Today, we’re going to go over TWO very interesting mock trade proposals floating about in the oilogosphere and we’ll also re-visit an old rumor that seems to keep popping up.

I should start prefacing these blogs with the fact that I write them a day in advance and because we’re getting so close to the deadline there’s a good chance I might write about a player or a team and it be old news by the time it gets to your beautiful eyes. If that happens, my apologies!

But before we get to that, give us a follow on the socials!

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The Latest Edmonton Oilers Trade Rumors

Good Offer, Bad Timing

“The possibility of Jake Guentzel joining the Edmonton Oilers has sparked diverse opinions, with a proposed mock trade scenario in the mix… The deal, as proposed by NHL Network is: Oilers get Jake Guentzel, while the Penguins get Warren Foegele, defense prospect Beau Akey, the Oilers’ 2024 first-round pick, and the Oilers’ 2025 third-round pick.” – NHL Trade Talk

• While I think that’s a pretty good deal for a 40 goal scorer, I don’t think it’s going to happen and the reason for that is, Ken Holland doesn’t trade first rounders for rentals. In addition to that, even if the Oilers are granted permission to explore a contract extension with Guentzel, he’s out of their price range thanks to the Connor Brown signing, Evan Bouchard’s emergence as an $8M dman, and the need to re-sign the likes of Vinnie Desharnais and a backup goalie.
• I think the other thing to add here is that while the offer is good for Edmonton, it’s kind of shite for Pittsburgh unless you think they’re getting a top-4 dman in Akey and another 40 goal scorer with this draft picks. I’d be willing to bet that when Guentzel is dealt, the Penguins get a much better haul.
• For example, I think the Rangers could offer Kaapo Kakko, Brennan Othmann/Gabe Perreault, and draft picks for him and that’s MILES better than what Edmonton’s going to offer plus Guentzel stays close in the U.S. and the Pens get some outstanding future pieces that are ready to contribute now staying with Kyle Dubas’ plan for his team.

Bringing in the Flower

“Respected analyst John Shannon also said during the intermission of Friday’s game between the Wild and Oilers that if Fleury decides he wants to see what’s out there, Guerin will trade him. And, Shannon says, “he won’t get much for him,” hinting that the return is not the priority. The suggestion was that this move would be more about Guerin and Fleury being friends and doing right by him as his career winds down.” – The Hockey Writers

• I’d love it but just as with Guentzel, there are simply better teams with more to offer than Edmonton.
• Do you think Guerin would do both the Oilers and Fleury the favor here? I’m skeptical.
• Dallas, Vancouver, Florida, Colorado, Toronto, possibly Detroit all could offer more than the Oilers and are better teams. Vegas? Are they another one?
• So, I’m thinking the Oilers are betting on the confidence other players around the league have in McDavid and Draisaitl with this trade targets. It’s very short-sighted and could leave them standing alone at the alter on trade deadline day.

Another Decent Trade Proposal

“Pavel Buchnevich from the St. Louis Blues seems to be an ideal option for the Oilers, and the two teams could emerge as trade partners… This wouldn’t be too complex of a trade to pull off, but the Oilers will have to be willing to part with someone who fits well with their team if they want the Blues to indulge their trade offer. Realistically, a trade looks like the Oilers acquiring Buchnevich in exchange for Foegele, Xavier Bourgault, a 2024 first-round pick, and a 2025 fourth-round pick.” – The Hockey Writers

• Another really decent proposal! But while that extra year on his $5.8M.yr deal is good and explains why the 1st rounder is in there, the money doesn’t work, does it? I don’t think the Oilers can afford to add $5.8M of salary onto next seasons books.
• Maybe they could pay an extra 1st rounder to another team to eat half of that contract and then they’d have themselves one helluva 2RW because he plays in all situations and he’s no shrinking violet. He gets in there and mucks it up. Fans would like him.
• Conversely, I think it would pay massive dividends for the Oilers to play Dylan Holloway more because he’s got all of the tools to be a middle-6 forward and throughout his entire career he’s come on in the latter halves of his seasons.

Other Options?

• There’s a 22yr old Swedish kid out in NJ named Holtz. He’s got 13 goals this year, he plays RW, but he’s only playing 11:39 a night. He’s a shooter and very skilled, but you wonder if there’d be an appetite from the Devils to cash in on this guy if they’re not interested in playing him any higher than the 4th line? He can’t beat out Curtis Lazar or Dawson Mercer? That’s what I’m reading here?
• Columbus also has a handful of young goal-scoring wingers that would look good on Leon’s wing. Chinakhov, Voronkov, and Marchenko have combined for 48 goals this year but the Blue Jackets are going nowhere fast. Voronkov and Marchenko are over 6’3″ as well…

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If I’m reading the tea leaves right, I think Edmonton’s going to wait until March 7th or 8th to get their business done. Just so they can accrue that much more cap space to make moves and boy, do they need to make some moves. That effort against Calgary last night was putrid.

That said, I think there’s something going through the room. It got Nuge and forced him out for a couple games. They guys looked tired and as they should be after three games in four nights, but they also looked disinterested as if they wanted to get the game over with.

You know who looked really good though, Dylan Holloway. Might’ve been his best game. Loved his effort despite the score.

Today we’re going to talk about centers, faceoffs, depth additions, and the kind of 4th line I’d like to see the Oilers roll out for the playoffs.

I should start prefacing these blogs with the fact that I write them a day in advance and because we’re getting so close to the deadline there’s a good chance I might write about a player or a team and it be old news by the time it gets to your beautiful eyes. If that happens, my apologies!

But before we get to that, give us a follow on the socials!

• Youtube: Beer League Heroes Channel
• Twitter: @beerleagueheroe
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The Latest Edmonton Oilers Trade Rumors

Do Not Capital-ize on These Two

“Joel Edmundson in Washington is a name that has come up here and there in Oilers chat the last little while… Joel Edmundson’s 516 games would sure make me more comfortable. Edmundson is not the player he was a couple years ago. But as a 7-8, he would be an excellent fit. He can play comfortably on both sides. And with Montreal already retaining 50% of his $3.5m deal, there is a path to bring him in for as little as 900K.”

“If Ken Holland could pry both Edmundson and RHS Center Nic Dowd ($1.3m, 1+ years remaining) from the Capitals, that would tick two critical boxes for a would-be cup contender and give the club some renewed confidence.” – Kurt Leavins, Cult of Hockey

• Edmundson has been on the Oilers wish list since he was playing in St. Louis.
• I wonder if Washington is saying, we’ll give you Dowd and throw in Edmundson if you give us a 1st, because I don’t look at Edmundson and see him as the optimal pickup on defense for the Oilers. He could come in for Desharnais and play his off side though. but, then again, the majority of NHL coaches loathe having their dmen play there.
• Another scenario might be moving Kulak for cap space and bringing in Edmundson to play alongside Desharnais. That’s a heavy pairing.
• I don’t know if anybody has told the MSM back in Edmonton who are trying to sell Dowd to the fanbase as a right-shot center who can take faceoffs, but he’s no better than Derek Ryan on the dot. Just bigger. In fact, he’s worse. Ryan’s overall FO% is 56% and Dowd’s is 48.9%. Why would the Oilers pay for that?
• In fact, Edmonton has three centers who are over 52% on draws in the DZ. So, there’s no way in hell they should be paying for a downgrade.
• Small sample size, but Sam Gagner is 57% on the dot in the defensive zone. He’s also a right shot.
• Larger sample size (300+ DZ FO): Noel Acciari (PIT) 55%, Jake Evans (MTL): 51.8%
• They should be poaching Nico Sturm out of San Jose if they want a faceoff specialist. His FO% overall is nearly 60% and his DZFO% is 55.5%.
• If I were Edmonton, I’d see about Acciari from the Pens and Sturm if there was a concern about winning draws. Those two might be had for pennies on the dollar.

Duck Hunting

“I think they have some interest in two players from Anaheim — Adam Henrique and Sam Carrick,” said Friedman. “Now, I don’t know if that’s both or just one of the two, but both of those names are names that have been linked to the Oilers.” – Elliotte Friedman, Sportsnet

• Now, Henrique I can see why they like him. He’s producing points for a shite team in Anaheim at least. Overall, he’s winning draws at a 53% rate. In the def. zone he’s winning them at a 52.1% rate.
• Sam Carrick, there’s no other reason to get him other than playing style and faceoffs because he’s does F-all point-wise (8g 3a). On the whole, his FO% is 52.5, in the DZ it’s 49.7.
• Maybe I’m alone on this hill, but why are names like Carrick and Dowd even connected to Edmonton right now? Nico Sturm is 6’3″ and 210lbs and is top-5 in the league for faceoffs. I’d say skip him because he doesn’t produce but apparently that’s not an issue for the Oilers.
• But if Edmonton likes Carrick because he’s a pain in the ass for the opposition, I can buy into that reasoning. They sure as hell need more guys that can drag the team into the fight as we’ve witnessed this week. Maybe one on the back end, too, because Nurse, Ekholm, and Desharnais look like the league’s biggest trio of pacifists this year.
• So at this point, being the Oilers GMs we are, we should be trying to bring in Adam Henrique and Nico Sturm to shore up the center positions for the run, right?
• And just for what it’s worth, you’re going to hear pundits and bloggers try to sell you on a guy because he plays X amount of minutes on the PK. If they’re not telling you more about how he’s successful in that role, just that he gets a lot of TOI there, that should be a red flag. They tried that with Connor Brown, but the problem is, the game isn’t played with a man down for 60 minutes.
• So, yes, Sam Carrick plays the 2nd-most minutes on the kill for Anaheim, but how impactful is he aside from that, right? Maybe annoys the other team a bit or drops the gloves from time to time. I would hope he’s capable of shutting down top-six players, though, or else why bring him in?

The Shopping List

“Speaking of the Oilers, TSN’s Ryan Rishaug took a look at the dilemma on a recent episode of the Got Yer’ Back podcast and explained what he believes is the team’s order of trying to get things done over the next two weeks. He notes the order of importance goes, “a top-six right winger or a third-line center, and a depth defender and I think they stand pat on goaltending front.” – The Hockey Writers

• I feel like Henrique is the guy they really want for 3C. Laughton, Sissons, Dowd, I don’t think they’re on that level. Maybe Kevin Hayes is up there with Henrique but I’d need to dig in more on him. The center market is thin this year.
• Depth defender… Eric Johnson (BUF)? The aforementioned Joel Edmundson from Washington, Ilya Lybushkin (ANH), Mario Ferraro (SJ), JJ Moser or Sean Durzi (ARI), Jaycob Megna (CHI), Johnathan Kovacevic (MTL)… I could go on and on.
• If they went younger with that depth dman trade, that might afford them the opportunity to cash in on Philip Broberg.
• I think, just for me, they 4th line needs revamping. It needs some energy. The kind momentum changing characters this team has missed since they dealt Klim Kostin and Zack Kassian.
• Has anybody looked at Mark Kastelic in Ottawa? He’s one of nine players in the entire league who averages over 15 hits per 60 and 2 takeaways per 60. He’s 6’4″ and 225lbs and an odd stat on him, he’s never had a FO% under 56% since he started playing in the NHL three years ago.
• Another guy on that list, Stauffer favorite, Brett Murray in Buffalo.
• Nashvillle’s got a guy, Kiefer Sherwood. He’s another guy who hits a lot and is good at takeaways. He’s a bit better offensively than Kastelic but smaller, mind you. Probably why he averages four more minutes a game than the Senator.
• A grind line wouldn’t hurt. Kastelic-Sturm-Trenin… Average height and weight is 6’4″ 225lbs… If Edmonton wants to get bigger and tougher to play against, here you go.

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The sky is falling in Edmonton again I see. Did everyone forget that the quality of competition during that massive heater was the worst of the year for the Oilers and that it was going to get significantly harder after the All-Star Break? I swear I remember multiple pundits make that point over and over… But here we are again pining over new goalies and wishing for the GM to be fired. The vocal minority online within this fanbase are insufferable and last I checked, none of them are running professional hockey teams nor have the applied or ever been approached as a result of their online opinions…

Anyway, I want to talk about a couple of outstanding Russian wingers and a young Canadian in today’s post.

I should start prefacing these blogs with the fact that I write them a day in advance and because we’re getting so close to the deadline there’s a good chance I might write about a player or a team and it be old news by the time it gets to your beautiful eyes. If that happens, my apologies!

But before we get to that, give us a follow on the socials!

• Youtube: Beer League Heroes Channel
• Twitter: @beerleagueheroe
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The Latest Edmonton Oilers Trade Rumors

Are the Russians Coming?

“Most of the Senators’ trade discussions involve pending free-agent Vladimir Tarasenko. He has a full no-movement clause but it’s thought that four or five teams have expressed interest in the 32-year-old winger. It’s believed the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers could be among the suitors. The Senators could get a better return if they retain part of his $5 million cap hit.” – Spector’s Trade Rumors

• I’ve talked at nauseum about Tarasenko. I don’t think there’s much more to say here with him.
• He’s got a fantastic track record of scoring in the playoffs without a Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl as his center.
• If Edmonton can get a 3rd team involved so that they’re only paying him 25% of his deal, I think there’s a lot to like there.

Doubtful

“Jim Matheson indicates the Oilers have been scouting the Blues. He believes they’re looking at Buchnevich as a second-line winger option. Matheson believes the cost to acquire him could be comparable to what the Oilers gave up in last year’s Mattias Ekholm trade (a first-round pick, a fourth-rounder and a prospect).” – Spector’s Trade Rumors

• The cost is rumored to be TWO first rounders for Buchnevich… I don’t know if that means actual draft picks or a player that was once a 1st rounder like Xavier Bourgault or Philip Broberg.
• There’s another year left on his deal after this if I’m not mistaken and it’s at $5.8M.
• I’d like him on the Oilers because he ticks off a lot of boxes but I can’t see it happening. Maybe Vegas gets him if the Blues drop off even more here.

Another Option

“Staple and Kurz speculate it could cost the Rangers at least their first-round pick to acquire Laughton. With the Blueshirts being a division rival, perhaps the asking price might be higher than for other clubs.” – Spector’s Trade Rumors

• I know this is a Rangers rumor but it applies to the Oilers as well seeing as they’ve been looking at Laughton.
• I took a look at Laughton and Colton Sissons (NSH) recently and I’m not as sold on them as I was before. I think they don’t bring enough offense OR defense to justify spending a 1st rounder on them.
• However, a player who caught my eye was Arizona’s young pivot, Barrett Hayton. And the reason for that this season his relative defensive advanced analytics 5v5 are very good.
  • CA/60: -10.37
  • FA/60: -7.06
  • SA/60: -0.42
  • xGA/60: -0.74
  • SCA/60: -10.85
  • HDCA/60: -4.48
  • HDGA/60: -2.26
• His 5v5 PDO (0.948) is in the dumps and that could be one of the reasons he’s only scored 4pts in 24 games. I mean, he also plays for Arizona… Probably doesn’t help a lot there.
• In 82 games last year he scored 43 points, as a 22 year old when his PDO was 1.001.
• He’s an RFA this summer. The deal he’s on has him making $1.75M/yr. 6’1″, 207lbs… Thick boy! Plays an honest game.
• The Coyotes franchise is an absolute garbage fire and I don’t see that changing. I know Jeff Marek and Elliotte Friedman were talking about the club possibly relocating to Salt Lake City. Would that have an impact on player availability?
• My thought is that it’s not everyday that you find a player as young as Hayton who’s playing that “well” defensively according to the metrics and would be able to grow with the club going forward.
• I would deduce that he’s the type of player who embraces a role fully and for the love of Christ, the Oilers could use a shutdown center on their third line, couldn’t they? Buy when the value’s down for a change…

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Generally, trade proposals around that are thrown out on the approach to the NHL trade deadline get more and more astronomical depending and the desperation of a team’s fanbase. So it’s not often you get a REALLY conservative one, but we did get just that recently and we’re going to discuss it because it involves a very interesting perfectly aged forward.

We’re also going to talk about a former Red Deer Rebels dman and a Russian freight train that’s playing down in Nashville who might be able to bring some value to Edmonton’s miniature-sized 4th line.

I should start prefacing these blogs with the fact that I write them a day in advance and because we’re getting so close to the deadline there’s a good chance I might write about a player or a team and it be old news by the time it gets to your beautiful eyes. If that happens, my apologies!

But before we get to that, give us a follow on the socials!

• Youtube: Beer League Heroes Channel
• Twitter: @beerleagueheroe
• Instagram: @beerleagueheroes
• Facebook: Beer League Heroes

The Latest Edmonton Oilers Trade Rumors

Would You Make This Trade? (Via Oilersnation IG)

To Edmonton: Alexander Carrier, Tommy Novak, 2024 4th round pick
To Nashville: Cody Ceci, 2024 1st round pick

• Hmmm. Is this where you want to spend a 1st rounder? I mean, I always say to try and get the Colemans, the Hagels, and the Laffertys before everybody knows about them, but I don’t know if Novak is one of them.
• There’s no physical element to his game whatsoever as his 17 recorded hits in 124 games will attest. His eight minor penalties speak to that as well.
• Over 30% of his career goals have been on the PP. That’s probably not going to happen in Edmonton.
• He shouldn’t really be a center either. His faceoff % is in the mid-40s.
• He’s got an abnormally high career shooting percentage too at 15.5%. Last season is was a shade over 18%.
• 5v5, Nashville’s started him nearly 75% of the time in the offensive zone. I don’t know if that’s going to jive on Edmonton’s 3rd line.
• His fancies are promising though. CF% and FF% both sit over 52%.
• I’d pass on this one. If I’m spending that 1st rounder, I’m doing it on a high-end talent. I can get depth pieces for a lot cheaper than that and I’m in no rush to make a lateral move with the 2RD slot.

Dumba the Flying Defenseman 

“Looking at both teams’ current situations, a deal that sends Matt Dumba to Edmonton makes sense for both parties…  Physicality is where Dumba shines, making him a great addition to any team with playoff aspirations. Edmonton doesn’t need more points scored, McDavid and Draisaitl can handle that. They need someone who can protect their talented players and be a menace on the ice.” – NHL Trade Talk

• I don’t know if McDavid and Draisaitl are going to be bullied out of games. I just think they might get checked so tightly that they’re muted. The best revenge for that is to do it to the other team’s stars. First team to muck up wins.
• I’ve always liked Matt Dumba, but it feels like his game has really fallen off of a cliff here. I mean, his relative fancies have never been worse. Is that because he plays for Arizona or is he playing through something? Who knows.
• I will say this though, he hits and he hits a lot. He also blocks shots, but he doesn’t get a lot of takeaways and conversely, he gives away the puck a lot. Meaning he’s probably not a good playmaker. I don’t know if Paul Coffey has enough magic to turn a player like this into something special.
• Would he have to though? How valuable is it to have a physical deterrent on your blueline heading into the post-season? Would Dumba have enough to knock the other team’s best players out of games with his aggressiveness? Scott Stevens used to do it all the time but that was a different era, too. Jacob Trouba does it now, is Dumba on that level? I don’t think he is.
• So, you’ve got to ask yourself, would the former Red Deer Rebel be an upgrade on Cody Ceci? I think there’ll be some that say, yes. Probably old school types like myself.
• Deviating slightly, what if he could be had to replace Vinnie Desharnais? What if the money wasn’t an issue? Would that be appetizing for you?

Trenin in the Right Direction

“One spot on the forward group where this may be lacking is in that fourth line. Currently, it features Sam Gagner, Derek Ryan, and Connor Brown. None of whom are overly physical. An addition like Trenin, who comes with the added benefit of being able to score 15 goals in a season, would boost that line’s usefulness and give them more versatility.”

“He is someone who could probably be acquired for a mid-round draft pick, depending on Nashville’s future plans with him.” – The Oil Rig

• Amen! Thank you, brother.
• It’s been said over and over by multiple pundits, in order to beat a team like the Vegas Golden Knights, the Oilers are going to have to run out a four line team.
• If they can add a Trenin to the 4th line and a Henrique to the 3rd line, we’re in business baby! And I don’t think that should be very hard to do.
• I don’t mind McLeod shifting up to the 2nd line if a high-quality pivot like Henrique comes in. Dylan Holloway can run point on the 4th line with a Trenin-like winger as well as Derek Ryan, Sam Gagner, or Connor Brown. I’d prefer another tank with speed, mind you.
• I wonder if there’s a way to keep Foegele in all of this but I’m skeptical. Do the Oilers trade him for Trenin straight up and get some cash savings they can apply elsewhere? It’s a downgrade in offense if the goal differential can’t be replaced with a subsequent move, though.
• Nuge-McDavid-Hyman
  Kane-Draisaitl-McLeod
  Janmark-Henrique-Perry
  Trenin-Holloway-Brown
• Is that enough? It’s versatile.

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