Edmonton Oilers Rumors: “Jason Demers would be a good addition.”

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Oilersnation (baggedmilk)

Monday Mailbag – What will be considered a successful season?

Seeing as the Oilers are low on cap space, do you think they will be able to offer some PTOs to anyone ahead of training camp? If so, is there anyone that interests you?

“If possible a veteran RD… Jason Demers would be a good addition.” – Gregor

BLH’s Thoughts: I was going through Demers’ fights on Youtube to see if he could bring some grit to Edmonton and I’ve come to the conclusion that if the Oilers need someone who’s willing to get beat up, Jason Demers is your man… Good lord! I love that he’s willing to get in there but man, he’s been fed a lot of knuckle sandwiches in his career.

Bob Stauffer was talking about Michael Stone, but he also commented that Calgary may come around on him again. Also, the right-shot defender that Edmonton is looking at would most likely be for the AHL with the ability to get called up in a pinch. Stauffer added that this player would get paid 250k-300k to play in the minors and that that is a substantial amount of money for that sort of player.

Do you think the Oilers have enough toughness on the roster?

“They have players who will drop the gloves if necessary, like Nurse and the newly-added Zach Hyman, plus Zack Kassian is still around. That’s more than enough in the modern league.” – Lewis

BLH’s Thoughts: The team is a lot “tougher” this year than it was last year with the additions of Keith, Ceci, Foegele, Hyman, and Ryan.

Those players might not strike you as tough, but they know how to play hockey the Don Cherry way if need be. We can’t forget about Killer Yamamoto, Josh Archibald, Devin Shore, and even Tyson Barrie has a mean streak if you push him enough.

The team has an adequate amount of “toughness”, in my opinion.

Based on how the team is built today, do you think the Oilers have made enough improvements to not only make the playoffs but to get past the first round?

“I think the Oilers are deeper and more balanced at forward and marginally better on the blueline, although that will hinge on Evan Bouchard’s readiness to be a full-time player. Biggest question for me is in goal. If I have to say today, I see the Oilers and Vegas battling it out atop the Pacific Division. I see the Oilers making the second round.” – Brownlee

BLH’s Thoughts: There will be more additions, mark my words. At the trade deadline, the Oilers will bring in somebody of note that should get the fanbase excited.

If the goaltending is simply average, maybe Ken Holland will go out and grab a netminder. If the scoring is down, perhaps he brings in a top-six forward. Maybe the defense isn’t as tough as Coach Tippett wants it, that’s where Holland goes out and grabs his cycle-breaker.

It’s “Go Time” and Edmonton’s GM knows it.

Which newcomer are you most interested to watch in their first season with the Oilers and why?

“Duncan Keith. He will likely average the most minutes of any new player, and thus his play (good or bad) will play a significant role. I think he will be better than some think.” – Gregor

BLH’s Thoughts: Keith is good shout, Foegele and Hyman are obviously peaking the curiosity of most, but I wonder how Cody Ceci will be? He was highly touted coming out of junior and started out well, but fell on hard times until last year in Pittsburgh.

I’m wondering if Ceci is one of those dmen who find their mojo after a few tours in the league. I mean, I could be wrong, but weren’t those teams in Ottawa and Toronto below average? Pittsburgh was a good team and he had really decent numbers, so is his deal that he plays better on better teams? We’re about to find out.

As we approach the start of the 2021-22 NHL season, I wonder what everyone would consider to be a successful season for the Edmonton Oilers?

“They need to get through the first round to make this a success for me. Not an easy task to be sure, but we have to raise the bar around what’s acceptable around here.” – baggedmilk

BLH’s Thoughts: I don’t think the 2nd round of the playoffs is out of the question for this squad. You’d like them to win the division, but for me that’s less of a concern. I just want the club to make it to the dance and then mop up the floor with whomever they face.

The Athletic (Pronman)

NHL Pipeline Rankings: No. 25 Edmonton Oilers betting on Kailer Yamamoto to separate from rest

1. Kailer Yamamoto, RW – “I think Yamamoto has skill. It’s not the type of elite skill and playmaking you’d like at his size, but it’s good enough to be a useful scorer in the NHL and create chances. I think he’s a long-term top-six forward, but he’s not going to realistically come close to the number he hit in the 2019-20 season.”

2. Dylan Holloway, C – “He won’t be the most dangerous player with the puck on his stick on an NHL line, but he can drive play while also being a physical player off the puck. I see a projected top-six forward in the NHL.”

3. Evan Bouchard, RHD – “I see for sure an NHL player, with the possibility to be a good top-four defenseman… His skating isn’t the best and how good a defender he can be in the NHL is the main question on his game due to his feet.”

4. Philip Broberg, LHD – “Why is his defending and gap work not a standout part of his game given his feet (which scouts think will come with time)? There’s way too much talent here, so I see a top-four defenseman, and there is a possibility for more to justify his draft slot, but he needs to be a more consistent all-around player.”

5. Xavier Bourgault, C – “I wouldn’t describe Bourgault as a physical player or the first guy over the boards on the penalty kill, but he backchecks well enough and creates turnovers with his hustle. Bourgault projects as a middle-six NHL forward, likely on the wing.”

6. Ryan McLeod, C – “I think he has offense, he shows good flashes of skill and he has great vision, but it might not be enough to be a true scorer in the NHL. I see a bottom-six forward and I wouldn’t be surprised if he turned into a true middle-six forward.”

7. Raphael Lavoie, RW – “He looks like a player who should pop consistently with his talent. Those moments don’t happen too often due to a lack of speed in his game, and an effort level that comes and goes on top of playing too much on the perimeter. I still see too much scoring ability that I think Lavoie finds a way to be a bottom six winger.”

HM: Dmitri Samorukov, Tyler Tullio, Matvei Petrov, Stuart Skinner, Olivier Rodrigue

BLH’s Thoughts: Notice anything similar about most of those players? High levels of character and work ethic. At the very least, every one of those skaters should play in the NHL and to me, that’s a change in drafting philosophy that I embrace.

You can use every pick you have on the highest skilled player available if you want to and you might hit on a couple, but all-star teams never win championships because they don’t have the required attributes that would see them block a shot with their teeth or horse collar somebody on the opposite team that took liberties with a teammate.

Since Chiarelli’s days, the Oilers scouting staff have targeted players with excellent work rate, sandpaper, and a burning desire for success. Leaders, if you will, and the choice to pivot their focus will pay massive dividends down the road for the organization.

NHLTradeRumor.com

On John Klingberg

John Klingberg is entering the final year of his seven-year contract, and is part of one of the deepest top-fours in the NHL. Klingberg, 29, has one year remaining with $4.25 cap hit (actual salary of $6 million).

Mike Heika of NHL.com reports Klingberg is looking to get a long-term extension done, but Klingberg has placed himself statistically in a very high dollar range while at the same time getting to an age where a long-term deal might not be best for the team.

It is likely the Stars will not be able to afford a high AVV long-term deal… Do the Stars keep him for a Stanley Cup run or trade him and get assets in return instead of losing him for nothing.

On Montreal’s Next Move

If Kotkaniemi joins the Hurricanes, the Canadiens would receive a first-round pick and a third-round pick at the 2022 NHL Draft as compensation. The Habs could use that as part of a package to land Eichel. The Sabres will also likely ask for Cole Caulfield as part of a package.

Eric Engels of Sportsnet reports the Canadiens could now be strong suitors in the Jack Eichel sweepstakes.

If Bergevin really wants to cause a ruckus in the NHL, if he looses Kotkaniemi to the Hurricanes, he could also go the route of an offer sheet and offer one to Vancouver Canucks star forward Elias Pettersson.

On Christian Dvorak

Eric Engels of Sportsnet reports if the Montreal Canadiens do not match the Jesperi Kotkaniemi offer sheet could GM Marc Bergevin look to shed some of acquired draft picks to trade for Coyotes centre Christian Dvorak?

Elliotte Friedman earlier this offseason reported that the San Jose Sharks, Calgary Flames, Minnesota Wild and New York Rangers also had interest in Dvorak.