Tag Archives: Connor McDavid

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2023/24 Edmonton Oilers GM40: Oilers VS. Maple Leafs – 3P2W – “Keep your eye on a team like Edmonton. I think that they..will certainly have some interest.”

Hey y’all! Welcome back for another season of Edmonton Oilers hockey! I’m BLH and I’ll be giving you the skinny on today’s game!

If you’re new here and are wondering what 3P2W means, well, it stands for Three Players to Watch and seeing I’m as lazy as I am, I figured we’d shorten it to 3P2W.

So with that out of the way, let’s talk a little bit about what’s been going on lately in the Oilogospehere and then get into the player’s I’ve put under the spotlight for today’s matchup!

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Random Pontifications

“There’s anywhere between 4 or 5 teams… that have interest in Corey Perry… I know there’s been some talk about Toronto – I don’t see that as a fit…Keep your eye on a team like Edmonton. I think that they..will certainly have some interest.” – Chris Johnston

  • Perry’s on his way to the Oilers. It’s only a matter of time and man, do they need him in their bottom six because those boys have fizzled right the f*ck out. I would assume that’s why the games have been a lot closer as of recent.

“The Oilers are actively exploring the possibility of adding veteran forward Corey Perry to their roster, according to insider reports. Bob Stauffer, host of Oilers Now, has revealed that the team is diligently assessing the potential acquisition of Perry.”

“TSN’s Frank Seravalli notes that the Oilers have been in pursuit of Perry for several weeks and are expressing genuine interest in securing his services. Perry, who is reportedly considering various options, is said to have Edmonton high on his list of preferred destinations.”

  • I don’t always believe what Seravalli says but I do think he’s an entertaining guest on Stauffer’s show because he sticks it to Bob every now and then and doesn’t give stock answers.
  • Now, what I’m afraid of is the Oilers considering Perry to be their “top-six” winger addition that Holland was speaking to recently. That won’t work. The former Duck is way to old to be getting that kind of TOI and he’s been way better down the lineup.
  • One thing that could materialize out of a possible Perry addition is that Warren Foegele gets moved. He’s got ten points in his last ten games and seems to be a good winger for Leon but I could foresee a scenario where Draisaitl gets pissy due to the lack of finish out of McLovin’.
  • Perry could replace Foegele in the bottom six easily and #37 could be used in a deal to bring in somebody like Vladdy Tarasenko out of Ottawa. We know the Sens and Oilers have been talking and the Staios connection is there…
  • Just as an aside, do you think there’s a chance Edmonton moves Evander Kane? I’ve not heard anything and he’s been a lot better than some projected him to be (on and off the ice) when Holland brought him in, but I just wonder if the Oilers cut bait on him before he gets into Milan Lucic territory.

Quotes come from NHL Trade Talk

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Three Players to Watch for the Bad Guys

  • #34 Auston Matthews (33g 15a 48pts) – There is something to be said with regards to scoring goals at nearly a goal-per-game pace but if you’re one of those hockey people who are saying Matthews should be in contention for the Hart, you’re kidding yourself. He’s not even the MVP of his own team this year. The next guy on the list is…
  • #88 William Nylander (21g 36a 58pts) – I think he’s the best player on the Leafs but there’s an argument to be made there. He’s definitely the most entertaining and that’s not even close. He’s scored five goals and seven assists in his last ten games played.
  • #16 Mitch Marner  (18g 28a 46pts) – Surprisingly enough, Marner is the team’s hottest player in their last five games with four goals and three assists in that time. Now, I don’t watch the team enough but at the moment, Sheldon Keefe has him lining up on his 3rd line RW for some reason alongside Max Domi and Tyler Bertuzzi. That line could be problematic if they’re on their game.

Three Players to Watch for the Good Guys

  • #18 Zach Hyman (14g 10a 24pts) – Is this stat true? According to hockey-reference, Hyman has only played against the Maple Leafs three times. He’s got one goal and one assist in those games. Anyways, he’s still trucking along in the goal-scoring department with five goals in his last five games.
  • #97 Connor McDavid 0g 3a 3pts) – 16 points in his last ten games and historically versus the Leafs he has 31pts in 21 games. Now Careful with him though, January seems to be one of the months where Connor slows down a bit.
  • #74 Stu Skinner (9g 30a 39pts) – He’s 4-0-0 with a 1.24 GAA and a SV% of 0.957 in his last five starts. They’ll need him on his game tonight because Toronto has enough firepower to blow it wide open if Skinner shits the bed in the tiniest of fashions. That said, so much for his sophomore slump I was pitching earlier in the season. He’s now made it so that the co-GMs Holland and Jackson don’t need to stump up for a starting goalie. All they need now is a 1B.

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Beer League Hero, Edmonton Oilers, NHL

The Butterfly Effect in the NHL: How a Missed Goal Changed the Edmonton Oilers’ Destiny

In the annals of NHL history, certain moments stand out as turning points that forever alter the course of the game.

One such moment occurred on January 4th, 2007, during a game between the Dallas Stars and the Edmonton Oilers. With just 13 seconds left on the clock and his team leading by one, former first overall pick Patrick Stefan found himself with an opportunity that seemed foolproof—a chance to seal the game with a simple tap-in goal. Little did anyone know that this seemingly inconsequential play would reverberate through the years, reshaping the future of the NHL in unexpected ways.

At that critical moment, Stefan’s missed goal had far-reaching consequences. To understand the full impact, we need to delve into the context. Stefan, once heralded as a franchise player, had struggled to live up to the monumental expectations set for him after being drafted first overall in 1999. His career had been marred by injuries and unfulfilled potential. However, on that fateful night, it wasn’t just about Stefan’s individual disappointment; it was about the entire league.

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The Oilers, a team in transition, capitalized on Stefan’s error, tying the game and eventually forcing overtime. In an unforeseen twist, this single point proved pivotal in the NHL standings. The Oilers and the Chicago Blackhawks ended the 2006-2007 season with 71 points each. Thanks to the tiebreaker, the Oilers secured the sixth-last position, a seemingly insignificant detail that would soon alter the course of hockey history.

Had the Oilers not received that crucial extra point, they would have finished fifth-last with 70 points and possibly allowing Edmonton to secure the first overall pick in the 2007 NHL draft. This turn of events meant that the Blackhawks had the opportunity to select Patrick Kane, a decision that would set the stage for a new dynasty.

Kane’s arrival in Chicago, alongside Jonathan Toews, transformed the Blackhawks into a powerhouse. Their combination of skill, determination, and chemistry propelled the team to multiple Stanley Cup victories, ending a 49-year championship drought and setting a new standard for success in the NHL’s salary cap era.

Meanwhile, the Oilers grappled with disappointment and struggled to find their footing. Despite having numerous first overall picks in subsequent years, they faced a decade-long playoff drought. However, their lack of success eventually led them to another generational talent, Connor McDavid, who would later become the face of the franchise and one of the most gifted players in NHL history.

In a twist of fate, Stefan’s missed goal not only defined his career but also shaped the destiny of two franchises. It illustrates the butterfly effect in sports, demonstrating how a seemingly insignificant event can create a ripple effect that alters the entire landscape of the game. As fans, we are left to wonder: how different would the NHL look today if Patrick Stefan had successfully tapped that puck into the net? It’s a question that encapsulates the unpredictability and magic of hockey, where the outcome of a single play can change the course of history.

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

BREAKING: Connor McDavid WANTS Jesse Puljujarvi on the Oilers According to NHL Analyst

This is your TL/DR (too long, didn’t read) summary post where excerpts are taken from the best of the best when it comes to Edmonton Oilers blogs. BLH gives you his two cents on the latest posts being published in the Oilogosphere! Including those from Lowetide.ca, The Athletic, Oilersnation, The Cult of Hockey, Copper N Blue, Oil on Whyte, and more!

The latest NHL news, rumors, and speculation comes from all of the internet’s top sites like Spector’s Hockey, The Fourth Period, NHL Trade Talk, The Hockey Writers, and The Daily Goal Horn just to name a few!

If you’re short on time but want to keep up with the day’s Oilers news, you’ve come to the right place!

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NHL

Contrary to what’s been reported for three or four years by the the Edmonton media, former NHLer turned analyst Anthony Stewart said Connor McDavid WANTS Jesse Puljujarvi on the Edmonton Oilers this year. Stewart also went on to choose Puljujarvi as his breakout candidate for 2022/23 and if all the dominoes fall right, he could score as many as 28 goals.

Check out the clip below and if it says it’s sensitive content, don’t worry. I’m not trolling, there’s an actual video of Stewart sitting right beside Elliotte Friedman making his claim. A bold one some might say.

BLH’s Thoughts: My favorite response to his coming to light is “Anthony Stewart, Edmonton Oilers insiderrr…” as if that means anything. I mean, is there not a world where Stewart or somebody he knows might train with Connor in the summer or attend the Biosteel camp with? Plus we can’t forget about all those glowing reports Bob Staffer’s been getting on Puljujarvi going back to the captain’s skates…

The fact of the matter is, the Edmonton Oilers are a better team with Jesse Puljujarvi than without and even in the event that JP really wants off this team, it’s in his best interests to play really well so that Ken Holland can get the price he wants and at the moment, there are no better true RWs on this team than Jesse. Not Kailer, certainly not Virtanen, Derek Ryan or even Xavier Bourgault. Hyman and Foegele are LWs and the club is better off playing those two in their natural spots. 

Lastly, if Puljujarvi were on the verge of being traded or there was something on the horizon, Kurt Leavins would’ve put something in his latest blog or Bob Stauffer would’ve dropped a hint on his show. I am VERY curious to know if this bit from Stewart gets talked about on Edmonton radio tomorrow though… 

My one concern is that Holland panics when he’s forced to ice a 21-man roster to start the year. However, I think he’s a smart and savvy GM though and he’s got a good team around him to help him with this decision and I don’t see him going against Connor’s wishes at this point in time. I could definitely envision Holland meeting with his captain around the deadline to discuss an upgrade to the roster that might include the Finnish winger heading out of town, mind you. 

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

Edmonton Oilers Offseason Talk: Oilers Unwilling to go Long-Term w/Kane and Puljujarvi to Chicago?

This is your TL/DR (too long, didn’t read) summary post where excerpts are taken from the best of the best when it comes to Edmonton Oilers blogs. BLH gives you his two cents on the latest posts being published in the Oilogosphere! Including those from Lowetide.ca, The Athletic, Oilersnation, The Cult of Hockey, Copper N Blue, Oil on Whyte, and more!

The latest NHL news, rumors, and speculation comes from all of the internet’s top sites like Spector’s Hockey, The Fourth Period, NHL Trade Talk, The Hockey Writers, and The Daily Goal Horn just to name a few!

If you’re short on time but want to keep up with the day’s Oilers news, you’ve come to the right place!

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The Athletic

Oilers end-of-season takeaways: Jay Woodcroft’s future, trading Jesse Puljujarvi
  • Holland felt as though Puljujarvi lost his confidence in the New Year.
  • The right winger was in COVID-19 protocol during the December holiday break and then suffered a lower-body injury that cost him 12 games until he returned March 17.
  • Woodcroft said that injury impacted Puljujarvi’s skating and took him a while to get back to full speed. He also missed three games near the end of the regular season with an illness, which Woodcroft felt hindered the winger as well.
  • Holland sounded like someone who’s almost less certain about what he has in Puljujarvi now than when he arrived in Edmonton three years ago. Woodcroft seems more bullish on him.
    • “We have a strong belief in the next wave of young players coming through our organization — and Jesse’s one of them.”
  • …there are only two that were meaningful contributors in the playoffs and would warrant consideration for the Oilers to re-sign: Evander Kane and Brett Kulak.
  • The Oilers, I’m told, aren’t willing to go long term on Kane. They’re more willing to consider short- and potentially medium-term options.
  • Though Barrie is a trade possibility, retaining Kulak likely wouldn’t allow much flexibility to alter the blue line — aside from allowing a rookie like Philip Broberg, Markus Niemelainen, or Dmitri Samorukov to win a job.
  • Assuming Klefbom’s career is over — Holland said he’s earmarking the last season defenceman’s $4.167 million for LTIR — moving that contract might be helpful.
  • As noted Tuesday, Mike Smith is considering not playing next season. If he retired, the last season of his contract and a $2.2 million cap hit would be wiped out. There’s the possibility he could end up on LTIR, too.
  • There appear to be three players under contract for 2022-23 (and an additional season, too) who are prime candidates to be moved to create more cap space.

BLH’s Thoughts: Let’s say Ken Holland could clear another $7M of cap space, would you be willing to walk away from Evander Kane and use the financial assets available to shore up the team’s depth and defense? This is something TSN’s Ryan Rishaug sort of brought up on the Jason Gregor Show yesterday. 

Another idea floating around in the event Edmonton lets Kane explore the market is targeting Florida’s upstart winger and the son of former Edmonton Oiler Bryan Marchment, Mason Marchment. He’s 6’4″ 201lbs, 27 years old and he scored 47pts in 54 games this past year after the Toronto Maple Leafs gave up on him. Marchment also plays both wings and is an unrestricted free agent. 

Personally, I think the Oilers should try to bring in one or two really good vets for the middle/bottom six.

  • Paul Stastny is reportedly looking to move on from WPG.
  • a dream addition would be Ondrej Palat (TB).
  • The quick and shifty Vlad Namestnikov (DAL) really impressed me in his club’s first round series vs. Calgary after he grabbed Nikita Zadorov out of a scrum. Courageous fella. 

  • Mattias Janmark (VGK) is an annoying winger that would surely draw a few penalties.
  • Pittsburgh’s Evan Rodrigues can skate like the wind and he was a 40pt winger for the Pens last year for only $1M.
  • There’s always Stauffer’s fav, Nick Paul out of Tampa. 

As for dman set to hit the market, Erik Gudbranson performed really well for Calgary last year and the Oilers don’t have a cycle breaker like him with his kind of experience. If they could move Tyson Barrie, having Brett Kulak or Duncan Keith and Gudbranson on the 3rd pair wouldn’t be that shabby. I’d still like to see Ken Holland trade for Islanders shutdown defender Scott Mayfield, but I’d also be happy with Guddy. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQZIf7zAR-Y

Edmonton Sun

Ken Holland uncertain on Jesse Puljujarvi’s future with Edmonton Oilers
  • He did some good regular-season things with McDavid, for sure, and he’s a good defensive player, but he’s also a busy-looking player who didn’t get much done with the puck on his stick in January, February, March, April and May and into June.
  • …there were many playoff games where his shifts were very short and it seemed he just wanted to get off before making a possible mistake because he had little confidence with the puck.
  • …would there be any appetite for a Dylan Strome for Puljujarvi trade?
  • Strome has played 270 games, Puljujarvi 259. Strome has 170 points, Puljujarvi 98. Puljujarvi skates better; Strome has more offensive chops so far.
  • Is he a legitimate top-six winger who can provide offence or a third-line forward who has to start killing penalties to get more ice-time?

BLH’s Thoughts: Jason Gregor made an interest point on his show yesterday with regards to Jesse’s defensive chops, he said if Pulju is so good defensively, why has he never been put on the penalty kill? 

It’s a question I’ve wondered myself over the years because he’s so good at disrupting plays and he’s got that massive wingspan. My feeling is that he lacks a bit of fast twitch that is needed to be part of the PK. That said, I do recall Bob Stauffer mentioning something about JP getting some TOI on the PK in 2022/23. 

But what about keeping him and asking him to get in touch with a skills coach over the summer. A lot of pundits are screaming about how much better Kailer Yamamoto was this year but the fact of the matter is Yamo only had five more points (41) than Jesse (36) did and he had to play 16 more games to do it. 

Maybe Holland keeps JP because his RW depth is not great and Jesse knows the systems and is willing to do whatever is asked of him. Pulju isn’t going to hit it out of the park with his next deal either, so he becomes a bargain.

I often say I’d like to see Jesse move on and there’s a strong feeling that Edmonton may move on from him, but I still believe there’s a player here that simply needs to get his chops. However, I understand why portions of the fanbase and media would like to see him moved on. Both Ryan Rishaug (TSN) and Brenden Escott (Oilers Now) let it be known that they felt too many plays died on Pulju’s stick this year and I can’t say it’s not something I noticed too. Jess seemed very tentative when he got the puck and on top of that, I wondered why his shifts are so short… Did he feel like if he was out too long he might screw up and cost the team?

As for Matheson’s trade proposal, if the Oilers are going to trade Jesse, they need to get back more than a prospect or a draft pick. This kind of trade would require a player coming back to Edmonton that could contribute immediately. Dylan Strome had 48pts in 69 games last year, maybe he’s turning a corner. 

Wildcard trade idea: Kirby Dach for Puljujarvi… I’ve heard there are some whispers Chicago would be willing to move him as he’s not quite producing like the Blackhawks thought he would. Plus if you recall, Bob Stauffer brought his name up around the trade deadline if I’m not mistaken. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQpJk96ESa0

Trade Rumors

Spector’s Hockey
  • The New Jersey Devils have been mentioned as a potential suitor for Gaudreau given their salary-cap room. LeBrun also suggested the Seattle Kraken as a bit of a wild card but they also have the cap space and could be aggressive in the UFA market.
  • Montreal Hockey Now’s Jimmy Murphy suggested Puljujarvi could be a fit with the rebuilding Canadiens. Sammi Silber of Washington Hockey Now thinks the Capitals should keep an eye on the Oilers winger.
NHLRumors.com

BLH’s Thoughts: Pulju to MTL, eh? Could the Habs be interested in a package that includes JP and Tyson Barrie for Brendan Gallagher? 

If the Capitals were a team to come calling for JP, you’d have to think Ken Holland would be asking for Connor McMichael or Ilya Samsonov. 

With regards to the goaltending, I don’t get the feeling Mike Smith will be pulling on an Oilers jersey next season if he pulls one on at all. I’ve considered Jack Campbell because it seems like every player that leaves Toronto for Edmonton these days does pretty good, but his contract demands might be too rich for the Oilers. I really like Husso but that lack of experience and his less-than-stellar post-season has me second thinking him.

Braden Holtby and Scott Wedgewood are probably the two I’d sign if I were Ken Holland. Holtby has a ton of experience to pass down to Stu Skinner and Wedgewood is a fantastic no.3 that could shuttle between the AHL and NHL if need be. 

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Edmonton Oilers Offseason Talk: Rishaug says there’s a possibility JP has played his last game in an Oilers uniform.

This is your TL/DR (too long, didn’t read) summary post where excerpts are taken from the best of the best when it comes to Edmonton Oilers blogs. BLH gives you his two cents on the latest posts being published in the Oilogosphere! Including those from Lowetide.ca, The Athletic, Oilersnation, The Cult of Hockey, Copper N Blue, Oil on Whyte, and more!

The latest NHL news, rumors, and speculation comes from all of the internet’s top sites like Spector’s Hockey, The Fourth Period, NHL Trade Talk, The Hockey Writers, and The Daily Goal Horn just to name a few!

If you’re short on time but want to keep up with the day’s Oilers news, you’ve come to the right place!

Give us a follow on the socials!

Lowetide

Off-season priorities
  • Sign Jay Woodcroft and Dave Manson
    • Sign them, and then fashion the roster for the coaches. I expect the fourth line to be faster and younger next season and 7D will be a regular thing.
  • Hire an analytics department before the summer trading period
    • The pro scouts haven’t been close to the amateur scouts for years.
  • UFA’s
    • I don’t think Holland can find the money for Evander Kane, but do believe Brett Kulak is worth the investment.
    • I think Brad Malone gets a contract, maybe Josh Archibald, but the team should do the right thing and let Marody go.
  • RFA’s 
    • Jesse Puljujarvi, Kailer Yamamoto and Ryan McLeod all need new contracts, I’m hopeful all three return but realistically it’s unlikely.
  • Ken Holland has to fix the goaltending. Years ago he said spending money on mid-level goaltending was folly, and his Edmonton work suggests he’ll either go big or go home in net. He has to get it right. We might see a deal that sends Jesse Puljujarvi, the first-round pick and Zack Kassian to the Anaheim Ducks for John Gibson. That’s the kind of trade Holland pursues this summer in my opinion.
  • I expect Jesse Puljujarvi, the first-round pick, Tyson Barrie, Zack Kassian and Warren Foegele are on the way out.
  • Holland will take heat for his three-year plan of Smith-Koskinen, as he should, but there are opportunities now with Koskinen’s money off the books.
  • …the team will likely reach out to free agents Darcy Kuemper, Eric Comrie, Ville Husso, Braden Holtby, Felix Sandstrom. I expect we’ll see a Holtby-level starter, Skinner and possibly someone like Comrie or Sandstrom in Bakersfield if they can clear.
  • One of the things this team needs to do soon is find free-agent solutions in the lower reaches of the annual pool. Ken Holland needs to go hunting for Michael Bunting. I wish he had an Eric Tulsky.

BLH’s Thoughts: Yeah, because having Eric Tulsky got Carolina farther than Edmonton this year. What about Sunny Mehta or the Kyle Dubas experience? How’s New Jersey been doing with Tyler Dellow running that show the past three years?

Could you imagine the uproar league-wide if Ken Holland were able to acquire one of the best goalies in the entire world for Puljujarvi, Kassian, and a first round pick? With that trade alone Holland would have to be considered GM of the year. 

Facetiousness aside, I’ve said that Braden Holtby would be a good option for the Oilers and his name was out there as one Edmonton would be interested in. They’ll have to pay for him though as I don’t think he’ll come cheap. 

As for Edmonton’s first round pick this year, it’s going to be 29th overall until it isn’t and it shouldn’t shock anybody if Holland trades down to acquire another pick or two in the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th round considering he’s traded those picks away for help during the last two playoff runs. Seattle’s Reid Schaefer (W) is the player I expect Edmonton to take. Bob Stauffer’s been mentioning him over and over for a while now and compares him to Josh Anderson. A big kid who can skate, plays the body, and can score a goal consistently. 

Sportsnet

Analyzing the flaws that shaped the Oilers’ Conference Final defeat
  • One of the easiest flaws to point out is back in the blue paint. The Oilers’ decision to run it back with a crease of Mike Smith and Mikko Koskinen has been criticized all year, and rightfully so.
    • …going into the Western Conference Final he was around average, having performed very close to expectations to that point with a Goals Saved Above Expected of -.13.
    • Colorado, however, exploited him when he over-committed or mishandled the puck. They’re an aggressive team that can keep the pressure up, and it became too much for the Oilers to handle.
  • …series-wide, defence was an area of concern as well.
    • Of the goaltenders in Round 3, no one’s faced more shot attempts against than Smith in all situations.
    • Focusing in on 5-on-5, the Oilers conceded 3.6 expected goals against per 60, which is the most among teams in the playoffs. It wasn’t just a matter of shot volume, but quality.
    • The Avalanche were able to skate up the ice with the puck and create offence off the rush, with 32 slot attempts generated at the highest rate among teams in Round 3.
    • …(Colorado) managed 24 slot shots off the cycle; four of those converted for goals.
    • Edmonton didn’t break up passes enough, either — allowing a higher rate of east-west passes that connected 85 per cent of the time.
  • What hurt the Oilers, who struggled defensively, was that when they were trailing in a game the Avalanche didn’t simply go into a shell to try to maintain a lead.
    • That forced the Oilers to always think about defence and how to battle back against this overwhelming offence. That weighed on Edmonton’s game because they were simply outmatched, and couldn’t play to their strengths.
  • …what really hurt was losing a top-six player who has been productive in the post-season.
    • On the ice, Kane was productive in the post-season.
    • At 5-on-5, he led the team with his expected goal generation in the playoffs at 1.39 per 60.
    • ….not having Kane — or at least another top-line calibre player — only limited what Edmonton could do against this loaded Avalanche squad.
    • The Oilers needed every ounce of forward depth they could get, and Kane ended his season early — and contributed to his team’s season ending sooner than they could have hoped — by taking himself out of Game 4 entirely.

BLH’s Thoughts: This is a game of chaos determined by inches lost or gained. Consider Evan Bouchard’s point shot that hit the post in game three that went back the other way only to see JT Compher sneak one past Mike Smith for the GWG or in game four when Leon Draisaitl’s one-timer on the PP missed a wide open cage to increase Edmonton’s lead, but that’s not even the most obvious example. On the faceoff prior to Lehkonen’s OT winner, Oilers center Brad Malone had actually won the draw but it hit the linesman’s skate and allowed the Avalanche to gather it up and move it back to Cale Mak-Orr for his point shot that lead to the tip. 

I don’t think the Oilers’ performance was as bad as some are leading fans to believe. They simply didn’t get the bounces and Colorado did and guess what? That happens sometimes. I’m not trying to discredit the information provided by the writer above because that’s all valid information, but had Edmonton capitalized on even half of the chances they missed, we wouldn’t be talking about a sweep. 

https://twitter.com/DNBsports/status/1534560353832513536

Trade Rumors

Spector’s Hockey
  • Fluto Shinzawa reports a source close to David Pastrnak said there’s “no chance” he returns with the Boston Bruins with Don Sweeney as their general manager.
  • Jim Matheson reports Evander Kane hasn’t decided yet whether he’ll re-sign with Edmonton or hit the open market this summer.
  • Daniel Nugent-Bowman reports Mike Smith appeared non-committal about completing his contract during his end-of-season interview yesterday.
    • Jason Gregor of Oilers Nation reported sources telling him Smith is contemplating retirement.
    • If Smith retires, his $2.2 million cap hit for next season comes off the Oilers’ books. Those savings could be put toward finding a new starting goaltender.
The Daily Goal Horn
  • … the Maple Leafs may find Campbell to be just too expensive and seek a cheaper option in net.
    • …their best option is to trade for RFA goalie Alexandar Georgiev of the New York Rangers.
  • When it comes to the next coach of the Boston Bruins, you’re likely looking at a guy like Rick Tocchet. He last coached the Coyotes and this would be a great step up. Another option is Massachusetts native David Quinn, who did a good job with a very young and rebuilding Rangers team.
  • Pierre-Luc Dubois has until July 17th to file for salary arbitration. From July 13th, when free agency opens and until that date he could sign an offer-sheet… Murat Ates, who covers the Jets for The Athletic seems to think it’s possible. One team he feels might do it are the Habs.
NHLRumors.com
  • The Chicago Blackhawks and Toronto Maple Leafs should be talking about goaltender Petr Mrazek. It’s a trade that would make sense for both the Blackhawks and the Maple Leafs.
  • …the Vancouver Canucks are working on a second interview with Russian free agent Andrei Kuzmenko and his agent Dan Milstein. The Canucks are still high on the list.
  • Given their salary cap situation, it’s looking like the Minnesota Wild won’t be able to fit in a big, long-term contract for winger Kevin Fiala.
    • The New York Islanders are one of the teams that should be speaking with Guerin.
    • The Wild would have to move defenseman Matt Dumba to keep Fiala.
    • Would Wahlstrom and the No. 13 pick in this year’s draft for Fiala be enough?

BLH’s Thoughts: If I had to make an educated guess, I would say that Mike Smith, Warren Foegele, Zack Kassian, Tyson Barrie, and Jesse Puljujarvi are playing for other teams next season or retired. 

Normally, I would say that moving Pulju is a terrible idea, but I think we’re in Jordan Eberle territory here where a change of scenery would do both parties well. Jess doesn’t seem to fit in with this group and the new coaching staff seemed hesitant to trust him regardless of his underlying numbers. 

There will be interest in Kassian and Foegele as there always is in big forwards who can skate. 

As for Barrie, he’s still an effective PP quarterback and I remember Montreal and the Islanders being teams who might have had their eye on him this year. 

With Smith, I’ve really enjoyed watching him with the Oilers but he’s getting on in age and it’s possible this team needs a new voice in net. I don’t know if he’ll retire, perhaps Arizona would take him in a trade for their young team. Is it the right move though? Dwayne Roloson’s season at 41 was better than his one at 40 years old and if Smith can stay healthy, he can play. I just wonder if he’s had enough though…

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