Tag Archives: 2019 NHL Entry Draft

Armchair GM, Beer League Hero, Edmonton Oilers, Keith Fries, NHL, NHL Entry Draft, Prospects, Rumors, TPE Hockey

Edmonton Oilers: The Ten Best Free Agency Options + 2019 Draft Review from @TPEHockey and @KeithFries

June 26, 2019 Beer League Hero

Nothing new on the Jesse Puljujarvi front eh? I know during Mark Spector’s spot on Oilers Now yesterday that he didn’t think that the Finn would be dealt this week and thus speculated that this bit of drama would extend into the summer. Host Bob Stauffer disagreed.

But we did have a bit of news coming out of Switzerland! It’s being reported that the Oilers will be signing a gentleman by the name of Gaëtan Haas from SC Bern in the Swiss league. He’s a right-shot centre who can fly! According to Bob Stauffer, he’s also quite efficient on the faceoff dot and he projects to be the Oilers third line centre.

Here’s his brief scouting report from EliteProspects.com,

Gaetan Haas is an offensive center, who plays a reliable and smart two-way game. An excellent skater, who reaches very good top-speed and can make end-to-end rushes. Has soft hands and strong puck-skills. Haas sees the ice well and can play the point on the Power Play, distributing the puck using his excellent vision. He leads by example by competing hard for the puck, doing solid backchecking and not being afraid blocking shots, rounding out his solid defensive game. Haas can lead a team’s shutdown line. (by Rafik Soliman, November 2015)

Stauffer had spoken to some questions about Haas’ “compete” level, but if we’re going by the report above (it’s nearly four years old mind you), it sounds like his intensity level is fine.

Why don’t we watch a clip of the 27-year-old in action?

Not bad. He’s got some quickness to his game and can certainly shoot the puck well and from those highlights, he could be an option on the 2nd unit PP. I guess the one thing with these Euro signings that we have to ask is, how well will they do on the smaller ice surface and the more aggressive style of play?

Coinciding with how long Stauffer has been hinting at the Oilers signing someone out of Europe is this report from back in Ma y saying that Haas had received an offer from one NHL club. Previously, the Calgary Flames were watching him.

Speaking of signing players, the Edmonton media is REALLY putting the push on for Brett Connolly eh?

Would have to think Brett Connolly makes a lot of sense for the Oilers. Lots of experience, cup winner, 52 goals last 3 seasons, Western Canadian. Ideal complimentary goal scoring winger for either McDavid or RNH.

— Ryan Rishaug (@TSNRyanRishaug) June 25, 2019

If you take out Brett Connolly’s name and replace it with Milan Lucic, how thick is the irony?

Yes, this player did have 21 goals at even strength last year for a powerhouse Washington Capitals team. So would it be safe to say he was probably not getting the other team’s best defense trying to stop him? Let’s figure it out!

According to PuckIQ.com, Brett Connolly’s 2018./19 TOI broke down like this:

Gritensity (Bottom 6 TOI) – 256.9
Middle (Middle 6 TOI) – 429.7
Elite (Top Line TOI) – 305.6

I think it’s pretty accurate to report that he spent most of the time playing away from the opposition’s best players but did he perform the best in this role?

Opposition	CF% Rel	DFF% Rel
Elite	6.30	6.20
Middle	-0.40	-2.33
Grit	-1.20	-2.83

CF% Rel – Shots on goal, missed shots on goal, and blocked shot attempts relative to teammates
DFF% Rel – “Dangerous” unblocked shots (shots determined to be the equivalent to a 29ft wrister) relative to teammates

So from the metrics above, we can see that Connolly actually did quite well when lined up vs the league’s best and got gradually worse as he was played vs average and below average opposition. That would be a plus for the Oilers, right? He would’ve been the best right winger on the team last season in this regard.

I’m not really sold on Connolly myself and I wonder how his numbers would react to playing in the West with the kind of travel the Oilers do? Would he be able to replicate his shooting percentage from last year? Adding to that, players that have come from the Eastern Conference to play for Edmonton haven’t always done well and then we have to consider the contract… The other thing that can’t be forgotten is the expansion draft is coming and will Connolly be looking for protection in the form of a Lucic-like contract, no-move clauses and all?

If the Oilers were to sign him, I would like to see him signed for the reported $3Mx3 but I cannot see him doing that at all. I don’t care if he is from Western Canada, he has to be looking at some of these deals being signed and laughing a $3M per year offer off the table.

My top-ten list of preferred free agent signings looks like this:

Joonas Donskoi (SJ) – RW – Perfect middle 6 fwd who can help on the PK.
Petr Mrazek (CAR) – G – Excellent back-up option and aged right.
Alex Chiasson (EDM) – RW – Loved his hustle and fearlessness last season. Bit slow though.
Brandon Tanev (WPG) – RW – Annoying waterbug Edmonton has been lacking forever.
Pat Maroon (STL) – LW – A better option than Lucic AND he’ll fight. Chirp game solid.
Ryan Hartman (DAL) – W – Solid bottom-6 30pt player. Good buy low option.
Derrick Brassard (COL) – C – Great middle-6 option down the middle. Might be out of EDM’s price range.
Daniel Carr (VGK) – LW – Brendan Gallagher-lite. Too good for the AHL.
Brandon Pirri (VGK) – W – Also too good for the AHL. Scores in bunches but disappears.
Mario Kempe (ARI) – W – High engine, smart down low. Not much of a point producer though.

What about you? Who’d you like to see the Oilers sign?

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2019 Oilers Draft Review from Max and Keith

Philip Broberg

Keith: If we’re dialing in on specifics, Broberg begins the conversation of “offensive defensemen.” While Bowen Byram put up ungodly numbers, this season, what separates Broberg from Byram is his skating and puck rushing abilities. Between the two, Byram can be flat-footed, at times, especially in his own zone. The same can’t be said of Broberg, who is an elite skater with top-end speed. Will quarterback the play both in 5-on-5 and power play situations, alike. And with an underrated shot and playmaking abilities, it’s enticing to think what Broberg could become when running with speedster like Connor McDavid or Ryan McLeod.

Max: With the 8th pick, the Edmonton Oilers took Philip Broberg. Broberg is a powerful two-way defenseman whose combination of size and speed got him taken at this spot. His straight-line speed is unmatched by any other defensemen in the class and his hands are impressive for a 6’3” d-man.

With that being said Broberg has glaring issues and is a confusing pick when you look at who’s available at this spot. Broberg struggled to replicate the successes he had against U18 competition at the U20 and pro levels. His puck rushing is one example of how his play has been shut down at older levels as he can’t overpower his opponents. The other issue is that Broberg lacks hockey IQ and quick decision making. He often makes confusing or ineffective decisions with and without the puck in the offensive zone.

Personally, Trevor Zegras is the can’t miss player at this spot with Caufield and Newhook also being better options.

Raphael Lavoie

Keith: Seen as a bubble first-round talent, I had Lavoie going early on day 2 and that’s how things panned out. His offensive gifts and size are very enticing, and it’d be hard to pass on those intangibles at this point in the draft. What I think scared off scouts from pulling the trigger in the first-round was Lavoie’s lack of a well-rounded game and maybe some mental focus issues, as well. I didn’t get a chance to watch many Halifax games, this season, and the few I did I wasn’t overly impressed by Lavoie. I see what he can become, but as of right now, he’s just that – a pet project that needs work. Really good piece of playdough to mold.

Max: At 38 Lavoie is a steal. His production in the QMJHL, especially in the playoffs, was staggering. Lavoie is a great puck possession player who, like Kakko, is a hard guy to take the puck away from. His solid skating foundation also allows him to be effective offensively along with his shot. The problem with Lavoie and the reason he fell is that he’s seen as a low ceiling player. Lavoie isn’t going to be a star in the NHL. His outlook is a 3rd liner and anything else is unlikely.

While I do like the Lavoie pick, if I was picking at this spot my pick would be Nils Höglander.

Ilya Konovalov

Keith: As I suggested in one of the final draft mailbag’s we conducted, here at BLH, there were three goaltenders that stood out to me, in this class, as a step above the rest: Spencer Knight, Dustin Wolf, and Ilya Konovalov. A double-overager, Konovalov performed incredibly well, this season, in the KHL, posting an unreal 1.89 GAA and .930 SV% in 45 games played. While the Oilers have both Olivier Rodrigue and Stuart Skinner in their pipeline, it may be the change of management and coaching that led to this decision – where Rodrigue and Skinner may be seen as picks under the old regime that may-or-may not pan out.

Max: With the 85th pick the Oilers made my favorite pick of their class. Konovalov has had a stellar season with Lokomotiv in the KHL last year. He put up a .930 Sv% as a 20-year-old on a very large workload. Konovalov put up similar numbers to that of Igor Shestyorkin and Ilya Sorokin when they were his age. His issue is that he’s only 6’0” tall, but other than that there are few issues in his game. If he pans out than Edmonton could have their starter.

For me I had Domenick Fensore ranked higher and he went at #90, but Konovalov is the right guy for Edmonton. He’s probably the perfect pick here.

Matej Blumel

Keith: Blumel was a shining light in the USHL, and made the most of his opportunities after returning to Waterloo as an overager. An effective two-way forward, with a very nice shot, Blumel was ranked by most scouting services, on average, right around 100, so this pick isn’t a reach it’s a reality. On the international stage, Blumel has been a contributing factor for the Czech Republic, and with a commitment to U. Conn, next season, will be paired up with fellow countrymen Jachym Kondelik and Tomas Vomacka – and I suspect, if he settles in comfortably, he could have a very good 2019-20 season.

Max: In the 4th round and on you’re pretty much just using lottery tickets. At pick 100 they spend one on an overager who was just over a point per game in the USHL. Blümel is a Czech national heading to UConn in the NCAA. They’re historically a very good program for European prospects. Blümel put himself on the map with a strong World Jr. A Challenge.

At 100 there aren’t a ton of great players left. Although Ethan Keppen falling this far was shocking. He was one of few bright spots on an awful Flint Firebirds team. @Scouching put together a great feature piece not long ago.

Tomas Mazura

Keith: The Oilers double-down on Czech-born prospects by taking Mazura at #162. He took a big step forward, statistically, from the 2017-18 season, finishing with 1.46 PPG in 37 games played. For my own projections, the USHS-Prep league is a great place to develop, but takes a hit when evaluating the level of competition when compared to the USHL and CHL. Committed to Providence College beginning in the 2020-21 season, it’ll be interesting to see where Mazura plays, next season. A nice fit might be the Muskegon Lumberjacks in the USHL. As for the player himself, the Oilers are getting a creative playmaker with really intriguing size.

Max: Mazura is a player I haven’t really heard anything about. He wasn’t a player that was supposed to be drafted but the Oilers take him at 162 anyway. He had a strong season at Kimball Union, a US prep school. He’s committed to play with Providence in the NCAA in 2020-21.

At this point in the draft, I have no clue how they pass up on Marshall Warren. Ranked in my early 2nd round he fell all the way to 166. This guy scored at a PPG in his time against NCAA competition with the NTDP.

Maxim Denezhkin

Keith: This could be a swing-and-a-miss or a homerun when all’s said and done. Really undersized forward that put up average numbers in the Russian junior league (MHL). So you might be thinking, why would the Oilers draft him? Well, when you’re 5’10” – closer to 5’9” – and you put up ANY points, it’s intriguing. His upside is more promising than his downside when you look at the little parts of his game like his willingness to attack down the middle of the ice and play with his heads up. This will take some time, and we might have a career AHLer, here, but if you can get the most out of him I think Denezhkin could be an effective bottom-6 role player.

Max: I’ve never heard of this guy so I’ll keep it quick. Played with Lokomotiv in the Russian jr. league. He had an ok season and got a shot in the KHL playing one game.

Here I’d take Dustin Wolf who’s one of my favorite players in this draft. Led the WHL in Sv% at 17 and won his conference’s goaltender of the year award. Wolf played almost every game for Everett and was dominant. The problem? He’s 5’11”.

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Edmonton Oilers, NHL, NHL Entry Draft, Prospects, TPE Hockey

Edmonton Oilers: Late Round Options for the 2019 NHL Draft from @TPEHockey

June 20, 2019 Beer League Hero

With the 2019 NHL draft only days away, Max from TPE Hockey has let us in on a few late round picks who could actually be diamonds in the rough. As Oilers fans, we know that Edmonton has a history of poor picks in the later rounds but Max here has five players that he thinks would be good picks.

Please follow Max on Twitter here.

Harrison Blaisdell

Blaisdell is a versatile center playing for the Chilliwack Chiefs in the BCHL. He has a combination of offensive skills allowing him to be a tough threat to contain in the offensive zone. His shot shows you everything you want to see from an 18-year-old: quick release, high velocity, and solid accuracy. His shot pairs well with his quick thinking. While he can move the puck to dangerous areas very well while his shot must be respected too.

His two-way play is also quite intriguing. He creates turnovers at an impressive rate from my viewings and turned many of those turnovers into offense. Blaisdell’s strong transition game allows him to turn his d-zone steals into offensive opportunities. Much of this strong transition play comes from his skating abilities. Blaisdell’s east to west skating is phenomenal and his north-south movement is above average.

In the BCHL, he was the 3rd U18 player in scoring this year. He put up 33 goals and 58 points over the course of his 51 game BCHL season. He made big strides from his draft minus one season where he struggled to produce and compete at the junior level. Now, after his acclimation, he’s become a strong competitor and all-around threat.

Blaisdell is slated to be heading to the University of North Dakota in the 20-21 season. Although after his explosion this season he could be NCAA bound for this coming season. Blaisdell can be expected to be off the board in the 3rd or 4th round.

Jayden Struble

Struble, like the next player on this list, is a bit of a wildcard as a prep schooler in his draft year. He’s a favorite of many on Hockey Twitter after his feature by Andy Lehoux (below) and his strong performance at the Combine. Struble spent last season on the blueline for St. Sebastian’s School in Massachusetts. He scored 10 goals and 40 points over 28 games against the toughest competition in the US prep school scene.

Struble became more widely known after his sheer dominance at the NHL Combine. He was by far the leading performer, winning multiple events. While many of the Combine’s results are often put off as nearly useless in the general scheme of things, Struble’s off ice prowess translates well. His power is clearly seen in his skating ability. He cuts through the neutral zone with speed and is impossible to contain. He can utilize his puck skills and make decisions at high speeds which makes him as dangerous as he is.

The 6’0” defender also plays a strong defensive game. He’s as physical as you’d expect a big, strong defenseman to be, but doesn’t go out of the way to be physical. He closes lanes, shuts down rushes, and holds the blueline very well.

Next season Struble will play for the Victoria Grizzlies in the BCHL before heading off to Northeastern University. Struble can be expected to get picked anywhere from the late 2nd to the 4th round.

Jackson LaCombe

Another wildcard prep school blueliner Is Jackson LaCombe. LaCombe put on a show with the prestigious Shattuck St. Mary’s program scoring 89 points in just 54 games in Minnesota’s top prep school league. His name might be familiar from his Hlinka Gretzky Cup appearance, although he was fairly invisible at on stage.

LaCombe became a more widely known prospect a bit of a ways into this season when he started to rack up points. He turned down an offer to play this season with Chicago in the USHL, opting to only play a few games with them.

Like Jayden Struble, LaCombe is a strong skating, puck moving defensemen. He has a fluid stride, great transition play, and a creative playmaker.

The concern is not only that LaCombe played in prep school, but struggled in his short times at high levels in his quick stints with Team USA and the Chicago Steel. LaCombe is a high upside, low floor player who is probably off the board in the 3rd to 5th rounds.

Patrick Moynihan

When asked who the most underrated USNTDP player was, all of his teammates at the combine said Patrick Moynihan.

Moynihan plays a well-rounded game in all three zones. As a center, he fills defensive and offensive assignments perfectly. He’s good at getting to open areas and finishing or getting pucks to dangerous areas. He’s not the most skilled player, but he gets the job done.

His stats don’t jump off the page with only 22 points in 28 USHL games, but he was pushed down the lineup on one of the strongest U18 teams ever assembled. He will play for Providence in the NCAA next year. Expect Moynihan to be a 4th rounder on draft day.

Domenick Fensore

A 5’7” NHL defenseman is something not seen in a long, long, long time. Although if one player is going to appear on an NHL blueline at that height it will be Dom Fensore. He is known for his dynamic skating and offensive skill. He’s no doubt a top 5 skater in this draft. I don’t need to list out his strengths in skating because every aspect of it is top notch. His edges are so good that it allows him to be able to play both sides. As a left-handed defensemen, he is commonly seen on the right side and thriving. He also loves to jump into the play below the tops of the circles and is able to get back into position after he does it.

Fensore, while primarily an offensive threat, he still has great defensive instincts. He plays a great defensive game, he does everything right. It’s just that lacks the size. As a 3rd pairing d-man, he was over a PPG in the USHL and is bound for Boston University in the NCAA. Fensore could go anywhere from the 2nd to 7th round due to debates over his size.

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Armchair GM, Beer League Hero, Edmonton Oilers, NHL, NHL Entry Draft, Prospects, Trades

Edmonton Oilers: Puljujarvi’s Agent vs. Ken Holland – Round 1! PLUS the 2019 BLH Mock Draft

June 20, 2019 Beer League Hero

Wednesday, Jesse Puljujarvi’s agent, Markus Lehto, sent his third very public shot across the bow of the Edmonton Oilers’ boat using Darren Dreger and Mark Spector. Only this time the message was much more assertive,

“If he doesn’t get traded,” Lehto confirmed, “he will play in Europe next year. He will not play in Edmonton.” – source

When Ken Holland got wind of this, he fired his own shot back,

“At the end of the day, if you can do a deal that makes sense for the Edmonton Oilers, you do it,” said Holland, who spoke on Wednesday morning with Lehto. “If you can’t, you go over (to Europe) and watch him play, and hopefully he scores a lot of goals over there.” – source

Is Markus Lehto slow? He predictably goes to the press again (the draft and the trade deadline being the most popular times for GMs to make moves or plan future moves) to let the entire world know that he wants his client out of Edmonton with not even an ounce of leverage. I mean, is Lehto banking on his previous experiences with Kasperi Kapanen in Pittsburgh and Teuvo Teravainen in Chicago and thinking that this is going to be a piece of cake?

How in the world does he think that strong-arming one of the most experienced GMs in the NHL is going to go here?

Sad to say it, but Pulju’s value couldn’t be any lower right now considering the 7 goals he’s scored in the last 90 games for the Oilers and him coming off of double-hip surgery.

Jess was the 4th overall pick in 2016 and that’s great, but my man hasn’t turned the corner yet. Now, that doesn’t mean he won’t, it just means trading him and getting equal perceived value, won’t be an easy task nor is it even a fair ask.

Mark Spector wrote an article yesterday and he summed my thoughts up perfectly,

It is Lehto’s job to advise the player, but if I sat down next to Puljujarvi, this is what I’d say:

“Jesse, there isn’t a team that wants you to succeed more than the Oilers. They’ve got a high draft pick and a piece of their reputation invested in you. Sure, they mishandled your career by not letting you spend enough time in AHL Bakersfield. But, truth be told, you and your agent didn’t want to go there either, right?

I’m not convinced of this “refusal to go to the AHL” narrative going around. Jesse went down three times in three seasons. To me, that’s quite a bit in today’s age.

“You haven’t played much with Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl, or on the powerplay, but in the NHL you earn those prime spots. They don’t just get handed to you because of where you were drafted, most times.

Well, out of around 1000 minutes on the ice, he’s played the most with Milan Lucic and the 2nd most with Connor McDavid…

“Here’s what you should do: Have your agent negotiate a fair two-year deal with the new GM, Ken Holland. He’s an honest guy, and he’s saying you’ll get a full season on the third line, and a chance to learn how to play the NHL game under the new coach, Dave Tippett.

Yes!

“The Oilers are very lean on goal-scoring right-wingers. There probably isn’t a team in the league with a combination of better centremen and open spots on their flanks.

100%!

“Have Lehto get a handshake deal with Holland that, if we don’t like the way the 2019-20 season goes, he’ll trade you next summer. That way, he can say he tried to develop you, but the previous GM drafted you and it just wasn’t working.

“Give it one more year, take some of the blame for your slow development, then go out and prove you are a player. Score some goals, show the commitment that is necessary, and by Christmas you could be the No. 1 right-winger in Edmonton.

Seems like the right thing to do here. The other thing is, if he scores some goals, other GMs will want him even more.

“You’re just 21. This is the last place you’ll ever play that has as much invested in you as the Oilers have. Which, you’ll learn one day, is important.”

Sometimes it takes a while for young folk to mature. They can’t all be as collected as McDavid and Crosby, right?

As Ryan Rishaug has been saying for weeks, just through deductive reasoning, we can probably come to the conclusion that Puljujarvi’s problem with the team isn’t to do with the coaches or the medical staff or even the GM as most of those have been swapped out. It must be to do with the players because if you’re a young winger in the NHL that’s looking for one of the sweetest gigs in the league alongside Leon Draisaitl, Connor McDavid, or Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and you STILL want out, then there’s a problem in the room.

I won’t put this all on Connor and the boys though. Jesse has to come out of his shell a bit and show some initiative but I can understand why he wouldn’t want to as well. The players he respects on the club don’t feel the same way maybe and that’s a deep cut for a young guy. He might not be as mature as the rest of the guys and thus he gets left out in the cold.

I wish I knew what kind of advice he was getting from the agent so we could have an opinion on who’s to blame here from that side because if Puljujarvi isn’t traded soon, he’s going to have to go through an entire summer with this cloud hanging over him and the close it gets to training camp, the more reporters and journalists are going to want to talk to him about “the trade request”, right?

As much as I love my man Jesse, I fully support the stance Ken Holland is taking. If Markus Lehto wants to play hardball, Kenny Holland won’t back down. Just ask Andreas Athanasiou who previously tried to hold out in Detroit but eventually came back to the NHL with his tail tucked between his legs and signed a two-year deal.

Pulju needs to come back and prove his worth to not only his teammates, the organization, the entire NHL, but also himself. Heading off to Europe until his wishes are met isn’t going to do that. It’s not going to help how he’s viewed neither. Then again, Milan Lucic has been asking out for three years and the boys still love him…

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THE 2019 BLH MOCK DRAFT

NJ – Jack Hughes – C – USNTDP (USHL/NCAA)
NYR – Kaapo Kakko – RW – TPS Turku (FIN)
CHI – Alex Turcotte – C – USNTDP (USHL/NCAA)
COL (OTT) – Bowen Byram – LHD – Vancouver Giants
LA – Cole Caufield – RW – USNTDP (USHL/NCAA)
DET – Trevor Zegras – C – USNTDP (USHL/NCAA)
BUF – Kirby Dach – C – Saskatoon (WHL)
*VAN – Philip Broberg – LHD – AIK (SWE)
ANH – Dylan Cozens – C – Lethbridge (WHL)
*EDM – Matthew Boldy – W – USNTDP (USHL/NCAA)
PHI – Peyton Krebs – C – Kootenay (WHL)
MIN – Alex Newhook – C – Victoria (BCHL)
FLA – Cam York – USNTDP (USHL/NCAA)
ARI – Victor Soderstrom – RHD – Brynas (SHL)
MTL – Arthur Kaliyev – LW – Hamilton (OHL)
COL – Vasili Podkolzin – RW – SKA (VHL)
VGK – Ville Heinola – LHD – Luuko (FIN)
DAL – Raphael Lavoie – C – Halifax (QMJHL)
OTT (CBJ) – Thomas Harley – LHD – Mississauga (OHL)
WPG – Moritz Seider – RHD – Mannheim (DEL)
PIT – Bobby Brink – C – Sioux City (USHL)
LAK (TOR) – Ryan Suzuki – C – Barrie (OHL)
NYI – Connor McMichael – C – London (OHL)
NAS – Phil Tomasino – C – Niagara (OHL)
WAS – Pavel Dorofeyev – LW – Magnitigorsk (RUS)
CGY – Spencer Knight – G – USNTDP (USHL/NCAA)
TB – Lassi Thomson – RHD – Kelowna (WHL)
CAR – Jakob Pelletier – LW – Moncton (QMJHL)
ANA (SJ) – Simon Holmstrom – RW – HV71 (SWE)
BOS – Alex Vlasic – LHD – USNTDP (USHL/NCAA)
BUF (STL) – Tobias Bjornfot – LHD – Djurgarden (SWE)

*I think there’s a high possibility that Edmonton and Vancouver swap picks. Perhaps in the oft-mentioned Lucic for Eriksson trade they’ll swap first rounders.

Rumor has it the Canucks are working feverishly to move up in the draft to pick Philip Broberg, but the problem is, they haven’t got a lot to work with. Chris Tanev might be their only real asset to trade and with his injury history, I don’t even know if he’s even considered a real asset now.

I hope the Oilers go with another forward in the 2nd round.

John Beecher – C – USNDTP (USHL/NCAA): Might be the fastest power forward in the draft.
Samuel Poulin – RW – Sherbrooke (QMJHL): Solidly built, hard-working winger whose dad was an NHLer. Strong shooter with good hockey IQ.
Egor Afaneseyev – LW – Muskegon (USHL): BIG guy (6’4″ 200lbs) who scored 27 goals and 62 pts in the USHL.
Albin Grewe – RW – Djurgarden (SWE): Highly skilled pest who’s been compared to Brad Marchand.
Brayden Tracey – LW – Moose Jaw (WHL): Big time scorer in the WHL who can skate, has an excellent work ethic, and fears nobody.

That is a lot of wingers, if you’re more for the Oilers picking up a center in the 2nd round, I think that Brett Leason might tickle Bob Green’s fancy, the speedy Jamieson Rees should be available, the pint-size Karl Henriksson should definitely be there, and Ilya Nikolaev, a thick two-way forward as well.

Should you fancy a defender in the 2nd, there’ll be a plethora of those, no doubt. Flint’s Vladislav Kolyachonok, Matthew Robertson, a great all-around defender from the Edmonton Oil Kings MIGHT be there, smooth-skating Ryan Johnson from Sioux Falls could be available, and the massive hard-shooting Antti Tuomisto from Assat in Finland I reckon will be around then too.

Unless Spencer Knight somehow falls to 38th, I wouldn’t touch a goalie until the 3rd round or later.

What do you think? Let us know in the comments below!

Armchair GM, Beer League Hero, Edmonton Oilers, NHL, NHL Entry Draft, Prospects, Rumors

Edmonton Oilers: Finding One Goalie, Three Forwards, and One Defenseman PLUS BLH’s Top 50 2019 Draft Prospects

June 19, 2019 Beer League Hero

Oilers Now host Bob Stauffer recently tweeted out what he felt like the Oilers would be adding going into the 2019/20 season under the context of an $81.5M-$82.5M salary cap.

Sign 1B goalie who can start 30-35 games ($1.5M-$2.5M).
Add one top-9 forward ($2.5M-$3.5M).
Bring in two forwards for the bottom-6 ($1M or less).
Get creative opening up a couple of spots on defense for Caleb Jones, William Lagesson, Ethan Bear, and/or Joel Persson.

Well if I had to guess for each one of the suggestions above and taking into consideration Ken Holland’s relationships created through his time in Detroit, I would say that there’s a really solid chance that he’s going to be able to spruce up the Oilers roster in short order.

THE 1B GOALIE

I really liked Petr Mrazek’s season for Carolina and I believe there’s still a lot of game left in the 27-year-old. He played 40 games and 2.39 GAA and a .914 save percentage. If the Oilers are looking for a guy who’ll be able to play a solid chunk of the season, then Mrazek is their man. I think it would be tough to say if playing for Holland in Detroit was a pro or a con at this point. He was traded away from the Red Wings after all, but if anybody knew this guy through and through, it’d be Holland.

If the Oilers are looking for a more veteran presence here, Maybe Mike Smith. As much as I disliked him in Arizona and Calgary, he’s a pretty ornery goalie who doesn’t take any shit and he was the only Flame to show up in their brief playoff appearance this past season. I also like how he can play the puck, that said, it does come back to bite him in the butt from time to time.

THE TOP-9 FORWARD

Joonas Donskoi is my pick here. He’s the perfect middle-6 option for the Oilers. He’s fast, he can play both ways, and he’s seemingly good for around 30-40pts a year. He can skate quite well and he will go to the dirty areas. I also happen to believe that he’d be a great help to Jesse Puljujarvi and be able to mentor him a bit in the event that Pulju gives this new regime a chance. I’d reckon he’ll command close to $3M per year depending on the term length.

If the Oilers were to open up some cap space with a trade or two, I think Gustav Nyquist and Mats Zuccarello would most definitely be in their sights. I do see them demanding closer to the same dollar value and term as Jordan Eberle mind you. So would you be satisfied paying either $5.5M for five years?

Now if we come back down a bit, then I see Brett Connolly and Michael Ferland in the $4M-ish camp. Maybe Connolly will try to really bank on that career year of his and Ferland might get a bit more considering the narrative set from this year’s Stanley Cup Final. That being teams need to have tough mobile forwards to win.

And if we come right down, Alex Chiasson shouldn’t be commanding more than $2.5M nor can I see Richard Panik or Thomas Vanek charging any higher.

Some wildcards here might be Wayne Simmonds, Marcus Johansson, and Ryan Dzingel. Simmonds has really slowed down in recent years. His point totals have been decreasing and his PIMS increasing. Maybe that’s born out of frustration, but can you think of a GM that would pay him more than $4M given the unsure status of the cap and the expansion draft coming? He’s become a bit of an injury concern to boot.

Johansson was outstanding for the Bruins in the playoffs I found. His speed and puckhandling made him a dangerous target for Boston. Unfortunately, his health has been a major concern for the last two years and thus his production has dropped. What would you pay someone with a recent history like that?

As for Dzingel, I think he might be happy sticking in Columbus. He played college hockey there and with Artemi Panarin leaving, there’s pretty much a spot there for the taking. But in the case that he wants to hit the open market and see what’s out there, his speed and tenacity would be very welcome on the Oilers. Is he going to price himself out of Edmonton’s range though? Might be another guy looking at $5.5M a year.

THE TWO BOTTOM-6 FORWARDS

Daniel Carr has been on the Oilers radar for a long time. He’s basically a Brendan Gallagher-lite. Same playing style and traits but to a lesser degree. He spent the year in the AHL last season but he lit it up with 71pts in 52 games. He’s too good for that league and Edmonton could use him in their bottom-6. He’s a local lad too, so that might help getting him in under a million bucks.

Another player who spent the year in the Vegas Golden Knights organization, Brandon Pirri, would be a nice fit for Edmonton’s bottom-6. He scores wherever he goes but he can never stick. Now I’m not sure if that’s an attitude thing or what, but he produces and the Oilers need depth scoring. Had 12 goals in 31 games for Vegas last year.

Brandon Tanev piled up 29pts in 80 games for Winnipeg in 2018/19 while averaging around 14 minutes a game. 15 of those points were goals. Tanev plays a very aggressive game and he’s both fast and quick. Quite the waterbug he is. He won’t be signing for $1M but if the Oilers were interested, I wonder if he’d sign for Kassian money (a shade under $2M).

Other options here might be Adrian Kempe, who gave the Oilers fits last season with his tenacity and smart play down low. Garnet Hathaway would add some toughness to the bottom-6 IF Edmonton were looking for that, and Kenny Agostino kind of came out of nowhere to score 24pts in NJ/MTL last year. He’s got some speed to his game too.

The wildcard in all of this is Patrik Berglund. Yes, he quit the Sabres last year, turned down a crapload of cash to return home, but he says he’s ready to return to the NHL. At 31 years old, do you think he’s done as an NHLer? Would he be a decent 3rd line center?

THE DEFENSE

My feeling here is that Kris Russell and Matt Benning will be traded to open up that right side for Joel Persson and Caleb Jones. I get that Jones isn’t a right-shot defender, but he played that side almost all season last year in Bakersfield as he was pair with Mattias Ekholm clone, William Lagesson.

Getting back to Russell, no question, he’s not in the same bracket as Justin Braun, Matt Niskanen, or Radko Gudas, but he’s a wanted man in the NHL. His teammates love him wherever he goes and he’s well respected by coaches across the league.

Now if Braun can be moved for a couple of draft picks, I would think Russell could too (not a 2nd and a 3rd) and that would really create some wiggle room for Holland and co. They’ve got just over $9M in cap room right now and if they could move him without taking salary back that would take them to around $13M.

On the other hand and to make this a bit bigger of a deal, yesterday on Lowetide’s show, Tom Gazzola and Tyler Yaremchuk were discussing the possibility of moving Darnell Nurse for a right-shot top-4 defender and then using Sekera on the 2nd pair. It’s not a bad idea depending on who the dman coming back is… Ideally, you’d want someone who puts up as much as or more offense at evens than Nurse AND is a threat on the powerplay.

People aren’t going to like this suggestion, but what about Rasmus Ristolainen? His 65 points with the man advantage over the past three seasons has him tied with the $11M-man Erik Karlsson and that total has him above other all-star defenders like Kris Letang, John Klingberg, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Morgan Reilly, and Drew Doughty.

I’ve always liked this player because he’s massive, he’s tough, and he’s got a Cannon the likes Edmonton hasn’t seen since Sheldon Souray was around. That said, he’s not as proficient a scorer at evens as Nurse (60pts to Risto’s 51 in the past three years). I imagine folks will point to his fancy stats and complain as well, but it doesn’t matter which metric you use, I can most likely show you someone you might consider to be a much better defender who has similarly poor numbers there too.

Ristolainen is tied down for another three seasons at $5.4M per and if he’s putting up around the same stats as Nurse but better on the PP and the Oilers have players to fill in for Darnell, what’s the problem? Can you tell me that Darnell Nurse isn’t going to be asking for around $7M on a long-term deal next summer? If so, what number do you think he’ll sign for and do you think he’ll have earned that?

In three seasons, if it’s not working out, the Oilers could move Ristolainen if need be. It’d be easier due to his handedness and his PP production AND it would give the Oilers more time to develop their bluechip prospect, Evan Bouchard.

BLH’S TOP-50 2019 NHL DRAFT PROSPECTS

After extensive research and the use of around five draft guides this year, this is my list of 50 prospects for the upcoming 2019 NHL Entry Draft.

I dinged guys for work ethic issues or consistency problems. Players that were poor skaters were ranked lower if they didn’t have much else they could bring to the ice. If a player was considered a perimeter player, that didn’t help their case either. I do take size into consideration a bit. I found that there is a massive influx of sub-6-foot players eligible for the draft and that if everything was equal, I’d probably still take the bigger player.

Conversely, skaters who had a high work ethic and those that were outstanding skaters were ranked higher. I feel that skating is of the utmost importance with regards to the direction of hockey now. I’m also a fan of players who will play a bit old-school, meaning they aren’t afraid of the rough stuff and will get their noses dirty. Defensive IQ is as important to me as offensive IQ as well.

But as it is every year, sometimes a player is just so good at one thing, it overshadows his flaws, like Kirby Dach (consistency/work ethic) or Trevor Zegras (High risk/selfish). These players are ridiculously skilled and should be taken in the first seven picks I imagine, but for me, they drop a little bit. Whereas Matthew Boldy and Vasili Podkolzin probably aren’t as skilled as Dach and Zegras but they are much smarter players at both ends of the rink and if their offense dries up, they can still be impactful to the game.

The players in bold are where the Edmonton Oilers would be selecting.

Jack Hughes – C – USNTDP (USHL/NCAA)
Kappo Kakko – RW – TPS (SM-Liiga)
Bowen Byram – LHD – Vancouver (WHL)
Alex Turcotte – C – USNTDP (USHL/NCAA)
Matthew Boldy – LW – USNTDP (USHL/NCAA)
Vasili Podkolzin – RW – SKA-Neva (VHL)
Cole Caufield – RW – USNTDP (USHL/NCAA)
Alex Newhook – C – Victoria (BCHL)
Kirby Dach – C – Saskatoon (WHL)
Trevor Zegras – C – USNTDP (USHL/NCAA)
Dylan Cozens – C – Lethbridge (WHL)
Peyton Krebs – C – Kootenay (WHL)
Spencer Knight – G – USNTDP (USHL/NCAA)
Raphael Lavoie – C – Halifax (QMJHL)
Cam York – LHD – USNTDP (USHL/NCAA)
Viktor Soderstrom – RHD – Brynas (SHL)
Philip Broberg – LHD – AIK (Allsvenskan)
Pavel Dorofeyev -LW – Magnitogorsk (KHL)
Thomas Harley – LHD – Mississauga (OHL)
Simon Holmstrom – RW – HV71 J20 (Superelit)
Bobby Brink – RW – Sioux City (USHL)
Jakob Pelletier – LW – Moncton (QMJHL)
Mortiz Seider – RHD – Mannheim (DEL)
Nils Hoglander – LW – Rogle (SHL)
Tobias Bjornfot – LHD – Djurgardens J20 (Superelit)
Lassi Thomson – RHD – Kelowna (WHL)
Ryan Suzuki – C – Barrie (OHL)
Matthew Robertson – LHD – Edmonton (WHL)
Phil Tomasino – C – Niagara (OHL)
Connor McMichael – C – London (OHL)
Ville Heinola – LHD – Luuko (SM-Liiga)
John Beecher – C – USNTDP (USHL/NCAA)
Samuel Poulin – RW – Sherbrooke (QMJHL)
Arthur Kaliyev – RW – Hamilton (OHL)
Vladislav Kolyachonok – LHD – Flint (OHL)
Patrik Puistola – RW – Tappara U20 (Jr. A SM-Liiga)
Robert Mastrosimone – LW – Chicago (USHL)
Albin Grewe – RW – Djurgardens U20 (Superelit)
Semyon Chistyakov – LHD – Tolpar (MHL)
Brayden Tracey – LW – Moose Jaw (WHL)
Yegor Afanseyev – LW – Muskegon (USHL)
Nolan Foote – LW – Kelowna (WHL)
Anttoni Honka – RHD – Jukurit (SM-Liiga)
Ryan Johnson – LHD – Sioux Falls (USHL)
Nic Robertson – LW – Peterborough (OHL)
Ilya Nikolaev – C – Loko Yaroslav (MHL)
Jamieson Rees – C – Sarnia
Jackson Lacombe – LHD – Shattuck (MIN- HS)
Shante Pinto – C – Tri-City (USHL)
Ethan Keppen – LW – Flint (OHL)

Armchair GM, Edmonton Oilers, NHL, NHL Entry Draft, Prospects

BLH Guest Post: A 2019 NHL Mock Draft (Picks 16-31) By Terrance Grise

June 18, 2019 Beer League Hero

I was so impressed with Terrance Grise’s previous 2019 NHL mock draft that I asked him if he wouldn’t mind mocking up the rest of the first round. Luckily for me, he said yes and now you get to enjoy the fruits of his labor too!

If you haven’t read his previous article, check that out here and don’t forget to give Terrance a follow on Twitter here.

On to Mr. Grise’s 2019 NHL Mock Draft (picks 16-31)!

16.) Arthur Kaliyev – (COL Avalanche)

Colorado has put together a formidable defense, so assuming they don’t move this pick before Friday I’m expecting them to focus on forwards and goaltending. Adding Turcotte and Kaliyev would be a great way to stock their shelves for the future. Notching 102 points this past season with Hamilton Bulldogs, Kaliyev more than doubled his point totals from his first year in the OHL. What’s even more impressive is that he split that total evenly between goals and assists. Showing that he can set up teammates, as well as get the job done himself. Despite putting up that many points, Kaliyev has struggled in the draft rankings. A couple of sites even have him falling into the 2nd round. Given that he is a big winger that has proven he can use the tools he has in an elite way, this is right around the area that I would expect him to be taken.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwnkMElynFo

17.) Moritz Seider – (VGK Golden Knights)

After having their first real big playoff controversy, earning their stripes as true NHL hockey fans, the Vegas faithful are going to be looking for a boost going into the 2019-2020 season. Seider definitely will not be ready to suit up in the Knights gear next season, but he should give fans something to look forward to. Everyone in this league knows how valuable right shot, top pairing defensemen are, and Moritz Seider brings the goods. His point totals don’t jump out at you managing just 6 points in 29 games. What stands out is how much his coaches use and trust him. By all accounts, he has tremendous hockey sense, so if he proves to have a scoring touch as well he could prove to be the second best defenseman from this class.

18.) Alex Newhook – (DAL Stars)

Leading the Victoria Grizzlies of the BCHL, as both the team captain and scoring leader, Alex Newhook is a prime example of how deep this draft is in forwards. He led the league with 102 points, outscoring the next best forward by 18 points. He also had 35 more points than his closest teammate. Impressive, but also part of the reason I couldn’t justify ranking him ahead of Kaliyev who put up the same totals in the OHL. His footwork is very impressive and allows him to maintain possessions while fighting past defenders. He’s a guy that wants to carry the puck into the zone and does so effectively.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQWvYZRv-OQ

19.) Victor Soderstrom – ( OTT Senators)

Soderstrom was very impressive in the SHL as an 18-year-old. This should make Sens fans happy that Pierre Dorion was able to recover a first round pick in this draft. His skating and first pass are exactly the kind of qualities scouts and GMs are looking for given the current way the game is being played. At a young age, he is already risk-averse and rarely makes the wrong play. For these reasons, he is one of the guys I could see leaping into the top 15 if teams are looking to add to their defensive depth.

20.) Cam York – (WPG Jets)

Thankfully my contact with the Jets filled me in on the Trouba trade details so I didn’t look like a moron predicting who the Rangers would take with this pick. Too bad when you consider all the possible play on words that could have been if the Rangers did, in fact, draft him. All joking aside, York is a great two-way defender who quarterbacked the USNDP team this past season, providing all their forwards with the pillar they required to maximize their effectiveness at both ends. However, he is a guy that is going to need a solid 3-4 seasons to ripen before you can expect to see him throw on an NHL sweater.

21.) Matthew Robertson – (PIT Penguins)

Calen Addison is probably the best prospect in the Penguins system, but I can’t shake this feeling that Jim Rutherford is hoping that a defenseman will fall to them on Friday. One thing that is unique to Robertson’s game compared to his peers is his poker face. Oil Kings fans probably know what I’m talking about. Robertson rarely looks in the direction that he passes, this makes him a nightmare for defenders cause he rarely misses a pass. He also is very effective at maintaining the offensive zone and moving across the blueline to open up seams. Also, given the physical tools he has, he may already be ahead of Addison developmentally.

22.) Vladislav Kolyachonok – (LA Kings)

Given that they already have Gabriel Vilardi in their system and will almost certainly draft a forward with the 5th overall pick, it is very likely that the Kings will look for a defenseman with this pick. Kolyachonok has shown that he is equally effective at both ends and shows up to work night in and night out. A great add for any team, but even more so for one with an aging blueline.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sqpm3DqQ2Tg

23.) Ryan Suzuki – (NYI Islanders)

Taking both Noah Dobson and Oliver Wahlstrom early in the first round last year the New York Islanders did very well for themselves in 2018. Ryan Suzuki could be a very nice compliment to their growing pool of young talent. With very quick hands and well-developed edges, Suzuki managed to produce pretty effectively on a weak Colts team. He also has a very underrated backhand, using it to surprise goaltenders and defenders alike. He does have a tendency to avoid confrontations.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybldFog5TkY

24.) Thomas Harley – (NSH Predators)

You sometimes think that Thomas Harley is scared of having the puck on his stick with how quickly he gets passes and shots off. In reality, he is just a quick thinker and likes to rush his opponents with the hopes that they will make a mistake before he does. This is a strategy that has worked for the young man from Syracuse. Another strength he has is cross seam passing, plays that can be risky, but usually payoff if they are executed correctly. With how successful the Predators have been in recent years, I think they would consider this pick a big offseason victory.

25.) Connor McMichael – (WSH Capitals)

“Creativity” is a word that comes to mind when you watch Connor McMichael with the puck. He doesn’t need a lot of space to make things happen either, and when players possess the instincts that he does, opportunities occur early and often. Coaches will like that they won’t have to press on him to shoot the pill as often as he can. He is a guy that will make a very comfortable living by getting pucks on net and jamming home rebounds.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TK9lgwo9j0k

26.) Brett Leason – (CGY Flames)

If anyone is going to take a chance on an overager who has commanded the attention of scouts, it would probably be a team whose window to win is open, and will require as much depth as they can possibly acquire, right away. Calgary fits this description, and Leason checks off a lot of boxes that a team like Calgary is looking to fill. A big right winger who’s not afraid to throw his weight around, while also having decent offensive ability. Sounds like a player that would fit into the Flames current model. Probably doesn’t hurt that he is a local product either.

27.) Tobias Bjornfot – (TB Lightning)

If Tampa Bay learnt anything from their embarrassing first-round exit, it’s that there is still room in the game for players that have an edge to their game. This is an aspect that Bjornfot has in his kit and doesn’t mind using. He is also very mobile and has the ability to walk the blueline to open up gaps. He also managed to put up 22 points in just 39 games in Sweden’s J20 SuperElit league. An accomplishment that hasn’t gone unnoticed.

28.) Yegor Afanasyev – (CAR Hurricanes)

This draft is full of big forwards who can shoot and Afanasyev is no exception this trend. He’s also a guy who is going to require a bit more development time, as he lacks experience in “pro-style” environments. But Carolina is a team with a relatively young group of forwards, and this pick has the potential to pay dividends in the future.

29.) Samuel Poulin – (ANH Ducks)

With an aging core group of forwards, Anaheim needs to get young quickly. Poulin is yet another larger winger with good hands and lethal release. Like Suzuki, he is a guy that has obviously put in the time working on his backhand. He played on both wings with the Sherbrooke Phoenix over the last year on his way to putting up 76 points. If you recognize the name it’s because his father, Patrick Poulin, is a former NHLer.

30.) Bobby Brink – (BOS Bruins)

Similar in stature to Cole Caufield, Brink has incredible vision and anticipation. He likes to pick his spots ahead of time and arrives at the right moment to capitalize. He has an exceptional one-timer and on-ice work ethic that enables him to be effective even with his smaller frame. Having already committed to the University of Denver, expect to hear his name in consideration for the Hobey Baker award in the not too distant future. Boston has a habit of drafting local area guys that they’ve seen a lot of and this is a trend that I fully expect to continue here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiY7d7vMgTA

31.) Alex Vlasic – (BUF Sabres)

Buffalo is one of three teams with two picks in the first round of this draft. With their second pick, I think they will look to add some defensive depth. Standing at 6’6”, Vlasic adds a lot of that. Very well composed under pressure, he uses his frame to avoid making the wrong play. Smothering the puck into the boards if necessary, he knows he can win the battle the majority of times. High percentage plays is the name of the game that this kid plays, and he plays with a quiet smoothness that casual fans probably won’t recognize, but diehards will appreciate in the key moments of games.

Suffice it to say, I am pretty excited for Friday. I’m really hoping we see some moves made and some picks moved. If there ever was a draft for it, this would be the one. Level heads always seem to prevail when Bettman takes the mic, unfortunately.

As an Oilers fan, there are a few guys I’d love to see throw on the copper and blue, so here they are in order of who is least likely to be available at 8th to most: Bowen Byram, Kirby Dach, Matthew Boldy.

Comments and feedback are always appreciated! Thanks for reading! Follow me on Twitter here.

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