Tag Archives: Eeli Tolvanen

Around the Oilogosphere, Beer League Hero, Edmonton Oilers, NHL, Rumors, Trades

Around the Oilogosphere – March 27th Edition – Brownlee’s Three Thoughts, The Oilers and Their UFAs, TONS of NHL Rumors!

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Yesterday was a bit of a sh*t show for myself on the old Oilers Twitter machine and thanks to all of those who felt compelled to back me up (What’s up JT!), that was very kind of you, I appreciate it and I won’t forget it.

I was summoned by a grand member of the Oilers blogging community (I won’t say who, if you were privvy to the interaction consider yourself lucky, but if you really want to know, it won’t take long to find out) to retract my Laraque/Hall post because said person thought it that since Big Georges had done it, I should do so as well because I was spreading false information.

So I’ll do the same thing with this as I did with the Laraque comments, post the tweet (which I can’t now b/c it’s been deleted… Good thing Chapman included it in his article.) and let the mob concern themselves with it.

In a french radio interview, I mentioned that years ago Taylor Hall had to go through rehab, info I got from an NHL hockey agent. After further verifications I can say that this information was 100% wrong, I was wrong and apologize to Taylor for the mistake.

— Georges Laraque (@GeorgesLaraque) March 26, 2018

Look, this is fine, I have no problem with folks coming at me but it was that person’s method in which it was done, using shame, that irked me.

Now, I don’t use foul language online often when I’m angry but I did yesterday because that’s how strongly I felt about it. You can hit up my Twitter T/L if you feel the need to see what I said but you won’t get to see what the other fellow tweeted because it’s been deleted. Which is a kind gesture albeit an unfortunate one because it won’t give any context to the tweet that said it was being taken down.

I don’t hold any grudges towards that person. We all make decisions based on emotion and usually live to regret them. It happens. Live and learn.

So let’s be clear here for anybody that thinks I have this site up for reasons other than my own amusement.

I write for me and those who enjoy reading what I share. If you are one of those who don’t like what I have to share, you’re free to visit other sites. If you’re one who is curious about my POV and wants to talk, I’m here for you.

Ah well. Who really gives a shit, right? It is what it is and now it’s done. There are better things to concern ourselves with regarding the Oilers!

OILERS NEWS

Oilersnation – 100 Reasons to Watch – Connor McDavid’s quest for his second consecutive Art Ross Trophy (NHL leading scorer) continues tonight against the Columbus Blue Jackets, another team battling for a playoffs spot.

Oilersnation – Three Thoughts: Bringing the Fire – While there are exceptions here and there, when it comes to truly great players, the common denominator isn’t the fastest feet, the softest hands or the highest hockey IQ, although every one of those traits matter. For me, what separates the very best from the rest is…

Oilersnation – The Oilers and Their UFAs – While the three players scheduled to become unrestricted free agents on July 1st won’t get much attention, they could all provide cheap roster depth. The decisions that Peter Chiarelli makes with them are still very important ones and will impact the organizations’ offseason plans.

Cult of Hockey – Good News! McDavid and MacKinnon in Two-Man Race for MVP, NHL Insider reports – TSN’s Frank Seravalli: “What was shaping up to be the most wide-open Hart Trophy race in decades has seemingly morphed into a two-man battle to the finish: Nathan MacKinnon versus Connor McDavid.

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NHL RUMORS!

NHL Rumors: Chicago Blackhawks and the Carolina Hurricanes

NHL Rumors: NCAA Free Agents – Brickley, Robinson, and Schuldt … Panthers and Borgstrom … Canucks and Gaudette … Ducks and Terry

NHL Rumors: Capitals, Rangers and Red Wings

NHL Rumors: Predators and Tolvanen … Brickley Visits … Capitals and Carlson

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

Oilers 2017 Draft Coverage: Speed And Skill

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The NHL Draft Combine is going on in Buffalo, NY, this weekend and the Oilers media team is all over it covering every angle possible. If you didn’t get a chance to watch the video above, do so, and pay special attention to which players they feature in those cut-away clips and also what Oilers Assistant GM Keith Gretzky says about what kind of players they’ll be looking for.

1. “You wanna know how hard they work. That’s the biggest thing.”
2. “We have size, we can add something, we need some skill and we’ll take the best player.”

Those two quotes don’t surprise me in the least. Ever since Peter Chiarelli has taken over there’s been an emphasis on adding players with the right moral fiber. Players who are more inclined to go to work day in and day out with a team first attitude. Players that “buy in” to what the coach is pitching them.

So far so good.

Now, the more you read on about potential players that the Oilers might draft and what the Oilers system lacks, the more you’ll read that the team needs forwards with speed and skill. I can’t disagree with that sentiment at all. At times during the regular season the Oilers were getting outmatched by smaller quicker opponents and it was also evident in the playoffs versus Anaheim where their highly mobile dmen were very effective against the Oilers’ bigger wingers.

Below are some reports on those players I told you to keep an eye out for in that Youtube clip above. I don’t think that these players were included in that video for nothing. I believe that these players are on the Oilers radar and we should pay special attention to them.

The NHLe I calculated here.

Kailer Yamamoto (RW) – Spokane (WHL) – 5’9″ 160lbs – 65gp 42g 57a 99pts (NHLe = 36pts)

  • Small in stature but a giant when it comes to creating plays, he has an extremely high IQ with vision already at an elite level. Yamamoto is a fluid and graceful skater who skates with his head up at all times, and his ability to snipe off the rush or make precision passes makes him next to impossible to defend. He isn’t big, but he plays with bite and on occasion will duke it out with bigger opponents. – Steve Kournianos, thedraftanalyst.com

Kole Lind (RW) – Kelowna (WHL) – 6’1″ 178lbs – 70gp 30g 57a 87ots (NHLe = 30pts)

  • Fundamentally, Lind is a smart player. He moves around the ice very well and has a good sense of where to be and where his teammates will be. He’s a very effective puck distributor and has an effective, though not amazing, shot – his 30 goals this season are as much a product of his positioning as his shooting. He’s not a huge guy, though he’s got the frame to add some muscle, but that hasn’t mattered; he plays a very effective physical game and often buzzes around the ice hitting everything in sight on the forecheck. Sometimes this gets him into some trouble away from the puck, with the physical side pulling him out of position, but he’s improved in that respect over the last couple of seasons. – Ryan Pike, The Hockey Writers
    (I just want to add an interesting tidbit, Lind has an early birthday and it would make him eligible to play AHL hockey starting in 2018/19.)

Isaac Ratcliffe (LW) – Guelph (OHL) – 6’5″ 203lbs – 67gp 28g 26a 54pts (NHLe = 20pts) 

  • The power forward who can skate and possesses very soft hands has been coming on lately. I think he’s underrated offensively in some circles. He’s a physical beast who can play a very mean game. Almost impossible to knock off the puck and uses his size and strength to maintain possession. Right now, he’s probably the best prospect in front of the goal, battling for space and loose pucks and banging in rebounds. We caught a glimpse of that in the Top Prospects game. The scary thought is he’s still going to grow and get stronger. – Dominic Tiano, OHLwriters.blogspot.com

Eeli Tolvanen (RW) – Sioux City Musketeers (USHL) – 5’10” 170lbs – 52gp 24g 30a 54pts (NHLe = 23pts)

  • Tolvanen is an expert sharpshooter with a quick release, and his ability to pick corners off the pass is reminiscent of countryman Patrik Laine. He’s strong on the puck and escapes from the tough battles right into shooting position. He’s a strong skater who likes to speed down the wing before unloading a labeled shot. His ability to elude opponents and finish off the rush is unmatched by any draft peer. – Steve Kournianos, thedraftanalyst.com

Robert Thomas (RHC) – London (OHL) – 6’0″ 187lbs – 66gp 16g 50a 66pts (NHLe = 25pts)

  • There are few players that think the game better and he can process things at an elite level. Thomas is an exceptional skater with high-end acceleration and top end speed, not only going north-south but can swing east-west, maintain possession while surveying the ice and set teammates up for scoring opportunities. He has an ability to slow the game down as well, buying time for his teammates to move into prime scoring position and then feeding them with slick, tape-to-tape passes. he is one of the Knights hardest workers – if not the hardest. He puts the effort required to be successful game to game, shift to shift. He puts that same effort in the defensive zone as he does in the o-zone. He has become a key member of the league’s sixth best penalty kill for Coach Hunter. – Dominic Tiano, OHLwriters.blogspot.com

Pierre-Olivier Joseph (LD) – Charlottetown (QMJHL) – 6’0″ 160lbs – 62gp 6g 33a 39pts (NHLe = 13pts) 

  • A qualitative jump in his all around play has hurtled him upward into the first round discussions. A player who always looked solid as an improving defender but who this season has gained scads of confidence in his ability to be a key component in the attack. Displays mobility and excellent hockey sense, and has that feel for where a play is going before it does. Breaks up rushes and plays in his end with a good stick and strong recognition. A power play quarterback whose frame will allow him to get bigger and as he gets stronger he will add more mustard to the heat he can bring from the point. – Bill Placzek, draftsite.com

Nic Hague (LD) – Mississauga (OHL) – 6’6″ 212lbs – 65gp 18g 28a 46pts (NHLe = 17pts)

  • Potential big defender in more ways than one. NHL teams continue to have their love affair with huge men at the defensive position who have upside to be top four defenders, since in general, the dmen are getting smaller. For a fellow his size, he has excellent mobility and overall strength He puts his long stick in the passing lanes and covers ground pretty quickly. Uses his size along the wall and can throw devastating bodychecks. When on the back pedal, he doesn’t pivot as quickly as smaller men, but attackers trying to go wide find out how strong he is and long his stick is. Enjoys playing with an edge. He is growing more of his offensive game, by activated on the rush, and attempting to handle the puck more and more. Still needs work and must hone his carries and be more frugal in the time he holds onto it. Not the finished product, but there will not be a shortage of NHL teams considering him before the bottom third of the first round. – Bill Plazcek, draftsite.com

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What do you think? Which one of these players would you like to see the Oilers draft in the first round of this year’s draft? Let us know in the comments below!

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Brennen York, Edmonton Oilers, NHL, NHL Entry Draft, Prospects

15 Names to Keep an Eye On in 2016/17

Could Timothy Liljegren top Nolan Patrick for 1st overall in 2017?

 It’s hard to gauge where the Oilers will finish in the standings come April, but it would surprise no one if they ended up with a lottery pick on draft day. As opposed to last year, no player has emerged as a potential superstar, the closest being Nolan Patrick who looks like he’ll be a top line NHL’er, but may not reach the same productivity levels as a Jamie Benn or John Tavares. Timothy Liljegren is the other player competing for Timothy Liljegren is the other player competing for

Timothy Liljegren is the other player competing for Timothy Liljegren is the other player competing for top spot at the moment, however, defenceman can be tricky, and we may not know exactly what he’ll be for another three or four years. Where this draft differs from most is in the amount of players who fit a specific role nearly perfectly. Players like Nico Hischier projecting to be a top 6 playmaking right shot

Where this draft differs from most is in the amount of players who fit a specific role nearly perfectly. Players like Nico Hischier projecting to be a top 6 playmaking right shot winger, or Stellio Mattheos who’s looking more and more like he’ll become a big-time producer while also maintaining a prominent role in the team’s defence.

In an attempt to paint a clearer picture of the prospects I predict to be selected by a lottery team, I’ve included a player comparison, however, the comparison carries very little weight.

  • Timothy Liljegren – RD – Rogle BK (SHL)

Comparable: Kris Letang, John Klingberg

Liljegren plays an up-tempo, offensive style of game without sacrificing his responsibilities in the defensive zone. He’s a dynamic skater with excellent puck moving abilities, and will likely be a top two NHL defenceman. Liljegren is currently out with mono, something that may hurt his draft stock.

  • Nolan Patrick – RC – Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)

Comparable: Taylor Hall, Blake Wheeler

Given his innate ability to score goals, Nolan Patrick may be the first selection come June, but it won’t be without debate. The Wheaties captain has a similar demeanor to Taylor Hall, and doesn’t jump off the sheet as the smartest player, however his offensive abilities cannot be denied. Likely a winger at the NHL level.

  • Kristian Vesalainen – LW – Frolunda HC (SHL)

Comparable: Filip Forsberg, Loui Eriksson

The speedy Finnish forward looks to join fellow countrymen Jesse Puljujarvi and Patrik Laine as a top five pick, and there’s a very good chance he does so. Vesalainen appeared in 19 games for the SHL’s Frolunda HC where he scored two points, and has already matched that total this year through seven games.

  • Gabe Vilardi – RC – Windsor Spitfires (OHL)

Comparable: Sean Monahan, Ryan O’Reilly

Though he is more of a puck handler than the two comparable players above, Vilardi’s strengths come in his two way game. He’s a big, speedy center who’s capable who can play in every situation. Vilardi is currently out with a knee injury sustained at the Team Canada U18 Summer Showcase.

  • Kailer Yamamoto – RC/W – Spokane Chiefs (WHL)

Comparable: Mats Zuccarello, Matt Duchene

There are a dozen Patrick Kane comparisons every year, and this year that same comparison will fall on the shoulders of Kailer Yamamoto. He’s a cerebral offensive force who’s shot accuracy is as strong as his passing ability. He’s a tad undersized, but he definitely has the skill.

  • Maxime Comtois – LW – Victoriaville Tigres (QMJHL)

Comparable: Rick Nash

Maxime Comtois has not gotten off to the start he was hoping for, however it won’t be long before he breaks out offensively. He may not be the strongest defensively, however he’s competent in defensive roles. He’s a guy that will produce 40-60 points per season if he pans out.

  • Eeli Tolvanen – LW – Sioux City Musketeers (USHL)

Comparable: Jonathan Drouin, Tomas Plekanec

Eeli Tolvanen is an interesting player to keep an eye on in that he plays with such a calm demeanor, rarely forcing plays, creating space and time, but when he gets the chance, he can absolutely devastate a goalie. He’s a skilled left winger who should be a 30 goal scorer in the NHL.

  • Callan Foote – RD – Kelowna Rockets

Comparable: Brent Seabrook

Callan Foote doesn’t do anything that’s exceptional, but boasts a well rounded game that allows him to be an all situations defender. Foote isn’t the fleetest of foot, but he has a long stride that allows him to cover a ton of ice. He’s also a right shot defenceman, something teams are beginning to pay a premium for.

  • Michael Rasmussen – LC – Tri-City Americans

Comparable: Jeff Carter

Through seven games, Michael Rasmussen already has eight goals. The 6’5 pivot has established himself as one of the premier goal scorers in the Western League, and you can only imagine he’ll get better from here on out. He’s a heavy player who competes hard.

  • Cale Makar – RD – Brooks Bandits (AJHL)

Comparable: Shayne Gostisbehere

Cale Makar is the best player in the Alberta Junior league, and if he were to take the jump to the WHL, he’d likely end up a consensus top ten pick at the end of the year. Makar is an explosive, powerful skater with unbelievable vision. He’s this years riser.

  • Ryan Poehling – LC – St. Cloud University (NCAA)

Comparable: Ryan Johansen

Not much is known about the St. Cloud center ranked in the top five by Craig Button, but he is sure to become a household name very soon. He’s a powerful center with excellent hands, and pretty strong finishing ability. He will be a consideration for Team USA come the World Junior Challenge.

  • Lias Andersson – LC/W – HV71  (SHL)

Comparable: Artemi Panarin

Andersson is a highly talented winger who is entering his second season in the SHL. The Smogen native already has three goals in six games, and his goal totals will only soar from here as the slippery winger has an innate ability to put himself in great scoring positions.

  • Klim Kostin – RW(LH) – Dynamo Balashikha (VHL)

Comparable: Kyle Okposo

Klim Kostin will garner top five consideration for quite a while. He has been placed in the top five by a number of scouting organizations, however after a rough start which involved being sent to the VHL after receiving very little KHL ice time, he may begin to fall on the majority of lists. Kostin opted not to play for the Kootenay Ice after being selected first overall in the CHL Import Draft.

  • Nico Hischier – LC/RW – Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)

Comparable: Derek Stepan

Nico Hischier could be the best Swiss player to enter the league since Nino Niedderrieter. The Halifax Moosehead has started off his rookie QMJHL season quite strong, registering six points in the first seven games. Hischier is a skilled playmaking winger, who if he pans out, puts up between 40-50 assists per year.

  • Nicolas Hague – LD – Mississauga Steelheads (OHL)

Comparable: Tyler Myers

At 6’6, Nicolas Hague is the biggest defender poised to ebe selected in the top 30. Hague has taken criticism for his skating ability which is his biggest obstacle from reaching the NHL. He does boast a strong defensive game and has the ability to contribute on the score sheet.

There are players at nearly every position inside the top 15, who boast a wide range of skill sets, meaning teams will have a plethora of options when they make their choice on draft day. When you look at the Oilers prospect pool, nearly every prospect listed would fit a role whether it be their ability to be a top six goal scorer or a puck moving right handed defenceman. The three players which Oiler fans should keep their eye on is Brooks Bandits defender Cale Makar, Rockets defenceman Callan Foote, and Swedish winger Lias Andersson.

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