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

Edmonton Oilers Talk: Bourgault, Bear, Lavoie, and the Latest NHL Speculation!

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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Lowetide.ca

CHINATOWN
  • I believe drafting Bourgault was the correct call. He’ll arrive in pro hockey in time for fall 2023, Leon Draisaitl will have two years left in his deal, McDavid three. Someone has to be in place to take over key roles, in case those men choose to sign elsewhere. Currently, Dylan Holloway, Bourgault, Ryan McLeod, Raphael Lavoie and Jake Chiasson represent the possible future at center. That isn’t enough, but the organization must keep feeding the prospect pipeline and the two most recent drafts have been important.
  • We know these Oilers are not among the efficient teams. The Bear for Foegele trade is an example. I like Foegele a bunch, but the position he fills (two-way winger in the middle six) has less value than Bear (top-four defender, RH, fairly complete skill set and proven to be effective versus elite opposition).
    • The best thing you can say about that trade is that Edmonton badly needed Foegele to rebuild the third line, and that Bear’s contract ask a year from now would have been difficult to satisfy.
  • Finally, Holland can’t run his team as if the world ends when McDavid’s deal is done and he can’t mortgage all of Edmonton’s future for today. I think Bourgault was a helluva pick. I look forward to watching his progress. He may play in a time when the Oilers do not feature 97 or 29. That possibility is the reason using the pick was necessary.

BLH’s Thoughts: Even if I’m still pissed about the Oilers not taking Jesper Wallstedt, I like what I’m reading and seeing out of Bourgault so far. Although, I’m still not 100% sold and this upcoming season will be key in how my judgement sways. I want to see him play an entire season and I’d really like to see him make Team Canada at the World Juniors because I have a feeling he’ll be relied upon in a defensive role as the likes of Conor Bedard, Shane Wright, Dylan Guenther, Mason MacTavish, etc. run the offense. 

Can anybody else explain to me why LT keeps saying Rafa Lavoie is a center? I don’t see that at all given he’s played wing throughout junior and minor pro. Also, his skating is not at the level a center in the NHL requires and his bread and butter is his shot off the wing as it is… I’m very curious as to why some are considering his future to be one played down the middle. I just think he’s got power forward written all over him. 

As long as I know what I know, I will always be of the belief that the Ethan Bear trade was less about making a “hockey deal” and more about Ethan wanting a fresh start somewhere else due to the abuse he received after the Oilers were swept in the playoffs. Also, my feeling is that he saw the writing on the wall with Bouchard and the return of Tyson Barrie and knew that he was bound to be stuck on the 3rd pair for the foreseeable future considering how the Oilers coaches deployed him this past year.

Spector’s Hockey

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – August 1, 2021

NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks wonders if the Buffalo Sabres would be willing to retain half of Jack Eichel’s $10 million annual cap hit to facilitate a trade. He envisions a scenario where the Rangers could then pitch promising winger Kaapo Kakko in a package deal including other prospects and perhaps a first-round pick. That would enable the Rangers to re-sign Mika Zibanejad for around $9 million per season, giving the Blueshirts a powerful one-two punch at center.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hockey News’ Ryan Kennedy recently reported the Sabres’ asking price from the Golden Knights was believed to be winger Reilly Smith, prospect Peyton Krebs, promising defenseman Nicolas Hague and a first-round pick. However, they’re already sitting just above the $81.5 million salary cap. It’ll be a tight fit even if the Sabres picked up half of Eichel’s cap hit, meaning another cost-cutting deal would have to be made.

The Hockey Writers

NHL Rumors: Sharks, Blackhawks, Rangers, Canucks, More

The Chicago Blackhawks got good news on Sunday as (Marc-Andre) Fleury has informed the franchise he will play next season despite his unhappiness with being moved by the Vegas Golden Knights in a trade that caught a lot of attention just ahead of NHL free agency this offseason. The Blackhawks tweeted a photo of a flower and multiple insiders are saying Fleury has told the team he’s good to go.

Noting that a lot of what happens between the Rangers and Eichel will depend on what happens between the Rangers and Mika Zibanejad first, Larry Brooks of the NY Post writes that a source said a recent Rangers offer didn’t include Filip Chytil but did include Vitali Kravtsov, Zach Jones, Alexandar Georgiev and a first-round draft pick.

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

Edmonton Oilers Rumors: Oilers Never Offered Koskinen, Samorukov, and a 1st Rounder for Korpisalo says Pundit

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 Athletic (Allan Mitchell)

Lowetide: The future may come early for three Oilers prospect defencemen
  • What is down on the farm and NHL-ready when help is needed? Let’s have a look, starting with how things might look in Edmonton to start the year.
  • Dmitri Samorukov played in the best league outside the NHL last season (KHL), Philip Broberg in the second-best league (SHL) and Markus Niemelainen in the third-best league outside the NHL (AHL). Each man has a specific skill set and could slide in on the third pair and deliver in the short term.
    • Defensively, Samorukov’s numbers are incredible. His on-ice goal differential screams NHL-readiness, but he struggled playing a depth role in Bakersfield during the 2019-20 season. 
  • Philip Broberg is the opposite of Samorukov in that he has shown very well in North America (Ivan Hlinka, Oilers bubble, world juniors before injury; all in Edmonton) but has dealt with his own injuries and defensive gaps in Europe.
    • His performances at Rogers Place have shown Broberg to be effective on the smaller ice, his foot speed (the big part of his game) a bigger advantage… He’ll need to blow the doors off training camp in order to slide ahead of Samorukov based on last season’s results.
  • Markus Niemelainen was drafted in 2016 and spent most of his post-draft career in Finland, playing in Liiga.
    • Edmonton likes his size, and his speed was on display and effective in Bakersfield. He has a chance to move up the depth chart if he can continue to deliver as he did last year.
  • My handicapping of the race has Samorukov in front of Broberg and Niemelainen in overall readiness, with Kemp and Kesselring likely one year or more away.

BLH’s Thoughts: So, last summer Dmitri Samorukov went home to Russia, got married, and was allowed to stay there and play in the KHL. Do you think that him being that happy and comfortable had anything to do with how well he played for CSKA? I do… 

I think that Philip Broberg is going to get a good long look at training camp this year. Physically, he’s good to go at the NHL level and on the small ice. Mentally, he still needs some work but the Oilers might just give him a go and see how he does and if he’s struggling, then send him down. The reason I’m thinking that is because they may just forego signing another LHD right now and instead give someone a PTO at training camp because money is tight. 

I wish I would’ve watched Niemelainen last year. All I’ve got to go on is reports from Bob Stauffer and with how he was talking about the rangy Finn, it sounds like Edmonton could have themselves a bit of a diamond in the rough here. Maybe the Oilers have a Justin Holl-Type on their hands. 

I’m going to say that Philly Broberg has the edge on who gets called up first. 

Oilersnation (baggedmilk)

Random Thoughts: The Free Agency Recap
  • Rather than drone on about the length of Zach Hyman’s contract or how much he’s paid on an hourly basis, I’m choosing to look forward to what he’ll bring to the team here in year one.
    • This isn’t like crowbarring Ty Rattie into the top-six and hoping it will work, Zach Hyman is legit and that has me feeling hopeful about the results.
    • The potential for different line combos with him in the mix grows significantly, and I wonder how long it will take until Hyman is partnered with Nugent-Hopkins on the second line while Connor and Leon do their thing up top?
  • The Oilers got their heads kicked in when the third and fourth lines were on the ice, and upgrading some of those slots was absolutely necessary, and Ryan helps achieve that.
    • “Derek Ryan is a really reliable bottom-six forward. He doesn’t have a lot of flash to his game, but he’s supremely steady and predictable. He kills penalties well, is a good right-side face-off option, and will provide 10-12 minutes a night of anxiety-free hockey. His lack of flash is probably why he’s a fourth-line guy, but he’s a really strong depth player.” – Ryan Pike (Flamesnation)
  • The Oilers needed to add more offence into their bottom six and Warren Foegele will certainly help with that, but the cost of acquisition is what’s going to be the sticking point for a lot of people because Ethan Bear was a fan favourite for so many.

BLH’s Thoughts: So, undoubtedly, Warren Foegele is now the new Adam Larsson because that’s how this fanbase behaves, but he’s not alone,  Cody Ceci will join him. So whenever either of these players has a tough game or makes a unfortunate play, they’ll be compared to Ethan Bear or Larsson. They’re going to begin their careers as Edmonton Oilers already behind the 8-ball… 

I thought that Edmonton’s forward group was deep last year and man, was I wrong. The players that I thought were going to help the bottom-six thrive simply didn’t and the egg was on my face…

Now, I want to think that this one is as deep or deeper though. Adding Ryan and Foegele to help out with the depth scoring should prove to be a plus for the Oilers, in theory.

But, it’s the look of the forwards that has evolved. It used to be full of skillers and now it’s filled with grinders and muckers but accented by some of the highest skilled forwards in the entire world.

I’m very excited to see how this change pans out. 

The Cult of Hockey

Grading the off-season performance of Edmonton Oilers G.M. Ken Holland: 9 Things
  • 9. Oilers 1st 2021 1st Round Draft Pick Xavier Bourgault is in Calgary this week, attending Hockey Canada’s summer development camp ahead of this year’s World Junior Hockey Championships.
  • 6. As for Ryan, he will be a 3-4 for the Oilers. He can play up a rung up if Ryan McLeod isn’t quite ready but at this point in his career is a strong 4C and 1st rotation PK man. The $1.25m AAV is good value.
  • 5. Warren Foegele has signed a 3-year extension with the Edmonton Oilers, carrying an AAV of $2.75m. He’s a physical North-South player with explosive straight-ahead speed and is a dogged forechecker, an attribute that has followed him from junior through to the pro ranks. While not a high-level finisher Foegele gets to the tough areas on such a consistent basis, he becomes a dangerous offensive player through pure volume. And that has mostly been without elite line-mates. Foegele is also an adept penalty killer. He slots in as the 3LW but could effectively slide up if/when Ryan Nugent-Hopkins nudges over to 3C under certain circumstances, including injury.
  • 4. The Ethan Bear trade to Carolina was not a popular one. But “popular” doesn’t win Stanley Cups… Both Barrie and Bouchard have aspects of “great” in their skill sets. Not sure you can say the same about Bear.
  • 1. While the Mikko Koskinen is not Ken Holland’s fault, it is Ken’s problem. If Koskinen was at $2m or even $2.5m, his numbers would be acceptable enough as a back-up. But that’s “just the money” side of this. On the ice, the heavier his workload he has seen, the less effective Koskinen has generally been. And if anything the big Finn will have to play even more this year. Yes, Koskinen’s 2020-21 numbers were “o.k.”. But sorry…I’m just not sold.
  • The Joonas Korpilaso rumor was innocently mis-interpreted by some fans… The price-tag that ended up swirling around social media was what Columbus said the cost would be, not what Edmonton “offered”. Big difference.

BLH’s Thoughts: It would be completely out of character for this team’s fanbase to get hold of a rumor and go hog-wild as if it had already happened, right?

One of the main criticisms of Mikko Koskinen is that he makes too much money, right? Folks always start with that point or use it as a caveat, but if you take that point out of the equation entirely and just see him for what he is, a backup goaltender, how bad is he? Also, if Mike Smith hadn’t have started the year on the IR and forced Koskinen to start all those games consecutively after that ridiculous amount of time off, is there a plane of existence where Mikko might’ve had a better year?

I’m very excited to see if Bourgault makes Team Canada’s team at the World Juniors. Seeing as it’s in Edmonton this year, that would make it extra special and obviously put no pressure on the kid to a) make the team and b) perform very well. God help him with this fanbase if either of those things fail to come true.

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

Edmonton Oilers Talk: “Wouldn’t be surprised if Oilers see Yamamoto as a third-line RW” Says Oilers Beat Writer

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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Edmonton Sun (Jim Matheson)

OILERS NOTES: Koskinen for Korpisalo is just shuffling deck chairs
  • His penchant for giving up early goals in games and being shaky after that for several minutes rather than shaking it off like Mike Smith is a concern. He also had a horrifying night late in the season where he gave up four goals on four shots to Vancouver.
  • He can’t play more than four or five games in a row and have his level stay high. He doesn’t have a starter’s mentality, like many NHL goalies.
  • They do need to get younger because there’s a gulf between the 39-year-old Smith and the 22-year-old farm team prospect Stuart Skinner.
  • While his name has been out there in trade rumours for weeks, the latest—to Columbus for their 1B Joonas Korpisalo, with the Oilers also offering up either a good draft pick or high-end prospect like Dmitry Samorukov to move on from Koskinen?
  • Korpisalo, while younger (27) and cheaper ($2.8 million) is probably what his stats say he is: 160 games, .905 save percentage over six NHL seasons. He’s a good goalie but he has never played more than 38 games in a season as a pro
  • He has not proven that he has a 50-55 game starter mentality. Koskinen has a better save percentage (.908 to .901) over the past three seasons. Last season, Koskinen’s .899 save percentage, while far from good, was better than Frederik Andersen, Jonathan Quick and Matt Murray, and better than Korpisalo
  • Columbus might be reading the tea leaves, feeling the Oilers will do anything to move Koskinen, including throwing in a nice sweetener, but that likely isn’t the case. They would have done it for Darcy Kuemper, but not Korpisalo.
  • Underlying worry: Koskinen has heard his name in trade rumours so often, he comes to camp in a battered mental state. He doesn’t have Smith’s “I’ll show you” fire.
  • The Oilers were serious about Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf but Anaheim’s $4.5 million contract pitch ended that.
  • Wouldn’t be surprised if Oilers see Yamamoto as a third-line RW possibility because of his dogged checking. And, yes, Zack Kassian could move up to a second-line spot.
    • “He’s more alert when he plays on the top two lines,” said a pro scout.

BLH’s Thoughts: Look, if the Red Wings can get their hands on a young starting goalie for a 3rd rounder, in no reality should Joonas Korpisalo get anything more than that unless Columbus is being asked to take on Mikko Koskinen’s full ticket. 

Man, the Oilers fanbase can be a fragile bunch. The vitriol that was spewed when pundits like Matheson and Stauffer tweeted out that Kassian could start next year in the top-six was embarrassing. You had folks comparing that move to Milan Lucic getting played in up the lineup… What?! Of course, those are the same people that said Ethan Bear is better than Jeff Petry and Caleb Jones is better than Duncan Keith… 

The fact of the matter is, Kassian plays a more engaged game when he’s on one of McDavid’s or Draisaitl’s wing and that is exactly what we want from him. To add to that, Yamamoto was fantastic on the third line in the playoffs with Ennis and Haas, how much better could he be with McLeod and Foegele?

Folks need to step back from the ledge and give these boys a chance… 

Cult of Hockey (David Staples)

Edmonton Oilers sign grinding winger Warren Foegele to three-year deal
  • The Edmonton Oilers have signed new winger Warren Foegele, 25, to a three year deal at $2.75 million per year.
  • In the last few years Foegele has scored like a second-like forward in the NHL, 1.83 points per 60, good for 160th out of 451 regular NHL forwards.

BLH’s Thoughts: Hmmm. If Foegele’s AAV is $2.75M/yr, I wonder what Jesse Puljujarvi’s next deal will look like. Surely it’ll will be higher, maybe something around $3M-$3.5M/yr like Tomas Hertl made on his second deal with San Jose right after he’d put up 46pts. 

The Daily Goal Horn

NHL Rumors: Henrik Lundqvist wants to play
  • Rangers goalie Alexandar Georgiev is rumored to be on the trade block. If they trade him, there’s a growing belief the Rangers could bring back The King for one more season and give him the proper send off he deserves.
What are the Islanders doing?
  • General manager Lou Lamoriello must take joy in telling no one what’s going on. He also seems to be able to keep anything from leaking. Arthur Staple who covers the team for The Athletic suggests that Zach Parise and Kyle Palmieri are signed. He thinks Casey Cizikas and Travis Zajac are too.
  • Why is it so important for Lou to keep this under wraps? Does he feel it would hurt him in negotiations with other players? Or in any trade with another team if they know the exact cap situation?
  • The Islanders are connected to disgruntled forward Vladimir Tarasenko. So maybe there is something to that.
This is how Pavel used to tell you who was #1 back in the day! Click the pic and grab a shirt or a mask!

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

Edmonton Oilers Talk: 13 Unsigned Free Agents the Oilers Could be Looking At

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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Lowetide.ca

AFTER THE GOLDRUSH
  • If you include Ryan Nugent-Hopkins in the conversation, the Edmonton Oilers signed four men to long-term (3+ seasons) over the last month. Joining 93 are Zach Hyman, Tyson Barrie and Cody Ceci. In recent days, we’ve talked about the number of roster spots still available on the 50-man list. I expect we’re going to see a bunch of quick signings in the next couple of days, most under $1 million dollars. Here’s my list of candidates.
    • LW Tomas Tatar. I feel like Liam Neeson because the last two days have basically been spent screaming ‘quickly there’s no time!’ to anyone who will listen. This is insane value at this point. This is day three of free agency and he’s a proven 2.00 per 60 five on five scorer. Is he hurt? What’s going on?
    • LD Ryan Murray. They can’t afford him, but Murray would be a great addition and first-rate partner for Evan Bouchard in his first full season. Also gives Tippett a legit pairing to move in front of Keith-Ceci if it comes to that kind of drastic action.
    • LD Zdeno Chara. He’s not coming to Edmonton. I don’t care. He makes my list.
    • LD Slater Koekkoek. He had a tough year but I’m a fan of this player. If they sign Koekkoek today, I’ll be pleased. His numbers heading into last season were solid, 18 games with Edmonton won’t change that for me. Tippett can’t use him too high up the depth chart this time.
    • RW Alex Chiasson. It would depend on price, but I can see him returning to the Oilers. Edmonton qualified Cooper Marody and it may have indicated genuine interest in seeing him play in the NHL, but Chiasson is a veteran who scored 22 goals with the Oilers a couple of years ago. Hyman’s addition means the power-play minutes are gone, however.
    • LD Jordie Benn. He won’t cost much and his numbers last year were surprisingly good. As a No. 7D, I think it’s worth contemplating.
    • LW Ryan Donato. He’s got plenty of skill, but wouldn’t fit on a Tippett fourth line and there’s nowhere else to play him. If the club can find a way, he won’t cost much and can post offense.
    • LW Evgeni Svechnikov. He’s a former DRW pick (high first round in 2015) who showed signs of being a scorer and was then derailed by injury. I imagine Holland will try to get him, could be inexpensive scoring if things work out.
    • LW Michael Dal Colle. Another Svechnikov. Slats was great for this game, because he’d bring in one failed first rounder a summer. Miss those days.

BLH’s Thoughts: That’s a solid list from LT! Personally I’m a big fan of overpaying a bit to bring Zdeno Chara in, but that’s just me. Here are four more free agents that I think Edmonton could be looking at:

  • Erik Gudbranson, RD – I think that if the Oilers want to add some muscle and a veteran defenseman, it wouldn’t hurt to bring in one of the toughest guys in the league for spot duty when one of Barrie, Ceci, or Bouchard can’t go.
  • Jake Virtanen, RW – In the event that Zack Kassian is traded, Virtanen is only 24yr old and plays a very assertive physical game, plus he’s got a helluva shot and he can skate quite fast.
  • Sami Vatanen, LD/RD – A veteran puck-moving defenseman who wouldn’t cost that much and could help Edmonton’s younger players as well as provide some stability to their bottom-pair.
  • Joe Thornton, C – If Jumbo can bail on the sunny days in San Jose for Toronto at minimum wage, he could surely make it out west to Edmonton and provide the same role he did in Toronto with the Oilers for a slight raise.

Spector’s Hockey

NHL Rumor Mill – July 31, 2021

THE ATHLETIC: In the wake of David Krejci’s decision to finish his playing days in the Czech Republic, Fluto Shinzawa pondered how they could replace the 35-year-old second-line center.

One option could be the trade market but Shinzawa rules out pursuing Buffalo’s Jack Eichel, citing their lack of cap space and Eichel’s health issues and hefty contract. Jake DeBrusk remains a trade asset but the dropoff in his performance last season makes him unlikely to fetch a second-line center.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples reports of rumors that have the Oilers offering up goaltender Mikko Koskinen (along with a first-round pick and/or prospect Dmitri Samorukov) to the Columbus Blue Jackets for netminder Joonas Korpisalo.

“It’s hard to imagine how such a deal makes sense, as Korpisalo isn’t obviously a better goalie than Koskinen,” writes Staples. He believes the Oilers are better off with Mike Smith, Koskinen and Alex Stalock as their goalies to start the season and shop for a goalie if Koskinen and Stalock fail to cut it.

NHLRumors.com

TSN: Buffalo Sabres GM Kevyn Adams said that they are “in control the process” with the Jack Eichel

“What’s critically important to make sure is clear is that we’re in control of this process.  We have a player under contract. We don’t feel any pressure.

“If there’s a deal out there that we feel is the right thing for the Buffalo Sabres, that’s going to help us improve – whether that’s improve right away or improve down the road, those are all the things we weigh – we’d be open to it. But we’re not in a position where we feel we’re just going to do something to do it. That doesn’t make any sense.”

Adam Vingan: When looking at a contract extension for Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros, would keep Philipp Grubauer‘s six-year, $5.9 million contract in mind.

Arthur Staple of The Athletic: New York Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello is not announced the signings of Zach Parise and Kyle Palmieri. They’ve likely already signed Casey Cizikas and possibly Travis Zajac. He appears to not want teams to know where they sit with the salary cap.

This is how Pavel used to tell you who was #1 back in the day! Click the pic and grab a shirt or a mask!

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

Edmonton Oilers Rumors: There will be No Contract Extension Talks this Summer for Jesse Puljujarvi

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 Athletic (Daniel Nugent-Bowman)

Can the Oilers add another goaltender? A new deal for Darnell Nurse? What I’m hearing about the Oilers offseason, 4.0
  • “The only way I can get into the goaltending market is if I trade a goalie,” he said. “Mike Smith’s got a two-year deal at $2.2 (million) and Mikko Koskinen’s got a one-year deal at $4.5 (million). I could not get into the goalie carousel if you wanted me to because of contracts.”
    • First, some of that was self-inflicted. Smith was signed just last week. Koskinen could have been bought out if Holland desired…
    • Second, It’s clear he did try to get into the goalie carousel. The Oilers attempted to pry Darcy Kuemper loose from Arizona.

BLH’s Thoughts: Fack… Still, the bitter tone… Almost pouty to some extent…

Now, I’m here for the chaos, but I’m worried about this path that DNB is choosing to go down. The ego can make us do very regretful things in life and I don’t see how writing these pieces with that unsavory feeling behind them is going to benefit him down the road.

  • The Oilers are comfortable enough with their goaltending even though they were clearly trying to upgrade the position. It’s not impossible that a change is made in the days or weeks ahead before next season starts, but it’s unlikely now.
  • Though trading Stalock is still possible, I’m told by a team source that the preference is to hold on to Stalock and have him attend training camp in September.

BLH’s Thoughts: If the Oilers are intending to keep Stalock, I do wonder if that means they’re trying to rid themselves of Koskinen’s contract without taking anything back. Maybe with an eye on the trade deadline where they could use Stalock as trade fodder whilst targeting someone in net on an expiring contract like Elvis Merzlikins (CBJ), Braden Holtby (DAL), Darcy Kuemper (COL), or MA Fleury (CHI). In Fleury’s case, it’ll obviously depend on if the guy decides to play or retire.

  • It’s possible the Oilers make another impactful move, but don’t get your hopes up.
  • PuckPedia projects the Oilers have slightly more than $2.3 million in cap space. That’s with Turris in the minors and all but $525,000 of his $1.65 million cap buried. It also includes three goalies, which, as mentioned won’t be the case… The projection also doesn’t include having Oscar Klefbom’s $4.167 million cap hit on LTIR, which is where it’ll start the season and almost certainly remain all year
  • Barring a trade and the deduction of money off the salary cap, a team source said the Oilers probably have room to add one player in the $1 million-$1.25 million range. Holland said Wednesday he might be interested in adding another blueliner.

BLH’s Thoughts: I’m fully expecting to hear an announcement saying Slater Koekkoek has returned for another year with the Oilers. He’d be a perfect bottom pairing defender to share the duties with Kris Russell and/or William Lagesson and the coaching staff trust him. He’d come in on the cheap too.

  • The No. 1 priority, I’m told, is a new deal for No. 1 defenceman Darnell Nurse, who is a year away from unrestricted free agency… Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported earlier this week there have been discussions about a four-year term… My understanding is the Oilers want to go much longer, perhaps as far as the maximum eight years.
  • I’m told the Oilers do not plan to engage in contract talks with Jesse Puljujarvi’s camp this offseason… The Oilers want to see what Puljujarvi can do for an encore before deciding on their next contract offer.

BLH’s Thoughts: No secret why the Edmonton Oilers would want to maximize the term on Nurse’s next deal. They hope to get that AAV down as much as possible, right? I mean, they’d have him under control for the next eight years and it would help them to plan out their future financially, right?

With Zach Hyman coming in, I expect Pulju to lose his spot on the first unit PP. How that will impact his production, I’m not too sure. Almost all of Jesse’s points came at even strength (21pts out of 25pts were ES), so maybe getting pulled off the PP won’t be such a terrible thing after all.

NHLTradeRumor.com

ALEXANDAR GEORGIEV REQUESTS TRADE FROM RANGERS

Frank Seravalli of The Daily Faceoff is reporting Georgiev has placed a trade request with the Rangers, hoping to break out from behind Igor Shesterkin. The Rangers have sought a first-round pick for him. But that won’t be happening – not after the return for Alex Nedeljkovic set the market price.

There is no word on what teams are interested in Alexandar but it appears the Rangers would like to trade the toxic teammate and have a fresh start this coming season in the hopes of making the playoffs.

BLH’s Thoughts: If the Nedeljkovic deal set the market price for acquiring a goalie via trade, it shouldn’t take the Edmonton Oilers very long to close a deal for this fella, but those comments about him being disruptful in the locker room will reverberate league-wide. That said, if Tony DeAngelo can get another job in the NHL, Georgiev shouldn’t have any problems.

NHLRumors.com

  • Eric Stephens of The Athletic: The Anaheim Ducks are a little light down the middle. They’ve been looking to move Adam Henrique, and have had some interest in Buffalo Sabres Jack Eichel.
    • The Ducks can afford his $10 million cap hit, but the asking price is another question. Holding on to Trevor Zegras is the Ducks preference. They have their 2022 first-round pick.
  • Jeremy Rutherford: Quick thoughts on the St. Louis Blues signing Brandon Saad for five years at $4.5 million.
    • “Getting him at that price ($4.5 million AAV) might make Army more willing to retain some of Tarasenko’s salary.
    • Perhaps teams who were in on Saad might pivot to Tarasenko, especially if the Blues are going to retain salary.”
  • Amanda Stein: New Jersey Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald:
    • “I’d like to add a top-six winger. They’re hard to come by.”
  • David Pagnotta: The New Jersey Devils, Toronto Maple Leafs and Carolina Hurricanes were in on Saad.
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