Edmonton Oilers Talk: Landeskog, A 2021 Mock Draft, and the Skinny on Zach Hyman

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!

From Oilersnation (Zach Laing)

Is Gabriel Landeskog the top-six forward the Edmonton Oilers should be targeting?

Early Friday TSN’s Ryan Rishaug tweeted suggesting Landeskog “has to be a consideration for the Oilers,” and I definitely agree with him. In fact, I would prefer him to Hyman for a number of reasons.
The Oilers have a clear need for a winger to play alongside Connor McDavid and Jesse Puljujarvi, but both of these players come with significant price tags. I’d argue Landeskog might be a better fit than Hyman on the top line for the defensive value he provides.
All in all, the Oilers are likely going to be overpaying for a top-line winger. There’s negligible difference between both of their raw offensive production and if there’s one the Oilers would have to overpay, I’d probably prefer the Oilers go all-in on Landeskog. He’s been healthier over his NHL career and has leadership qualities as a long-time captain I think would be invaluable to the Oilers.

BLH’s Thoughts: I don’t think there’s an argument to be made when the debate is Gabriel Landeskog vs. Zach Hyman. Everybody is going to pick the Swede, right? You pay what you get for and Landeskog, in my opinion, would be worth the extra fees on that ticket.

Food for thought, we should keep in mind Ken Holland’s extensive history with Swedish hockey players… Lidstrom, Zetterberg, Franzen, Kronwall…

Stauffer said he could see the #LetsGoOilers adding more veteran presence and size to the defense this summer…

🤔 pic.twitter.com/GXO2zJsrER

— BLH (Edmonton Oilers Enthusiast} (@BeerLeagueHeroe) July 17, 2021

From Lowetide.ca

LOWETIDE OILERS MOCK

I like to do this with the public lists (basically the Button and McKenzie) and then will rank those two plus Pronman, Wheeler and Red Line after the draft. Here is my list placed against the Button list, with my highest pick not on Button’s list being the Oilers selection at the designated number. Button’s list is only 75 deep, but we usually get a full deck and this year is such a wild draft one suspects a full boat again. My list is here.

No. 19 overall: LC Nikita Chibrikov, St. Petersburg. Small skill forward can stickhandle in a phone booth. Massive U18’s in Texas. He’s 5.10, 161 and a February 2003, he plays center and wing suspect he’ll land as a winger. Fast as lightning, one dimensional, will have to improve play without the puck.
No. 116 overall: RW Olivier Nadeau, Shawinigan Cataractes More bull than beauty, he is effective. Big power winger with plus skills, he works hard and has two-way acumen. Foot speed is just average, but he has great balance. I’m not sure if the Oilers will draft him but the QMJHL is loaded with good prospects and it’s possible we see Edmonton add someone from that league this year.
No. 180 overall: LW Eric Alarie, Moose Jaw Warriors 6.01, 196. Big PF with plus skill. Reports on his skating are good and no one is ranking him. What does that mean? He’s either going to be a draft steal or there’s something I’m missing about this player. I have him No. 24, I’ll be interested to see where he lands.
No. 186 overall: RC Ryder Korczak, Moose Jaw Warriors A top play-making center in the WHL. Good speed, elusive. This wasn’t a plan, drafting Moose Jaw Warriors, and he’s the opposite of Alarie (Korczak is small and plays with high energy. His scouting report is vaguely similar to Tyler Tullio.
No. 212 overall: LW Conner Roulette, Seattle Thunderbirds He has good hands/speed, has a sixth sense for offense. Aggressive and is dogged on the puck. I have him No. 32, this draft is nuts.

BLH’s Thoughts: Can’t see the Oilers going another year without drafting a defenseman and not considering a goaltender. I also think there might be an appetite to draft some players who’ll be heading to the NCAA so as to keep their rights for longer. So if you’re a draft geek, keep an eye on players out of the USHL, AJHL, and BCHL. There are also more European players heading to American colleges to ply their trade these days too.

"While the expectation has been that Hyman will have a new contract for six or seven years, we’re told that more than a few clubs are fine with an eight-year deal if they can acquire Hyman’s rights before the 28th."https://t.co/qoAm4gPRBq

— #1 A'ja Wilson Fan (@Account4hockey) July 17, 2021

From The Athletic (Daniel Nugent-Bowman)

Source: Oilers talking to Zach Hyman’s camp; what he might cost and how he could fit with Edmonton

An industry source confirmed Thursday evening that the Oilers are one of the teams Hyman’s camp is speaking with about the possible acquisition of the winger’s rights. This was first reported by the Toronto Star’s Kevin McGran.
Many teams are expected to make a pitch for Hyman, not surprisingly since our Dom Luszczyszyn ranked him as the fourth-best player set to hit the open market… He slotted Hyman’s next contract to be at a $5.8 million AAV between four and five seasons.
A second industry source believes the Oilers are willing to offer Hyman that average salary on a long-term deal, and maybe more, perhaps as long as seven years. That term is the maximum permissible under the collective bargaining agreement.
Hyman could fit in nicely in the immediacy in Edmonton. The Oilers need at least one more top-six forward and Hyman has many skills the team is seeking, starting with five-on-five offence.
- He contributed at a 60-point pace in each of the last two seasons with minimal time on the power play.
- Hyman has never finished with any of his five full NHL seasons with a goals-for percentage or expected goals for a percentage below 50 percent. In 2021, he managed a 52.3 CF%, a 66.7 GF%, and a 60 xGF%.
It’s worth noting that GM Ken Holland wants Dylan Holloway to take someone’s job, so it’s likely he’ll be battling a veteran on a cheap contract for that third-line spot. He said Holloway will only be on the team if he’s in the top nine.

BLH’s Thoughts: You can’t help but dig those fancies and 5×5 scoring, but is that enough to justify a long-term deal worth $6M/yr?

Another question I’m asking myself with regards to this potential acquisition is, what’s the plan for the future of Edmonton’s LW if they’ve got RNH and Hyman locked up for the next seven or eight years?

If Ryan McLeod is viewed as the club’s next 3C, are the Oilers projecting Holloway as his LW for the foreseeable future?

https://twitter.com/PJthe2nd/status/1416225694036598784

Seattle Karen — The new NHL franchise in Seattle already has their AHL affiliate worked out! Click the pick and grab a Karen shirt today!

Give us a follow on the socials!