BLH provides you with the latest NHL news, rumors, and speculation featuring Logan Brown (OTT), Anton Khudobin (DAL), Evander Kane (SJ), Jujhar Khaira, and More!
Have you read this hilarious Joe Thornton story about the time he was chirping Connor McDavid from the bench and he made everyone within earshot burst out laughing? Do it now!
Have you ever seen the video of the time Doug Risebrough sucker-punched Marty McSorley and then had his ass handed to him? You have to check it out here.
Did Connor McDavid have a hand in bringing Jesse Puljujarvi back to Edmonton? Read about it here.
The Oilers have a bit of a mind-bender brewing on the right side of their defence and a couple of big contracts set to expire there with some high-end prospects almost ready to take over. What is Ken Holland set to do?
Click the pic and find the NHL94 player from your team!
NHL Rumors and Speculation
Dallas Stars: Head Coach Rick Bowness says the team is leaning towards being ready to begin play on January 22nd, not the 19th. Notes that absent players are virtually attending team meetings and video sessions (Source: Saad Yousuf)
Dallas Stars: Anton Khudobin said he dealt with COVID-19 for around three weeks during the off-season in his club’s media avail. (Source: Sean Shapiro)
Columbus Blue Jackets: Pierre-Luc Dubois hasn’t given a reason why he wants to leave says Head Coach John Tortorella. The coach believes Dubois should get out in front of the speculation because that’s how he thinks one should go about their business. (Source: Rothman & Ice)
Florida Panthers: The Panthers talked to the New York Islanders about Keith Yandle and were willing to take back bad contracts but didn’t really get anywhere. There’s not much interest in him elsewhere either. (Source: Elliotte Friedman)
Florida Panthers: Anthony Duclair was shocked he didn’t get a new deal in Ottawa. The 3x$4.35M rumors weren’t true, and Nashville was a serious contender for him. (Source: Elliotte Friedman)
San Jose Sharks: Coach Bob Boughner doesn’t think Evander Kane will be a distraction and he expects the winger to play the whole season this year. He didn’t want to comment on Kane’s personal situation. (Source: Kevin Kurz)
Edmonton Oilers: GM Ken Holland said on Oilers Now that blue-chip prospect Philip Broberg played at the 2021 World Juniors with a tear above his knee and a slightly separated shoulder. (Source: Kurt Leavins)
Edmonton Oilers: The Oilers let it be known that Jujhar Khaira was available and Toronto liked him before but they’ve got too many bodies now. (Source: Elliotte Friedman)
Ottawa Senators: There are rumors that Logan Brown is available but the Senators still believe in his talent. (Source: Elliotte Friedman)
This is how Pavel used to tell you who was #1 back in the day! Click the pic and grab a shirt or a mask!Classic Captain Wendel taking care of business once more! Click the pic and grab a shirt for yourself!
For those of you who don’t remember who Patrik Stefan was, he was the player that the Atlanta Thrashers drafted in 1999 ahead of the Sedin Twins. Whoops. That might’ve been the first sign of impending doom for the young Czech who’d immigrated from Eastern Europe in 1998 to play in the now-defunct IHL for the Long Beach Ice Dogs with Mark Messier’s cousin Joby and someone Edmonton Oilers fans might be familiar with, the legendary Louie DeBrusk.
So on this day in 2007, playing for the Dallas Stars Stefan’s career would be summed up in about a 5-second span,
“Patrick Stefan was sitting on the Dallas Stars bench, still swimming in miserable disbelief and reeling from an all-time gaffe when Marty Turco swung by with a suggestion. Moments earlier, Stefan was on the verge of vanquishing any drama on the night by sweeping a puck into an empty Edmonton Oilers net for a two-goal cushion with about 10 ticks left on the clock. Instead, he had a bobble on the edge of the crease that, in operatic fashion, morphed from an embarrassing-yet-harmless blunder to a lead paragraph in his soon-to-be-written career obituary when the Oilers — in the frantic seconds that followed — charged up ice, snapped off some quick passes and tied the hockey game with two seconds remaining in regulation time.
Ales Hemsky was the Oiler who equalized the contest and, by extension, blew the roof off the building and cued immediate and justifiable hyperbole. “That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever seen,” declared analyst Ray Ferraro — a one-time teammate of Stefan’s — on the Sportsnet broadcast. “Patrik Stefan, you should be embarrassed for what you just did, that does not belong in the National Hockey League.”
Ferraro’s statement surely captured the consensus of anybody watching, excluding those in attendance who were likely too busy losing their minds to process what just happened. And the part about not belonging in the NHL proved eerily prescient because, about six weeks later, Stefan played his last game in ‘The Show.’” (source)
For those that were at the game that evening, they’ll tell you that the lid nearly blew off the barn when Hemsky scored that goal. Check out the clip below and listen to how incredulous Ray Ferraro sounds… Gotta wonder how many times he got on Stefan’s ass when they were teammates in Atlanta back in the day and some old feelings were coming out again.
BLH provides you with the latest NHL news, rumors, and speculation featuring stories on the Winnipeg Jets, Nashville Predators, Tampa Bay Lightning, Philadelphia Flyers, Dallas Stars, and more!
Click the pic and find the NHL94 player from your team!
NHL Rumors and Speculation
Adam Gretz (NBC Sports): Believes IF the Winnipeg Jets can find a way into the 2020-21 NHL postseason, they’ll only go as far as their All-Star goalie will take them, but their bottom-six forwards and defence is woefully thin.
Gretz also thinks that the Nashville Predators should offer sheet Tampa Bay’s RFA center Anthony Cirelli stating, “They will not find a better player on the unrestricted free agent market. A similar player in trade would cost more than the draft pick capital an RFA would cost. If there were ever a situation that an offer sheet would make sense, this is it.”
Future Considerations: FC’s top-100 for the 2021 NHL draft is out now! This is how the top-ten shape up,
Uffe Bodin (Hockey Sverige): Top Swedish prospect William Eklund will have to sit out this year’s World Junior Championships in Edmonton, AB after testing positive for COVID-19.
Sam Carchidi (Philadelphia Inquirer): The Philadelphia Flyers’ James van Riemsdyk, says that the players feel the impact of the Coronavirus on 2020-21 profits was fully considered when the CBA was agreed upon and the players do not feel that they owe the owners any more than they have already relinquished.
Matthew DeFranks (Dallas News): Dallas Stars’ top-prospect Ty Dellandrea said he will be staying in Finland to practice with JYP through the SM-Liiga pause, even though a return to North America for the start of Stars training camp could be on the horizon in the next month.
Speculating from an Oilers fan’s perspective, BLH comments on the latest NHL news and rumors feat. Paul Stastny, Anton Khudobin, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, William Nylander, and many more!
I'm being told that in the next 24-48hrs the #Oilers are set to make a massive move that will improve the club in a big way. pic.twitter.com/OvSwBOtlht
— BLH (Edmonton Oilers Enthusiast} (@BeerLeagueHeroe) October 9, 2020
Click the pic and find the NHL94 player from your team!
The News and Rumors
Richard Labbe (La Presse): One of the factors to trading Max Domi may have been due to his relationship with coach Claude Julien.
BLH’s Thoughts: Shocking. Veteran coach butts head with young outgoing forward…
To Domi’s credit, he had to watch two very young players hop over him in the depth chart in the playoffs and that couldn’t have been easy. He’ll be a great warrior for John Tortorella in Columbus.
Jordan Hall (NBC Sports): The Winnipeg Jets likely want a defenseman like Travis Sanheim or Philippe Myers for Patrik Laine.
BLH’s Thoughts: You’d think at least one of those would be going to Winnipeg in a Laine deal.
Why is Winnipeg dealing Laine again? Because the coach wants to play him away from their star player? Or is Scheifele saying something? They had to be a horrible team for a whole year to get their hands on Laine and now they want to wash their hands of him without getting a forward in return who can produce at the same rate? Odd… Why wouldn’t they ask for Travis Konecny?
Craig Morgan (The Athletic): The Arizona Coyotes could be interested in Bruins players; Jake DeBrusk and Brandon Carlo.
BLH’s Thoughts: That’s about equal to one Oliver Ekman-Larsson on the payroll… Do you think that could be what the Bs are offering for the Swedish defenseman?
Pierre LeBrun (TSN): The Boston Bruins and Colorado Avalanche are among the teams interested in Blackhawks forward Brandon Saad.
BLH’s Thoughts: Brandon Saad is an interesting character. He’s never been the same since he was moved from Chicago the first time and now he makes $6M/yr… I don’t think this is a “change of scenery” kind of deal either… He might be on the career decline already.
That said, he was quietly one of the better Blackhawks vs. Edmonton in the play-ins. So maybe I’m out to lunch on this one.
More LeBrun: The Edmonton Oilers pursuit for Canucks goalie Jacob Markstrom is getting hotter, as they’re pulling ahead of teams in the race.
BLH’s Thoughts: Lots of talk about Markstrom below but Pat Steinberg (Fan960) says that Calgary is Markstrom’s preferred landing spot if things with Vancouver don’t work out…
LeBrun cont: The Predators and Blue Jackets are expected to take a look at Coyotes forward Taylor Hall in free agency.
Even more LeBrun: There will be a ton of interest in Anton Khudobin including Calgary, Vancouver (If Markstrom leaves), and Vegas (If they trade Fleury). The Oilers are looking at Braden Holtby as well.
Frank Seravalli (TSN): The Vegas Golden Knights could consider moving forward Jonathan Marchessault due to their need for cap space and Nate Schmidt’s name is also out there.
BLH’s Thoughts: A lot of folks seem to believe that the Blue Jackets are going for Hall with all of the salary dumping they’ve been doing these last couple of days, but I’m not so sure they’re not going to go the route the Avs did and simply upgrade the depth of the team by grabbing some secondary free agents and giving them solid contracts. Hoffman, Dadonov, Turris, Craig Smith, and Toffoli are all the kinds of players that would solidify Columbus’ forward group.
Then there’s the Alex Pietrangelo option… Imagine a trident of Pietrangelo, Werenski, and Jones for the next eight years and with all that good young goaltending on its way. Couple all of that with the fact that they’re shopping David Savard… There’s lots of potential to turn things around fast.
Brian Lawton (NBC): Maple Leafs forward William Nylander’s name was floating around in trade talks during the draft.
Andy Strickland (The Athletic): The Columbus Blue Jackets are shopping defender David Savard. He has one year left at $4.25M on his contract.
BLH’s Thoughts: Bob Stauffer (630CHED) also brought up Nylander’s name but he thought maybe the Maple Leafs would deal the Swede to fit Taylor Hall in… I don’t know though, wouldn’t you rather have Nylander? I suppose it depends on the price point. If Hall is going to a team for $6M or $6.5M, then it would be hard to turn that down.
Scott Billeck (Winnipeg Sun): Two sources confirm the Winnipeg Jets are close to striking a deal for C Paul Stastny from the Vegas Golden Knights. Sounds like picks are involved going the other way. Stastny has one-year left on a deal making him $6.5 million per year.
BLH’s Thoughts: Well well well. Egg on my face. I was so certain that the Golden Knights would be paying to move their top-paid forwards. I guess Max Pacioretty was almost dealt at the draft too eh? If that’s the case, wow! How would you feel if you played there and even though you signed a substantial contract with the club, your future wasn’t secured…
Darren Dreger (TSN): The Calgary Flames aren’t quite ready to cut ties with UFA d-man TJ Brodie just yet. Contract discussions are ongoing.
More Dreger: The Oilers are among teams that are interested in Travis Hamonic.
BLH’s Thoughts: I think the Flames would be better off with Brodie on their roster personally. He’s a very solid top-4 puck-moving defender. Money might be a stumbling block though and Brodie has paid his dues, he should be going for a raise at this point.
I’d heard last month that Hamonic might be considering his playing future so this is very intriguing news to me. I like this player a lot. He plays with a ton of heart and grit and he puts it all out on the line. Would Edmonton keep Adam Larsson if they had Travis Hamonic on board too?
David Pagnotta (The Fourth Period): Another UFA goalie in the mix is Scott Darling. He could be in line for a backup role after a good season in Austria.
Sportsnet: The Red Wings having more available roster spots than ready NHL defensive prospects has led to the increased chatter that they’re poised to take a run at Torey Krug.
Christ Johnston (Sportsnet): Dominik Kahun continues to negotiate with the Sabres after not being given a qualifying offer. It’s still unclear if he will test the market.
BLH’s Thoughts: I don’t really have much to say on Darling other than it’s probably a dodgy time to return to the NHL given the flooded goalie market. On Krug, Detroit seems as good as place as any if he’s looking for some big money. As for Kahun, Leon Draisaitl’s old linemate in Germany, he would be a real decent addition to the Oilers. Edmonton is light on the left side and Kahun’s 31pts in 56gp last year is very solid.
Matthew DeFranks (Dallas News): Anton Khudobin, Corey Perry, and Mattias Janmark will all test the free agency market, Jim Nill said.
BLH’s Thoughts: I’ll be honest, I’d take all three. The amount of heart they displayed in that run to the Final is just what the doctor ordered in Edmonton.
Mikko Koivu says he wants to play one more year and if Oilers can fit in what it'll cost, his agent is Gerry Johannson, who happens to live here. That sounds like a call Ken Holland would make for that third-line centre.
It sure was nice to hear from Jesse Puljujarvi in that ALL-ENGLISH interview, wasn’t it? Language acquisition, much like player development, doesn’t progress in a straight line but I think we can all agree that the communication barrier is an excuse that the media shouldn’t be using any further.
What I liked was that he mentioned the penalty kill and being a part of that unit. How many young players profess publicly that they’d like to play more on the PK? Very few. That’s how many and what adds to this is that he’s already being used on Karpat’s PK unit in Finland, so he’s already getting his bearings in that sort of on-ice setting.
I think he’ll be a good addition to Edmonton’s PK due to the fact that he’s an amazing disruptor. He doesn’t look that fast from the get-go but he covers a lot of distance in a short amount of time. Also, he’s a really good stick checker and his big body won’t be easy to pass around for the other team’s power play.
Pulju is coming back and I couldn’t be happier!
As you noticed at the top of this post, I was indeed passed along a message of encouraging sentiment regarding the Oilers. I’m disappointed that nothing more was disclosed but I wouldn’t be shocked if Ken Holland found a way to come away from this off-season with at least two of the following:
One proper top-pairing defenseman.
One real starting netminder.
One top-6 left-winger.
One right-shot third-line center.
This is the shopping list that we’ve been hearing about for a month now and the feeling I’m getting is that Holland is still looking to shape this roster a bit more to his liking and he could be willing to use some pieces who were previously thought of as “untouchable” to get what he wants.
I would say, at the time of writing, there are five players he will not trade.
Connor McDavid
Leon Draisaitl
Kailer Yamamoto
Philip Broberg
Dylan Holloway
Everybody else is possibly available for the right price.
Now, that being said, the rumors are running rampant that Edmonton is hot on the heels of Canucks netminder Jacob Markstrom and are willing to give him maximum term on a deal. The value of the contract has varied depending on the source as I’ve heard as low as $5M to as high as $7M.
This is a 30yr old goalie with probably three-to-four good years left, if that. Why on Earth would you offer him max term? I mean, Holland did lay out in one of his media avails that if you want to get your guy in free agency you’re going to have to offer more term or more money. So it’s not like he doesn’t know what he’s getting into. My question is, what’s the plan once this contract gets into year four and beyond and the netminder’s numbers are eroding? Is he betting on the flat-cap disappearing and being able to buy him out or deal him?
I will say this though, I like Markstrom but I can’t tell you why I like him more than Mikko Koskinen. Maybe it’s because he’s been around the league more or maybe it’s because he was The Hockey News #1 prospect for a couple of years back when he was just starting out. Maybe it’s some recency bias because he had a really good playoff performance this year. Who knows?
If Holland can get him $5Mx5, I’m all in. He’ll have to move Koskinen to a team like Buffalo or Detroit though or maybe swing a deal for a cheaper backup if he’s to get Markstrom in though.
Another note that was passed along to me very late last night was that there’s a possibility that Oliver Ekman-Larsson to Edmonton isn’t as dead as some believe.
So on that. Last I heard, the Oilers hadn’t offered anything it was made known that the 2021 first is on the table, a roster defenseman, and Evan Bouchard. Also, Edmonton needs Arizona to eat some of that contract.
Bouchard and the first-rounder don’t surprise me but I want to throw an idea past you and you let me know what you think.
A lot of people think that the roster defenseman could be Kris Russell but what if it’s Oscar Klefbom?
I don’t know the rules behind this and maybe it isn’t even possible but there’s some speculation that Klefbom might be forced to retire due to his bad shoulder. Would Arizona agree to take on a portion of OEL’s contract under the agreement that Klef will retire? Thus removing the financial weight of his contract…
Food for thought! Enjoy day one of free agency!
The new NHL franchise in Seattle already has their AHL affiliate worked out! Click the pick and grab a Karen shirt today!What does Kassian 3:16 mean to you? Click the pic above and get this design today!I don’t hate the Leafs like some Oilers fans but I thought this design was pretty funny! Click the pic above and get one for the Maple Leafs fan in your life!
Happy Draft Day!!! Speculating from an Oilers fan’s perspective, BLH comments on the latest NHL news and rumors feat. Connor McDavid, Steven Stamkos, Marc-Andre Fleury, Patrick Maroon, the 2020 NHL entry draft, and many more!
McDavid has tested positive for the COVID last night. That is unfortunate and I hope he has a speedy recovery!
Bob Stauffer (630CHED) was talking a bit about teams looking to add muscle on his show today. Made mention of Toronto specifically.
I wonder if something is brewing there between the #Oilers and Maple Leafs?
Kassian for Johnsson?
— BLH (Edmonton Oilers Enthusiast} (@BeerLeagueHeroe) October 6, 2020
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The News and Rumors
Bob McKenzie (TSN): Cup champs TB have let it be known to other teams they aim to be aggressive in offloading. How aggressive? Hearing teams have been told only four Bolts are unavailable/untouchable: Vasilevskiy; Hedman; Point; Kucherov. Presumably, RFAs Cirelli, Sergachev, and Cernak, too.
BLH’s Thoughts: I’ve been musing upon the idea perhaps Steven Stamkos could be moved to open up cap room for some time now… How many Maple Leafs fans are flooding the roster builder over at capfriendly right now trying to figure out a way to bring him home?
Ryan S. Clark (The Athletic): The Colorado Avalanche want to add a top-4 defender with the plan to sign him on a one or two-year deal around $4M.
BLH’s Thoughts: Tyson Barrie anybody?
Aaron Portzline (The Athletic): There’s a very good chance the Blue Jackets will buyout Alex Wennberg if they can’t trade him soon.
BLH’s Thoughts: I think the Oilers would have interest in this player as their third-line center if CBJ bought him out. Although, ideally, you’d like a player who’s more defensively-slanted in that spot. Not sure that’s where the Swede shines.
Ben Pope (Chicago Sun Times): Dawson Mercer, Brendan Brisson, Braden Schneider, Seth Jarvis, and Connor Zary are all in contention for the Chicago Blackhawks first-round pick in today’s NHL entry draft.
BLH’s Thoughts: You know, Brendan Brisson played for the Chicago Steel in the USHL last season and his dad represents both Jonathan Toews AND Patrick Kane…
Sean Shapiro (The Athletic): The Dallas Stars will look to draft a forward in round one of today’s draft. The pick is likely available to trade down and add more capital.
David Pagnotta (The Fourth Period): The Tampa Bay Lightning are interested in bringing back Patrick Maroon, but if he wants to stay he’ll have to wait until they sort out their cap.
BLH’s Thoughts: If the Toronto Maple Leafs are serious about adding some beef to the lineup AND winning the Stanley Cup, what better solution than Patrick Maroon?! He’s effective!
Rick Dhaliwal (TSN): “Very positive talks between the Canucks and pending RFA forward Zack MacEwan on a new contract. Expecting a one or two-year deal.”
Bruce Garrioch (Ottawa Sun): Keep an eye on Ottawa’s pick at 28th overall because there’s a possibility it may be moved for immediate help. Lots of teams interested.
BLH’s Thoughts: If there’s one team that could grant the Oilers’ draft day wishes, it might be the Sens if they agreed to trade up and give Edmonton the 28th, 33rd, and 58th overall picks. I mean, think about it. They deal those picks to the Oilers for the 14th overall and then flip that pick for immediate help! Edmonton picks Ridley Greig 28th overall! It’s a win-win for both teams.
Garrioch cont: Winnipeg Jets trying to sign Dylan DeMelo but there’s still a sizeable gap.
More Garrioch: Keep an eye on Brandon Saad in Chicago… The Blackhawks have been trying to deal contracts for cap space.
BLH’s Thoughts: Saad’s name has been out there for a while now. If I were a betting man, I’d say that Chicago is going to have to part with something of substantial value in order to get rid of the winger’s $6M/yr deal…
Even more Garrioch: The Florida Panthers are making a last-gasp effort to sign Mike Hoffman but it appears to be a long shot.
BLH’s Thoughts: Man, how good would Hoffman look flanking McDavid or Draisailt? And is it just me or does anybody else think this guy could be on the market for a while. He doesn’t seem like the type that’ll be interested in taking a paycut.
Chris Johnston/Elliotte Friedman (Sportsnet): OEL has most certainly played his last game for the Arizona Coyotes.
BLH’s Thoughts: Man, Arizona is going to have to soften their demands or find a way to get OEL to broaden his list of teams he’ll be willing to go to. Why Vancouver and Boston only? That baffles me.
More Johnston/Friedman: The Buffalo Sabres are interested in Nick Schmaltz.
BLH’s Thoughts: He’d be a really nice middle-six pivot for the Sabres. Can his health hold up though? He’s a young guy though, aside from a pretty fair contract ($5.85M/yr), why would they be looking to move on from him. He’s good for 50pts+ per year. They’ve got three more years until his yearly salary jumps up over $7M.
Johnston/Friedman cont: The Calgary Flames and Montreal Canadiens like Columbus Blue Jackets winger Josh Anderson and CBJ is considering offers for defenceman David Savard.
BLH’s Thoughts: Anderson, Sean Monahan, and Matt Tkachuk on a line would be a hard one to stop.
Elliotte Friedman (Sportsnet): The Pittsburgh Penguins and Chicago Blackhawks were in talks for a trade involving Matt Murray but the Hawks couldn’t work out an extension with the RFA goalie. Both sides have moved on and are exploring other options.
BLH’s Thoughts: Geez, what is Matt Murray demanding? For Chicago not to be able to come to an agreement with him whilst having $11M in cap room is telling. No wonder the Oilers conversations with Pittsburgh were short.
Kevin Paul DuPont (Boston Globe): Growing buzz regarding clubs interested in dealing for Bruins RFA winger Jake DeBrusk.
BLH’s Thoughts: I still think DeBrusk would be an outstanding addition to the Oilers but last time his name came up the plan was for Edmonton to deal a top-four defender for a 1st rounder and then flip that pick in a package for Louie’s boy. That sounds less likely now.
The Oilers Speculation
Oilers GM Ken Holland reckons the trade action in the league will go down between today and Thursday and likely calm down while free agency opens as teams try to fill needs that way and then after a few days of signings the trades might pick up again.
More pertinent to the Oilers themselves, Holland said that if he is making trades that they’ll be money in, money out kinds of deals. So, similar to the Chiasson/Bjork rumor that’s been going around.
With regards to Jesse Puljujarvi, I feel like my boy is looking for some guarantees that the Oilers aren’t willing to give him. Hence why Holland and coach Tippett are trying to build some trust with him and show him how things are done. This might take some time before we get a signature on a contract and that only makes sense for Jesse. He wants to see how Holland improves the squad and how he might fit into it before getting locked in.
Bob Stauffer talked a lot about Tyson Barrie again this morning and also brought up Sami Vatanen. Which is intriguing because they’re both right-handed. I wonder if the club is looking to bring them both in? Maybe move Adam Larsson for a skilled winger and some cap-relief and go with Barrie, Bear, and Vatanen on the right-side? What would that mean for the left side, then? I’m assuming that Kris Russell is on the move and that would tell us Darnell Nurse, Caleb Jones, and William Lagesson would run the show over there.
Hmmm. Not so sure about that, Ted.
Although, I will say it seems like it would be a lot easier to feed Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl from the right side of the ice when they’re curling in to gather the puck in their own zone…
Jason Gregor came out yesterday and disclosed that Oscar Klefbom is dealing with severe arthritis in his shoulder and surgery could make things worse and possibly be career-ending and this is the reason Klefbom’s taken so long to make a decision on what to do about it.
Anybody else wondering who it benefits (apart from Gregor) by disclosing what Klefbom is dealing with? I can’t imagine Oscar or the Oilers would be happy with the radio jockey putting that info out there.
Anyways, Holland has said that he expects to go into next season without Oscar for most of, if not all, of next season but it sounded like he was putting some pressure on the Swede to hurry up so he can make the necessary adjustments to his roster for next year.
Do you think Kris Russell gets traded now?
As far as the draft goes, we’ve been hearing Portland winger Seth Jarvis’ name over and over and over lately. So if he’s there when Edmonton is picking, I would consider it a lock the Oilers take him. Add to that the fact that Holland said they’re “probably” not taking a defenseman because he’s happy with the depth there.
Edmonton will have five picks in this draft. At the time of writing, one in the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 6th, and 7th round, and since I’ve been on Draft Prospect Hockey.com‘s draft simulator all week, I will present to you my Oilers mock draft.
I love Anton Lundell. I think he’s probably the smartest guy in the draft and he’s one of the closest to becoming an impact player at the NHL level. Another season in Finland, one in the AHL, and then, in theory, he should be ready for the big leagues. He reminds me of Mikko Koivu (pretty good player) overall but more specifically I get a Sean Couturier vibe from him and we remember how his draft went, right? Concerned about his skating? Don’t be. He’s not fast off the block, but if you want an NHL comparable, look no further than Florida Panthers star Sasha Barkov.
I remember Pashin lighting up the Hlinka/Gretzky tourament last season with seven goals in five games. He’s electrifying and I have to admit, a bit of a high risk/high reward selection in the 3rd round. He’s not even 5’10”, so that adds to that, but he’s one nimble MFer! He’s fearless, the puck sticks to his blade, and he can finish. I wonder if there’s a bit of Pavel Bure in him?…
Ethan Cardwell is a player with an excellent work ethic and a never die attitude on the puck. His skating, shot, and hockey IQ is well above average. This fella could be a mainstay on the Oilers PK for years. He plays the Canadian way and he throws a bit of flash and dash in there too. Really cool hockey player.
I wanted at least one defenseman and so I picked Russian defender Daniil Zaitsev. He’s 6’1″ 183lbs and defensively, very solid. He takes care of his own end quite well and knows where to place himself in his own zone. He skates very smoothly, has a cannon of a shot, and is not afraid to mix it up physically. He sounds a little like Dmitri Samorukov but Zaitsev holds onto the puck and distributes it a bit better I’m told.
Lastly, Yegor Chinakhov. An overager that was passed over last year, this guy is 19 years old and lighting up the KHL. That’s right, the KHL. Not the VHL or the MHL, the 2nd-best hockey league in the world. In 12 games for Avangard, he has five goals and two assists. Last year in the MHL he had 69 points in 56 games. This guy scores for fun at every level. Here’s what the Draft Prospects Hockey guide had to say about him,
“A hard-working, two-way winger. Solid foot speed, strong first steps. Pivots well, balanced. Protects the puck and is a reliable puck carrier in all three zones. Overall awareness is strong. Hits his teammates with soft and accurate passes. He shoots the puck hard and creates quality chances. Strong for his size. Good defensive stickwork. Solid closing speed, good range. Disrupts passing lanes. Effective on the forecheck. Works hard. Wins battles with his stickwork and excellent positioning. There is improvement to be made on his edgework. He is a streaky player and needs to bring consistency shift after shift. Has bottom six two-way NHL potential.”
You’ll probably notice I picked quite a few Europeans and there’s a reason for that. I am curious if there’ll be a run on Euro-trained players at the draft this year with all the uncertainty due to COVID in North America. As far as I know, only the QMJHL and the AJHL are going ahead with their seasons right now. So where are all these North American players going to continue their development if the junior leagues and the minor pro leagues are shut down?
The new NHL franchise in Seattle already has their AHL affiliate worked out! Click the pick and grab a Karen shirt today!The one time it’s okay to be a JERK! Grab this shirt while supplies last!Hockey players are the toughest athletes on the planet. Click the pic and purchase this shirt right now!
