Hey there Oilers fans! The posts are few and far between these days and there’s a good reason for that, I don’t want to comment on when or how the NHL is going to make its triumphant return on a daily basis. Also, I feel like it’s a real kick in the balls to be having that discussion while there are people dying in hospitals from COVID-19. In fact, I find it kind of sickening that each day as I sign-in to my socials and listen to the talk radio that I’m exposed to this.
Here’s the deal, when Ma and Pa can go back to work and earn a wage, THEN AND ONLY THEN, can professional sports return. Take care of the people who make this world go round and after that, the millionaire professional athletes can get their turn. No disrespect intended to the hockey players but let’s get our priorities straight.
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Filip Berglund
Jim Matheson tucked this little beauty right into the end of his latest article on Ryan Mantha over at the Edmonton Journal the other day,
The Oilers have signed Swedish draft pick defenceman Filip Berglund but he’s going to stay with his club team Linkoping for this upcoming season and he may come over in 2021 …
Why did he have to bury it way at the bottom of a post on Ryan Mantha? I feel like an Edmonton Oilers prospect signing should be headline news these days, no? Is there a bit of fear that it might not be 100% true?
We were the first to report the Oilers’ interest in Ryan Mantha here for what it’s worth.
Anyways, back to Berglund. We have blog after blog claiming that the Oilers have signed this player and there’s been NOTHING official released ANYWHERE. I even contacted a well-placed source in Sweden and asked if there’s been any news on that side of the pond and was told no. I’m in the process of getting in touch with his agent to see if I can get some clarity but if I’m being honest, I’m not sure if I’ll have much luck there. Fingers crossed though.
So, for the time being, Filip Berglund hasn’t signed with Edmonton but that’s not to say he won’t. Knowing my luck, the release will come today at some point. Ha!
I think the Oilers’ intentions are to sign him, let him play a major role with Linkoping, and then bring him over right before the expansion draft… My feeling is that the Oilers are probably getting prepared to lose a dman or two that summer and would like to have as many close-to-ready prospects in North America as possible.
Should the Oilers Bring Back Gaetan Haas?
I really liked Haas but I’m not sure the coach has time for him at the centre position. Late in the season, Coach Tippett moved JJ Khaira back to the middle and was sitting Haas, right?
I’m a huge fan of the Swiss player’s speed, tenacity, and unpredictability and the fact that there’s not much set to become available on the open market tells me that the Oilers should probably give Haas one more shot.
Unless GM Holland has plans to bring in Trevor Lewis, Jason Spezza, or Sam Gagner for one year, I reckon Haas is a pretty good bet to return.
Puljujarvi News
There is a french rumor site reporting that the Montreal Canadiens offered Victor Mete and a 2nd round pick for Puljujarvi. It also stated that the New York Rangers and Arizona Coyotes have expressed interest.
I wonder if Holland can pry Kravtsov out of the Rangers? Buchnevich would be better on the short-term but I think Kravtsov would be a really notable catch.
As for the Coyotes, would Taylor Hall be out of the question? lol. I keed!
Random Pontifications
- Did anybody catch Brian Burke accusing Bob Stauffer of providing the Edmonton Oilers scouts’ list of questions to Leon Draisaitl’s camp before he was drafted in 2014?
- Big shout out to the Draisaitl deniers on social media! Got to give it to those guys who are just so invested into their charts that their tripping over their own ballsack to tell us how much better Valeri Nichushkin is defensively than the current favorite for the 2019/20 Hart Trophy… Keep fighting the good fight guys!
- I wonder if the Oilers might trade down and collect more picks whenever the 2020 NHL Draft is held? I feel like they could get a player they want anywhere from 20th to 31st overall because, after about 12th overall, the draft is gonna go bananas.
- There’s a big Swede that I’m really growing into a big fan of and if the Oilers trade down, I feel like they could have a shot at him.
- His name is Daniel Torgersson and he’s a 6’3″ 205lb scoring machine.
- That said, if any one of Rodion Amirov, Seth Jarvis, Dawson Mercer, or my favorite, Jan Mysak are available at 20th, scoop one up and worry about piling up those 2nd rounders later and if luck is on Edmonton’s side, perhaps Torgersson is available to them later in the draft.
That’s it for today folks! I hope you’re doing well and finding ways to keep your sanity. Until next time, take care!
