Armchair GM, Beer League Hero, Edmonton Oilers, NHL, Rumors

Edmonton Oilers Talk: Holland Claps Back at Critics

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!

From the DFO Rundown

It’s ‘rather unlikely’ Edmonton Oilers re-sign Adam Larsson, but a ‘real chance’ Tyson Barrie returns

On Monday’s episode of the DFO Rundown, Frank Seravalli said it now appears more likely the club re-signs Tyson Barrie.

  • “There’s been lots of chatter out there about the Edmonton Oilers and their defence. From my understanding, and this is Sunday night… my understanding is the Oilers and Adam Larsson are rather unlikely at this point to get something done and he’ll be heading to market.”
  • “Now, I think the development which is really interesting is that Tyson Barrie has a real chance to stay in Edmonton. That’s been the shift that’s occurred in the last four or five days and I think it’s really interesting for a number of reasons. I think a number of people had written off Tyson Barrie and the chance to come back just because whatever number he may or may not be looking for and I think he actually really enjoyed his time in Edmonton. He wants to come back, and also sees how good of a fit it was and why change it. I think that both sides are open to the idea…”
  • “…the question is how does the pecking order go around the league. Where does Dougie Hamilton go? How much does he sign for? All those things kind of go into it, but Tyson Barrie has a real strong chance to stay.”

BLH’s Thoughts: So, here we have a a former nationally broadcasted insider in Seravalli saying “AT THIS POINT” Adam Larsson won’t be re-signing with the Oilers and then we also have a local beat writer (Mark Spector) who’s got Larsson’s agent’s phone number on speed dial saying the Swedish defender will probably re-sign with them after the expansion draft and citing specific contractual details in the same breath.

Add to those to Kurt Leavins and Bob Stauffer (who are basically one entity at this point with what they’re reporting), who say that they’re surprised Larsson hasn’t been signed and think there’s a chance he signs elsewhere. The way I read his what he was saying, Stauffer seemed quite afraid of Seattle turning the Swede’s head.

Last week, Brian Lawton said Oilers fans should be concerned that Larsson hadn’t re-signed, but then John Shannon said they shouldn’t because the defender wants to be in Edmonton, the club has targeted him as one of the key offseason signings, and it’s just a matter of time.

Who are you to believe?

My two cents, Seravalli isn’t saying anything we don’t already know. Of course Larsson isn’t going to re-sign with the team “at this point”, if he was, the deal would’ve been done already and now there’s a roster freeze. Whereas Shannon said that Larsson’s value to the team would probably be at its highest if he was a UFA until the expansion draft concluded which aligns with what Spector is saying. 

So you’ve got this, almost annoying, split in the reporting and it has to make you curious as to what the hell is going on? Could it all be a smokescreen?

Only time will tell on that regard…

From the Edmonton Sun (Jim Matheson)

Edmonton Oilers protect Kassian, leave Benson exposed for NHL Expansion Draft
  • The only internal debate was Zack Kassian vs top farmhand forward Tyler Benson at forward, but Holland is in business to win now, and Benson has seven NHL games and hasn’t proven he can make the team as one of the 12 forwards.
    • “Kassian didn’t have a great year, but certainly he’s a presence and he’s got skill … he got 15 goals, all five-on-five, the year before signing his (long-term contract),” said Holland.
    • “This was a strange year with the pandemic. No pre-season and if you got off to a tough start it was difficult with a shortened season and no training camp to get it back. Then he got hurt (broken hand in a fight with Erik Gudbranson early).”
  • Archibald is the team’s Swiss army knife. His stats (seven goals) are only the tip of the iceberg with what he brings the coaches, and Holland.
    • “The last two years our penalty-kill has been top 10 in the league and Josh is a fixture there. He provides energy, he punches above his weight,” said Holland.
  • Is Holland worried Seattle, with an exclusive 72-hour window now before the Wednesday expansion draft, will sign Larsson? He’s ticketed to be Keith’s partner, but it’s a fluid situation. The Oilers have reportedly offered a four-year deal in the $4 million to $4.5 million range.
    • “I’m hoping to get him back, but I’m prepared to go another way if he decides to move on (Seattle or any other team starting July 28),” said Holland
  • Dallas UFA Jamie Oleksiak shoots left but played right D with Miro Heiskanen so he would be another signing alternative, more in the Larsson mould.
  • “Benson right now is what I’d still call a prospect, not established at the NHL level. We’re trying to be the very best team we can be now.”

BLH’s Thoughts: Those quotes from Holland are gold. They’re exactly what his naysayers needed to hear.

One of the greatest things fans need to get through their thick skulls is that YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW. How many of those who were behaving like a spoilt brat yesterday online knew that Kassian was dealing with some health issues this year? I’d be willing to bet very few did and knowing that faction of the fanbase, they wouldn’t care anyhow because the shadow of Kassian’s contract and his stats is far too easy to grasp onto and use as support for their argument.

With Archie, who cares if he’s the main cog in the league’s best penalty kill? Those guys are totally replaceable… Just throw Benson out there instead! He was one of Bakersfield’s PK guys and how different can the AHL and the NHL really be?

Speaking of Tyler Benson, Holland is 100% right. The local lad IS a prospect right now and this team is in Win-Now Mode, there’s no room for question marks and Holland knows what he’s got in Kassian and Archibald. 

That being said, I did talk to one of my sources on the West Coast and I asked who the Kraken were leaning towards taking. I was told Benson because they would like a young guy with potential but it wouldn’t be a shock if they took JJ Khaira.

What I’m going to be interested in is if Seattle takes William Lagesson, what will the Anti-Hollanders pull out of their asses then?

From Spector’s Hockey

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – July 18, 2021

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports the Calgary Flames are “open for business”. Everyone is keeping an eye on Matthew Tkachuk, who faces an uncertain future in Calgary. The St. Louis Blues are believed among several teams interested in the 23-year-old winger.

There’s also talk Flames general manager Brad Treliving is trying to gauge the trade market for center Sean Monahan. The Carolina Hurricanes and Ottawa Senators are among teams seeking help at center.

The Chicago Blackhawks are trying to acquire Seth Jones from the Columbus Blue Jackets. To clear roster space, they’re attempting to move blueliner Nikita Zadorov.

BLH’s Thoughts: Calgary’s not trading Monahan. Not when he’s slated to go through another summer of surgeries and rehab. Maybe next season they will, but not this summer. 

The Blackhawks left Zadorov unprotected and I reckon the Kraken might take him and possibly flip him. Would he be of interest to the Oilers if Larsson skips town? Zadorov is a mean MFer, he’s got a cannon, and he’s bloody enormous. That’s a guy who could probably fill in for a departing Adam Larsson I reckon. 

From NHLRumors.com

Jonathan Willis: For people wanting the Edmonton Oilers to trade James Neal who has two years left on his deal totaling $11.5 million in salary and cap space.

The Islanders had to pay two second-round picks and a third-round pick to move two years totaling $11 million cap space and $8 million in salary.

Frank Seravalli: There were at least four teams that were interested in Tarasenko that were willing to take on his full salary cap hit it.

There were a few other teams that wanted salary retained.

Not sure why the Blues didn’t end up moving him before the trade freeze. Will be interesting to see if the Kraken select him.

Ryan Boulding: “If Seattle agrees on a deal with Landeskog but doesn’t sign him until after the draft, the club could take another Avalanche player as well.”

BLH’s Thoughts: Would it make sense for the Oilers to trade James Neal to a team for their contractual headache instead of buying him out or paying another team to take him? 

Does anybody else want to see Seattle absolutely load up on the biggest names available for at least one year? How much fun would it be to see a Landeskog-Danault-Tarasenko line leading the club in year one?

The new NHL franchise in Seattle already has their AHL affiliate worked out! Click the pick and grab a Karen shirt today!

Give us a follow on the socials!