Edmonton Oilers Talk: “This season, there are no more excuses for…”

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Oil on Whyte (Lynch)

Edmonton Oilers: No excuses this year for Dave Tippett

The Edmonton Oilers have had Dave Tippett behind the bench for the past two seasons and during that time all they have done is make it to the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs once. This season, there are no more excuses for Tippett.
The Edmonton Oilers need to start seeing some results in the postseason. While the issues of last year’s playoffs could be chalked up to not having enough depth, that is no longer an excuse as Ken Holland went out and tried to address the bottom six.
Dave Tippett has not had a lot of success in the postseason in the past. The Oilers coach has gone to the conference final just twice once with Dallas in 2008 and once with Phoenix in 2012.
Arguably this has to be the best roster Tippett has coached.

BLH’s Thoughts: I think one more thing that should be noted is that Tippett is in the last year of his contract. If the Oilers don’t get off to a hot start, the rumor mill will go into top gear with the likes of Bruce Boudreau, Mike Babcock, Claude Julien, and John Tortorella available. Don’t forget that Mike Babcock was a serious candidate before the team hired Todd McLellan all those years ago.

Lowetide.ca

MATVEY PETROV

Matvey Petrov is the latest in a growing number of Russian prospects chosen from that nation’s junior leagues. None of the prospects is truly famous, although Maxim Berezkin (2020 pick) may be one day, but it appears general manager Ken Holland has a very specific and vocal resource and the Russian pipeline is up and running.
… there is something building in the Motherland.
I ranked Petrov No. 70 in the 2021 draft, based on his goal-scoring ability and size (6.02, 178). It was a most unusual draft, but my list valued players who could deliver offense. Petrov played in the MHL, a quality junior league and his numbers were impressive (58gp 22g 20a, NHLe 10.7).
Berezkin is going to be the star in this group, I believe. He played 31 KHL games and survived and was more than one point per game in the MHL. He turns 20 in October. Holland probably brings him over 10 years from now, in a way the toughest job of an Oilers fan/observer is remember these damn obscure guys two years after they’ve been chosen.
Berezkin is 6.04, 216 and has great hands.

BLH’s Thoughts: I do not mind the direction the team is going with regards to drafting out of Russia considering the luck the organization has had procuring successful hockey players out of that region over the course of its history.

Selecting players from Russia potentially means a longer wait time to receive said player, but it also means by the time the draftee is ready to come over, he’s proven what he can in the KHL and he’s actually prepared to make the jump.

It’s still early days and the odds aren’t great, but Holland’s had some good luck over the years with the Ruskies and if he continues to select one or two at each draft, he’s bound to hit on one.

Spector’s Hockey

NHL.COM: Amalie Benjamin reports the St. Louis Blues still need to find a trade partner for Vladimir Tarasenko… Benjamin speculates that could result in Tarasenko playing this season with the Blues.

STLTODAY.COM: Benjamin Hochman also reported on the ongoing uncertainty over Tarasenko’s status… The Blues have $3.5 million in cap space but they still must re-sign restricted free agent Robert Thomas.

THE ATHLETIC: Allan Mitchell recently examined the Edmonton Oilers’ remaining roster needs and possible trade targets to address them. Goaltending depth and a shutdown defenseman are the priorities.

The Dallas Stars could move Anton Khudobin to clear up their logjam in the crease. Jaroslav Halak could be another option if the Vancouver Canucks fall out of the playoff chase.
Mitchell suggested they could also pursue defenseman Colton Parayko if the Blues falter this season.
A left-handed defenseman and a right winger could also be on their wish list. Anaheim Ducks blueliner Hampus Lindholm could be a suitable playoff rental.
Arizona Coyotes winger Phil Kessel is also expensive at $6.8 million but he’s in the final year of his contract.

BLH’s Thoughts: