There’s a Big Story Brewing in Bakersfield says One Edmonton Oilers Pundit

Quotes taken from the best of the best when it comes to Edmonton Oilers blogs, BLH gives you his two cents on the latest posts being published in the Oilogosphere! Including Lowetide, The Athletic, Oilersnation, The Cult of Hockey, Copper N Blue, Oil on Whyte, and more!

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The Hockey Writers (Swane)

Slater Koekkoek: 5 Things to Know About the Oilers Defenseman

He Has a Good Sense of Humour

Koekkoek’s doubtlessly heard his surname mispronounced any number of ways, but it doesn’t upset him. He even got a laugh at becoming a social media sensation not long after he was traded to Chicago.

He’s Taken it One Year at a Time

Koekkoek’s new deal is the first multi-year agreement he’s reached since his entry-level contract…
He then signed four consecutive one-year contracts: with Tampa Bay for $800,000 in 2017 and again in 2018 for $865,000; with Chicago for $925,000 in 2019; and finally, with Edmonton for $850,000 in 2020.

He’s an Experienced Leader

Koekkoek was named captain of the (Peterborough) Petes on Sept. 5, 2012.
He served as an alternate captain for the Spitfires and became Windsor’s captain on Jan. 10, 2014.
…he was an alternate captain with the Lightning’s AHL affiliate in 2016-17 and was wearing the ‘A’ as the Crunch advanced to the 2017 Calder Cup Finals.
He also was an alternate captain during his time with Canada’s U18 team in 2011.

He Has a Gold Medal Collection

His first major gold medal win came at the 2010 Telus Cup…
In 2011, Koekkoek started the year by helping Team Ontario capture gold at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge and then in the summer was a member of the Canadian U18 national team that brought home gold from the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament in the Czech Republic.

He Was Saddled With High Expectations

The crowd at Pittsburgh’s Consol Energy Center was stunned on June 22, 2012, when Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman used the 10th overall pick in the NHL Draft to select Koekkoek from the Peterborough Petes of the Ontario Hockey League.
- The Tampa Bay Times called it an “odd pick,” noting that “Yzerman and director of amateur scouting Al Murray said they would pick the best available player, regardless of position

BLH’s Thoughts: Pretty out of the ordinary for Ken Holland to sign himself a player who’s won a lot early in his career and has been a leader at ever level, eh?

If you’re going to bet on someone who’s highly skilled or someone who’s got high character, which do you think a veteran NHL GM is going to take a chance on?

Lowetide.ca

FROM A DISTANCE

The math of hockey is such that we don’t really know if any of these players can make a difference in the NHL as defenders until they arrive. Once we have a chance to observe them, collect information and tabulate the numbers, we can make statements based in fact. If one of those blue ticketed for the streets of Bakersfield can contribute to NHL outscoring, and sustain it? While remaining healthy? Music!
..for defensemen, pay special attention to even strength on ice goal differential.
Niemelainen is the defenseman I was most impressed with in Bakersfield last season, he is big and mobile with more puck-moving ability than once thought. Kemp and Kesselring got playing time and showed flashes, but we’ll need to see them over an entire season before making any major statements on their trajectory. Samorukov and Broberg are slated to play in Bakersfield during 2021-22, that’s going to be a big story.

BLH’s Thoughts: This new crop of youngsters heading to Bakersfield is going to be very exciting to watch. I didn’t get a chance to see Niemelainen, Kemp, or Kesselring last year but I’ll be damned if I don’t get my fill next season given they’ll have Broberg and Samorukov playing alongside them.

That does seem like a lot of young defenders on one team though. I wonder if the Oilers don’t bring in a veteran AHL dman to help with the professional transition for these kids. Somebody like Cody Goloubef, Paul LaDue, or Michael Stone (as Kurt Leavins has suggested) might be able to help out down in Bakersfield.

Spector’s Hockey

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports the Senators are still trying to add a center or winger via trade or free agency. Defenseman Erik Brannstrom could be used as a trade chip to add a winger or another center in order to move someone to the wing.

The Senators kicked tires on Buffalo Sabres center Jack Eichel but the asking price and contract are expensive.
Internet rumors claim they’ve had talks with the San Jose Sharks about Tomas Hertl, who’s a year away from unrestricted free agent eligibility.

THE ATHLETIC: In a recent mailbag segment, Sara Civian was asked if the Carolina Hurricanes still need another top-six forward. She believes they do, adding they seem to be looking for one.

They’ve been linked to St. Louis Blues winger Vladimir Tarasenko.

BLH’s Thoughts: The Senators should absolutely stay away from making a blockbuster deal right now. They’ve got some stunning pieces to build around in Chabot, Tkachuk, and Stutzle with even more coming.

As for Carolina, I wonder if this Svechnikov thing gets interesting… Tom Dundon plays to the beat of his own drum and would it surprise anybody if they traded the Russian phenom because he won’t sign for what they want him to?