Plan the parade! The troops are coming!
Today I was contacted by one of my sources with regards to the players that Edmonton is looking at offering PTOs to. They aren’t really huge surprises and if you’ve had your ear to the ground you probably know who they are already.
But before we get into who those players are I have to tell you first that the information I receive is just as likely to fail to materialize than come true. Treat it like water cooler talk at home or forum rumors online. If it comes true, great! You heard it here first and if it doesn’t, meh!
I was informed that the Oilers are looking for a veteran winger and a right-shot defender or a left-shot one that can play the right side.
SCOTTIE UPSHALL
The Alberta native is a left-shot right winger who brings a ton of NHL experience, defensive acumen and a gritty style. Upshall can help on the penalty kill, and formed a dangerous fourth line with new Oiler Kyle Brodziak when the duo was in St. Louis. (source)
It’s hard to put it any more plainly and clearly than Alex Thomas has above. I agree with near everything he’s said there about Upshall and if you’re a long-time reader of mine, you’ll know I have a thing for veterans on young hockey teams. Especially veterans who have been part of successful organizations. St.Louis hasn’t won any Stanley Cups but they have been part of the Stanley Cup playoffs in six of the last 7 seasons.
Last season Upshall started on a PTO with Vancouver if I’m not mistaken before signing a deal to go back to the Blues in St.Louis. While with the Blues he posted 7g 12a for 19pts in 63 games played.
I like Upshall because he can be a bit of a pest on the ice with his physicality. He stirs things up out there and I dig that. I also like the idea of the Oilers sending out a line of Upshall-Brodziak-Kassian.
BRANDON DAVIDSON
Is the third time a charm?
My source did say that the Oilers would be happy with a lefty who can play the right side and Davidson has done that for the Oilers in the past.
https://twitter.com/NHLbyMatty/status/1029518948184743936
Ol’ Matty isn’t one to part with his money so easily. So it’s a good indication that this rumor is probably close to true than not but don’t take it to the bank so fast. This is what Brandon Davidson said himself in an interview with the Lethbridge Herald recently,
“There has been some interest, for sure, from three or four teams at this point,” said Davidson. “We’re moving into August and you kind of want to have some security and know where you’re going. I’m at the point right now with a few teams that we’re going to start making some commitments and hopefully start a new chapter in my life. I’m really excited and ready for a new opportunity and ready to make this my own.” (source)
The portions I highlighted should be telling. Just because he’s training in Edmonton doesn’t mean he’s guaranteed to sign there. He talks about a “new chapter” in his life and being ready for a “new opportunity”. To me, that sounds like things aren’t as sure as you’d think…
But let’s say that Davidson does sign a PTO and subsequently a contract with the Oilers. How would that affect the defensive pairings?
I didn’t have Andrej Sekera playing above Darnell Nurse this season so that would’ve made him the 3rd pairing left-shot defender with Kris Russell as his partner.
Klefbom/Larsson
Nurse/Benning
Sekera/Russell
That would’ve been a pretty tight group to go into the new season with. Now there are a few more questions but only on the bottom pairing, in my opinion, and I’m actually fine with there being questions at the no.6 spot on defense as that skater’s TOI shouldn’t have a massive impact on the game itself.
Could Brandon Davidson play there? Absolutely! In that article I linked to above he also said he’s working with a new skills coach and a new skating coach. This is good! You might remember Lowetide saying that he thought Davidson had a “hitch in his giddyup” last year and that’s why he didn’t play as well. Hopefully, the new coaches this summer sort that out for him. Especially if he’s to be an Oiler for 2018/19…
I asked about a timetable as to when these PTOs will be announced but I was told to closer to September, that nothing is happening right now, and that the Oilers are in “Study” mode, so to speak.
BONUS
I was also told that the Oilers might circle back to Justin Faulk but closer to the regular season. If you listened to Oilers Now today, Bob Stauffer explained that Faulk is due $6M this season and we know that the new owner is a bit frugal with his cash. I guess Oilers AGM Keith Gretzky is making more than the ‘Canes GM if that’s any indicator.
I inquired as to what the Oilers could be willing to pay to get Faulk and my source indicated that it wouldn’t be Nuge and that they might get away with giving up picks.
Now, given what Buffalo paid to get Skinner, draft picks seem more realistic. Also, it’ll depend on how badly the Hurricanes owner doesn’t want to pay a 3rd pairing defender $6M…
What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments below!
