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 Edmonton Sun (Rob Tychkowski)

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Whether its Edmonton Oilers or Seattle Kraken, Benson just wants to play

• A lot of Tyler Benson fans out there are more upset than he is that the Edmonton Oilers are leaving him unprotected in Wednesday’s NHL expansion draft… Mostly because Benson isn’t upset at all.
  • “(Not being protected) is something I didn’t really know was going to happen,” said Benson. “In talking with my agent, I knew everything was kind of up in the air. Now, seeing the list, I’m still not too sure what’s going to happen. I’m just looking forward to whatever opportunity comes to me. I wouldn’t say I’m nervous, I’m just more curious to see what’s going to happen in the next few days.”
  • “That’s all I’m looking forward to. I’m not too worried about who it’s with, I just want to play for an NHL team this coming season.”

BLH’s Thoughts: I know Benson was following a conversation I was having with a follower who’s based in Bakersfield regarding the prospect. As a young  professional athlete, it must be hard not to become emotionally attached to the team that drafted you and have been playing for since you left junior. So I have to hand it to Benson and how he’s seeing things right now. He’s seeing the business side of the sport clearly and not allowing himself to get emotional unlike an old teammate of his who’s now playing for Chicago. 

I’ve always said that until Benson improves his skating, he won’t get his shot in Edmonton and his window might’ve slammed shut when the season ended this year and he wasn’t called up. I say that because the Oilers needed cheap top-six LWs for the past two seasons and now they’ve got the skrilla to go out and sign them. So that places Benson in competition with all the other available bottom-six free agents and available players who’ll make around $1M/yr or less. What would make him a better option than Josh Leivo, Sam Gagner, Vinnie Hinostroza, Sean Kuraly, or Bobby Ryan?

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From The Cult of Hockey (David Staples)

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Good-bye to Adam Larsson? Say it ain’t so

• There’s been rumblings all week from Bob Stauffer on Oilers New that a new contract between Larsson, 28, and the Oilers is no sure thing. These rumblings only grew louder over the weekend with first the Cult of Hockey’s Kurt Leavins reporting the Oilers may now be looking at signing Tyson Barrie and not Larsson.
• Losing Adam Larsson would represent a major setback for the Oilers. For the last five seasons, 2016-17 to 2020-21, Larsson has posted three of the five best seasons we’ve seen from an Oilers d-man when it comes to him creating Grade A chances for compared to his mistakes on chances against, Grade A chances plus-minus at even strength.
• If the right side of the Oil’s defence is Tyson Barrie and Evan Bouchard, Ethan Bear, that group will be strong moving the puck, but who will shut down the top attackers on opposing teams?
• Dmitry Samorukov, a lefty who plays the right side, was a strong shut-down d-man on CSKA in Moscow this year. He’s big, nasty and he can skate. He may well be an option as a solid shut-down d-man in coming years, but I can’t see him replacing Larsson either.
• TSN’s Ryan Rishaug had this to add about Larsson on Twitter:
  • “On Adam Larsson, the simple fact is, the player hasn’t decided what he wants to do yet, and it could go either way. He is considering a few offers they feel are fair from the Oilers on different lengths, but he is taking his time, wanting to make a good decision for his future”
  • “Taking this much time leads to the perception that he’s likely leaving, but am told that at this point the Oilers are still a very strong option for him. My sense is the team is willing to be patient to a point, while he makes this decision.”
  • “Larsson is methodical, and has been working on his own timeline through this process, not wanting to rush an important decision. The Oilers have the offers there for him, he’s in the process of deciding if he wants to stay, or go see what’s out there. Could still go either way.”

BLH’s Thoughts: Yesterday, Bob Stauffer was telling old Oilers stories about players who’d gone through similar experiences (Ryan Smyth and Michael Nylander) and the feeling I got was that there was a deal to be signed at one point and the player pulled out or else why tell those stories about those players from Edmonton’s history? Was Stauffer simply trying to tell us that we shouldn’t get our hopes up until the contract is signed? C’mon… That’s way too simple to pull out the stories of the rough negotiations that Smyth and Nylander had with the Oilers… 

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From The Fourth Period

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BLH’s Thoughts: Are the Flyers going to flip Voracek plus some sweeteners to Seattle for Tarasenko?

Could Columbus solve their top-six center problems by trading Patrik Laine to the Sabres for Sam Reinhart and then sign Phillip Danault from Montreal? Not the most dynamic duo of pivots but they get the job done. 

What I’m most afraid of this off-season is that the rest of the teams in the Pacific Division make some massive moves and the gap on Edmonton closes significantly. For example, I’d dislike nothing more than the LA Kings to trade for Jack Eichel and Seth Jones while the Oilers sign Zach Hyman and trade Zack Kassian. 

 

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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 Oilersnation (Zach Laing)

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Why the Edmonton Oilers made a mistake by protecting Zack Kassian in the expansion draft

• It was an easy decision to protect a young, still promising prospect in Benson, but Ken Holland went against his own volition to protect low-floor, low-ceiling bottom-six grinders in Kassian and Archibald.
• When he’s on his game, he’s a dynamic player for the Oilers. He’ll play physically, get to the dirty areas, and puts up points. The problem is that more often than not this isn’t the type of game he brings to the ice.
• At 30 years old with $3.2-million AAV and three years left on his deal, there’s a very good chance he doesn’t finish the length of his contract an Oiler.
• For years, we’ve all heard out of Detroit how Holland loves to overripen prospects and allow them to develop before putting them in the NHL.
• While Kassian and Archibald aren’t the types of players the Kraken would likely select in the first place, the Oilers in turn chose to expose an easy layup pick for an expansion team. Once again I don’t think the Kraken would take Kassian. But the risk of losing Benson, to me, is not worth it when I look at the Oilers organization.
• According to prospect projections from JFresh Hockey, Benson has a 44 percent chance of playing 200 NHL games with a positive WAR. His career NHLe for the AHL has him as a ~40 point/82 gm season player in the NHL.

BLH’s Thoughts: The Oilers absolutely did the right thing protecting Kassian and Archibald over a 23yr old AHL winger who only has a 44% chance of making it to the NHL for 200 games. I’d put my money on Archie and Kass playing another 200 games in the NHL, wouldn’t you?

It’s funny that Laing calls Kassian and Archibald “low-floor, low-ceiling bottom-six grinders”, but last I checked, that’s kind of what Benson was being projected as… 

As far as I’ve been told in the past, Seattle would’ve had interest in Kassian if he were left unprotected. Considering the Kraken would’ve been realistically picking between him, Khaira, and Lagesson, how could you even intimate that they wouldn’t? And considering how well he skates and what he’s like in front of a full arena, the energy he’d have starting with a new franchise? C’mon… 

Lastly on this, I would think that Holland would be less concerned about facing Benson in future games between the Kraken and the Oilers than Kassian… 

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From Lowetide.ca

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WHAT TO DO?

Last year, day one free agency was nuts, as always. Even in the pandemic, the richest deals could choke a horse. Here are the top-10 deals from day one:

1. St. Louis Blues signed D Torey Krug to a seven-year, $45-million deal ($6.75-million AAV)
2. Calgary Flames signed G Jacob Markstrom to a six-year, $36-million deal ($6-million AAV)
3. Toronto Maple Leafs signed D T.J. Brodie to a four-year, $20-million deal ($5-million AAV)
4. Calgary Flames signed D Chris Tanev to a four-year, $18.5-million deal ($4.5 million AAV)
5. Vancouver Canucks signed G Braden Holtby to a two-year, $8.6-million deal ($4.3-million AAV)
6. Washington Capitals signed D Justin Schultz to a two-year, $8-million deal ($4-million AAV)
7. Anaheim Ducks signed D Kevin Shattenkirk to a three-year, $11.7-million deal ($3.9-million AAV)
8. New Jersey Devils signed G Corey Crawford to a two-year, $7.8-million deal ($3.9-million AAV)
9. Minnesota Wild signed G Cam Talbot to a three-year, $11-million deal ($3.67-million AAV)
10. Dallas Stars signed G Anton Khudobin to a three-year, $10.5-million deal ($3.5-million AAV)

How many of those look worthwhile a year later? Players who were a little or a lot disappointing included Markstrom, Holtby, Shattenkirk and Crawford. What about the days that followed? Well, the big name was signed after day one, but after that teams didn’t spent much more than $3.5 million at the high end. Better value was available after the fever broke:

1. Buffalo Sabres sign LW Taylor Hall to a one-year, $8-million deal ($8 million AAV)
2. Montreal Canadiens sign W Tyler Toffoli to a four-year, $17-million deal ($4.25 million AAV)
3. Edmonton Oilers sign D Tyson Barrie to a one-year, $3.75-million deal ($3.75 million AAV)
4. Detroit Red Wings sign G Thomas Greiss to a two-year, $7.2-million deal ($3.6 million AAV)
5. Boston Bruins sign F Craig Smith to a three-year, $9.3-million deal ($3.1 million AAV)

If Holland can avoid spending $7.5 million on Gabriel Landeskog, or going $6 million times six on Zach Hyman, things should begin to ease once Brandon Saad and Tomas Tatar are the top options. There are a pile of goalies, so Holland might grab a partner for Mike Smith in the $3 million range.

BLH’s Thoughts: I’m with LT here, but I reckon Holland will indeed make a splash on day one.

Now, with that in mind, my memory is hazy but haven’t the Oilers swung and missed on at least one big name FA target each year that Holland has been in charge? I could see that happening again with Hyman. 

What I’m hoping is that the splash is on Adam Larsson though and to be honest, I don’t mind the idea of Barrie coming back either. That would mean Ethan Bear or Evan Bouchard would be moved to the left side or right out of town though… 

Day two shopping is where some good deals could be had but considering the amount of players that are on the trade block this year, it might make sense to wait even longer to see who gets smoked out. 

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From NHLRumors.com

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Pierre LeBrun: Have been told that the Seattle Kraken are taking a deep internal look at Carey Price. He’s got a big contract and it’s not an easy decision.

In the end doesn’t think that the Kraken will select him but there may be a better chance than first thought.

Frank Seravalli of Daily FaceOff: Medical records of those who are left unprotected are available to all teams. Sources say that there may be some health concerns for Price. He’s had an MRI and there is a hip injury that may require surgery. Price will see an expert later this week and more may not be known until Friday. The draft is Wednesday.

BLH’s Thoughts: Today it’s being reported that Ron Francis has the green light to take Carey Price if he wants and I’m all for it. As much as it could be a massive pain in the ass for the Oilers, I want to see an absolutely stacked Kraken team with a bloated salary cap hit the ice in 2021-22.

Give me Hall, Tarasenko, Price, Driedger, Giordano, Eberle, Zucker,Landeskog,  etc. and release the Kraken, baby! 

I’m jacked to see this new team and can’t wait to see them face the Oilers!

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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!

https://twitter.com/SportsnetSpec/status/1417119340768337922

From Oilersnation 

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Report: Edmonton Oilers Zack Kassian may be traded when roster freeze is lifted

On the DFO Rundown podcast, Daily Faceoff and The Nation Network’s Frank Seravalli reported other teams are interested in acquiring the rough and tumble forward:

• I think there’s been some interest from some teams in Zack Kassian and I think it’s a possibility that he ends up being on the move when the trade freeze is lifted. You don’t expose players that there is interest in. That’s a signal to me they likely will be moving him.

BLH’s Thoughts: As I’ve been saying to the crybabies in the Oilers fanbase bawling over Holland protecting Kassian over Tyler Benson, Kass is worth more to the team as a potential trade asset. Why lose him for nothing when you can get something for him in a trade? Criticize the trade all you want, but don’t think for one second that there’s no good reason for what Holland is doing this summer. 

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From The Athletic (Daniel Nugent-Bowman)

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Oilers set their Kraken protections: Why they chose Zack Kassian and Josh Archibald over Tyler Benson and others

• Archibald is considered the coaching staff’s most trusted bottom-six player. He led all forwards in short-handed ice time, sometimes drew the task of moving up the lineup to skate with Connor McDavid because of injury or underperformance and was counted on in five-on-six situations, where he had three goals. Archibald’s $1.5 million cap hit is certainly manageable.
• The Oilers don’t have many physically imposing forwards, and Kassian, when on his game, fits the bill. It’s worth noting, too, that the signing of Kassian in January 2020 was one of Ken Holland’s first critical decisions as general manager, and that Keith mentioned Kassian by name, unprompted, in his introductory news conference after being acquired from Chicago.

BLH’s Thoughts: A player that is so counted on defensively for their team that the coach puts him on nearly every time the other club pulls their goalie, is that somebody that should be deemed expendable to you? In a league where defense is so bloody important, why would a team risk losing such a trusted asset for nothing?

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From The Daily Goal Horn

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Rangers’ Ryan Strome and Barclay Goodrow

According to Andy Strickland, Rangers center Ryan Strome is drawing interest from around the league. He notes that the Ottawa Senators or one of those teams.

Strome is signed for next season and is on the Rangers protected list. It’s very likely that his name came up in discussions leading up to yesterday’s trade freeze. One logical train of thought is the Rangers are indeed heavily involved in the Jack Eichel trade chatter; or have another deal for a center that could be close. This would make Strome expendable.

Also, the Rangers sent a 7th round pick to the Lightning to acquire the early negotiating rights to Barclay Goodrow. He was left unprotected, which means the Kraken can also negotiate with him. Dave Pagnotta of The Fourth Period is reporting the Rangers have engaged Goodrow and progress was made.

BLH’s Thoughts: Remember the part above where Kassian is being protected in order to be traded down the line? Well, what if the trade as Kass for Ryan Strome? I know Bob Stauffer was talking about a Kassian for Georgiev trade last week too and I think there are some rumblings that the Rangers might go for Ryan Reaves too. 

Honestly, I can’t see a Kassian for Strome deal, not straight across at least. But, you never know what Chris Drury is thinking right now. I imagine there’s a bit of pressure to bring in some muscle to protect his stars after watching what Tom Wilson did to them this year and knowing the Penguins are going to bulk up with Ron Hextall and Brian Burke running the show now.

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From NHLRumors.com

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Jonathan Willis: If the Edmonton Oilers are looking to move back from the No. 19 slot in next week’s draft, the Arizona Coyotes could be a team looking to move up.

The Coyotes forfeited their 11th overall pick but do have three second-round picks – No. 36, 42, and 59.

Would both sides be okay with No. 36 and 42 for No. 19?

BLH’s Thoughts: If I had to guess, I’d say that the Oilers are looking at three players for their first round pick,

• Sebastian Cossa (G) – Edmonton Oil Kings, WHL
• Fabian Lysell (W) – Lulea, SHL
• Brennan Othmann (W) – Flint Firebirds, OHL

I could see Cossa and Lysell going ahead of where Edmonton will be selecting easily which would leave Othmann. Now, if they believe they could trade down and still get their man, then they’ll probably do that and pick up an extra third rounder in the process. I don’t know if they’ll trade right out of the first round with a pick in the top-20. 

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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

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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…

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From the Edmonton Sun (Jim Matheson)

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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?

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From Spector’s Hockey

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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. 

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From NHLRumors.com

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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?

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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 Cult of Hockey (David Staples)

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Edmonton Oilers come up empty at moment of Bargain Basement prices

• The Edmonton Oilers have many needs. Several other NHL teams were able to fill similar needs of their own before today’s  NHL’s  pre-Kraken expansion draft roster freeze kicked in — and to pay only bargain basement prices doing so.
• The Oilers? No such luck. They came up empty when a few other NHL teams, including the Toronto Maple Leafs, were striking it rich.
• It would have been excellent, of course, if Oilers GM Ken Holland had been able to fill some major holes on the Edmonton roster. That said, the Oilers were short on draft picks
• It could well be that the opportunity simply wasn’t there today for Holland to make a significant move. The vast majority of NHL GMs today made no big move to bolster their team. 

BLH’s Thoughts: Why should Toronto get any praise for picking up Jared McCann? His pts/60 is a mirage I feel. My guess is that he got some cherry TOI and better linemates because Evgeni Malkin was out of the line up quite a bit.

As far as I’m concerned, the Maple Leafs just traded for another perimeter player who is now on his 4th NHL team and is only 25yrs old. We should be praising Ron Hextall for being able to bring back Hallander and shedding himself of that contract. As it stands, Toronto has more or less traded McCann for Kasperi Kapanen and Hallander since the 21yr old Swede was involved in the original trade that brought Kapanen back to Pittsburgh. 

Are folks in Edmonton mad because Ryan Ellis and his $6.25M contract got moved to Philly for pennies on the dollar basically? He’s 30 and he would’ve cost the Oilers Evan Bouchard, Ryan McLeod, and another piece most likely. I can’t see a lot of fans enjoying that trade. 

The one thing that fans have to get through their heads is that a GM isn’t going to quote the same price for a player to every other GM he talks to and that’s because each team has their own set of roster challenges. 

My belief is that Holland will start to make some noise after the expansion draft when GMs have a clearer picture of their roster before free agency starts on the 28th. 

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From The Oilers Rig (Alex Thomas)

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Are The Oilers Back In Front Of Adam Larsson Race?

• The Oilers did not re-sign defenseman Adam Larsson prior to the roster freeze, meaning the Seattle Kraken are now in position to speak to Larsson and offer him a contract.
• Mark Spector of Sportsnet had a detailed tweet on Saturday that felt more like informed speculation than anything.
  • Though deal is not done, Adam Larsson should come in at 4 x $3.9 M if/when he signs w/EDM. If he went to market, could probably push near Chris Tanev numbers ($4.5 M AAV). Suspect he’ll stay as a leader and core player in EDM though.
• The Toronto Maple Leafs will make a pitch to Larsson if he hits the open market. The Leafs had eyes on Larsson dating back to the 2019 NHL trade deadline, when Keith Gretzky was running the show for the Oilers.
• The Boston Bruins, once seen as a possible suitor, are likely to look elsewhere. The Bruins are eying a more able puck handler, and are likely to focus on recently bought out options Keith Yandle and Ryan Suter.

BLH’s Thoughts: Frankly, I’m getting tired of talking about this. I don’t think he’s going to sign elsewhere and I think other teams might know that, hence why the team most recently rumored to be in on him went out and traded for Ryan Ellis. 

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From NHLRumors.com

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David Pagnotta: There is lots of chatter coming out of the Arizona Coyotes though it may not happen before the trade freeze.

The Coyotes have spoken with the Seattle Kraken about defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson.

Max Bultman: The Detroit Red Wings would be among the teams interested in Maple Leafs pending UFA forward Zach Hyman if he gets to July 28th.

Hyman and Dylan Larkin were linemates at Michigan.

Brace Garrioch: Have been told that the Winnipeg Jets are trying to trade Mason Appleton.

Adam Vingan of The Athletic: (mailbag) Don’t see the Predators being able to acquire Patrik Laine if he’s made available. Aaron Portzline said if the Columbus Blue Jackets move Laine they want a first-round pick and a “good prospect.”… Zach Hyman could be an option.

“If (the Predators) have interest, he will have interest,” Todd Reynolds, Hyman’s agent, recently told The Athletic.

John Dietz of the Chicago Daily Herald: The asking price for Seth Jones remains high.

A source said it could cost the Chicago Blackhawks Ian Mitchell, Nicolas Beaudin or Adam Boqvist and their 2022 first-round pick. Kirby Dach‘s name has also come up.

BLH’s Thoughts: Man, Zach Hyman is atop of a lot of wish lists. Until the Oilers start freeing up some cap room, I’m not going to consider them a favorite for the winger. I’ll stand by my original prediction and say the Red Wings though. They’ve got the cap room, he’s familiar with the area, he’d still be close to family in Toronto, and they’ve got a bright future with Steve Yzerman at the helm. Having an old college teammate in tow doesn’t hurt either. 

If the price to acquire Seth Jones has fallen to a first round pick and a young defenseman, why hasn’t Stan Bowman jumped all over that? I mean, Beaudin and a first-rounder is bloody dirt cheap in my opinion. No disprespect to Nic Beaudin, but I don’t see him developing into a top-pairing NHL dman any time soon. 

If you’re Arizona, do you find a way to acquire a first round pick only to flip it with a 3rd rounder and OEL to Seattle? 

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