Speculating from an Oilers fan’s perspective, BLH comments on the latest Edmonton Oilers news as well as the freshest NHL speculation. Seeing how it’s the beginning of the week, there’s no better time to look at some mock trades courtesy of HFBoards!
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— Quenneville or Sutter for Coach (@torontobaghead) October 17, 2020
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The Mock Trades
Before getting into these, a few of the fan proposals were made before the teams involved made additions via the free-agent route. So there could be some discrepancies. I’ll try my best to avoid them though.
Arizona sends Darcy Kuemper to the Toronto Maple Leafs for Frederik Andersen and a 2021 lottery-protected first-round pick. (User: TheDoldrums)
BLH’s Thoughts: Good trade but I think the 1st rounder is a bit of overkill.
Arizona trades center Nick Schmaltz to the Ottawa Senators for big-bodied pivot Logan Brown, a 2nd and 3rd round pick in 2021. (User: Sensfourlife)
BLH’s Thoughts: Man that seems like a lot for Schmaltz. I feel like Brown is going to be a good middle-six centerman but it’s going to take a few years for him to find his stride. Adding the 2nd and 3rd rounder seems like something the Coyotes should be doing to get rid of that contract…
The Calgary Flames trade gritty forward Sam Bennett to the Florida Panthers for disgruntled prospect Henrik Borgstrom and utility winger Brett Connolly. (User: Kerrabria)
BLH’s Thoughts: I dig this deal for both clubs. Bennett is exactly the kind of player that Coach Q would love and the Flames get a center with untapped potential and a veteran winger who can play a 200ft game in addition to score some goals. It would allow them to move Lucic to the 4th line and Rinaldo out of the lineup and be a much better team for it.
The Edmonton Oilers acquire Tanner Pearson from the Vancouver Canucks for Adam Larsson. (User: Cloned)
BLH’s Thoughts: If Edmonton could convince Travis Hamonic to come in to replace Larsson, that’s a pretty decent deal for Edmonton. Larsson takes over for Tanev and Pearson becomes McDavid’s triggerman. Do the Canucks then go out and try to get Athanasiou, Duclair, or Hoffman to replace Pearson?
The Florida Panthers trade defender Aaron Ekblad to the Calgary Flames for winger Johnny Gaudreau. (User: Bought Out Browsy)
BLH’s Thoughts: Would the Flames want Ekblad for another 5 years making over $7M versus Gaudreau for only 2 years. I’m sure Coach Quenneville would love to have another small-skilled winger to run his offense. I feel like having Ekblad and Markstrom for the duration of their deals isn’t the worst idea in the world. The one caveat I have with Calgary making any huge move is Matthew Tkachuk. What’s his plan? I could see him looking to head south with his current deal is up. That could be trouble for the Flames’ forward group should it lose both Johnny Hockey and Tkachuk in a matter of 24 months.
The Oilers Speculation
There’s nothing going on as I write this with regards to the Edmonton Oilers. So how about a few mock trades of my own. Don’t take them seriously, they’re just for fun.
Mock Trade #1:
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins for Patrik Laine.
Mock Trade #2:
Leon Draisaitl and Darnell Nurse for Sebastian Aho, Jacob Slavin, and Seth Jarvis
And with those two deals, I’ve re-united one of the best lines in hockey history (at the junior level). HA! I swear I’m not bored to death waiting for NHL GMs to make some moves…
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Speculating from an Oilers fan’s perspective, BLH comments on the latest Edmonton Oilers news as well as the freshest NHL speculation featuring players such as Nick Ritchie, Andreas Athanasiou, Nick Foligno, Jake DeBrusk, and many more!
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The News and Rumors
Jimmy Murphy (Boston Hockey NOW): “We know already that Sweeney has engaged in trade discussions about DeBrusk, so would there be a fit in a potential trade for Laine? What about Bruins defenseman Brandon Carlo, who has also reportedly been brought up in trade talks?
There is ongoing progress in contract talks with RFA forwards Zach Senyshyn and Karson Kuhlman.
BLH’s Thoughts: A lot of people feel like the Winnipeg Jets are destined to lose a trade with Patrik Laine. I could see a scenario where the return that the Jets get for him is one that helps them now and in the future. The pandemic and the flat-cap are putting teams in positions where they have to consider letting go of some really good hockey players because they simply make too much.
The have barely any cap room right now but that will ease up when the put Bryan Little’s $5M+ on LTIR. In addition to that, they are scheduled to have over $30M in cap space next off-season.
I’ll predict it now, the Jets aren’t going to get fleeced for Laine. They’re going to get good players for him.
Darren Ferris (NHL Player Agent): The Vancouver Canucks are among the teams that have spoken to Athanasiou, but talks didn’t get too far. Vancouver’s preference is to add a d-man.
BLH’s Thoughts: Today’s rumors are going to be a kick in the nuts for Athanasiou. Basically what I mean is that he went to the Canucks and asked for an application for employment and they told him that they weren’t hiring. Which is a bold faced lie as you’ll soon read.
Joe Haggerty (Boston Hockey NOW): “The Bruins have explored a lot of deep options on the back end for once training camp rolls around. One of those possibilities is free agent defender Karl Alzner.
BLH’s Thoughts: Maybe bring back Zdeno Chara for one more year before he retires instead of going out and bringing in a different vet at league minimum? He is the captain after all…
Brooks Bratten (NHL.com): Predators GM David Poile says he is engaged daily on contracts for Luke Kunin and Rem Pitlick. He may make some small additions to fill out the AHL roster.
BLH’s Thoughts: I talked to a member of the Oilers organization just before the draft and I was saying how much I really dug Kunin and how he’d be a great add for the Oilers. This particular member of the club told me that was a pipe dream and then at the draft Kunin got traded to Nashville…
Kids, if you don’t ask the question, you’ll never have the answer. Did the Oilers have interest in Luke Kunin but failed to ask about his availability because they thought there was no way he was getting traded? Tough break if so.
Joe Smith (The Athletic): Don’t expect the Tampa Bay Lightning to be much more active in free agency. They have agreements with Pat Maroon and Luke Schenn and believe they’ll end up with a new deal for Jan Rutta.
BLH’s Thoughts: Was Tampa so afraid that they were going to lose Maroon and Schenn in the opening days of free agency that they had to get them locked up ASAP? Could that cost them when they finally go to get some of that sweet sweet cap relief by trading one of their better players? Probably…
Rick Dhaliwal (TSN): The Canucks have called Mike Hoffman’s agent but the agent was told ‘we have interest but we have to move money out first.’
BLH’s Thoughts: Do you think Athanasiou was on one phone line while Jim Benning was talking to Hoffman’s camp on another one?
Sam Carchidi (Philadelphia Inquirer): Flyers GM Chuck Fletcher is still actively talking to teams, but the flat cap makes it challenging to add players. Focused on trying to re-sign Phillipe Myers.
Aaron Portzline (The Athletic): Columbus Blue Jackets captain Nick Foligno is now in the final year of his contract. Both sides expect to push back negotiations until the off-season of 2021.
BLH’s Thoughts: I love Nick Foligno’s game. If Edmonton can’t get Ryan Getzlaf to sign in Edmonton next season, I’d love to see a guy like Foligno bring his game to Northern Alberta.
Thomas Drance (The Athletic): The Canucks are still talking to Jayce Hawryluk’s camp. Nothing is done yet, but the sense is talks are trending in a positive direction this weekend.
BLH’s Thoughts: Jim Benning says no to blazing speed and individual creativity in Athanasiou, he says no to 30 goals from Hoffman, but he’s all giddy about getting a bottom-6 grinder all locked up?… Okee Dokee…
Madison Bowey (UFA)
– 25 yrs old – 6'2" 200lbs – RHD – Not considered an AHL vet. – 154 NHL games – Former Detroit Red Wing
I'll be mildly shocked if the #Oilers don't go after this player to shore up some d-depth.
— BLH (Edmonton Oilers Enthusiast} (@BeerLeagueHeroe) October 15, 2020
The Oilers Speculation
There are a couple of players that Edmonton Oilers fans should keep an ear to the ground one,
Nick Ritchie (BOS)
Madison Bowey (UFA)
Kurt Leavins threw Bowey’s name out in his latest over at the Cult of Hockey and Bob Stauffer’s been talking about the team adding some depth the defense. Someone who will be a tweener but won’t count against the AHL’s veteran count that each club is allowed to dress each night.
I’m not going to say it’s a foregone conclusion and things change all of the time, but I would say there’s a good chance he’s part of the Oilers organization before the 2020-21 season starts.
He’ll give Evan Bouchard some competition which is something that Ken Holland really relishes in his clubs. The young guys have to earn their spots by beating out an older player.
As for Nick Ritchie, he’s been in Edmonton’s plans for a while. I think most will think of him as a bottom-6 grunt but I see him as Pat Maroon 2.0. His fancies are pretty damned good against elite competition if I’m reading the numbers over at PuckIQ.com right.
Last season in Anaheim, he played 27% of his overall TOI vs elite competition and his goal share was 81%!!! That is ridiculous.
When he was traded to Boston his GF% was 100% as he played 44.5% of his ice-time against the elites. Mind you that was only in seven games, but he was batting pretty good in 2019-20.
If we go back to his second season in the league and take a look at his goal share percentage while on the ice vs. Elites, this is what it looks like.
2018-19: GF% = 53.8% (26.8% TOI/60gp)
2017-18: GF% = 42.9% (24.4% TOI/76gp)
2016-17: GF% = 45.5% (25% TOI/77gp)
You can take a gander at the rest of his advanced stats right here and you’ll also see that he keeps his head above water for the most part on the shot share too…
So we often hear that it can take a big man some time to find his game at the pro level sometimes. Is that what is going on with Ritchie and might we see that LW for RW trade between the Oilers and Bruins that’s been floating around since before the draft actually go down?
Look, I know there’s going to be a few of you reading this that will puke a little at the idea of putting a big oaf like Nick Ritchie on McDavid’s line but look at who Connor has had some major success with. Big brooding slow-footed wingers. Guys who can work the boards for 97. Bruising wingers who make opposing defensemen pay the price for trying to take McDavid out.
Pat Maroon is out there winning Stanley Cups and playing vital roles on those teams too. Who can honestly say that Ritchie couldn’t perform that role on the Edmonton Oilers? If this player is about to pop, Ken Holland should be all over the Bruins trying to get him.
Flip Chiasson to Boston, get the 600k in cap relief (Ritchie has one year left on his deal with just under $1.5M and Chiasson makes $2.15m) and let’s get ready to rumble.
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Speculating from an Oilers fan’s perspective, BLH comments on the latest Edmonton Oilers news as well as the freshest NHL speculation featuring players such as Steven Stamkos, Patrik Laine, Kyle Palmieri, Mike Hoffman, and many more!
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The News and Rumors
Elliotte Friedman (Sportsnet): Colorado Avalanche forward Tyson Jost and Jets forward Jack Roslovic have been included in trade talks for Panthers d-man MacKenzie Weegar.
The Columbus Blue Jackets may have made a pitch to Golden Knights defender Alex Pietrangelo earlier in the off-season.
The Tampa Bay Lightning may have “secretly” asked Steven Stamkos to waive his no-movement clause.
BLH’s Thoughts: Geez. Wasn’t it only a couple of days ago that I posted the Avs were poised to offer Jost a 2yr extension? Now he’s going to Florida for Weegar? Now, if the Jets can get the Panthers defenceman for Roslovic, that would be a steal.
Could you imagine a trident of Seth Jones, Zach Werenski, and Alex Pietrangelo? Good Christ…
Of course Tampa asked Stamkos if he’d waive… Brutal.
Bruce Garrioch (Ottawa Sun): The Edmonton Oilers and Nashville Predators are some potential suitors for UFA forward Mike Hoffman.
BLH’s Thoughts: Ken Holland will win the off-season if he can get Mike Hoffman to sign in Edmonton on a 1yr deal for bread crumbs. I think eventually Nashville will come around though and that’s where Hoffman may go. Florida isn’t out of the question either.
David Pagnotta (The Fourth Period): The New York Islanders still have interest in forwards; Kyle Palmieri, Patrik Laine, and Zach Parise.
BLH’s Thoughts: I’m very curious to see who is going to bail the Isles out here so that they can bring in a forward like those mentioned above. They might have interest in those players but they’ve got some serious RFAs to sign (Barzal/Pulock) yet and not a whole lot of cap space to do it with.
Lyle Richardson (Spector’s Hockey): The Winnipeg Jets likely want a defenceman of Seth Jones’ caliber for Patrik Laine.
Ken Wiebe (Sportsnet): Here is a list of players that the Jets would be target in a Patrik Laine trade, Aaron Ekblad and Jonathan Huberdeau (FLA), Sam Reinhart and Rasmus Ristolainen (BUF), Brett Pesce, Teuvo Teravainen, Martin Necas (CAR), Travis Konecny and Travis Sanheim (PHI), Hampus Lindholm, Josh Manson, and Rickard Rakell (ANH), Brock Nelson, Josh Bailey, and Ryan Pulock (NYI), Zach Werenski, Oliver Bjorkstrand, and Cam Atkinson (CBJ).
BLH’s Thoughts: Mr. Richardson, I would say, is right on the button with his prognostication. That’s what I would want if I were trading a Patrik Laine-type. I would go right to Anaheim and try and hit a homerun. If I could get Rickard Rakell and one of Hampus Lindholm or Josh Manson, I’d feel pretty good about that trade. Reinhart and Ristolainen would’ve been another option had Buffalo not gone ahead and signed Hall.
Eric Stephens (The Athletic): Suggests Craig Anderson, Jimmy Howard, Michael Hutchinson, Garret Sparks, Adin Hill, and Pheonix Copley might be replacement candidates for Ryan Miller as the Anaheim Ducks back-up goalie if he doesn’t re-sign with the team.
BLH’s Thoughts: No disrespect intended to these fellas, but damned if you do, damned if you don’t is how I see that list of names. Anaheim may as well grab a couple if the price is right as their organization depth in the net isn’t amazing. That said, they’ve got former Oiler Anthony Stolarz, why not give him a run? He’s paid his dues.
The Oilers Speculation
If there’s one thing that should worry me going into 2020-21, it should probably be the goaltending, right? It’s not. The defence worries me greatly.
Due to Oscar Klefbom’s impending absence, there are going to be defencemen who won’t be slotted properly in the lineup and this has burnt the Oilers so so much in the past.
There is one player who can be trusted against the best in the league and that is Adam Larsson. That’s it. Now, you might say that Darnell Nurse could be counted on, and to that, I would say; maybe. The reason being, just because he has played a lot against the top forwards in the league doesn’t mean he’s done it well. We need both of these players to at least keep their heads above water consistently.
I think it’s way too early to say that Caleb Jones and Ethan Bear are ready for the jump up in quality of competition and Tyson Barrie is our new Justin Schultz, so if you think you want him out on the ice against the league’s best forwards, you might be in for a rude awakening.
For these two sophomores, it’s of the utmost importance that there’s no regression. No slump!
As for Barrie, he’s got to shine! It’ll take the spotlight off of any defensive shortcomings.
That leaves us with Kris Russell and William Lagesson. Rusty is the better option here but the club’s d-core is in a world of hurt if he’s their best option.
With Klefbom out, we can only expect this group to equal last year’s performance or worse and that is a real kick in the gonads. He’s unreplaceable internally.
But with that said, there’s a way that the TEAM can come out and surprise and that’s by defending as a group of five each and every time they’re on the ice. Just as they did earlier in the season last year. They’re going to have to overcome this challenge as a group and when I look at the roster, I can’t think of any reason why they couldn’t.
Just as in the play-ins vs. Chicago, they only had themselves to beat then, and going into 20/21, they’ll only have themselves to overcome then too. I hope they learned their lesson.
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Speculating from an Oilers fan’s perspective, BLH comments on the latest Edmonton Oilers news as well as the freshest NHL speculation featuring players such as Zdeno Chara, Nick Leddy, Patrik Laine, and Jonathan Marchessault, and many more!
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The News and Rumors
Elliotte Friedman (Sportsnet): The Nashville Predators have had interest in Knights forward Jonathan Marchessault this off-season.
BLH’s Thoughts: I speak to this below.
Slater Koekkoek is a potential option for the Vancouver Canucks.
The Philadelphia Flyers have had some interest in trading for Coyotes d-man Jason Demers this off-season.
Doesn’t see Jake Virtanen getting to arbitration and he could see Josh Leivo returning.
Hearing Mike Hoffman is considering a one-year deal for his next NHL home. If he does that, there’s a good chance that he and Taylor Hall head to market next summer as the leaders in goals per game for all free agents 31 and under. Déjà vu all over again.
BLH’s Thoughts: Hoffman has a chance to do something that Hall didn’t want to utilize and that’s go to a team that has a good chance of winning. If he signs with a top-club for fewer dollars, he’s going to score his 25-35 goals like he does BUT he’s also going to keep his value up so that when he hits the free-agent market again next season, there will be teams lining up to sign him at a higher number.
Dan Kingerski (Pittsburgh Hockey NOW): The Penguins are considering bringing back defender Trevor Daley, but it isn’t the main priority for them.
Pierre LeBrun (TSN): Patrik Laine’s agents do confirm that it probably would be mutually beneficial to both the player and the Winnipeg Jets if he is traded.
BLH’s Thoughts: Let’s get this done already. Carolina has the defenders to help Winnipeg and the Jets have the winger the Hurricanes are clamoring for.
Zdeno Chara is in a holding pattern, no rush. Bruins are the frontrunner, but teams keep calling Chara’s camp and it’s a possibility he plays somewhere else. Also says the format of next season might play role in Chara’s decision to continue to even play or not.
BLH’s Thoughts: I think it was Lowetide talking about the Oilers bringing Chara in on Twitter last night. I don’t know if he was just throwing things out there but signing the big man would be right down Holland’s alley and we know that Russell and Jones can play the right-side.
Now, Chara isn’t the player he once was, but he can still destroy whatever is in his path. He’d be a great addition for a long playoff run…
Adam Vingan (The Athletic): Predators GM David Poile says they’re not done in free agency: “I think we’re open, and we have cap space. We’re going to look for opportunities.”
BLH’s Thoughts: I wonder if Nashville will start to weaponize some of that extra cap space if they don’t get their ideal signings? They’ve got just under $13M at the moment and there are teams like Tampa and Vegas looking to get rid of some good players right now. Maybe Poile asks for a 1st rounder to take on that kind salary?…
Joe Smith (The Athletic): The Tampa Bay Lightning don’t want to trade Alex Killorn. They have not approached Braydon Coburn about a trade yet and for now, Yanni Gourde is not part of any trade talks.
Arthur Staple (The Athletic): The Islanders are adamant that Nick Leddy won’t be moved. Ryan Pulock’s arbitration award could reach $6M and if they want to move Andrew Ladd, a 1st round pick plus more would need to be in play.
Hearing UFA Matt Martin and the Isles are working towards a new deal. Believe as many as seven teams inquired about Martin when free agency began last week but sounds like he wants to stay on the Island.
Frank Seravalli (TSN): The ask for Darcy Kuemper, Joonas Korpisalo, or Elvis Merzlikins is a 1st AND a 2nd round pick.
BLH’s Thoughts: No wonder those players haven’t been moved yet. I mean, if CBJ is going to be in a bit of a pickle with the expansion draft protection list in the event they can’t move those two netminders, why pay a premium for them? Just wait it out and see how much they lower the price. Same thing with Arizona, but instead of a protection list to worry about, they’ve got to worry about having the money to keep the lights on. Patience will pay off in the case of those targeting these three players.
The Oilers offered Taylor Hall somewhere in the range of $4.75M for one year and the Boston Bruins only offered him multi-year deals.
BLH’s Thoughts: Could you imagine if the Oilers had been able to sign Hall for that in addition to adding Tyson Barrie and Kyle Turris? But now we wait until next off-season to go through this whole soap opera again. Good times…
David Pagnotta (The Fourth Period): New York Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello has been working the phone lines in an attempt to shed salary and is believed to be actively trying to move defenceman Johnny Boychuk and winger Leo Komarov. It is believed this week’s acquisition of two second-round draft picks from the Colorado Avalanche for defenceman Devon Toews could be used as part of a deal involving either Boychuk or Komarov.
The Carolina Hurricanes are exploring the markets for a top-six forward and GM Don Waddell is looking for options in both the free-agent market and the trade market. They are believed to have interest in such forwards as Mike Hoffman, Anthony Duclair, and Mikael Granlund.
BLH’s Thoughts: Can we just get the Laine-to-Carolina trade done and over with? And if were a betting man, seeing how the Hurricanes covet the Finns, out of those three names mentioned by Pagnotta; Granlund is the one I’d say is most likely to sign there.
The Boston Bruins remain in the hunt for a top-six forward and a defenceman as GM Don Sweeney continues to explore the markets for both. The Bruins could package Jake DeBrusk for a top-six scorer or continue to pursue unrestricted free agent forward Mike Hoffman, who remains unsigned at the time of this article being published.
BLH’s Thoughts: Jake DeBrusk IS a top-6 scorer, why are they screwing around with him like this?
Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin says they’re finalizing the transfer docs to have Jesperi Kotkaniemi play in Pori in Finland until the NHL season gets going.
BLH’s Thoughts: This year is a fantastic year to be following the SM-Liiga!
The Oilers Speculation
How do you have the Oilers lining up next year? I think that there’s a lot of flexibility in their forward group as it stands but I don’t think the same can be said for the club’s defense.
This is how I would run the forward lines to start the season if I were coach.
Line 1: Neal-McDavid-Kassian
Before James Neal started getting banged up, he was banging in the goals for Edmonton. He scored 11 goals in 14 games in October to start his tenure for the Oilers and I don’t see why he couldn’t repeat that. Having him and Kass flanking McDavid gives the league’s best player a couple of big bodies to open up space for him after he gains entry to the opposition’s zone as well as two vets who are very capable working in the muck.
Line 2: RNH-Draisaitl-Yamamoto
Ask yourself, what do you want in a forward line?
Skill? Check!
Size? Check!
An elite two-way player? Check!
A sniper? Check!
An elite playmaker? Check!
Grit? Check!
High hockey IQ? Check!
Physicality? Check!
This line has it all and it was the best trio in the NHL last season after being put together. Not only that but when Coach Tippett went away from it in the play-ins, they lost the series. The team didn’t even look alive until he reunited these boys. Keep it together and leave it together.
Line 3: Ennis-Turris-Puljujarvi
Are there really any other options you’d put here? This is a soft minutes offensive line. They’ll get the other team’s 3rd pair and a lot of offensive zone starts and there’s no reason to believe they won’t outscore the opposition on most nights. Puljujarvi is presented with TWO very skilled veteran linemates, so in theory, he should be able to produce from the get-go.
Line 4: Chiasson-Khaira-Archibald
It is what it is, a heavy checking line where the team’s special teams contributors play 5×5. I don’t know if Chiasson will be an Oiler by the time the 2020-21 season starts but if he is this is where I’d have him. I don’t expect this line to score a lot but Chaser might have the best snap shot on the team and putting him on his off-wing would put him in a better position to score. Archie and JJ should be the ones tasked with causing some havoc down low in the other team’s zone. If deployed correctly, this line could really grind on whoever they’re facing.
How would you set up the lines?
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Speculating from an Oilers fan’s perspective, BLH comments on the latest Edmonton Oilers news as well as the freshest NHL speculation featuring players such as Anthony Duclair, Mike Hoffman, Karl Alzner, Jake Gardiner, and many more!
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The News and Rumors
Pat Boyle (NBC Sports): The Chicago Blackhawks offered goalie Corey Crawford and forward Brandon Saad to the Colorado Avalanche for bluechip prospect defenseman Bowen Byram at the trade deadline.
BLH’s Thoughts: Sweet Jesus! How in the world did Stan Bowman think that kind of offer would fly? That sounds like the kind of offer that gets you laughed off of Twitter for suggesting… I’m thinking Bowman’s days in the Windy City are numbered and probably for good reason.
Frank Seravalli (TSN): Mike Hoffman is open to a 1yr deal at $5.5M-$6M. The Boston Bruins and Nashville Predators have interest.
More Seravalli: The Tampa Bay Lightning will have to add a pick with Tyler Johnson if they want to trade him.
TVA Sports: Trade options for the Montreal Canadiens include: Joel Armia, Paul Byron, and Jordan Weal.
BLH’s Thoughts: Paul Byron and Jordan Weal are a couple of players I wouldn’t mind Edmonton targeting at the trade deadline for a playoff run. These guys will run through a wall to get the job done. Lotta heart and very coachable.
Aaron Ward (TSN): The Boston Bruins should target a player who is big, experienced, and hungry to redeem himself. Karl Alzner checks all the boxes.
BLH’s Thoughts: Yeah… Maybe… Or Maybe not. If Boston is at this point in the player recruitment I don’t think things are going well for them. There are much better players on the market still.
Elliotte Friedman (Sportsnet): Boston, Carolina, and Columbus are looking for a scorer.
BLH’s Thoughts: Lots of Friedman talk here.
Boston and Calgary were among the others who badly wanted Anderson. If it had been the Flames, I think we’re talking about a pretty big deal.
BLH’s Thoughts: I’m willing to bet that Johnny Hockey would’ve been included in this deal.
Even with the signing of Alex Pietrangelo, the Vegas Golden Knights tried to do more considering Taylor Hall and Steven Stamkos.
BLH’s Thoughts: FFS… This is getting annoying and I don’t imagine Kelly McCrimmon is loving how ownership is constantly involving itself in how the team is built. Eventually it’s going to collapse upon itself. You can’t have all the shiny toys at once. There are real humans to consider here and I’m relatively sure that players will choose not to sign there if their future is in jeopardy a year later. It’s that or iron clad NMCs and only signing deals that are impossible to move.
Many of the offers given to Taylor Hall were around $3 million less than Buffalo’s offer.
BLH’s Thoughts: Could you imagine a team getting Hall for $5.5M/yr? I can’t wait to see where he goes next season… Another 1yr deal somewhere?
The Columbus Blue Jackets moved money and now we’re all wondering what’s to be done with the cap space. They wanted Hall. They have considered offer sheets in the past, but there’s a belief they are protecting themselves against one to Pierre-Luc Dubois.
BLH’s Thoughts: They’d best hustle getting PLD signed up is my advice, then go out and get that elite winger they’re aching for.
Andy Greene is believed to be returning to the New York Islanders.
Anaheim, Boston, Colorado, Toronto, and Winnipeg have checked in on Panthers defenceman MacKenzie Weegar.
Lots of discussion around the league as to what the St. Louis Blues plan to do with RFA defender Vince Dunn.
BLH’s Thoughts: I really dig Vince Dunn for Edmonton. He’s basically a left-shot Tyson Barrie I feel. Great skater, doesn’t get phased by a hard forecheck, and can move the puck very well. I can’t see Edmonton going after him though. Not this off-season.
Florida has had conversations with winger Anthony Duclair.
Carolina is still looking at trade options with Jake Gardiner
BLH’s Thoughts: Meh… Florida should just do something here. I feel like they’re always in the rumors but they never do anything and if the Hurricanes want to do something with Gardiner, I don’t think they should expect much of a return for him. He’s an expensive 3rd pair defender now and considering that Dougie Hamilton will be a UFA next year, maybe they should just do what they can to move on from Gardiner and get Hamilton’s new deal done up… IF the plan is to keep him that is.
The Oilers Speculation
Lots of tidbits on Oilers Now yesterday.
“I believe whenever 20/21 free agency is, the #Oilers will add another top-6 forward in free agency… I think they’ll find a way to get RNH done and I still think there’ll still be the cap space there to add another top-6 guy.” – Bob Stauffer
Geez, I wonder who that will be? Bob talked a lot about Gallagher but this was before he was re-signed by the Habs.
“I’m going to be really intrigued to see what Ryan Getzlaf does long-term… Sometimes guys want to win late in their career.” – Bob Stauffer
This was Bob’s “wildcard”. He said he had three names, Hall, Brendan Gallagher, and a wild card… Ryan Getzlaf. He also added that the Ducks captain can play RW if need be…
Don’t take this one lightly. Stauffer is good friends with Getzlaf’s agent, Gerry Johannson. An Edmonton-based NHL agent. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire here and I’ll predict now that he’s an Edmonton Oiler in 2021-22, possibly sooner if he can be acquired at the trade deadline. It’s such a Ken Holland move too. He loves his vets.
“I think we’re headed to an inevitable path here that’s gonna see Nugent-Hopkins get contract extension of probably 7 or 8 years. It just makes too much sense for both parties involved.” = Bob Stauffer
Oilers GM Ken Holland did mention on his spot a few days ago that he believes RNH is looking for term. In that scenario, maybe Edmonton can get Nuge under contract for something south of $7M,
“I absolutely believe Taylor Hall – Edmonton would merit serious consideration for him on a long-term deal.” – Bob Stauffer
And boom goes the dynamite. Can Bob speak this into existence in the same way he did with Tyson Barrie?
Next up are some thoughts from former player agent and Tampa Bay Lightning GM Brian Lawton regarding Taylor Hall signing in Buffalo.
“Makes zero sense to me… I thought the mandate was going to be don’t worry about the top-line # this yr, put yourself in a position like Tyson Barrie or Kevin Shattenkirk did last year and then come back and get paid for it.” – Brian Lawton
That makes two of us. The way I see it is that Hall has looked at the Sabres roster, talked to the necessary people around hockey to see what the odds are of him succeeding in Buffalo, and made his decision from there. The former MVP is known to be very heady when it comes to hockey and sports in general. He knows what he’s talking about, put it that way. So, after considering it for a little while, I don’t think him signing with the Sabres is all about the money. I think he’s making a big bet that Buffalo is going to take a big jump next year and that he’s going to play a massive role in that.
“The best decision for Taylor Hall would’ve been to go to the best team that puts him in the best position to shine well for his career. As an agent, I did this in the past for players and it always worked out.” – Brian Lawton
This would’ve made the most sense. Lawton mentioned Colorado and Edmonton as two teams that Hall probably should’ve went to. Even when Stauffer presented him with a hypothetical scenario of Edmonton only having $4M available for the UFA winger, he still said he would’ve advised Hall to sign the deal.
Now, remember how we talked about Thomas Greiss here a few days ago? How word got out that the Red Wings swooped in and basically stole the goalie from under the Oilers? This next quote is him talking about Mr. Greiss and one, Corey Crawford.
“We know that the Oilers talked to the agents representing those goaltenders as well. Maybe even that was too much at the end of the day.” – Bob Stauffer
It’s nuts how active Ken Holland was on the goalie market. It’s been reported extensively that he was in on Markstrom right up until he signed with Calgary. In addition to him, Edmonton was in talks with Ryan Miller, the aforementioned Greiss and Crawford as well as there were rumors that Petr Mrazek was also being looked into. Oh! Can’t forget about Braden Holtby either.
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