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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Daily Faceoff
Improving right wing, right defense the top priorities for Edmonton Oilers
- “ I think that they’re going to look at if they can somehow tweak their right defense. But that would be a significant move, because it’s likely going to mean that Cody Ceci’s out. Bouchard’s not going anywhere, and I’m pretty bullish, I think Vincent Desharnais is going to be the ultimate late developer with his size.”
- “Kailer Yamamoto, I don’t expect him here, so that means you’ve got a right wing top six forward position, and you’re going to either play with Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl.”
- “Tomas Tatar shoots left, but he can play on the right side, would he sign a one-year deal, come here, pad your stats, have some success, and who knows what happens. The only unfortunate part about Tatar is that he’s never really done anything in the playoffs, so that’s an issue.”
- “They need a fourth line center, and potentially some bottom guys if Klim Kostin leaves to the KHL, which I think is probably a low percentage chance.”
- “Scoring goals isn’t their problem, they have to find a right winger who’s good offensively, but also reliable defensively.”
BLH’s Thoughts: Connor Brown isn’t the guy (nor is Tatar) if they Oilers are looking to bring a forward in who’s good defensively. 5v5 the last three seasons have seen him end those campaigns outscored 33-39, 37-46, and 1-3. However, his PDO was .986 or lower in that time. So there is that to consider.
They’re not going to get a top-six caliber player for $1M plus incentives. The will get a 3rd line grinder for that price though and play him as if he’s a 2nd-liner. Then will come the realization that he’s not what they thought he was and then the pressure will mount at the deadline to solve the issue resulting in an overpayment for somebody they probably could’ve had much cheaper in the summer… Typical Oilers storyline.
Nino Neiderreiter is a much better option to play with Leon and Nuge but he’s closer to what a first or second line player is paid ($4M), but his contract is expiring at the end of the year and he could be had for ridiculously cheap at the deadline.
Lowetide
HURRY UP AND WAIT
- “This isn’t going to be an active summer because the Oilers don’t have money to wheel. The team’s current roster is fantastic. They can win Stanley. Do not trade youth (Broberg, Holloway) that can improve you just by their own maturation. Don’t trade young players until you know what they are. You know this stuff. Ken Holland really knows this stuff. Philip Broberg takes a sound beating online daily. Don’t know why. He’s progressing, and he didn’t get himself drafted No. 8 overall in 2019.”
BLH’s Thoughts: I’m leaning on agreeing with LT here. Just by filling in the holes with cheap stop gaps, this team is still a Cup contender on the premise that injuries, rookie/sophomore jinxes, or suspensions don’t derail that team. Ken Holland could actually afford to sit tight on this roster for the most part and bide his time until the deadline. I think it’s something he should do anyhow because Dylan Holloway, Philip Broberg, and Rafa Lavoie need some reps early on in the year.
Look, Lavoie has an elite shot, Hollywood can wheel and dangle and he hits hard and often, and Broberg is coming off like he could be a bigger better version of Kris Russell. Now that’s not much to say about PB but Rusty was a very valued member of the team when he was an Oiler. Edmonton is going to require players who are willing to put it all on the line for their club and Broberg is definitely one of those guys. I mean, all three of those young players have this determination and heart in them and I’d rather see Holland give them their shot than see them get it elsewhere.
I love an older team with cagey vets but even so, those teams need that shot of piss and vinegar that the kids bring in. So for the love of Christ! Let the damn boys play on your team Mr. Holland!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXyW5w5RRFY&pp=ygUKbXIuaGVybGloeQ%3D%3D
Trade Rumors
Spector’s Hockey
- Chris Johnston brought up to date on the latest involving Flames stars Elias Lindholm, Mikael Backlund, Tyler Toffoli and Noah Hanifin.
- Frank Seravalli indicating the general consensus around the league has Lindholm leaning toward leaving.
- Backlund isn’t going to sign on July 1 because he wants to see how things play out.
- It sounds like the Flames are at least open to exploring Toffoli’s value in the trade market.
- Hanifin has informed the Flames he’s not interested in a contract extension.
- Pierre LeBrun reports the Florida Panthers will try to bolster their defense core with blueliners Aaron Ekblad and Brandon Montour expected to miss at least the start of next season recovering from offseason surgeries.
- LeBrun noted that some teams have expressed an interest in Anthony Duclair… LeBrun suggested keeping Calgary’s Noah Hanifin in mind.
- Darren Dreger reports contract talks between the Carolina Hurricanes and team captain Jordan Staal have reached an impasse.
BLH’s Thoughts: Geez, if Carolina can’t get Staal back, they’re going to have some serious spending money this summer. Could Jordan join his brothers where ever they sign? They’re all UFAs… Crazy.
Duclair for Hanifin? Yuck. No thanks. As much as I dislike Hanifin (b/c he’s a Flame), it’s not a fair swap. Duclair is wildly inconsistent in my opinion. Treliving out in Toronto sounds like he’s got his eye on Hanifin. Maybe he’s thinking of replacing TJ Brodie with him.
Florida better do something though. Forsling and Mahura are all they’ve got signed and healthy. Maybe they sign Orlov and Dumba?
As for the Flames, they need to blow that thing up. Start the rebuild, take their licks, and reap the lottery rewards so that when their arena (which will be better than Edmonton’s) opens they’ve got some elite youngsters to draw the crowds in.
Ken Holland could do worse than having Mikael Backlund sign in Edmonton next summer…
