Tag Archives: Jesse Puljujarvi

Beer League Hero, Edmonton Oilers, NHL

Edmonton Oilers: Rishaug Drops Puljujarvi Bombshell, “It’s Reasonable to Assume That There’s Issues in the Room”

Just before we get started here, the 2019 NHL entry draft is coming and we’re ramping up the coverage in the final stretch. Please feel free to click on the link below if you’re curious about who the Oilers might pick this year.

Edmonton Oilers: Drafting with The Future Considerations Draft Guide

This morning, Dan Tencer and Ryan Rishaug were talking about this whole Jesse Puljujarvi situation and the future of this player in Edmonton. A lot of what was said was fair and then Rishaug dropped the locker room problems bomb. I’ll transcribe it below but I want to first off say that Rishaug DID NOT say there were problems in the room, only that is reasonable to assume there are given the agent still wants the player out of Edmonton.

I’ve always been told that Jesse really likes it in Edmonton as it reminds him of his home in Oulu, Finland. He likes the people in Edmonton, he likes walking around the city and playing shinny with the kids on the outdoor rinks there… On the other hand, I have also heard that he’s had trouble assimilating in that dressing room and the guys at the top of that power pyramid are mostly responsible for that. You can come to your own conclusions as to who you think that might be.

As for the players that he has become friends with, they’ve been the outsiders of the team. Matt Benning, Milan Lucic, Drake Caggiula, Ryan Strome, and Ty Rattie were all members of the Oilers that took him in. Not to mention Mikko Koskinen.

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I don’t reckon any of those players will be on the Oilers next season, by the way, leaving Puljujarvi with even fewer friends in the room.

**Just an aside, Rishaug had quite the brainfart on the Jason Gregor Show yesterday when he said (I’m paraphrasing) that he thought Mikko Koskinen’s “poor season” was a result of having to babysit Puljujarvi… Yikes…**

So here is the transcription of what Rishaug said on Nielson’s show this morning,

What can we read into the fact that there is a new coach and a new manager and there’s STILL the idea from the agent is that it’s better if he moves on. Right? That tells you there’s problems in the room. That it’s not a comfortable situation for him and that it goes just beyond opportunity on the ice and the way the organization has handled the past three years. That tells you there are issues and I’m not saying that anybody in the Oiler room has caused problems, I’m not saying I know this to be true, I’m saying it’s reasonable to assume that by them STILL wanting out even with a new coach coming in and with a new manager and the team is desperate for skilled wingers and probably one of the best options for a skilled winger to get opportunity in the league right now, he still wants out? It’s reasonable to assume there’s issues happening in the room. That his acclimation to the locker room, his ability to gel and bond with this group of teammates, the way things have played out. There has to be more to it based on the fact that he still wants out at this point. I’m not blaming anybody in the room, I’m just saying it’s a natural deduction.

Listen to the segment here.

The Rishaug/Puljujarvi part starts around the 17:50 mark and I just also want to point out that Rishaug is in favor of keeping Jesse on the team and see what he can do under the new coaching/management.

My thoughts are that, if this locker room drama is true (and I believe it to be), maybe everybody in the room should be sat down and told to cut out the middle school bullshit and reminded of what that locker room was like before Connor arrived (and for his rookie season). Plenty of ex-Oilers have spoken to it. If they don’t get over themselves and start to appreciate what they have in that locker room, the playoff-less seasons will continue.

I reckon if Holland can bring in some good strong character guys who can also put the puck in the net, that’ll break up the cliques. Maybe bring in a Finn or two if they plan on keeping Pulju to help him out a bit. We know Holland likes his vets, so you have to wonder how a Joonas Donskoi or Rasmus Ristolainen would help out?

And for Jesse, maybe his agent has to sit him down and tell him to grow up a bit. We don’t always work with the people we like and not everyone is going to be nice to us all of the time. He’s got to simply go out, put a brave face on, and do what he does best and not worry about how others see him or even treat him, because if he doesn’t, he’ll be back in Finland before he knows it and the NHL will be a distant memory.

Egos…

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Edmonton Oilers: Yaremchuk’s Taylor Hall Trade Proposal and Puljujarvi’s Back in the Spotlight

On yesterday’s edition of The Lowdown with Lowetide, LT and Young Tyler were discussing what it might take to get Taylor Hall to come to Edmonton and to Yaremchuk’s credit, he bravely put his balls on the cutting board with his proposal in response to Lowetide’s question of “What would you give up for a clearly signed long-term Taylor Hall”.

TY: In my mind, if the New Jersey Devils were to trade Taylor Hall this summer, I think you’re looking at a package that includes one or two high-grade NHL prospects. So from the Oilers, I bet you’re looking at Jesse Puljujarvi and Even Bouchard, at the minimum for prospects. You’re probably looking at a real good NHL roster player as well. Probably looking at Darnell Nurse in that case. 

LT: You’re saying Nurse, Bouchard, Puljujarvi…

TY: And a first round pick…

LT: The no. 8 pick?

TY: If it’s at this year’s draft, you’re probably looking at no. 8 and you’re probably looking at a conditional first or second in next year’s draft if you get him to an extension. I think it’s a 5-for-1 piece deal.

LT: There’s no way it’s that high. 

TY: I guarantee you it’s that high. 

LT: No!

TY: This guy won the Hart Trophy Al. 

LT: There’s no way, no way it’s going to be that high. You can’t sign him apparently because he’s in the market. Bouchard, you’ve said Bouchard, Puljujarvi, a couple of firsts, one for sure, another a conditional. What else was there in that package? Oh, Darnell Nurse. 

LOL! “I guarantee you it’s that high!” Made me chuckle.

This is the guy that basically guaranteed Jay Woodcroft was on his way to LA to ride shotgun to Todd McLellan again… Does your head hurt yet? I put this out on Twitter and got absolutely flamed for it and rightfully so because it might be the dumbest trade proposal I’ve seen publicly announced since Woodguy said Oliver Ekman-Larsson for Darnell Nurse and Leon Draisaitl was ok… F*ck me people!

Later on in their segment, Lowetide had this to say,

I think you’re on the right track. Bouchard, and, no. 8 is high, maybe next year’s; You’re going to have to give something up like Bouchard. I believe that. 

Here’s the voice of reason and wisdom speaking, not a video game GM. Yaremchuk’s whole proposal is based upon Taylor Hall’s Hart Trophy, an award he won on the back of Keith Kinkaid’s Hasek-like performances that dragged NJ into the first round of the playoffs where they barely showed up vs. Tampa Bay and bowed out in five games. No Kinkaid, no playoffs, no Hart Trophy…

So now we’re talking about a player who has trouble staying healthy. Elite, no bones about it, but has trouble staying off the IR. So the closest trade comp to that might be Erik Karlsson to SJ.

In exchange for Karlsson, the Senators receive four players — forward Chris Tierney, defenceman Dylan DeMelo, and forward prospects Josh Norris and Rudolfs Balcers — as well as a first-round draft pick (2019 or 2020) and a second-round pick in 2019. (source)

If we were to put Oilers players in that deal, wouldn’t it look more like Caleb Jones, Kailer Yamamoto, Cooper Marody, and Kirill Maksimov, as well as a couple of draft picks? You’d have to think that Puljujarvi would need to be included. I mean, the draft picks would have to be altered as well since Edmonton is always picking higher than San Jose. Honestly, I think the prospects Edmonton are offering are better too.

New Jersey likes to have a strong American presence in their organization according to Bob Stauffer, so in MY mind, I would think that Kailer Yamamoto and Caleb Jones, as well as a 1st round draft pick, would need to be at the center of any trade that includes Taylor Hall. The Devils have Ty Smith coming next season, so would they really want Jones? What about Samorukov or someone who is a bit closer to being NHL-ready, like William Lagesson or Ethan Bear?

If the cost is that high, I reckon you pass. Why gut the organization’s depth to bring Hall in? There’s no guarantee that he’ll stay healthy enough to make the impact expected. For a player who plays like he does to be having his knees worked on at this point… Yikes. Yellow flag!

But if the price is more reasonable, say, Yamamoto, Lagesson, and a 2020 first round draft pick (a proposal that is more akin to what Ottawa got for Mark Stone). I would be down with that. It gives the team time to make the necessary moves to fit him under this year’s cap and to negotiate a team-friendly contract going further.

I get that he’s really good and that he’d probably have no problems coming back but… Ken Holland’s message to everyone was that this team was going to be built properly. Draft and develop. If Hall wants to come back, he’ll be a UFA after next season. The two sides can talk then.

Now, I might be picking on Young Tyler here because he’s a bit brash and doesn’t always think before he speaks but isn’t that the case with most confident youth? One day he’ll say something I find smart and I’ll give him credit for it. He’s a talented and knowledgable fellow, but he’s in that mode of life where you speak first and listen second. I feel for Lowetide and it’s part of the reason I don’t listen to his show that much anymore, I can’t really stand to hear how Yaremchuk talks to him. Luckily, LT is a patient man and he puts up with it.

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YESSA!!!

I asked around about this whole Puljujarvi to Russia/Pulujarvi wants out of Edmonton bullshit and there’s nothing to it. He’s in Edmonton right now rehabbing with the Oilers medical staff right now and is expected to do so until late-June before going back to Finland to continue his off-season training and participate in charity games as he’s done for the past few seasons.

The fact that he’s in Edmonton right now under the close eye of the Oilers speaks to his commitment to the team and to his rehabilitation. I’m not sure if Mikko Koskinen is around, so he’s on his own, therefore, his English is going to improve. Unless he never leaves the house…

You might say, “Bob McKenzie is reporting that he wants out of Edmonton and it’s no surprise!” and to that, I’ll say, Jesse’s frustrated, no doubt about that. He’s never really had anyone in his corner since he joined the team. Nobody to guide him through the peaks and valleys of an NHL season. Had he had a mentor to show him how to deal with slumps and injuries, maybe we’d be talking about something else today, but he’s got to be excited about the regime change and possibly getting a clean slate as it’s probably the best thing that could happen to him right now.

He’s never said he wants out of Edmonton, EVER. Unlike others on the team, he’s never gone on a Vancouver radio show and pumped the tires of another team… He’s frustrated and confused.

Let’s say they do move him, the overriding thought is that he’ll be moved for a player in a similar situation. One that isn’t gaining traction with his team, a guy like Julien Gauthier in Carolina. He had 27 goals in the AHL this past season and has six points in 14 playoff games for the Checkers. Personally, I think that Pulju is better and would’ve had more than 30 goals had he spent the season in Bakersfield. Probably closer to 40 given what I saw during his short stint which was absolute dominance.

The other scenario is dealing him with one of the contracts and I’m not sure at this point if he’s a sweet enough sweetener, but you never know what another GM is thinking. Lots of folks think that the Canucks don’t have any interest in Milan Lucic but I’m pretty certain Jim Benning has time for him.

So it just sounds like the reason for trading him is to simply get him out of the organization. That’s ridiculous to me. They screwed it up, they should fix it. You don’t treat the European kids differently from the North American ones with regards to their development.

Then again, this is the NHL and there’s little room for patience.

Pulju is 21 now and right at that mark where he should be really breaking out. Kinda like Roope Hintz did in the playoffs this year. Do the Oilers really want to move him right now when they are in need of offensive wingers on the cheap?

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

Edmonton Oilers Rumors: If Holland Is In, Who’s He Shipping Out?

As the days pass on, the likelihood of Ken Holland leaving the Detroit Red Wings and joining the Edmonton Oilers as their new GM (autonomy included) becomes greater and greater. The weekend is still young and so there is still time for the two sides to walk away, but from what I have gathered over the last couple of days, I’d be getting used to the idea of Holland as Edmonton’s new general manager.

I’d like to begin by talking about this prospective hire and then talk about some of the moves the team might make if it indeed does come to fruition.

WHY YOU HAVE TO BE ANGRY?

The unhappy portion of the fanbase point to lost trades and poor contracts as to why they wouldn’t support this hiring. I think they are being short-sighted and the reason for that, I feel, is that this is a team that believes in drafting and developing. That mantra has been a pillar of the Red Wing franchise for decades and what better way to live by that than to make it very difficult for the team’s prospects to break into the 1st team by re-signing veterans to extensions?

Can you show me the last trade made by Holland that could be considered a Brandon Manning-esque loss? You’d probably have to go way back to 2015 to the Erik Cole trade (Dallas ended up with Janmark and Hintz in the end there) or perhaps the Datsyuk salary dump where Holland had to sacrifice Jakub Chychrun to move their star Russian’s salary. But even then they managed to get two fine prospects in Filip Hronek and Dennis Cholowski in that trade…

Frans Nielsen has been a bit of a disaster, but Dylan Larkin, Anthony Mantha, Andreas Athanasiou, and Tyler Bertuzzi are on some very team-friendly deals. When Justin Abdelkader was 28 years old and coming off a second consecutive 40+ point season, Holland signed him to a seven-year extension worth $4.25M per season. A deal that was only 250k more than the one Benoit Pouliot signed in Edmonton that so many were up in arms about when he was bought out.

So you’ve got these vets holding spots warm for the likes of Givani Smith, Filip Zadina, Axel Holmstrom, Jonathan Berggren, and Joe Veleno.

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But maybe we can look to how Holland has shaped his defense as a weakness but you can’t deny that he rewards loyalty. Now whether you see that as a pro or a con, that’s for you to decide. Danny Dekeyser was a highly sought after college free agent but he’s never lived up to his salary. Niklas Kronwall, on the other hand, had two of his most productive seasons at the ages of 33 and 34. Mike Green had two really good years in Washington and has been riding those seasons every since then. He is still good for 30+ points a year but they’re unhealthy years.

Detroit’s AHL team has Ville Saarijarvi, Filip Hronek, and Joe Hicketts developing there. As for the prospects that have yet to make it to Grand Rapids, Jared McIsaac, Alex Regula, and Gustav Lindstrom well on their way. And I shouldn’t forget about Dennis Cholowski, the 19-year-old who appeared in 52 games for the Red Wings and 25 for the Griffins this past season.

In net, the trust factor comes into play again. Holland should’ve moved on from Jimmy Howard sooner than later but he’s has been in Detroit his whole career. He signed Jonathan Bernier to a 3-yr deal worth $3M per year in what I’m thinking was a move aimed at having the former Maple Leafs goalie replace Howard.

Filip Larsson is a Swedish netminder who signed with Holland’s team after a very nice NCAA career (if you want to call one season a career). Just this last season he played 22 games for the University of Denver and posted a 1.95 GAA and a .925 save percentage. The season before that he played for the Tri-City Storm of the USHL and in 30 games accrued a 1.65 GAA and a .941 save percentage… He’s only 20 years old right now and will start his pro career next season. It shouldn’t be long before he’s netminding for the Red Wings.

The mess that the new general manager is walking into isn’t one for a rookie GM, in my opinion. And this isn’t the Oilers potentially bringing in Peter Chiarelli. Ken Holland is a person who actually talks to people and brings others in to help with decision making.

When Scotty Bowman stepped down in 2002, Holland went around to everyone, including the players, and got all the intel he could to make that hire and what was decided was that their assistant coach Dave Lewis would be that guy.

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The point I’m trying to make here is that if the Oilers want a guy who’s top attributes are communication, patience, being steady-handed, and experienced; then who better?

Another thing that is very important about hiring the Vernon, BC native is that he’s learned from some of the very best in the business (Jimmy Devellano, who learned from a legend in Bill Torrey) on how to manage a hockey team and he’s passed that knowledge on to such executives as Dallas Stars GM Jim Nill and now current Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman.

The Oilers wanted to hire Keith Gretzky as their GM but the air around the team is toxic right now and instead, I believe the plan is to give Kretzky the assistant general manager’s position but with heightened responsibilities and then have him mentored by Holland.

WHO’S COMING AND GOING?

  • This week there was quite a bit of chatter about Sean Burke joining the Oilers but not as GM. If I had to take a guess, I think that this is still on the cards and that if he did sign with the Oilers, he’d be hired to replace Duane Sutter as director of pro scouting.
  • Bob Green is the director of free agent scouting for the team and my guess is that the team will probably move on from him too. The Tobias Rieder signing was horrid and anybody that would’ve done their homework would’ve seen that from his play in LA prior to joining Edmonton.
  • Craig MacTavish has done a fine job building Bakersfield into what it is today, so there’s a slight possibility that he could stay on.
  • I can’t see Scott Howson continuing in his current role. I think he spends most of his time at his home in Columbus anyhow.
  • If Gretzky gets more responsibility that’ll mean someone will need to take over the amateur scouting, I’d assume that to be Tyler Wright who’d be coming with Holland from Detroit.

So those are my guesses as to the front-office changes. As for the roster changes, there are a few.

  • As per my source, Milan Lucic f*cked up with that interview in Vancouver. Belief is that Gretzky is working on a deal with Jim Benning to send Lucic to the Canucks and possibly have Loui Eriksson come back. Brandon Sutter is also an option.(I suggested they send Lucic, Russell, and a pick/prospect to Vancouver for Eriksson and Sutter. That way it would improve the Oilers PK (in theory) and it’d open up a spot on the 2nd pairing. An area that I believe needs a major upgrade. The Oilers could also stick RNH on the 2nd line and have Leon/Connor run wild on the NHL again.)
  • Looks like Tyler Benson, William Lagesson, and Caleb Jones will be getting the push next season.(I asked about Bear and was told that he had a bit of an injury-plagued year, so perhaps one more year in Bako.)
  • The team has been scouting Europe for the last couple of weeks. I heard a major emphasis was placed on defenders.
  • The Oilers will be listening on offers for Kris Russell, Andrej Sekera, and Jesse Puljujarvi this summer.
  • Edmonton is desperate to improve the defense with puck-moving defenders and Jake Gardiner’s name came up as a free agent target this summer.
  • Matt Benning is in tough to stay with the club given the emergences of Jones, Lagesson, and Bear. Wouldn’t be surprised if the rumored Connor Brown for Benning deal gets completed this summer.
  • I feel like there’s an appetite to re-sign defenseman Kevin Gravel.
  • Nugent-Hopkins is at the end of his rope with the organization. They need to show improvement or he’s gone.
  • Todd Nelson is a name to consider as a head coach candidate.

Now that’s a lot of movement, right? And the new GM hasn’t even been named. So take all of that for what you will.

My personal feeling is that if Ken Holland is the new boss, a guy like Jesse Puljujarvi will get another chance to show what he’s capable of. Maybe the Oilers hire Todd Nelson and he works some of that magic with Pulju as he did with Yakupov?

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

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Edmonton Oilers: Kakko Vs. Puljujarvi by @TPEHockey

Kaapo Kakko has spent this season dropping jaws on the ice and on the scoresheet. He’s held up to and thrived against professional competition while putting up big numbers unlike almost anyone before him. The newly turned 18-year-old holds a 0.82 PPG in the Finnish pro league, the Liiga. This tremendous season puts him at 3rd for all time U18 PPG and putting him behind only Mikael Granlund and NHL superstar Aleksander Barkov. He’s making it clear Finland has produced another prospect of the highest tier.

THE PULJUJARVI COMPARISON

In terms of production, Kakko lacks an accurate comparison. Although when it comes to his on-ice game Kakko highly resembles that of Jesse Puljujarvi. Kakko plays almost exactly Puljujarvi. The two are both high tempo power forwards. Each has all-around offensive arsenals that allow them to play any situation. Puljujarvi especially has a booming shot that will give any goalie nightmares, and Kakko is around there too. Both serve as major shooting threats when the puck is on their stick. They can also play hard nose grinding hockey to retrieve pucks and create opportunities for their teams. With size, speed, and strength both can take the puck into dangerous areas and get a shot off under pressure and at high speed. They drive the net hard and either score or create rebounds. The two also possess elite puck skills with the ability to walk opponents and cut around defenders in tight spaces. Each protects the puck exceptionally well. Using size and speed it’s very hard to strip each of the puck.

LOOKING BACK AT PULJU’S DRAFT YEAR

Looking back to each of their draft years it’s clear who stands ahead. Kakko, as we know, is having a historic season for TPS Turku in the Finnish Liiga. Puljujarvi played a stellar year for Karpat Oulun. He was a player that couldn’t be overlooked on the ice as he routinely creates chances due to his ability to carry the puck into dangerous areas while maintaining status as a shooting threat. Statistically, he had an extremely impressive season, but not to the quality of Kakko. Although at the World Junior Championships Puljujarvi really made his mark. In a nothing less than dominant performance he scored 17 points in 7 games to win himself tournament MVP as a 17-year-old. He had a performance we will likely never see again from a draft-eligible player at that tournament. Kakko also had a great World Juniors, but he didn’t dominate. He was under a point per game but played a large role in Finland’s victory even scoring the Golden Goal. As he returns to international play at the U18s later this year we should expect a big showing from Kakko.

HOW ARE KAKKO AND PULJUJARVI DIFFERENT?

The question now is what sets the two apart? If Kakko plays so similarly to Puljuarvi then how do we know he will have the success that Puljujarvi hasn’t so far in his career. And this isn’t to say Puljujarvi is a bust or that he isn’t good, but it’s clear at this point in his career he isn’t where we thought he’d be. It’s likely he still has top 6 or even 1st line potential, but so far we haven’t seen it. Kakko is projected as a high caliber 1st line player that will easily step into a top 6 role, so what’s going to allow him to do that that Puljujarvi couldn’t do? In the end, it seems like it’s going to come to hockey IQ and smarts on the ice. Puljujarvi was a very aware player of what’s going on on the ice in Finland and at the international level. Although when he made the NHL jump he couldn’t process the game at NHL speed. At some points, he’s caught drifting. In the offensive zone he can retrieve the puck and is dangerous with the puck, but often he struggles to get in position and set others up. He still sees the ice quite well, but the decision making isn’t there.

Kakko, on the other hand, processes the game at the fastest and best levels in the draft. Kakko is the quickest thinking, and best decision maker out of the European class. Puljujarvi can get to the dangerous areas, but Kakko can open lanes, make passes, or rip a shot if there aren’t other options. Kakko utilizes his talent as well as anybody other than Hughes.

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IS KAKKO READY TO GO?

Kakko is NHL ready in all categories. While Hughes might be the best prospect with the highest potential, Kakko is the most NHL ready prospect for this draft. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Kakko taking the Calder Trophy at the end of the 2019-20 season. He can be described as a Swiss-Army Knife, he can and will do it all. In any role, in any situation, Kakko will thrive. Even as my second ranked prospect he is no consolation to Jack Hughes. Kakko is part of the new wave of Finnish talent that has started coming through the draft.

This year we will see Kakko, Heinola, and Honka. Soon we will witness other Finnish talents like Anton Lundell enter the draft in 2020. Other prospects like Aatu Raty and Samu Tuomaala in 2021 look to be top 5 prospects at just 16. Even a prospect that is flourishing in the Finnish U20 league at just 14 and 15 in Brad Lambert who could be a top 3 guy for the 2022 draft.

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

Edmonton Oilers Rumors: Oilers Trade Deadline Thoughts and Rumors Heading Into the Final Hours

Here we are, the 2019 NHL trade deadline is upon us and the Oilers could make some big moves but are unlikely to do so. Interim-GM Keith Gretzky’s mandate is to clear cap space NOT make a big splash and Bob Nicholson is overseeing everything like a David Hasselhoff protected beach. Nothing is getting by him.

From what I understand, the following players are being shopped heavily as you read this but according to my sources, the Oilers are likely to be quiet today.

  • Matt Benning
  • Kyle Brodziak
  • Alex Chiasson
  • Zack Kassian
  • Milan Lucic
  • Tobias Rieder
  • Alex Petrovic

Now, the Oilers can offer these players out but that doesn’t mean they’re going to get traded.

I also hear conflicting reports on Kris Russell. Some say there’s no way he’s being moved and I’ve been told there’d been exploratory conversations with Columbus. Probably a summer move if he’s to be traded.

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If Brodziak didn’t have another year on his deal, he’d have been traded already. There are some retirement rumors floating out there. Not sure how legit those are.

Chiasson had been connected more prominently to the San Jose Sharks but then they went ahead and traded for Gus Nyquist. That said, I was told there’s still a small possibility he ends up there. Lowetide mentioned two players yesterday in his blog, Rourke Chartier and Antti Suomela. Both older forwards playing in the AHL at the moment.

I’m still waiting for Vegas to drop the bomb here. They play things tight to the chest but Edmonton was just scouting the Golden Knights recently too… It’d be great for the team if they could bring in Brandon Pirri and Daniel Carr.

Edmonton has been scouting Boston and Chicago A LOT this past month and it would surprise me a little if the Oilers didn’t make a deal with at least one of these teams.

I think that since there are a few more shoes to drop (Wayne Simmonds and Mark Stone namely), players like Chiasson and Kassian are likely to be dealt later in the day or not at all. The Oilers have been really impressed with their work ethic and compete and the team does need bodies on the roster for their game tonight.

https://twitter.com/TheOilKnight/status/1099850072005566464

SPR makes a good point here. The Oilers couldn’t give Kassian away earlier in the year (when he asked out) and now there are quite a few teams knocking on Gretzky’s door asking for Kass. I’m not sure if you want to deal him straight across for Cehlarik mind you but that gets the conversation going, right? Maybe Cehlarik and Zach Senyshyn for Kassian and Matt Benning?

I’ve been told that the fleet-footed Senyshyn can be had as he’s fallen out of favor in Boston to some degree. His development has stalled a bit since joining their AHL affiliate in Providence. But Keith Gretzky was all over that pick when he selected him for the Bruins in 2015 (instead of Matt Barzal, Thomas Chabot, or Brock Boeser…).

Either way, keep a close eye on any transactions coming from the Oilers’ AHL affiliate in Bakersfield. If a forward gets called up, that might mean that the Oilers have dealt a forward for picks and/or prospects.

Also, there are going to be a lot of players going on waivers today. We might see Edmonton dip their toes into that pool should the need arise.

JESSE PULJUJARVI

I found the timing of these rumors incredible when I discovered them. Jesse Puljujarvi is in NY getting a second opinion on his banged-up hip at the moment. I would think his agent, Markus Lehto, is there as well. Is it too convenient that these hot takes would get released now?

Lehto has clients in both Boston (Rask) and New York (Pionk)… #Weird

Interesting to read Jimmy Murphy say that the Oilers had been talking with Boston for a couple of months now. How long has Lehto wanted his client moved and has Jesse been dealing with this hip issue since then?

If you remember there was the game vs. Vancouver on January 16th where Puljujarvi only played 6 minutes and a bit of a huff was made over that. Was that the catalyst?

Would you have traded Puljujarvi for Ryan Donato? Or included him in a trade to move Lucic’s contract?

I think there’s a VERY outside chance he’s traded today but I wouldn’t bet on it. The best thing for him now is to get whatever procedure done that needs to be done, rehab, and come back stronger than ever next season either to win a spot on the Oilers or to increase his value enough to have him traded.

Just one last thing on this Puljujarvi mess. For those of you who think that the relationship is too far gone to repair, remember how rocky it got between Jacob Trouba and the Winnipeg Jets. Where there’s a will, there’s a way and you’d be surprised how fast minds change when winning is involved.

A new season means a new design! Click the image above to get the new Pulju shirt!

I will say this though, if the Oilers don’t manage to make any more trades, I will view this effort as a fail on their part.

They’ve done well bringing in Gagner and Stolarz but they should absolutely be able to move some of the players I mentioned above to teams looking to add depth for their playoff runs.

Speaking of the runs, congratulations to Josh Currie on scoring his first NHL goal! Atta go to the net and make things happen bud!

So enjoy the day and don’t get too pissy if the Oilers don’t make any moves. Everyone is saying they’ll be quiet but I for one will be hoping they make one notable roster transaction. At least something to really make watching them worthwhile for another 20 games.

Elias Pettersson’s nickname is “Alien”. Here’s a shirt to celebrate it! Click the image to buy one!
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The Vegas Golden Misfits are going to the Stanley Cup Final in 2018!!! Love ’em or hate ’em it’s an amazing story and this is one punk rocker’s way of giving tribute! Click the pic above and get yours today!