Coming from an Edmonton Oilers point of view, BLH provides you with 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 The Hockey Writers
Oilers’ Kassian Has “Killer Instinct” Leafs Need
- “The Leafs’ speedy forward group could use the size and ferocity Kassian brings, and be comfortable in the knowledge that he’ll also put up points in that offence.”
- “Kassian can skate, fight, and hit, all without looking out of place alongside elite talent. Toronto’s “Big Four” have talent to burn, but questions have been raised, rightly or wrongly, about their ability to finish off the competition.”
- “The cost to obtain Kassian wouldn’t be huge. Edmonton is sorely lacking draft picks this summer, due to bets made a year ago by Holland, and with the Oilers’ GM now looking to go big-game hunting with his sizeable cap space, it might not even cost the Leafs a roster player. With three years remaining on a deal that pays him $3.2 million per season, Kassian is affordable in a top-six role, which is arguably where he would slot in with Toronto. A player who will do anything for his teammates, Kassian would change the dynamic of the Maple Leaf roster and could be the piece that completes their long and frustrating postseason performance puzzle.
BLH’s Thoughts: If I had to guess on the future of Zack Kassian, I would bet he stays an Oiler until his contract expires for all the reasons listed above in this writer’s description of him, the most important being, “Kassian is affordable in a top-six role…”
See, unless the Oilers get an offer that they can’t turn down, Kassian is of great use to them and I think he knows it. The reason I say that is I find he turns up his effort when he’s playing with Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl and to be honest, I think he should be playing with one of them if their wingers are scoring at a goal per month pace.
If Jesse Puljujarvi or Kailer Yamamoto aren’t playing up to expectations, the prudent thing to do is put them on the third line where they’ll face “easier” competition and rebuild that confidence.
Now, I don’t expect that to be a problem for Jesse anymore, but Kailer had a horrid year production-wise this past year until he was moved down the lineup in the playoffs. He was absolutely flying alongside Gaetan Haas and Tyler Ennis in games four and five vs. Winnipeg and that’s what everybody wants to see from him, so why not keep him there for a half season or interchange him with Kass now and then to keep things fresh?
Let me throw out this suggestion though, Jake Virtanen.
Virtanen’s career is stalling out in Vancouver and his skillset is quite similar to Kassian’s plus he’s age relevant to McDavid and Draisaitl. It’s very apparent that the Canucks are done with him and if there’s a player who might be able to step in and replace Kassian, maybe it’s Jake Virtanen.
Then again, the Vancouver winger is having some off-ice troubles at the moment and those issues are most likely enough for the Oilers to stay away from the player.
Circling back, to answer the writer’s question regarding Kassian having the killer instinct Toronto needs, I agree. He probably does have it, but as soon as he’s dealt, the next article coming out will be, “Does (player X) have the killer instinct Edmonton needs?”
From Spector’s Hockey
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES: Ben Pope believes Hamilton could be the game-changing defenseman the Blackhawks need if he hits the open market next season. While recent rumors tied the Hawks to Columbus’ Seth Jones, Pope noted Jones’ offensive stats have declined in recent years. It would also cost the Blackhawks some young assets to acquire Jones in a trade.
BLH’s Thoughts: The Blackhawks definitely have some futures they could throw Columbus’ way in addition to a young-ish defender in Nikita Zadorov.
But let me throw this scenario out for you.
Seth Jones’ name is getting connected to Colorado a bit lately and I’m wondering if the Avs might be willing to let Gabriel Landeskog, their current captain, who is a UFA this summer, walk in order to give themselves a little bit of flexibility to bring in Jones and then name Nathan MacKinnon captain.
Mind you, maybe it’s a bit of a selfish bit of speculation on my part because I want Landeskog on the Oilers. I suppose we’ll have to just wait and see what happens as the days progress.
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