Edmonton Oilers Talk: “Yamamoto is under some pressure here”

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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Cult of Hockey (Staples)

Young Guns battling for best shot in Edmonton Oilers organization

2021 Edmonton Oilers prospects
#19 Kirill Maksimov

Edmonton’s not only got its best group of forwards at the NHL level since 1990, it’s also got all kinds of Young Gun prospects who will push hard to make the team in coming years.
The huge influx of talent has made it more difficult for players like Benson, Marody and Maksimov.
The depth in forward prospects now has a player like Maksimov tumbling from a third overall ranking by the Cult of Hockey in 2018 to a 19th ranking in 2021.
His many vocal boosters have long pushed him as a future NHLer.
- “They are getting a steal,” said scout Mark Seidel on the day Edmonton drafted Maksimo
- “He reminds me a lot of Anton Slepyshev to be honest… He’s good forechecker like Slepy but does kind of float back on defence…” – Sean Patrick Ryan (TheOilKnight.ca)
- “Maksimov is a big winger who has great hands and a finisher’s touch. He skates well and really excels when driving the net.” – Brock Otten (OHLprospects.com)
Maksimov struggled in his first American Hockey League season in Bakersfield, scoring just five goals in 53 games.
In 2020-21, the Season of COVID and Maksimov’s Draft+4 year, he made the wise move of leaving North America to play in Russia.
He got into 41 regular season games in total, 16 for CSKA in the KHL, where he scored just two goals. But he also got 25 games for Zvezda Moskva in the VHL, the Russian versions of the AHL, where he scored 12 goals and 27 points. He also played five VHL playoff games. He was the top point-per-game attacker on Zvezda.
- “Maksimov just hasn’t been given the minutes or opportunity to get prime offensive looks, playing solely on the 4th line. It’s a lot like his past season in Bakersfield. He’s doing all the little things well. He’s working hard, he’s battling hard along the boards, he’s aggressive on the forecheck and is playing a reliable two way game. His skating has clearly improved and he continues to play physical. But he’s not getting any opportunities on the power play and seems to be passed over on the penalty kill.”
Expectations for 2021-22: That he breaks in as a Top 6 forward in Bakersfield and scores regularly, while playing a solid two-way game. May even get a taste in Edmonton of NHL action.

BLH’s Thoughts: Maksi has his work cut out for him now that the Oilers have some depth coming up through the system on the wings. If Cooper Marody moves on, that should, in theory, open up a spot for him in the Condor’s top-six.

I’m intrigued by this player because he was definitely off of my radar the last season and a half during the pandemic. Next year when the AHL is going hard, I’m going to watch a lot more Bakersfield games and if the reports from SPR on Maksimov’s time in Russia are accurate, I can’t wait to watch the Russian winger play alongside Dylan Holloway.

The Athletic (Mitchell)

Lowetide: What are the Oilers’ ‘perfect lines’ for next season?

I believe all three wingers listed (Hyman, Foegele, Puljujarvi) will spend time with McDavid and I’m intrigued by the idea of Foegele (puck protection, great speed, can score goals) and Hyman (non-stop motor, turns over pucks, opportunistic scorer). I’m even more intrigued by the possibility of Draisaitl-McDavid-Hyman, but loading up one line is probably reserved for the final minutes of a game with Edmonton down a goal.
From January to March 2020, Draisaitl with the Nuge and Yamamoto was the hottest trio in the NHL.
- Yamamoto is under some pressure here, based on last year’s numbers. He had a fine start to the year, but didn’t get much done in the second half.
- If he struggles, Foegele could see action on the second line with Yamamoto moving down to the third line.
There’s a little seam on the Oilers roster after the top two lines (and Foegele) and it’s possible we see some in that group playing on a skill line at times in 2021-22.
- Kassian delivered five-on-five goal scoring seasons of 12 (2018-19) and 15 (2019-20) before scoring just twice in 27 games last year.
- Kyle Turris also scored two goals in 27 games in 2020-21 and would be looking for the same kind of redemption.
- He is a long shot, but if that scoring touch remains, Perlini could be an inspired addition.
There’s room to grow on the third and fourth lines..
- It’ll probably come down to Josh Archibald or Kassian on right wing, with Ryan McLeod pushing Derek Ryan for the No. 3 centre position.

Three perfect fit lines for the 2021-22 Oilers

Hyman—McDavid—Puljujarvi (39 goals in 2020-21)
Nugent-Hopkins—Draisaitl—Yamamoto (27 goals in 2020-21)
Foegele—Ryan—Archibald (15 goals in 2020-21)

BLH’s Thoughts: Move Yamo to the 3rd line, Archie to the 4th line, and Kassian to the 2nd line and you’ve got your lines to start the 2021-22 season.

The more I see Zach Hyman, the more I think that there’s a chance Puljujarvi could get moved to the 2nd line late in games when Tippett combines Draisaitl and McDavid because there’s no doubt in my mind that Hyman takes the spot on the right-side.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying the sky is falling. There’s nothing like having the kind of options that Tippett has with his roster this upcoming season. If Jesse moves down and Leon goes up, guess who becomes the driver on the 2nd line? PULJU BABY!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wIhKmjrPqo

Spector’s Hockey

THE ATHLETIC: Kevin Kurz reports Evander Kane was a problem for the San Jose Sharks during last season. Sources indicate several players spoke to general manager Doug Wilson about the winger throughout 2020-21, telling him they didn’t want to be part of the Sharks going forward if Kane was still on the team.

FULL PRESS HOCKEY’s Aivis Kalnins isn’t buying the possibility of Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov signing a one-year deal with KHL club CSKA Moscow.

“I have no clue why people are buying it and why people are reporting KHL as a possible challenger for Kaprizov,” Kalnins tweeted. In another tweet, he said he’s heard the 24-year-old winger “still intends and wants to remain with Minnesota.” A source told him the KHL offer had been on the table for “a long while” and it’s merely being considered an “emergency offer.”
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