deadline. If they’re aggressive, I would think the likelihood of a bit March trade is lessened.
Would you support an RNH for Taylor Hall trade? There’s always been a sense of “unfinished business” with Hall and the Oilers and he’s on a pretty sweet deal himself… Something to think about.
Whatever happens, it’ll all be a setup for Steve Staios or Brad Holland or whoever takes over for the current GM as the salary cap blossoms in the subsequent years.
Lowetide
Free Agency
- “Here’s what I do believe. There are reasonable options available. Some of them are going to be, like Jesse Puljujarvi, players who aren’t going to be qualified. Among that group, I’d look at Yegor Sharangovich, Brett Howden, Morgan Geekie, Nolan Patrick (no idea if he’s healthy but he would be a low risk signing if he’s coming back), Ross Colton and Noah Gregor. They could all be qualified and signed, but the Oilers would be wise to have their list ready.”
BLH’s Thoughts: Smart idea. I like Colton and Gregor for their compete and wheels.
Sharangovich seems like he would be an upgrade in the skill department. I’ve not read a lot of reports on the Belarussian but 76pts in 151 games so far and if he’s potentially becoming a UFA this summer, I would have to think he’s a bit of a one-way player. Maybe a bit too much Andrei Kostitsyn in his game.
Lowetide’s been screaming about Geekie and Howden for years now. I’m indifferent on them. Howden’s got great speed and Geekie is a big boy but are they upgrades?
With all that said, raiding the unqualified RFA market is a tactic I support.
Trade Rumors
Spector’s Hockey
- Friedman claims the Jets aren’t throwing in the towel on being a contender. He said they’ve made it clear that this isn’t going to be a rebuild this summer. They could get some futures (draft picks, prospects) as part of the return if any of those players get traded. However, they also have several good players on long-term contracts that they want to support.
- As for Dubois, the Winnipeg Sun’s Scott Billeck noted the ongoing rumors linking the 24-year-old center to his hometown Montreal Canadiens. However, he also suggested the Colorado Avalanche, New York Rangers, Los Angeles Kings and Boston Bruins as possible destinations.
- Lisa Dillman recently reported John Gibson is ready to move on from the Anaheim Ducks.
- Dillman noted the Kings and Penguins could use help between the pipes but both clubs could find it difficult to accommodate his salary or meet Verbeek’s potential asking price.
- Charlie O’Connor wonders if Ivan Provorov still has a place on the Philadelphia Flyers blueline. He’s regressed since his stellar 2019-20 performance.
- Elliotte Friedman reports the New Jersey Devils could be opening to trading the rights of pending UFA defenseman Damon Severson if they can’t sign him to an extension before July 1.
BLH’s Thoughts: Last week I wondered if the Jets would be looking for futures or NHL-ready players with regards to who they might target in return for their core and Friedman cleared that right up.
It makes a ton of sense to me that they’d avoid a rebuild. I don’t know how well the Jets could do if they had to tear it all down and start again. That market has to stay engaged in my opinion.
With Boston sniffing around Nugent-Hopkins and McLeod, surely they’re going to be in on PL Dubois and Mark Scheifele and packing Brandon Carlo and/or Taylor Hall with picks/prospects would be good for both clubs I reckon.
Which goalie does Buffalo get, Hellebuyck or Gibson?
Ivan Provorov to Vegas ro reunite with his old Junior GM?
Bob Stauffer brought up the Devils trading Severson’s rights last week… Should Oilers fans be keeping an eye on that?
