This is your TL/DR (too long, didn’t read) summary post where excerpts are taken from the best of the best when it comes to Edmonton Oilers blogs. BLH gives you his two cents on the latest posts being published in the Oilogosphere! Including those from Lowetide.ca, The Athletic, Oilersnation, The Cult of Hockey, Copper N Blue, Oil on Whyte, and more!
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Sportsnet
Oilers excited to take chance on former first-round LW Brendan Perlini
- Perlini, who played his first NHL season in Arizona under Tippett in 2016-17, is at Oilers camp on a two-way deal, vying for the left wing spot on Edmonton’s fourth line.
- So what was it that caused the NHL to move on from a first-rounder with great size and above average skating ability? Hockey sense, two separate scouts told us. In both ends, Perlini was not in the right places often enough.
- Another scout said he was a bit miscast under then-Coyotes head coach Rick Tocchet in his second NHL season. Perlini was not physical enough to earn the ice time he needed to produce. In the wrong place at the wrong time for a skill guy.
- If Perlini can figure out how to be a reliable fourth-line player, his skills may allow him to be part of that support scoring that the Oilers have lacked.
“When you’re surrounded by world class players, McDavid, Draisaitl, you’ve got to provide support. Do something a little bit different (than he’s done in the past). Just play good, solid hockey.”
BLH’s Thoughts: At this point, if I were Coach Tippett, I’d probably keep Perlini and figure out who’s going on waivers between Tyler Benson and Kyle Turris. I like Perlini’s skating, his size, physicality (so far), and that shot is really something. Check out the goal below.
Now, we’re only a few days into camp, so there’s no need to make any brash decisions, but Mr. Benson needs to pick it up and do something to impress the coaching staff otherwise he’s going to make their decision very easy.
At the end of camp, if Perlini and Benson are still battling it out, it wouldn’t shock me if the Oilers made a trade.
The Oilers Rig
What to Expect in Puljujarvi and Yamamoto’s Next Contracts
- The summer of 2022 is going to be interesting as it will shape the direction of the Oilers RW moving forward. Jesse Puljujarvi (JP) & Kailer Yamamoto (KY) are both in need of new contracts and the Oilers have essentially pitted the two against each other, having their deals expire the same season and for the same dollar this season.
- Contract comparables are a terrific spot to jump in as they more than likely will provide the frame-work for the two players next deals.
- Brock Boeser (22) $5.875m x 3yrs
- Travis Konecny (22) $5.50m x 6yrs
- Alex Tuch (23) $4.75m x 7yrs
- Colin White (21) $4.75m x 6yrs
- Kevin Labanc (24) $4.725m x 4yrs
- JT Compher (24) $3.5m x 4yrs
- Boeser signed his extension after posting back to back 50+ point seasons and Konecny after back to back 45+ points seasons.
- Jesse Puljujarvi Prediction: $4,750,000 AAV x 8 years
- Kailer Yamamoto Prediction: $3,775,000 AAV x 3 years
- …with prospects like Holloway, Lavoie and Bourgault on the rise JP & KY will need to cement their spots in the top 6 this season or risk falling out.
BLH’s Thoughts: The feeling I get is that Pulju’s comps might fall in closer to what Joel Farabee and Drake Batherson signed for this summer (5yrs/$30M-ish). Whereas, the prediction for Yamo’s next deal sounds about right.
That point about the kids coming up from Bakersfield, I’ve made it before and I really believe in it. That said, The Oilers don’t have to move on from Killer, they could simply transition him to the 3rd line and send the new kid up to Leon’s line. Yamamoto, to me, is the ultimate middle-six forward who specializes on the penalty kill.
If the Oilers have another young winger who’s poised to make the team, there’s not much sense in having him play 4th line RW for a year if his calling card is that of a skilled goal-scorer or playmaker.
Spector’s Hockey
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports the Senators remain in contract talks with Brady Tkachuk’s representatives as training camp continues without the 22-year-old restricted free agent winger.
- The issue is Tkachuk’s agents seek bonus money for their client and the Senators don’t want to go that route.
THE PROVINCE: Ben Kuzma reports Vancouver Canucks GM Jim Benning addressed the ongoing absence of defenseman Travis Hamonic from training camp. He expressed confidence last week that the 31-year-old would report after missing medicals and the start of training camp.
- It’s believed Hamonic’s absence is related to the NHL’s COVID-19 protocols for unvaccinated players for the upcoming season.
