August 9, 2021 /

Edmonton Oilers Rumors: Insider Suggests Oilers Are Looking at Slater Koekkoek and Jordie Benn

Coming from an Edmonton Oilers point of view, BLH provides you with excerpts from the latest NHL news, rumors, and speculation from all of the internet’s best sites including Spector’s Hockey, The Fourth Period, NHL Trade Talk, The Hockey Writers, Sportsnet, The Athletic, TSN and more!

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The Cult of Hockey (Leavins)

The Nurse deal part of an on-going commitment from the Edmonton Oilers ownership to keep their core intact: 9 Things
  • 7. I see the Oilers giving Kyle Turris every opportunity to earn the 13th F position. If he can do it Turris would be a very useful piece. He has on his resume many of the traits required, like flexibility, an adept faceoff man and solid 2-way play. 

BLH’s Thoughts: I don’t think it hurts to have another veteran on the club who can step in for Ryan McLeod or one of the RWs should an injury arise. He’s at that point in his career though where he needs to be propped up by better players, so it’ll be interesting to see how Dave Tippett handles that challenge. 

  • Don’t be surprised if 20-year old D Simon Kubicek is invited to Edmonton Oilers main camp. The undrafted 6’2 D-man was acquired by the Oil Kings from Seattle in January. He played most of his 2020-21 season in the Czech professional league save for when he was on the Czech World Junior club (in Edmonton). A tough defender with a big shot, Kubicek could be a nice organizational add under the right-shot Defence column.

BLH’s Thoughts: Oilers looking for the new Adam Larsson? If so, that’s some LONG-TERM thinking as he probably won’t be ready to hop into the NHL for another four seasons I’m thinking. 

That said, it wouldn’t hurt to add another cycle-breaker to the stable. He also has one of the better slapshots out there, but then again, how many shutdown defenders get a chance to use their clappers these days?

Regardless, I wonder if he goes back to the Oil Kings and fills one of their 20yrd slots and then joins Bakersfield (if he’s signed) at the end of the season. 

  • 5. Expect the Oilers will add at least 1 more veteran depth D-man between now and training camp. They’re probably looking to spend Trevor van Riemsdyk money ($950k). Two primary names to keep an eye on are Slater Koekkoek and Jordie Benn.

BLH’s Thoughts: I think you’ve got to go with Koekkoek here, don’t you? Benn is a battler but so is KK and he’s a better all-round defender too. $950k would be a raise for him too. 

  • 4. The Oilers have signed LW Brendan Perlini to a 1-year, 2-way deal at the league minimum ($750k). This didn’t happen overnight. It was a culmination of a conversation that started around the 3rd week in May… 
  • Dave Tippett was his head coach when Perlini broke in and scored 14 & 17 goals his 1st 2 seasons before things veered off course. This has “project” written all over it. But if Perlini can return to his former self and play (3-4LW)? That would make Ryan Nugent-Hopkins an easier 2-3C option and take some pressure off Ryan McLeod.

BLH’s Thoughts: The risk/reward ratio here is really good. At worst, Perlini helps the Condors scoring and at best he’s playing with the Oilers utilizing his size, speed, and shot. What’s not to like?

  • 3. I expect the Oilers would like to see Bouchard graduate up the RHS to pair with either Duncan Keith or Darnell Nurse by the end of the year. We all know Bouchard’s pedigree. But from what I’m told, the Oilers are particularly thrilled with Bouchard’s work off the ice It’s that combination of skill and commitment is why they bet on him in particular on the RHS.

BLH’s Thoughts: If Bouchard can stay healthy, he’s going to make the fanbase forget all about Ethan Bear. Although, it’s going to be hard when Ethan is doing stuff like this on his time off,

  • 2. Some don’t like the Nurse deal. But if you don’t re-sign him you will have to replace him. Doing that internally is time consuming and filled with uncertainty. Doing so through free agency almost always comes with a limited selection (including whether those players want to play in Canada) and inflated prices. Doing it through trade costs valuable assets (see the Ethan Bear deal). It makes way more sense to keep your own.

BLH’s Thoughts: The internal option is out of the question and free agency would present some challenges unless you think Hampus Lindholm or Morgan Rielly would come in, but even then, how much are you paying those two compared to what Nurse just signed for?

I think a debate could be had about what Nurse could be traded for though and I’ll maintain that I think Ivan Provorov, who’s played similar TOI as Darnell for Philly in recent years and is younger (and signed for four more years and about $3M cheaper), could be had. As a tough a rugged man of color, Nurse would have ridiculous value to Philadelphia as he fits the city’s and the team’s identity. 

I don’t know, that’s just me fantasy GM-ing, though. I’m just not willing to buy that you couldn’t trade him and get a good player back. 

Lowetide.ca

Here’s how I see the battle royale going during training camp.

  • Josh Archibald will return as a utility forward, he fills the same role Jimmy Roberts filled for those old Habs teams in the 1970’s (except he doesn’t play defense). He could land on any line, will PK like a demon, and be out there late in games when the team is up by one goal. I could see him getting another contract during the year or shortly after the season.
  • Ryan McLeod played 10 games at the end of the year and looked fast and good, but he needs to post some offense…
  • Devin Shore has penalty killing on his side but his five on five results were so poor he’s vulnerable…
  • Tyler Benson is out of options and can help the fourth line with his passing and offensive creativity. He isn’t guaranteed a job, but will get a look in training camp…
  • Kyle Turris is in a tough spot and fighting for his NHL career right now, all kinds of reports that he’s stayed in Edmonton this summer to train. If training was the issue, that’s great, but in my opinion the problem is he’s far better on the wing and the Oilers didn’t have enough skill to give him a strong set of linemates. We’ll see.
  • Cooper Marody was qualified, that must mean the organization has plans for him…
  • Brendan Perlini is the new man, and has good speed and size on his resume. I think he starts in the minors.
  • Dylan Holloway is likely headed to Bakersfield, but could be back soon…

BLH’s Thoughts: My bets are on Archibald, McLeod, Turris, and Shore making this team this fall. Holloway and Perlini should make it to Bakersfield pretty seamlessly but for how long, I don’t know.

Marody and Benson will need waivers and I wonder if Holland has a deal in his back pocket involving Benson. There’s enough interest in him out there that the Oilers may just use him to recoup a draft pick or nab themselves a goalie. 

Marody might get claimed on waivers if he’s put on them but, in my opinion, that’ll sting the Oilers like losing Pontus Aberg did. 

Spector’s Hockey

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – August 8, 2021

BLH’s Thoughts:

The Daily Goal Horn

NHL Rumors Roundup: Latest on Brady Tkachuk contract; Jack Eichel; Phil Kessel; and Kevin Fiala
  • TSN’s Shawn Simpson is reporting that there’s no progress to speak of towards a new deal. “What was told to me by someone close to the (Brady) Tkachuk camp, is that Brady loves the crew in Ottawa,” he explains. “But he’s totally waiting to see if ownership is willing to spend what it takes to deliver a Cup team.”
  • I find that hard to believe considering the Rangers are the only known team to have made a legit offer (on Jack Eichel). However, this is the way contract and trade negotiations are played. Where information changes from day-to-day and even hour-to-hour.
  • Per Craig Morgan via Spector’s Hockey, Kessel’s agents asked the Coyotes to trade him before the season starts. It’s also being reported that he would like to play in Vegas but as of right now the Golden Knights are not interested. Most likely due to their limited cap space.
    • Some other teams that might look to deal for Kessel are the Seattle Kraken, Florida Panthers, Philadelphia Flyers, and Minnesota Wild.
  • In a rare move, the Minnesota Wild opted to exercise their club option for salary arbitration with Kevin Fiala.
    • So why did the Wild opt to file when the player did not? With the uncertainty on Kaprizov, this will at least ensure that Fiala will be under contract for the start of camp and not a hold out.
    • Due to it being club elected, after the arbitrator’s award, Fiala can pick the term, which would likely be two years so he can become a UFA.
    • …the Wild may opt to trade Fiala knowing that he will most likely walk away at the end of the deal.

BLH’s Thoughts:

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CategoriesArmchair GM Beer League Hero Edmonton Oilers NHL Rumors

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Beer League Hero Written by:

I'm the Beer League Hero! I am from Camrose, Alberta but I make my home in Taipei City, Taiwan. I've been through the ups and downs and the highs and the Lowes, the Bonsignores and the McDavids, the Sathers and the Eakins but I'll never leave my Oilers, no matter what! They're with me until the end and then some. GO OILERS GO!