Edmonton Oilers Offseason Talk: Hellebuyck, Wilson, Arvidsson, and Sayanora Yamo!

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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Oilersnation

Is this the missing piece in the Edmonton Oilers Stanley Cup hunt

“I’ll go with Connor Hellebuyck… With just a year left on his deal and so much uncertainty in Winnipeg, there has never been a better chance to get him.” – Matt Larkin
“…the Oilers need a goaltending upgrade… what about one of Boston’s goalies, like Jeremy Swayman or Linus Ullmark?…The Oilers can’t keep wasting time – McDavid and Draisaitl deserve better. And any of Hellebuyck, Swayman or Ullmark could take No. 1 duties next year.” – Steven Ellis
“For me it’s a new defensive system. Watching the Oilers chase all around creation in their defensive zone against the Golden Knights was tortuous to watch… The Oilers were so confused in their defensive zone. Coverage was blown left and right while Edmonton players accidentally double- and triple-teamed the Vegas puck carrier.” – Mike McKenna
“I think it’s paramount that Edmonton adds at least one more quality top-four blueliner. Up front, I truly believe they have a good enough roster to get the job done. Additionally, Dylan Holloway’s a player that needs to take a significant step next season in order for the Oilers to have success.” – Nick Alberga

BLH’s Thoughts: I’ve said it for a while now and I’m going to say it again, this is NOT a Chicago Blackhawks or a Pittsburgh Penguins build in Edmonton, it’s a Washington Capitals one but there’s potential for it to be a Tampa Bay Lighting version if they can finally get over the hump.

I don’t think the team is as close as the pundits are claiming and the reason for that is beyond the top-six there’s nothing there that I would say puts this team above and beyond. The third line is ridiculously average and the 4th line I would say is below average. Also, it appears that the goaltending may top off at average and the defense’s strengths are scattershot while it’s weaknesses are exposed on a nightly basis.

All four of the comments above from the Daily Faceoff guys are correct. They do need an upgrade in net, they do need another top-four defenseman, they do need to do major surgery on their defensive zone scheme.

For me, I would move mountains to get Patrice Bergeron to sign in Edmonton this summer. If not him, find a way to get Mikael Backlund out of Calgary. There are rumors that Barclay Goodrow might be surplus to requirements in New York and he’d be a much better option than Warren Foegele or Kailer Yamamoto on the third line. Garnet Hathaway is a UFA this offseason and he would provide an excellent PK option for Woodcroft and he’s a pain in the ass who can take care of himself and his teammates.

It’s time to start bringing in guys who’ve been there and done that and know what it takes to get to the holy grail.

Cult of Hockey

9 Things

“Evan Bouchard is going to get bridged and probably with a number that starts with a 4.”
“One mistake the Oilers made in Evan Bouchard’s development was not playing him every day in 2020-21. It delayed the arrival of the performer you see today by almost a year. And I fear they have done the same with Dylan Holloway.”
“Yamamoto is not a Top-6 performer. I would try to convert his $3.1m deal into a middle-of-the-draft pick, spend that money somewhere else, and wish the guy well.”
“Expect the Oilers to try and bring back both Mattias Janmark (UFA) and Klim Kostin (RFA).”
” The Edmonton Oilers do need an upgrade of their Defence in 2023-24. But that does not necessarily mean bringing in someone new. Cody Ceci battled a core injury for the large majority of this past season. If the club were to get the 2021-22 version of Cody Ceci at his current contract ($3.25m) then your 4D slot is filled.”
“Ken Holland is about to enter into the biggest Summer in franchise history.”
“The Oilers need more than just a subtle change in their defensive play right from the opposing team’s blueline back to their own crease.”

BLH’s Thoughts: Jesus Christ… “Ken Holland is about to enter the biggest summer in franchise history.” Give me a bloody break. You’re telling me that next season isn’t going to be the biggest summer in franchise history when McDavid and Draisaitl are another year closer to UFA status? Honestly. Who comes up with these narratives? Is it Stauffer and then he passes them on to Leavins? Like it’s such a crock of shit.

Speaking of narratives gone wrong. Is Kailer Yamamoto no longer a preferred linemate? That ship sailed the moment Puljujarvi was dealt, didn’t it. The Edmonton media had nothing else to go with when they were helping get Jesse traded and they’re once again left holding the bag now that Yamamoto isn’t needed. I’m curious what we’ll hear the pundits say about Yamo until he’s moved.

So we’re back to “hoping” a player returns to form. Is this another way of saying that nobody is going to accept a “hockey trade” that involves Ceci and the Oilers are stuck with him considering they aren’t exactly flush with tradeable assets?

Trade Rumors

Spector’s Hockey

Matthew Fairburn recently noted that colleagues Michael Russo and Eric Duhatschek had reported hearing that the Buffalo Sabres could be interested in Connor Hellebuyck.
Sammi Silber dismissed any talk of the retooling Washington Capitals shopping winger Tom Wilson. The 29-year-old power forward can become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
On Friday’s episode of the “32 Thoughts” podcast, Elliotte Friedman said the Los Angeles Kings are looking to clear some cap space. He’s hearing winger Viktor Arvidsson could be available.

Busy week ahead for a couple of Canadian teams. Craig Conroy will be named the GM of the Calgary Flames, while the Maple Leafs begin their GM process in earnest. Expect other additions in Calgary as well.

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) May 21, 2023

BLH’s Thoughts: Hellebuyck, Wilson, and Arvidsson are three players I wouldn’t mind Edmonton exploring options on. Mind you, they’d have to break the bank to get them. Would you trade Evander Kane to bring in Wilson or Arvidsson? What kind of package could the Oilers put together to win the Hellebuyck sweepstakes and would that move rival Glen Sather trading for Curtis Joseph’s rights in ’95?