Oilers Writer on Potential Merzlikins Trade Cost: “That doesn’t sound like the type of move Holland is inclined to make at this point.”

Coming from an Edmonton Oilers point of view, BLH provides you with 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 Spector’s Hockey

STLTODAY.COM: Jeff Gordon believes Tarasenko’s salary, shoulder surgeries and declining production will have limited appeal in this summer’s trade market. “Only a moron would pay a premium for him while assuming his injury risk and cap hit,” said Gordon. He did, however, acknowledge Armstrong got the Philadelphia Flyers to take “The Ghost of Jori Lehtera” for Brayden Schenn.

Armstrong’s more realistic trade chips include Vince Dunn, Zach Sanford, Ivan Barbashev, Robert Thomas, Jake Walman, Scott Perunovich and Klim Kostin. Gordon also speculates the Blues GM could be willing to part with premium draft picks while trying to get his talented nucleus back into the Stanley Cup chase.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports Vince Dunn is drawing trade interest around the league. There was a time earlier in the year when the Blues were thinking about moving him and were asking for a first-round pick.

(LINK)

BLH’s Thoughts: There are two names on that list of names Gordon suggested that the Oilers have interest in according to the sources that I’ve spoken to, Vince Dunn and Zach Sanford.

If Oscar Klefbom is unable to start the year (or come back at all in 2021-22), Edmonton would have great interest in a puck-moving swift-skating dman like Dunn and see how well Tyson Barrie did this past season, I believe he could thrive in the Oilers’ system.

Zach Sanford is a big-bodied LWer (6’4″ 207lb) that can skate well and hold his own in the trenches. What I’m uncertain of with him is if the Oilers would like to add him (or a player like him) as a replacement for Zack Kassian or to add another player that plays a similar style to Kass.

There’s actually one more thing I didn’t think of with wingers like Sanford. I’m curious if the Oilers see him or Brett Murray (BUF) as unrealized Zach Hyman-like options. So just in case Hyman’s demands are too great or somebody beats Edmonton to him, they could pivot, address another position with that money (like 3C or goalie) and then take another gamble with a Sanford or Murray.

Both players are in their mid-20s and RFAs.

From NHL Trade Talk

While the consensus belief if that (Zach) Hyman has a keen interest in staying with the Maple Leafs, there are only a handful of scenarios in which the team can afford to keep him. The Leafs are tight against the salary cap and Hyman is due to get a significant bump in pay. So much so, there’s a good chance the Leafs can’t afford him without making other significant moves.

Hyman is coming off a contract that will paid him $2.25 million per season. Some are suggesting he’ll make as such as $6 million times 6 years in free agency. That’s not a workable number for the Maple Leafs and while he might be prepared to leave a little money on the table, “if something makes sense” could hint there’s only so far he’s willing to give.

If the Leafs come to Hyman and ask him to stay for $4 -$4.5 million per season, he’s potentially leaving $12 million on the table over the course of a long-term extension. As many might imagine, that doesn’t make much sense.

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BLH’s Thoughts: Look, as good as Hyman is, if he’s looking for $6M+ on a long-term deal to be a 40pt player, I think the Oilers should let someone else have that albatross of a contract.

From The Athletic

Daniel Nugent-Bowman, the beat reporter who covers the Oilers, published part 2 to his recent mailbag blog where he fielded questions regarding Edmonton’s prospects and trade proposals.

It’s quite a long post, so I’m going to find the best snippets and spread them out over today’s three blogs. This will be part 1!

What’s the plan for Jay Woodcroft?

“Ken Holland is thrilled with the work Woodcroft has done in his three years in Bakersfield. What’s not to like between mostly success on the ice and developing players and graduating them to the big club? However, these have been Woodcroft’s first three years as a pro head coach. Holland wants to see him continue “building his resume.”
“Both Woodcroft and Tippett have a year left on their current deals. Tippett turns 60 in August and is fine taking the job on a year-to-year basis from a financial and lifestyle standpoint. Could Woodcroft take over in 2022-23 or a year or two later? It’s quite possible.”

BLH’s Thoughts: Woodcroft taking over for Tippett would surely save the Oilers some money down the road and nearly every player on the roster would have some sort of working relationship with him from Connor McDavid to Dylan Holloway to potentially whoever they select in this year’s draft. So that’s a great advantage for the Oilers.

What the issue might be is the coaches available when Coach Tippett’s contract expires. Perhaps Jon Cooper is out of contract or Mike Sullivan, those guys are proven winners and I just think the temptation to bring in somebody like that would be overwhelming.

Is Dylan Holloway ready to make the team next year and make an impact?

“At best, Holloway starts on the third line, uses his speed effectively and perhaps gets some time on special teams. But don’t be surprised to see him start in the AHL, which is completely fine.”

BLH’s Thoughts: I’m with DNB here, he’s going to have to steal a job away from a veteran and we know how much Ken Holland loves competition at training camp.

As far as I’m concerned, Holloway should spend the year in Bakersfield, get used to the Oilers systems and what it means to be a professional hockey player, and then be available for the playoffs as a black ace. He’s going to get a shit ton of ice-time down there that he wouldn’t get in Edmonton.

Two years removed from his draft, what type of player does Philip Broberg project as: top-four ceiling or truly elite?

“This season wasn’t great for Broberg. This upcoming campaign will be crucial for his development. Barring something unforeseen, he should spend the full year in Bakersfield under the watchful eye of defence coach and former NHL blueliner Dave Manson.”

BLH’s Thoughts: I think a lot of pundits forget how banged up Broberg was this year. His health from the World Juniors until the end of the season wasn’t even close to 100% and he was the victim of a couple of HUGE hits in the SHL too. I would attribute his ice-time getting cut and his production slowing down to playing banged up.

That said, I think the plan is to put him in the AHL for 30 games or so and then re-assess where he is. If Edmonton need him, they’ll call him up. If they don’t require him, he’ll stay down there.

For me, he could spend the year in Bakersfield, come up at the end, and I’d support that.

What’s going to piss people off about Holloway and Broberg is that they’re going to have fans screaming about their demotions because both skaters, I predict, will shine in preseason.

Any chance the Oilers move their AHL team closer to Edmonton or even into Edmonton?

“Slim to nil. They love their setup in Bakersfield, and there are lots of teams close by to play. That wouldn’t be the case in Edmonton.”

Which blueliner could/should the Oilers trade to add up front?

“Holland doesn’t want to deal Broberg or Bouchard. Off the roster, the candidates are Caleb Jones and Ethan Bear. Both are coming off down years. Bear could be a really important player for the Oilers next season.”

BLH’s Thoughts: A question on my mind with regards to Ethan Bear after watching him this season and hear some Oilers pundits speak about him pertains to his skating. Is it good enough for a top-pair defender? Is he fast enough or strong enough?

What does the Merzļikins trade look like?

“They’ll likely have to ship out Mikko Koskinen and retain salary in any trade for a goalie. A high draft pick and a good prospect would probably be out the door, too. I could be wrong, but that doesn’t sound like the type of move Holland is inclined to make at this point.”

Seth Jones is on the block. With his brother playing here, should the Oilers make a trade attempt for him?

“I would be shocked if the Oilers acquired him from the Blue Jackets. Holland doesn’t want to mortgage the future for a one-year player, which would almost certainly be the situation to bring Jones to Edmonton. As for Caleb Jones, there’s a decent chance he’s not an Oiler by the start of next season.”

(LINK)

BLH’s Thoughts: I know somebody else who’s been saying Caleb Jones is likely on his way out of town…

It sounds like Columbus is looking for players who can play now, but in the event that Kekalainen decides he’s going for a rebuild on the fly, maybe the Oilers could get in on Seth Jones. I just don’t see them going for it like this in the offseason…

Reuniting the Jones brothers might be out of the question, but let me ask you would you entertain a trade built around Ethan Bear and Elvis Merzlikins?