Edmonton Oilers Talk: Is it Time to Skit Eller Gå Ur Potten for One Oilers Defenseman?

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Lowetide.ca

RIESEN TO BELIEVE 2021-22 (VOL 1)

We could see some training camp invites and some PTO’s, but based on my ‘riesen to believe’ numbers, here is the opening night roster for 2021-22:

Goal (2): Mike Smith, Mikko Koskinen
Left Defense (4): Darnell Nurse, Duncan Keith, Kris Russell, Slater Koekkoek
Right Defense (3):Tyson Barrie, Cody Ceci, Evan Bouchard
Center (5): Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Derek Ryan, Ryan McLeod, Devin Shore
Left Wing (5):Zach Hyman, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Warren Foegele, Brendan Perlini, Tyler Benson
Right Wing (4): Jesse Puljujarvi, Kailer Yamamoto, Josh Archibald, Zack Kassian

BLH’s Thoughts: I don’t see this roster producing a lot of surprises come September/October. If somebody gets hurt, fine. But the team is more or less set and I do believe that to be by design. Coach Tippett will want to make cuts early and often and get his finalized roster sorted early so that he can get started on pre-season preparation. Edmonton really needs to win as many of the seven games possible in the first month of the season so that they can go into November with some buffer space.

Oilersnation (Lewis)

ON’s 2021 Prospects Countdown – No. 13: William Lagesson

Position: Defence
Shoots: Left
Nationality: Sweden
Date of Birth:
Drafted: 2014, No. 91 overall (EDM)
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 207 lbs

Lagesson has had an interesting ride. He was drafted out of Sweden, playing junior for Frolunda, and then moved to the USHL for the 2014-15 season. He then played two seasons at the University of Massachusetts and represented Sweden at the World Juniors in back-to-back tournaments.
Like most prospects, Lagesson had a whirlwind 2020-21 season. He started off playing in Allsvenskan, Sweden’s second league and flashed offensive numbers never seen before at any level he’s played at. Through 14 games with two different clubs, Lagesson scored three goals and 12 points, a near point-per-game pace.
Once North American play resumed, the waiver-eligible Lagesson traveled to Edmonton and earned a spot on the Oilers roster
As the season went on, though, Lagesson lost Dave Tippett’s trust and he started to spend significantly more time in the press box.
While Lagesson got caved in at even-strength in terms of shot attempts over his 19 games with the Oilers in 2021, he had an even 9-to-9 on-ice goal differential and he did a fair job at limiting high-quality scoring chances against.
He has a big frame, plays a physical game, skates fairly well, is fine at moving the puck, but doesn’t jump up and produce much offensively.
The question now is whether Lagesson can finally seize the opportunity and become that guy for the Oilers.
One thing Lagesson has going for him is his dirt-cheap $725,000 cap hit, which makes him an ideal No. 7 or even No. 8 defender for a team tight against the ceiling.

BLH’s Thoughts: There’s one thing going against him right now and that’s his proneness to injury. If he could stay healthy, he’d get a longer leash. Lucky for him, the two guys ahead of him on the depth chart (Kris Russell and Slater Koekkoek) are also a tad injury prone. So we could see quite the revolving door on Evan Bouchard’s flank in 2021-22.

I like Wild Bill Lagesson, I think he’s a cycle-breaker with hands and playmaking. If you watched him last year in Edmonton, you could see how well he works the puck off the wall and up to the forwards. It’s just a shame his wrist let him down.

If Lago doesn’t make the team, as Cam Lewis noted, he’ll be a cheap option for another team and there’s definitely a market for him out there. Is it possible Ken Holland moves on from another organizationally developed defenseman this summer?

NHLTradeRumors.me

2 Jets Most Likely Getting Traded Next Season:

Dylan DeMelo: The right-handed defenseman is signed for three more seasons at a reasonable $3 million per, and would certainly generate a lot of interest on the open market. There were some talks the Seattle Kraken were going to select DeMelo, however they went a different route.
Ville Heinola: If the Jets go for it this season, expect a hockey trade at some point to improve their forward group or to land a veteran defenseman with term on his contract. He may be flipped this season for someone who is proven in the NHL and under contract for a couple of seasons.

Chicago Blackhawks Shopping Young Forward

According to reports, (Dylan) Strome is a primed candidate to be dealt in Chicago and is someone to look out for.
The team is also expecting to have both Jonathan Toews and Kirby Dach healthy down the middle of their lineup, which could eventually push Dylan Strome out the door.
Teams like the Columbus Blue Jackets and Detroit Red Wings would be all over Strome if he’s made available.

Rumor: St. Louis Blues Want This Defenseman

According to Andy Strickland of The Athletic, the St. Louis Blues are interested in New York Islanders defenseman Scott Mayfield. The Islanders have also been linked to Vladimir Tarasenko, so perhaps Mayfield would be a piece who heads back the other way in a potential deal.