Since the coaching change, I’ve been listening to media types like Jason Gregor say that Ken Hitchcock has nothing to lose by coaching the Edmonton Oilers.
“He’s on a 4-month contract! He can do as he pleases!”
But I’m here to tell you that if you hear anybody say that you should kick them square in the shins and tell them to get their heads out of their asses.
Ken Hitchcock is 66-years-old and his dream has been to coach the Edmonton Oilers his whole coaching career. Do you really think that he’s some sort of coaching mercenary just looking to make some money for a few months and then walk away emotionless?
No! Of course he isn’t. This is his dream for Christ’s sake. He wants to come in and do the best he can and help the Oilers go as far as possible in what might be his final kick at the can. He most certainly does have something to lose if this doesn’t end in substantial improvement for the Oilers.
Consider it his tribute to Clare Drake and all the other local friends he’s made over the years, if you will.
Trade Whispers
Now that the Oilers have Chris Wideman I do believe that spells the end for one of Matt Benning, Kevin Gravel, or Jason Garrison. Hell, I wouldn’t be surprised if it was the end for two of them.
My picks would be Benning and Garrison.
Everyone on the team loves Garrison. He really is well-thought-of within the organization and It’s my belief that the Oilers would do their best to accommodate his wishes whatever those would be if Edmonton wanted to cut ties. His foot speed simply isn’t where it needs to be in today’s NHL.
According to those who are close to the team, Matt Benning has lost confidence and for unknown reasons, his hockey IQ has gone down the drain. He can’t make a pass for the life of him and it’s costing the Oilers in goals against and chances against.
Benning is a very decent option on the 3rd pairing but if I’m being honest and I’ll ask you, do you think he’s any better than a no.7 defender in the NHL?
There’s a thought out there that Garrison or Benning could be sent to the minors but personally, and this leans more towards Benning, I think a trade would be more likely and I wonder if a team like the Dallas Stars would be someone worth talking to for the Oilers.
Chiarelli and Hitchcock have obvious connections to Stars GM Jim Nill through Hockey Canada, right? Also, Nill was Hitchcock’s boss last season.
I think that Edmonton is after Radek Faksa. A 6-foot-3 215-pound center who only has 6pts this season.
The folks that I’ve chatted with have said they reckon that Dallas might consider moving him because they’ve got some players in the minors that are pushing and they could use the cap space.
But I’m not so sure a trade between the two teams would be a cap space saver for either of them. Edmonton and Dallas are both slightly overdrawn at the moment.
What was suggested to me was a Benning and the Islanders 3rd round pick this year for Radek Faksa.
I’m not 100% sold on a deal that would see Dallas move a center like Faksa when they’re right in the playoff mix unless Edmonton was overpaying OR Martin Hanzal was close to returning.
Montgomery on Hanzal's timeline: "I think a realistic goal would be towards the end of November. And that would be a real positive outcome. I think somewhere around Dec. 4 to Dec. 10 is very plausible." https://t.co/Txm9V472Ip
— Mark Stepneski (@StarsInsideEdge) November 14, 2018
The money is near a wash as Faksa makes $2.2M per year and Benning is on a $1.9M per year contract. Both deals expire after next season and so maybe Chiarelli convinces Nill to even out the money a bit there and eat 300k.
Dallas’ defense is in tatters. They’ve got four of their top-6 dmen out of the lineup right now and they’re barely sitting in a wildcard spot. Esa Lindell and Miro Heiskanen are their top-pairing!
Last season Faksa played in 79 games and racked up 17 goals and 16 assists for 33 points. He was also +21. It was the 2nd season in a row where he accrued 33points. This year he’s on pace for around 24 points.
I think the Oilers are looking to solidify that middle six of theirs and if we look at a potential lineup that includes the big Czech center, you can see where Faksa would definitely accomplish that.
Caggiula-McDavid-Draisaitl
Rieder-RNH-Puljujarvi
Spooner-Faksa-Chiasson
Lucic-Brodziak-Kassian
So in this scenario, JJ Khaira and Ty Rattie are out of the lineup. I have a feeling that Spooner might find himself in the doghouse more often than not but the good thing about this roster is its fluidity. Apart from Brodziak, Kassian, and McDavid, the rest of the players can be slotted in anywhere.
Then on defense, you’d have,
Klefbom-Larsson
Nurse-Russell
Gravel-Wideman
Garrison
This isn’t so bad. I can’t see any of the kids coming up anytime soon. Players like Ethan Bear, Caleb Jones, and William Lagesson have the greatest chance to get called up but in my opinion, they are better served playing and honing their crafts in Bakersfield this season.
So what do you think? Would you be interested in the Oilers acquiring Radek Faksa? Let us know in the comments below but not before you check out some of our BLH swag!
