Coming from an Edmonton Oilers point of view, BLH provides you with excerpts from the latest NHL news, rumors, and speculation from all of the internet’s best sites including Spector’s Hockey, The Fourth Period, NHL Trade Talk, The Hockey Writers, Sportsnet, The Athletic, TSN and more!
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Off the Top of My Head
- The more video I watch of Warren Foegele, obtained from the Carolina Hurricanes in the trade for Ethan Bear and signed to a three-year contract extension with an AAV of $2.75 million Saturday, the more I think he might be able to provide more offense as a third-line winger in Edmonton than what we’ve seen from him until now.
- Foegele, 25, can skate and he can PK. He’s also got some skill and good hands. In some ways – his size and his skating – he reminds me a bit of Jason Chimera, who started with the Oilers as a depth winger and turned into somebody who provided more offensive pop in the bottom six later in his career. It’s always tricky when you compare players, but I see similarities.
- Tough to imagine a better bargain than the Oilers got with UFA Tyson Barrie, who led NHL defencemen in scoring last season with 8-40-48. As we know, the three-year deal Barrie inked has an AAV of $4.5 million — that number doesn’t even put him in the top 60 among league blueliners. Flaws and all, it’s a steal.
BLH’s Thoughts: For me, I’m not sure I see the stylistic comparison. Jason Chimera was one of the league’s fastest players for a long long time and while Foegele might be considered fast, I don’t know if he’s on the same level as Chimera.
Like Chimera though, Foegele is going to get a chance to become a very dangerous bottom-sixer. He’ll be tasked with improving the team’s penalty kill and there’s going to be some expectations with regards to his point production, the Oilers need him to score at a 30pt/yr clip, if not more.
If he can do all of that and be consistently one of the hardest working players on the ice every night, Edmonton’s fanbase will fall in love with him.
The Fourth Period
EICHEL DRAMA ESCALATES AS SABRES WORK THE LINES
Both the Sabres and Jack Eichel’s agents have dug in and taken their battle to the public – even if GM Kevyn Adams inadvertently started things off on Thursday.
After reiterating to reporters “we’re in control of this process,” Adams opened the door to a countered response by Eichel’s agents, Peter Fish and Peter Donatelli, who opened a statement by saying “the process is not working.
Usually when the battle takes to the streets, it’s confirmation the relationship is unsalvageable.
There was some noise Saturday evening that Buffalo might be willing to retain part of Eichel’s $10 million cap hit to help facilitate a trade and maximize a return.
The New York Rangers are absolutely interested in Eichel, confirmed multiple sources, none of whom believe (as of Saturday night) a trade is imminent. The Anaheim Ducks, Vegas Golden Knights, Calgary Flames, Boston Bruins and Columbus Blue Jackets are also interested.
On Evander Kane
Speaking with multiple sources inside the Sharks organization, I’m told players on the team made GM Doug Wilson and management aware of Kane’s indiscretions, including gambling on sports as recent as this past season.
The NHL has been aware of gambling issues with Evander Kane for a long time now. One of the unspoken reasons the league had nothing to do with the Hockey Diversity Alliance is they wanted nothing to do with Kane.
— Steve Simmons (@simmonssteve) July 31, 2021
What are the Islanders doing?
It’s no secret the Islanders would move Leo Komarov and Thomas Hickey to free up cap space if the opportunity arose. I’m led to believe they’re still one of the teams engaged in talks with the St. Louis Blues about Vladimir Tarasenko, but it wouldn’t surprise me if Lamoriello’s exploring alternative options.
NHLTradeRumor.com
Frank Seravalli of The Daily Faceoff is reporting DeBrusk was healthy scratched multiple times by coach Bruce Cassidy last season, leaving Cassidy to say after the season that the two needed to sit down and find ‘common ground’.
At the NHL trade deadline the Vancouver Canucks had interest in a trade but nothing ever materialized. There is no word on what teams are interested in DeBrusk but the Bruins would like him traded before the NHL season starts.
Dave Pagnotta of The Fourth Period is reporting as the Leafs prepare for today’s free agent frenzy, NHL Rumors have them still exploring the trade market on Alex Kerfoot.
Frank Seravalli of The Daily Faceoff is reporting Georgiev has placed a trade request with the Rangers, hoping to break out from behind Igor Shesterkin. The Rangers have sought a first-round pick for him. But that won’t be happening – not after the return for Alex Nedeljkovic set the market price.
