Edmonton Oilers Talk: Holloway, Holland, Chytil, and More!

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 Hockey Writers

4 Oilers’ AHL Call-Ups That Could Contribute in 2022 Playoffs

Tyler Benson: There’s something to be said for familiarity, and after spending the first five months of the season in Edmonton, Benson knows the ropes and would be able to jump into the lineup right away with teammates who know what to expect of him just like Benson knows what to expect of them.
Dylan Holloway: Versatility is what could make Holloway come in handy. He’s a developing two-way player that can fill a number of roles, from scorer to forechecker, and has been seeing time on both the power play and penalty kill for Bakersfield.
Brad Malone: Malone is an extra body in the press box/borderline fourth-liner that shouldn’t be expected to offer more than a handful of minutes of sound, uneventful hockey. But what Malone does possess is the savvy that comes only with time and experience.
Brendan Perlini: Need an instant injection of offence? Brendan Perlini’s your man… Consistency can be an issue though as Perlini’s goals tend to come in bunches, but it only takes one at the right time to make all the difference in the playoffs. When the game goes into double OT and the top forward lines are gassed, every coach wants to be able to look down his bench and have the fresh legs of a one-shot scorer like Perlini.

BLH’s Thoughts: Aside from Benson, I pretty much agree with the author. I would argue that there are some impactful options to choose from Bakersfield’s defense as well.

Philip Broberg might be in over his head in the post season considering he’s had some troubles getting out of the way of hard forecheckers in the past, but he’s got the size and puck transport abilities to be a difference maker on the 3rd pairing if need be. Plus, he’s all heart as we witnessed in his last appearance at the World Juniors where he had to be told he was done playing even though he’d been playing with a LBI (thigh) and a UBI (shoulder).

If the Oilers want a more physical presence, Markus Niemelainen would be the guy you’d want there.

Lastly, I’d be willing to bet Stu Skinner would make a positive impact should Koskinen or Smith get dinged up or go cold.

The Athletic

Is Ken Holland’s unusual approach to team building close to success for Oilers?

“Holland uses too many old players.”
- Holland trusts aged veterans too much and has shown a willingness (approaching blind spot) in procuring famous names.
“Holland overpays in trades.”
- This is true… For a team like Edmonton, with stunning talent at the top end and holes elsewhere, sacrificing the future for the now is just good business.
- Foegele has played well; Bear’s position rarity is worth more.
“Holland can’t solve in-season problems.”
- Although his first season involved several missteps (trades for Athanasiou, Green and signing Zack Kassian long-term) all of those moves (and future cap ceilings) were impacted by the pandemic.
- His hiring of Woodcroft and Manson led to three outscoring lines five-on-five, seven defencemen deployed in games and a major improvement in the team’s overall record. That’s an in-season move made by Holland, it’s impossible to disregard as it pertains to this organization.
“Holland has had no playoff success in Edmonton.”
- The criticism of Holland’s playoff record in Edmonton is fair but incomplete. His template for success included making the playoffs, followed by playoff success, over five seasons.
History suggests flawed teams never reach the promised land, but it’s also true no talent of McDavid’s excellence has ever been denied Stanley.

BLH’s Thoughts: I’ve been under the impression that Ken Holland’s goal has been to transform this franchise from a team that could never make the playoffs into one that couldn’t stop making them and so far he’s done a pretty masterful job and without a proper no.1 goalie, no less.

All you have to do is get to the dance and anything can happen. Ask any hockey GM.

Trade Rumors

Spector’s Hockey: Curtis Pashelka believes a lack of offense is the issue the San Jose Sharks must address in the offseason… Pashelka believes the Sharks need to add an experienced top-six winger… Trade candidates include goaltender Adin Hill, forward Kevin Labanc and defenseman Radim Simek. The Sharks could also look into buying out the final four years of blueliner Marc-Edouard Vlasic’s contract, which would free up $8.8 million over the next two seasons.
The Daily Goal Horn: Both Ryan Strome and Andrew Copp are UFA’s this July. Some feel, myself included that they will not be able to sign both and it may come down to which player will take less… Look for the Rangers to get creative and to possibly move Patrik Nemeth’s $2.5M contract and even Filip Chytil’s $2.3M to make space.
NHLRumors.com: Unless the Wild trade often injured Matt Dumba, it seems likely the Wild would be able to fit in a Kevin Fiala extension. It wouldn’t be easy to replace Fiala and he would leave a big hole.

BLH’s Thoughts: Could Filip Chytil be somebody that would interest Ken Holland possibly?