Category Archives: Jack Gruninger

Edmonton Oilers, Jack Gruninger, NHL

The 50 Oilers

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With the deadline to make qualifying offers now passed, we have a reasonable idea of what the 50 Man List will look like heading into free agency, as well as the cap space the Oilers will have.

Main Roster – 65.277, 6.123 Space
1. F Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – 6.000
2. F Jordan Eberle – 6.000
3. F Taylor Hall – 6.000
4. F Teddy Purcell – 4.500
5. F Benoit Pouliot – 4.000
6. F Connor McDavid – 3.775
7. F Boyd Gordon – 3.000
8. F Nail Yakupov – 2.500
9. F Matt Hendricks – 1.850
10. F Anton Lander – 0.988
11. F Luke Gazdic – 0.800
12. F Rob Klinkhammer – 0.725
13. F Andrew Miller – 0.630
14. D Nikita Nikitin – 4.500
15. D Justin Schultz – 3.675 (His Qualifying Offer Amount, this could change)
16. D Mark Fayne – 3.625
17. D Andrew Ference – 3.250
18. D Griffin Reinhart – 3.214
19. D Eric Gryba – 1.250
20. D Oscar Klefbom – 1.245
21. G Ben Scrivens – 2.300
22. G Cam Talbot – 1.450

System
23. F Iiro Pakarinen
24. F Tyler Pitlick
25. F Ryan Hamilton
26. F Kyle Platzer
27. F Leon Draisaitl
28. F Anton Slepyshev
29. F Mitchell Moroz
30. F Jujhar Khaira
31. F Bogdan Yakimov
32. F Gregory Chase
33. F Kale Kessy
34. D Joey LaLeggia
35. D Ben Betker
36. D Darnell Nurse
37. D David Musil
38. D Dillon Simpson
39. D Jordan Oesterle
40. D Martin Gernat
41. D Brandon Davidson
42. D Brad Hunt
43. G Laurent Brossoit
44. G Eetu Laurikainen

Let’s take a look at the list. First of all, for the cap hit calculation, it is important to note that I included all of the rookie bonuses to illustrate the “worst case scenario.” The Oilers could spend more than the cap space amount I have indicated, but they would risk having a bonus overage tapped on to next years cap. If none of Klefbom, Reinhart, or McDavid met any of their bonus requirements, the Oilers would have significantly more cap space, however this is unrealistic.

Some people may question some of the player decisions I have. Firstly, I have top prospects Draisaitl and Nurse in the AHL, and Andrew Miller in the NHL. There are a couple of reasons for this. The first is the cap space issue. Let’s say the Oilers replace Miller with Draisaitl and add Nurse to the roster. If you account for bonuses, this adds $4.484m towards the cap, which would reduce the cap space to only $1.639m. The Oilers couldn’t realistically add a much needed top 4 defenceman to the roster and not go way over the cap next season. Even as I have the cap here, there isn’t much room. It wouldn’t surprise me to see a player or players moved out to make some room. Purcell, Gordon, Nikitin, Schultz, Ference, and Scrivens are all players who could be moved to make cap space.

Now, I have Andrew Miller on the starting roster. I think he could show well in camp and could make the roster, but also, I can’t see him clearing waivers so I think he sticks around. He was excellent in his time in Edmonton at the end of the season.

I have Griffin Reinhart sticking around on defense because that seems to be the plan at the moment. If he has a poor showing at the beginning of the season though, it’s possible that we see a completely different rookie here on opening night. Nurse, Musil, Simpson, Oesterle, Davidson, and Hunt are all players who will be competing hard for a roster spot.

If we assume the Oilers want to max out at 47 contracts to leave some space, we could see 3 free agents signed this summer, unless a contract is moved out.

If Leveille has a good showing at camp he could get an ELC from the Oilers, but his contract wouldn’t count because he would be assigned to juniors. It will be interesting to see if the Oilers bring Vladimir Tkachev back to camp. They can sign him now and he could play in the AHL next season. He would count as a contract.

Thanks for reading everyone! Let me know in the comments below if you agree or disagree with my 50 man list and please follow me on Twitter and Like us on Facebook!

Beer League Hero, Edmonton Oilers, Jack Gruninger, NHL Entry Draft

2015 NHL Entry Draft: Live Blog

With the 2015 NHL Entry Draft less than half an hour away, we’re here to give you all the latest updates.

There has been quite a bit of action today, particularly out of Boston. The Bruins have traded Dougie Hamilton to Calgary for 3 draft picks and have also traded Milan Lucic to Los Angeles for their first as well as goalie Martin Jones and a prospect. This gives the Bruins picks 13, 14, and 15 in the draft, which they are currently using as trade bait to try and grab Arizona’s pick at 3rd overall. If that deal doesn’t get done, Arizona will make the pick and will likely select Erie Otters centre Dylan Strome.

A number of teams continue trade discussions on available players. With Martin Jones acquired, Boston could look to trade a goalie. Carolina is shopping around Jeff Skinner, but it seems likely that they hold onto him. Chicago needs to make cap space and could trade any one of Patrick Sharp, Bryan Bickell, or Kris Versteeg. As of now, Montreal seems to be the front runner for Sharp.

With Colorado’s addition of Carl Soderberg, it seems like a good bet that Ryan O’Reilly will be dealt, likely for a defenceman. Numerous teams are interested in him.

With LA’s acquisition of Milan Lucic, reports came out that they will likely buyout Mike Richards. We’ll see what happens there.

Nashville re-signed Mike Fisher today and continue to work on a deal for Mike Ribeiro. A couple teams, the Islanders and Canadiens, could look to move down in the draft to gain more picks in the second round.

The Rangers continue to shop Cam Talbot, and ideally they would like a first round pick. Pittsburgh continues to look for forwards. San Jose and Vancouver have had serious discussions regarding Kevin Bieksa, we’ll see if that trade happens. Also, Eddie Lack’s name is still out there as a goaltending option.

St. Louis was rumoured to be in the hunt for a first round pick and could try and trade either T.J. Oshie or David Backes. Toronto continues to shop Phil Kessel and Tyler Bozak, and could look to trade their second first round pick.

Note: All times are in Edmonton time. Refresh the page to view the latest updates.

4:49 – There is some talk that Boston may even be willing to trade Tuukka Rask. Unlikely, but that’s what everyone said about a Hamilton trade as well.

4:51 – BREAKING: Ryan O’Reilly close to being traded to the Buffalo Sabres. Details to come.

4:56 – It sounds like Nikita Zadorov could be part of a Ryan O’Reilly trade.

4:58 – It also sounds like Mikhail Grigorenko would be going to Colorado as well as a second round pick. On another note, talks between Vancouver and San Jose about Bieksa seem to have fallen apart. Vancouver wanted 2 second round picks.

5:10 – It’s unlikely at this point that either Lack or Talbot will be traded tonight, it could happen tomorrow.

TRADE: Buffalo has traded Nikita Zadorov, Mikhail Grigorenko, JT Compher, and the 31st overall pick to Colorado in exchange for Ryan O’Reilly and Jamie McGinn.

1. Edmonton Selects F Connor McDavid. The Oilers also debut a new jersey, it looks great.

2. Buffalo Selects F Jack Eichel.

3. Arizona Selects F Dylan Strome.

4. Toronto Selects F Mitch Marner.

5. Carolina Selects D Noah Hanifin.

5:45 – New Jersey and Columbus are discussing a trade. We’ll see if anything comes of it.

5:48 – The Devils will make their pick.

6. New Jersey Selects F Pavel Zacha.

7. Philadelphia Selects D Ivan Provorov.

5:57 – Toronto continues to talk to teams about the 24th pick. Jim Matheson is also reporting that Kevin Shattenkirk could be available.

8. Columbus Selects D Zach Werenski.

9. San Jose Selects F Timo Meier.

10. Colorado Selects F Mikko Rantanen.

11. Florida Selects F Lawson Crouse.

12. Dallas Selects F Denis Gurianov.

13. Boston Selects D Jakub Zboril.

14. Boston Selects F Jake DeBrusk.

15. Boston Selects F Zachary Senyshyn.

6:46 – It sounds like the Islanders have made a trade.

6:48 – Edmonton has traded the pick, details to come.

TRADE: Edmonton trades picks 16 and 33 to the New York Islanders in exchange for D Griffin Reinhart.

16. New York Selects F Mathew Barzal.

17. Winnipeg Selects F Kyle Connor.

18. Ottawa Selects D Thomas Chabot.

19. Detroit Selects F Evgeni Svechnikov.

20. Minnesota Selects F Joel Eriksson-Ek

7:22 – Peter Chiarelli having a lengthy conversation with Dean Lombardi…

21. Ottawa Selects F Colin White.

22. Washington Selects G Ilya Samsonov.

23. Vancouver Selects F Brock Boeser.

TRADE: Toronto trades pick 24 to Philadelphia in exchange for picks 29 and 61.

24. Philadelphia Selects F Travis Konecny.

25. Winnipeg Selects F Jack Roslovic.

26. Montreal Selects D Noah Juulsen

27. Anaheim Selects D Jacob Larsson

TRADE: Tampa Bay trades pick 28 to the Islanders in exchange for picks 33 and 72.

28. New York Selects F Anthony Beauvillier.

TRADE: Toronto trades pick 29 to Columbus in exchange for picks 34 and 68.

29. Columbus Selects D Gabriel Carlsson.

TRADE: Anaheim trades Kyle Palmieri to New Jersey in exchange for the 41st pick and a 3rd round pick in 2016.

30. Arizona Selects F Nick Merkley

Beer League Hero, Edmonton Oilers, Jack Gruninger, NHL, Trades

Calgary Steals Hamilton From Bruins in Lopsided Trade

In typical Bruins fashion, Boston has traded a tremendous young player and received little value in return.

In an absolute steal of a trade that stunned many, Calgary has acquired defenceman Dougie Hamilton from the Boston Bruins in exchange for picks #15, 45, and 52.

The 6’5”, 212lbs. right-handed defenceman was drafted 9th overall in 2011 by Boston, and has already established himself as a top defenceman in the NHL. Hamilton has 83 points in 178 games in the NHL, which includes 42 points in 72 games this past season.

A restricted free agent, Hamilton had many rumours attached to him, particularly regarding offer sheets. Edmonton in particular was a team that many said could submit an offer sheet for Hamilton.

The surprisingly low return has led some to speculate that this was done as a “revenge move” of sorts against Boston’s former GM, although that sounds like a ridiculous thing for a professional hockey club to do. Other reasons have been suggested on Twitter for the poor return:

Hamilton will be a key fixture on Calgary’s blueline along with Mark Giordano and TJ Brodie. Here is some more fallout from the deal:

https://twitter.com/JonathanWillis/status/614516443527278592

**Update**

No wonder Edmonton didn’t make the trade.

Beer League Hero, Edmonton Oilers, Jack Gruninger, NHL, Prospects

Oilers Make Changes to Scouting Staff

The Oilers have reportedly made several changes to their amateur and pro scouting staffs.

https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/612465217499365376

Stu MacGregor joined the Oilers amateur scouting staff in 2000, becoming head amateur scout in 2007. Morey Gare joined the organization in 2001 and became head pro scout in 2008. Both aspects of the organization have been heavily criticized over the years, the amateur side for not producing enough talent in later rounds, and the pro side for failing to identify players that can have a positive impact.

The firings occur less than a week before the NHL Entry Draft, where the Oilers are expected to draft Connor McDavid 1st overall.

Beer League Hero, Edmonton Oilers, Jack Gruninger, NHL

Todd Nelson To Join Red Wings Organization

As many expected, Todd Nelson has left the Oilers and is expected to be named the new head coach of the Grand Rapids Griffins, Detroit’s AHL affiliate, as per Elliotte Friedman.

Nelson’s coaching career started in 2001 when he became an assistant coach for the Muskegon Fury of the United Hockey League. Following a 1 year stint there, he became an assistant coach for the Grand Rapids Griffins for 1 year, before returning to the Fury as head coach until 2006, winning two championships. He then became an assistant coach for the Chicago Wolves until 2008, where he won a Calder Cup.

On July 25th, 2008, Nelson was named an assistant coach of the Atlanta Thrashers, and remained there until July 15th, 2010 when he joined the Oilers organization as head coach of the Barons. After Dallas Eakins was fired in December, Nelson was named interim head coach and remained in that position until Todd McClellan was hired as head coach on May 19th, 2015.

In Grand Rapids, Nelson replaces Jeff Blashill, who became the new head coach of the Red Wings after Babcock’s departure. Detroit is obviously well known for their prospect development, and Nelson will become a key piece in ensuring that model continues.