It’s been quite a productive week with regards to conversations with the sources!
But the first thing I’d like to talk about is why the Oilers stepped away from the Travis Hamonic trade.
Quite simply, Islanders GM Garth Snow wanted Darnell Nurse included in the deal according to my people on the inside. I asked, “Was Hamonic talked about in the Eberle deal?”
The reply,
“Yes. But Snow wanted Nurse too. Talks stopped there. Peter was actually hot after Hamonic BEFORE he got Larsson. The Swedish pinball. After Larsson, Hamonic interest was halted. Peter loves Nurse. He’s not trading Nurse. So, It would have been Ebs and Nurse for Strome and Hamonic. But Peter was no way in hell parting with Nurse. That’s why it ultimately became Ebs Strome 1v1″
Now, the Hamonic trade makes Calgary’s d-core a cup contending one and they’ll have that core together for a solid period of time before Hamonic needs a raise. Based on the current market, you can be assured that Hamonic’s next contract will be in the vicinity of $5M or more per year. The Flames are going all-in this upcoming season because they’re not going to be able to afford all these big pieces and they gave up a HUGE amount to get a guy that can help them for the next three seasons but in the 2018 draft they are screwed because they don’t pick until the 4th round. So, they’d better have good amateur scouting because, in the long run, they’ve just shot themselves in the foot.
It’s pretty obvious that Calgary is building the defense out in an attempt to combat Edmonton’s blossoming forward corps but after Sean Monahan, Johnny Hockey, and Matt Tkachuk; their offense is bone dry.
If they want to get to the Stanley Cup next season, they’ll have to go through Edmonton or Nashville. Good Luck!
As for the Oilers, they want to hold onto their picks because, according to my source, Peter Chiarelli has learned his lesson. He went the way the Flames are going when he was GM in Boston and he’s got the opportunity to build a multiple Stanley Cup winning team here in Edmonton.
Do you agree with the path that Peter Chiarelli has the Oilers on by not sacrificing draft picks for Hamonic? Let us know in the comments below!
Based on that, Peter was right not to give up on Nurse.
Ya, if Hamonic were a younger Dman where he’s under team control for longer than 3 years than you could make a case for it – having bargain contracts is going to be a big deal for the Oilers, Hamonic is a bargain but not for long. Trading away significant pieces of the future that will be bargains for 3 years of a bargain contract now isn’t worth it in my opinion.
Ya. The price for Hamonic was ridiculous. What I really don’t understand is how Methot gets Vegas a second round pick. How can the gap between these players be so crazy? I don’t get if.
Arguably Oilers gave up more for Reinhart given it was considered the strongest draft in over a decade.
Calgary is probably giving a 20 + pick in the first round and a later 2nd rd pick in different years