Tag Archives: Bakersfield Condors

Beer League Hero, Edmonton Oilers

Edmonton Oilers: Brandon Manning Incident Revealed!

Unless you’ve been living under a rock (or a snowdrift in some parts of Canada), you’ve probably heard that Brandon Manning (property of the Edmonton Oilers) got into a bit of a scuffle with a fella by the name of Bokondji Imama in Bakersfield’s game against the Ontario Reign (LA Kings AHL affiliate). Apparently there was a racial slur used and subsequently, Manning has apologized to Imama in person and a 5-game suspension has been handed out to the defenseman.

I don’t think a lot of people know what set things off and I’d like to offer some clarification on the incident to provide a modicum of context.

What you might not know about Imama is that he’s the kind of player that goes out and gets under the skin of the opposition and he’s a big boy (6’1″ 220lbs) who can take care of himself. I’ve watched a few Bakersfield/Ontario games this year and Imama has been a thorn in the Condors’ side every time. Very Tkachuk-like in the way he plays except he actually fights but he isn’t a very good hockey player. I don’t know if he got 10 shifts in that game the other night.

The game was pretty physical in the first as both teams were taking some big runs at each other, but I think that Matt Benning hit sort of got the ball rolling because right after that Imama was sent out. So not surprisingly, he goes after Bakersfield’s star player, right? To send a message. Those are the kind of tactics that the coaching staff of the Ontario team employs because at the end of the game with about one minute to go and harboring a 3-0 lead, they sent out Brett Sutter, Lance Bouma, Imama, Daniel Brickley, and former Condor Ryan Stanton to faceoff against Tyler Benson, Colby Cave, Ryan McLeod, Evan Bouchard, and Jake Kulevich. This was after both Brad Malone and Keegan Lowe were sent to the showers.

It all really comes down to the officiating… Again. If they called a few more infractions, maybe the tempers stay where they should…

Getting back to the incident.

As you can see, Tyler Benson engages with Imama slightly and then the Reign forward retaliates very aggressively. Uncalled for if you ask me since Ontario was up by two already. So Manning jumps in (and takes a heavy shot to the face for it) because that’s the kind of guy he is and sometime in there or after, the incident occurs.

For clarification in the Manning incident, can report that the word he used was not the same word used in the Aliu/Peters situation. Not that any hurtful words are ever ok, simply reporting for context. – Ryan Rishaug (TSN)

What annoys me is Oilers fans getting all conspiratorial now. How would Darnell Nurse feel about this or Ethan Bear? As if Manning is a card-carrying member of the KKK who just happens to be a hockey player too. Zack Kassian called Matt Tkachuk a “pussy” not too long ago but not a peep out of these folks regarding discrimination towards women or the such.

Now, I’m not saying what Manning did was right because it 100% was not. In the heat of the battle sometimes things get blurted out that are immediately regretted. It happens and most everyone has done it because emotions, but how many of you have had to apologize in the same manner Manning has had to.

There’s got to be some empathy for both parties here I feel. A lot of people can’t even imagine what sort of mindset these players are in when they go to battle like this because they’ve never been professional hockey players.

Again, not saying that using racist insults is right or acceptable and that the world is a much “cleaner” one in that regard now. I’m just saying, shit happens.

I do not believe his contract should be terminated nor should he be called a piece of shit like a lot of folks online are doing since the news broke of the incident. He’s not a piece of excrement, in fact, if you recall, he stepped up for Connor McDavid this year after the Oilers captain took a dodgy hit in San Jose.

He’s done what he can do and he’s accepted his punishment, anybody pining for more than that is looking for attention in my opinion or looking for some way for the Oilers to get out from under his contract which is just a f*cked up justification as it is.

See, what has happened here will follow Manning for the rest of his life, unfortunately (or fortunately depending on how much hate you have in your heart). So, in effect, the punishment may very well last forever. We all know there are Oilers fans out there who still haven’t forgiven him for his altercation with Connor McDavid during 97’s rookie year.

Did Manning do something wrong? Yes. Did he atone for that? That’s for Imama to decide, not you or me.

It’s not like Manning has a history going around being a racist, right? The man apologized both publicly and privately and in addition to that there’s remorse and a willingness to improve. If that’s not enough for you, that’s your problem. He’s the one that has to live with this now, not you. Unless of course, you choose to. Pretty narcissistic, but not unheard of.

As I close this out, I realize it sounds like I’m supporting Manning’s actions and I am, but the ones that followed the incident. The apology was the right thing to do and I support that. What I do not support is the witchhunt and refusal to acknowledge said apology.

Why should some words have meaning and others not?

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Beer League Hero, Edmonton Oilers, NHL, NHL Entry Draft, Prospects

2019/20 Edmonton Oilers GM44: Oilers @ Bruins – 3P2W Plus A Little Prospect Talk

The Boston Bruins’ pace has slowed considerably lately. They’re 4-5-1 in their last ten games and I’m hoping that’s some sort of blessing for the Edmonton Oilers. A win will take them right back up into 3rd spot in the Pacific should the Rangers find a way to beat Vancouver.

On Twitter, I sent out a tweet that said that I believe that JJ Khaira’s days are numbered and with the way that Tyler Benson has been playing lately, the writing is basically on the wall. Now, we’ve seen the Oilers not be afraid to move NHL vets to Bakersfield, will that be the route they take with Khaira? Tough call. Is there a market for him out there? Also an unknown. He’s a big guy who’s not afraid of the physical side of the game but I don’t know if he owns a fast-twitch muscle in his body. On the other hand, he’s been a decent penalty killer during his career… So, who knows?

The 2020 Draft and Current Oilers Prospects

I had an extra hour to sit down and watch a bit of the Bakersfield Condors game against the San Diego Gulls. This is what I noticed,

  • Ryan McLeod has elite speed. The way he skates reminds me of Mike Modano. In this game, he was absolutely flying! The best game I’ve seen him play in a Condors uniform for sure. One of the big knocks on him is that he’s a perimeter player, but in this game, he was getting mucky and driving the net. I’d say he’s got one more year in Bakersfield before he’ll be ready for the NHL.
  • Kirill Maksimov had a really slow start to this season but he’s really come on since being placed on a line with Colby Cave. I think Cave’s speed and tenacity really opens things up for Maksimov to use his frame and shot. His confidence has really grown over the last month and that’s displayed in his point production. Both he and McLeod are feature penalty killers for the Condors and that speaks to the trust that their coach has in them. Another full season in Bakersfield with some more responsibility and he could be ready to go for the Oilers.
  • Evan Bouchard is ready to go as a bottom-pairing defender in the NHL. In this game, his passing and his shot were too obvious. It was the final minute of the game that should have the Oilers grinning like a butcher’s dog though. He was fully engaged in forcing the Gulls passes to the outside and their final shot of the game he blocked, then gathered the rebound and skated it right up the guts of the ice nearly dangling between two defenders. He was stopped before getting a shot off on the open net but his efforts drew a penalty and wound down the clock. BEAST MODE!
  • Tyler Benson, as we spoke about before, is stirring the drink for the Condors this year. For a second consecutive season, he’s one of the team’s leading scorers. I’m still not convinced by his skating, but I can put that aside since he’s basically scoring at a point and a half per game. What he’ll bring to the Oilers is someone who is very smart on the walls. His vision is outstanding and he’s got fantastic hands. The thing I really like about Benson’s game though is that he’s gritty. When the game’s not going his way, he inserts himself into it physically.
  • Joel Persson, he’s racking up points like it’s nothing in the AHL but the problem is he’s pretty chaotic away from the puck. He makes some mistakes that have you wonder how he got to this level as it is. Sometimes his urgency on the ice simply isn’t there and that goes back the Gaetan Haas story where he told Bob Stauffer that the first time he was asked to forecheck was when he arrived in Edmonton. I get that the game is a bit slower (or can be) in Europe, but sometimes it looks like Persson’s feet are stuck in wet cement. He can make a three-zone pass on the tape if you want though…

If I had to make a prediction, I would say that it’s the end of the road for the likes of Joe Gambardella and Cooper Marody. They’ve not really progressed in my opinion. These two players might simply be good AHLers at the end of the day.

The 2020 NHL Draft is set to be a pretty decent affair. I don’t know where the Oilers are going to be picking, but here is a list of names in different ranges that I think the Oilers should have peak interest in.

#3-#10

Anton Lundell (C) – HIFK, SM-Liiga: 20gp 6g 6a 12pts
Yaroslav Askarov (G) –  SKA-Neva St. Petersburg, VHL: 12gp 2.38 GAA .922 SV%
Alexander Holtz (RW/LW) – Djurgardens, SHL: 21gp 5g 3a 8pts

I love the idea of Anton Lundell suiting up in Oilers silks. This is the elite two-way centre that Edmonton has been needing since Shawn Horcoff was in his prime. Lundell is a mix between Alexander Barkov and Mikko Koivu.

The Oilers haven’t drafted and developed an elite goalie since the dynasty days and I’m not sure even then if Grant Fuhr and Andy Moog spent much time developing in the Oilers’ system. Times were different then though. So, could it be inferred that the last goalie to be developed into a starter was Devan Dubnyk? And in his case, he never turned elite until he hit Minnesota. Askarov is a rare breed of netminder but is looking like he’ll fall in line with the Luongos, Prices, and Vasilevskiys.

If you like Filip Forsberg, you’ll love Alexander Holtz. He’s a pure sniper with skills to kill. He can also skate very well. I know we said it with Puljujarvi and it should’ve worked out with him, but with Holtz, McDavid or Draisaitl would have a guy on their flanks that they know and trust will shoot when the puck is given to him.

#11-#20:

Dylan Holloway (F) – Univ. of Wisconsin, NCAA: 17gp 3g 4a 7pts
Jan Mysak (LW) – HC Litvinov, Czech Extraliga: 26gp 5g 4a 9pts
Connor Zary (C) – Kamloops, WHL: 34gp 22g 25a 57pts
Dawson Mercer (RW) Drummondville, QMJHL: 26gp 18g 24a 42pts

Dylan Hollaway is an all-round forward in the mould of a Charlie Coyle. Big bodied and isn’t your typical power forward in that he skates around banging bodies. He can dangle, pass, check, and basically play any role required.

Jan Mysak is a guy that I’m really leaning towards if he’s in Edmonton’s range. I love his speed, his offensive IQ, and to be frank, he reminds me of David Pastrnak a bit.

Zary and Mercer I’ve got to do some more homework on but by the way that they’re putting up stats, and from what I’ve heard from talking to scouts in the WHL and QMJHL, these are players that will have definite NHL careers. To me, they seem more middle-six than top-six forwards, but I could be convinced otherwise.

#21-#31:

Zion Nybeck (RW) – HV71 U20, SuperElit: 26gp 13g 30a 43pts
Vasili Ponomaryov (C/LW) – Shawinigan, QMJHL: 31gp 14g 16a 30pts
Alexander Pashin (F) – Tolpar Ufa, MHL: 23gp 11g 13a 24pts
Jake Neighbours (LW) – Edmonton, WHL: 40gp 13g 29a 42pts
Noel Gunler (RW/LW) – Lulea, SHL: 29gp 1g 7a 8pts

I reckon if the Oilers are picking in this range, there’s no better time to swing for the fences. Nybeck has Yamamoto-like size but with a little bit more skill and a higher offensive ceiling. I don’t think he’d be killing penalties in the future like Kailer is.

The Russians, Ponomaryov and Pashin, can really move and they’ve got a history of scoring a lot of goals against their peers. They’re both sub-6 ft but in their cases, that won’t matter going forward. If you’re an Oilers fan and you’re a tad scared of Edmonton drafting Russians, I get it. But let me assure you, times are changing with this new regime. Ken Holland has a history with the Ruskies and we should feel at ease knowing he’d be at the helm in the event Edmonton does pick one here.

Those that are living in Edmonton know Jake Neighbours very well. He’s your blue-collar favorite. At the junior level, he’s highly skilled but he plays a meat and potatoes style of game. His own coach likened him to the Islanders Anders Lee.

Noel Gunler is that player this year. The Josh Ho-Sang or Ryan Merkley of this draft class. They say he’s got some attitude issues and the Swedish Ice Hockey federation keeps leaving him off of their national junior squads. That’s not great, but if you listen to the scouts who describe his game, you’d think he’s a top-ten talent. This guy has the tools to be a top-six goal-scoring winger, but he likes to do things his way. He really is the kind of skater that you’ve got to do all your homework on because you could be passing up on a really good player by taking a shot at him if he doesn’t work out. But if everything does come together for him, he’ll make a GM and scouting staff look really good.

The Next Ten Games (41-50)

  • vs. Calgary Flames (19-15-5) – The Oilers should be bitter as hell coming back from the Christmas break and looking for retribution. In terms of gf/ga on the year, the Flames are -12 and Edmonton could feast on that. The Oilers have taken two of the past three contests. (WIN) LOSS
  • vs. New York Rangers (17-15-4) – Edmonton will get its first look at 2019 2nd overall pick Kaapo Kakko and welcome back former Oiler, Ryan Strome. This should be a scheduled win for Edmonton as the Rangers aren’t anything special this year. The Oilers have won three on the trot vs. the Rags. (WIN) WIN
  • @ Buffalo Sabres (17-14-7) – Generally, over the years the Oilers have had pretty good luck in Buffalo, but this year Jack Eichel is a man possessed and last time Rasmus Dahlin was out of the lineup. If Dahlin is back in for this game, he’ll add a significant threat. I like Edmonton’s chances here though. (WIN) LOSS
  • @ Boston Bruins (22-7-9) – The Bruins went into the Christmas break on a bit of a slump going 2-4-4 in their previous ten. This is going to be a challenge for the Oilers to win even when Boston is at their worst and there’s no better team to bust a slump against than Edmonton, right? (LOSS)
  • @ Toronto Maple Leafs (20-14-4) – Toronto’s confidence was sky high before baby Jesus’ bday, but guess who comes to play each time he’s back home. That’s right, Connor McDavid. It will take a complete team effort for the Oilers to beat their nemesis, Freddy Andersen, though as he’s really had Edmonton’s number. (OT LOSS)
  • @ Montreal Canadiens (18-13-6) – I really enjoyed Edmonton’s performance against the Habs in their earlier match. If the Oilers can replicate that, I don’t see why a win is out of the question. (WIN)
  • @ Calgary Flames (19-15-5) – Round two! Ding. Ding. In Calgary, I think the Flames might be able to muster up a win here. (LOSS)
  • vs. Nashville Predators (18-12-6) – Is Pekka Rinne in net? If so, I’ll give this one to the Oilers. If it’s Saros, the Preds have a much better chance of success. They’ve been an interesting team to watch this year and are playing in a tough division. Their 42pts at the break had them in 3rd last in the Central… (WIN)
  • vs. Arizona Coyotes (21-14-4) – Hallsy’s back and if the Oilers would like to go that extra mile, they could show him how much of a powerhouse they plan to be next season by wiping the floor with Arizona, but it’ll be a tough game. Arizona is a lot deeper than the Oilers and their netminding has been much better. This needs to be a game where Edmonton’s defense shines. (OT LOSS)
  • vs. Calgary Flames (19-15-5) – Coming off of a 10-day break, Mikko Koskinen and the Oilers will be well-rested. In theory, they should be as ready as they’re ever going to be to take on their inter-province rivals. (WIN)

(Standings as of December 26th, 2019)

Three Players to Watch for the Bruins

  • #41 Jaro Halak – He’s been outperforming Tuuka Rask lately with a 2-0-2 record in his last 5 games, a 1.94 GAA, and a .939 SV%. Will that be enough to stop McDavid and Draisaitl?
  • #47 Torey Krug – This little defender has been a consistent point producer during his NHL career and he’s been linked to the Oilers for what seems like forever. Health has been his biggest nemesis though. He’s got a massive shot and doesn’t take any guff on the ice.
  • #63 Brad Marchand – Only two goals in his last ten games, the NHL’s premier pest will be looking to add to that tally.

Three Players to Watch for the Oilers

  • #93 Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – The Nuge has seven points in his last five games and is on quite the heater which is great to see since he was slumping so badly earlier.
  • #6 Adam Larsson – Bob Stauffer said on his radio show that he thought the Iron Swede was struggling lately and that he needed to get back to his best. I thought Larsson’s been playing well, so I’ll be keeping an eye on him to see if Stauffer’s on to something.
  • #97 Connor McDavid – We could use some McDavid magic in this game. He was clearly frustrated after the Sabres game and I hope he brings that emotion into this one.

Below are the lines Edmonton used against Buffalo. There’s some chatter that Kris Russell might be out tonight and Caleb Jones reinserted into the lineup as his replacement. The d-pairings were mixed up during practice as Bear was back with Nurse and Larsson was back with Klefbom. That’d leave Lagesson to be partnered up with Jones should Russell actually need a game off. Mikko Koskinen will be starting the game.

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Edmonton Oil Drops: The Oilers Actually Have MORE Cap Room Than You Think. Here’s How!

There was a big development on the Andrej Sekera front on Monday. He was assigned to Bakersfield for a conditioning stint. As Ryan Rishaug (@TSNRyanRishaug) tweeted out a few days ago, a player coming off of LTIR can agree to a conditioning stint in the AHL for a maximum of either 3 games or 6 days to determine if that player is fit to play according to section 13.9 of the CBA. The Oilers can apply to have the stint lengthened by another 2 games if they need to, but that would be a rare and unlikely circumstance. The Oilers would not pull the trigger on Sekera’s conditioning stint if they did not believe that he is close to returning.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iI5tsBNaQbY

Sekera will remain on the LTIR for the duration of his conditioning stint. Once he is deemed to be fit to play, the Oilers must activate him. February 10 will mark the end of his conditioning stint. The Bakersfield Condors will play two games between now and then (Feb 8 and Feb 9). Sekera will play in those two games. His 6 days will end before he will get the chance to play a third game. That would mean that his Oilers season debut could happen as early as February 13 against the Penguins.

CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) tweeted that the Oilers will need to shed $1,230,834 in salary cap hits in order to activate Sekera. That aligns with the “Today’s Cap Hit” number that is posted on the Oilers page on CapFriendly’s site, which is $80.7 million. However, as I noted in Part 1 of my All-Star Break Trade Preview, that number is merely a sum of every player’s Total Cap Hit for the entire season. Those numbers from CapFriendly are accurate, but that $80.7 million number is not the actual cap hit that the Oilers are working with at the moment.

Click Here to find out what the actual number they’re working with is.

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Edmonton Oilers Opinion: Puljujarvi Tearing Up the AHL, Matt Tka-turtle and McLellan’s BS

The Edmonton Oilers had a chance to take 2 points from the Calgary Flames last night but gave it away chasing Matty Tkachuk around the ice thus exposing Todd McLellan’s inferior coaching once again this season.

The team is now 9-9-1 and can either go over .500 with a win over Vegas tonight or fall under .500 with a loss.

How long is Todd McLellan’s leash do you think?

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Todd McLellan’s BS

If I were Peter Chiarelli, I’d be phoning up Darryl Katz and getting permission to move forward with a coaching change. This is getting ridiculous.

Cooper Marody played a shade over 3 minutes last night… THREE FOOKIN’ MINUTES! What was the point of inserting him into the lineup? McLellan said they couldn’t get him back into the game because of all the penalties and then by the time they could, they’d shortened the bench.. Geez…

Then the new guy couldn’t break 10 minutes because the coach decided to put Lucic up on the McDavid line to combat Matthew Tkachuk who, by the way, was having NO IMPACT on the actual playing part of the game.

Now, I have no problem with Lucic taking a shift or two now and then with Connor or Leon but the entire 3rd period when the team was looking flat?! No no no no no no. You get Spooner back in the game, you get Marody back in there, and you start playing hockey again. Enough running around looking for payback or at least if you’re looking for blood, start taking out the Gaudreaus, the Lindholms, the Monahans.

Did RNH even play last night? I hardly noticed him.

Like, how is McLellan even running that bench? His decisions are costing the team in a season where he’s coaching for his job…

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Matt Tkachuk

I’ll say this, I think he’s elite and what I mean by that is, he’s the best player in the NHL at not getting caught.

How many times was he punching an Oiler in the face, taking a run at someone, or getting his shots in after the whistles? Yet, no penalties. He’s Teflon. Nothing sticks to that kid and at the same time I hate it and love it. He’s perfect for the game today because he throws chaos into every game he plays. Chaos is good in a league that is so rigid and planned.

That said, he’s playing a very dangerous game. Zack Kassian and Milan Lucic could’ve really hurt him last night (yes, there was a part of me that was hoping one of the Oilers tough guys would’ve knocked him out).

Mark my words. His day will come and it might not even be him getting tuned in. Maybe next time Kassian grabs Gaudreau in the same manner John Scott went after Phil Kessel years ago. Just an apology before the puck drops and then POW! RIGHT IN THE KISSER!

Stauffer made an interesting point on Twitter after the game.

The Oilers could’ve won that game easily had Leon Draisaitl or Jujhar Khaira scored on the three breakaways they had combined. So there’s that.

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Jesse Puljujarvi

I’m so happy I bought the Bakersfield Condors package from AHLTV. I’ve watched both games that Jesse Puljujarvi has played in since being sent down and let me tell you… WOW! Not a sign of poor confidence that I’ve seen.

Remember how Pulju was looking during pre-season when we all thought the Oilers RW depth was sorted? Well, he looks even better than that vs AHL competition.

In his first game, the Condors played ex-Oilers coach Dallas Eakins and the San Diego Gulls. Jesse lined up with Josh Currie and Kailer Yamamoto to start but Woodcroft did end up switching things up later in the game.

The Condors spent WAY too much time in the penalty box and the Gulls made them pay for it. They actually chased Al Montoya from the net early in the game forcing Shane Starrett to mind the net for the rest of the match.

The game will most likely be remembered for career minor-leaguer Corey Tropp sticking Jesse Puljujarvi in the nuts and then proceeding to fight the big Finn after Pulju slapped his stick away. It was not a great showing for Jesse in that department but in the hockey playing department, he was looking like that kid who was dominating the SM-Liigga as a 17-year-old.

He was hitting, skating, shooting, making plays, and just being the end-to-end force we know he can be. Seriously. I have never seen him play like that apart from maybe the World Juniors but even then I’m not sure the physicality was there. He was truly a beast in that game but unfortunately, the Condors dropped the decision 4-0.

The next game was against the Colorado Eagles and Pulju was back at it alongside Josh Currie (again) and Tyler Benson. Jay Woodcroft even had him lined up on the PP in his old trusty spot, half-wall left side. I just remember him and Ethan Bear passing it back and forth trying to figure out who was going to take the one-timer.

I love how Woodcroft is using him. He knows exactly how to use him and it’s so refreshing. You see, Puljujarvi is a line driver. He, like Connor and Leon, loves to swoop into the d-zone and gather the puck in order to drive it through the neutral zone and into the offensive zone but Todd will not allow that on his team. Only Connor is supposed to be doing that I’ve heard.

Great way to put a guy in a position to succeed.

Anyways, Pulju ended the night with a goal and an assist. I believe the goal was the GWG to boot with the Condors winning 4-2. Tyler Benson also had 2 assists.

In both matches, Jesse Puljujarvi was slicing through AHL defenses like a hot Finnish blade through some Valio. It could be the adrenaline but I’m willing to bet that he’s just too good for this league with the way he’s punishing the opposition.

I will add this though, he’s taking shots but they’re a lot like the ones he was taking in Edmonton. From the outside and at distance. He needs to get right in there and flick the wrists as Lemieux used to when he’d score bar-down on a nightly basis in the 90s. That’s my only gripe.

After the first game, where he was bulldozing players and getting into scraps, I felt really proud of Jesse because it’s not easy to take a demotion like that and the way he has chosen to channel that emotion really impresses me. He’s using it to be the better player on the ice and if he continues to play like this, he’ll earn a call-up to the Oilers in no time. Hopefully, by then the Oilers will have a new bench boss that will use him properly.

Just a quick note on some of the other players for Bakersfield.

  • Hebig has been invisible the last two games.
  • Benson is already dominating at this level as a two-way playmaker.
  • Ethan Bear will not be ready this season even though the Oilers could use his passing. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s available in the right trade.
  • Yamamoto has been hot/cold these last two games. He’s good at the AHL-level but he still needs some refinement.

I’ve really enjoyed watching this minor pro hockey. It’s very unpredictable whereas NHL hockey is getting too regimented. Almost like watching football. Set plays are everywhere. I love the mistake-laden hockey as it offers up way more chances.

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Armchair GM, Bakersfield Condors, Beer League Hero, Edmonton Oilers, NHL, Prospects, Rumors

Edmonton Oilers: Two Russells Are Better Than One and Is There a Trade That Makes Sense?

This morning the Edmonton Oilers called up forward Patrick Russell from the Bakersfield Condors due to an upper-body injury that has taken free-agent summer signing Tobias Rieder out of the lineup for, according to head coach Todd McLellan, about a month.

This is a move that I had predicted a mere handful of days earlier and the reasons I thought that he’d be a candidate for the call-up are thus:

  • He’s not 20 years old

It’s pretty obvious that Mr.McLellan is not keen on taking on any young players this season unless he absolutely has to. Patrick Russell is 25 years old.

  • He’s very hard-working

This player is a meat and potatoes kind of guy. He grinds, he goes to the dirty areas and he’s big enough (6’1″ 205lbs) to handle what NHL defenses will be throwing at him. I feel like he’s an AHL version of Patric Hornqvist.

  • He was a late cut from the Oilers two seasons ago

Surprised me too that season. It’s obvious that McLellan and Chiarelli agree on one thing and that is they see potential in Russell.

  • He’s moving the needle offensively at the AHL level

The Dane has been really racking up the points for Jay Woodcroft’s Condors this season. 4 ginos plus 5 apples make 9 points in 11 games for Patrick Russell. He’s already 30% of the way to his previous season’s totals in 1/6th the time. If there was ever a point in his career that he might get a shot at the NHL, this is it!

No word on if he or Cooper Marody will be inserted into the lineup for the game in Calgary but whoever plays, I wish them well!

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A Trade That Makes Sense

I’ll tell you a trade that doesn’t make sense. Jesse Puljujarvi for Tyler Toffoli. Why in the world would LA trade a proven scorer who is under contract and is young for a player who has yet to realize his potential?

LA still has some very good players on its team and it wouldn’t surprise me if this season was merely a blip on the radar and an on-the-fly rebuild might take place. Something where they simply trim the fat and bring in fresh blood. Faster fresh blood to be more precise.

I don’t believe the Kings to be a team that would trade for players who still need developing because finishing last in the NHL doesn’t guarantee you the 1st overall pick, it simply guarantees you the best odds. So why gut the team and start from scratch when the core of the team is Kopitar, Doughty, Quick, Carter, Kovalchuk, Muzzin, Brown, etc?

The Kings aren’t “blowing it up” Chucky.

Besides, it’s incumbent on the Edmonton Oilers management to do what’s right for Jesse Puljujarvi and get his development back on track. It would go a long way in rehabilitating their poor reputation when it comes to developing good NHL players and if done properly, would give the Oilers a top-6 threat on the wing.

Now, this is just me spitballing, but would it not be smarter to find some players that are struggling to get any traction this year or are upcoming UFAs?

I am of the belief that the Oilers need players who are actual top-6 skaters or can play in the top-6. Right now they’ve got Connor McDavid, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Leon Draisaitl as those players and McLellan is moving the chairs around the boat deck to try and find a fit.

I imagine Milan Lucic will go back into the top half of the lineup with Rieder out and I wouldn’t be surprised if he started producing a bit more up there. He definitely deserves a chance as he’s been working his ass off in these first 18 games. So let’s hope that this promotion pays off for him and the team.

The Oilers won’t be acquiring a top-6 winger any time soon though.

The price is going to be dear and not worth it in the long run. They’ve got such a nice collection of prospects that are growing into professional hockey players in their system right now and it’d be a shame to give up on those to try and patch things up in the short term when they’re right in the thick of things with the roster they have.

I’d be keeping an eye on Pittsburgh though. They’re last in the Eastern Conference and that’s with Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Phil Kessel, Kris Letang, and Matt Murray. Weird, right? Something has to shake out of the Steel City. Rumors have players Jake Guentzel, Bryan Rust, and Olli Maatta being available.

I’d take me some Guentzel. The kid has shown an ability to score and his contract is quite fair as well at 734k. He’ll be an RFA this summer and I would expect whichever team he’s on to be prepared to give him something that starts in the $5M range. Could the Oilers afford him?

Anyhow, here’s a list of players that I believe could help the Oilers and at a reasonable price (whatever that means).

  • Justin Williams (CAR) – W – $4.5M/UFA – 18GP 1G 10A 11PTS – 140 Playoff games 94pts
  • Nick Cousins (ARI) – C – $1M/UFA – 17GP 1G 4A 5PTS – 52% FO%
  • Brendan Perlini (ARI) – LW – $863k/RFA – 17GP 2G 3A 5PTS – 6% SH%
  • Darren Helm (DET) – C/W – $3.85M/Expires 2020/21 – 18GP 1G 5A 6PTS – 3.3% SH%
  • Bryan Rust (PIT) – W – $3.5M/Expires 2021/22 -16GP 1G 3A 4PTs – 62.9% D-zone Starts
  • Ryan Spooner (NYR) – C/W – $4M/Expires in 2019/20 – 16GP 1G 1A 2PTS – 12:41 Avg TOI

With Williams, I just wonder if the Oilers are in a playoff spot and the Hurricanes aren’t, would he put Edmonton on his list of teams he’d be willing to be traded to. Cousins has come up quietly in trade rumors and he might be a better option than Ryan Strome at 3C. Perlini is a total longshot but this guy shoots like there’s no tomorrow, lefty though. Helm is a player that I think would give the PK a boost and he’s a veteran who’s played alongside some pretty legendary players. Rust is having a really tough go in Pittsburgh, would a Strome/Rust trade make sense? And finally Ryan Spooner is a player who Chiarelli has experience with, he looks like he’s in the doghouse with the Rangers new coach too.

What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments below!

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