Tag Archives: NHL Speculation

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

You Should Expect the Edmonton Oilers to be in on These Three Wingers in July

Coming from an Edmonton Oilers point of view, BLH provides you with the latest NHL news, rumors, and speculation from all of the internet’s best sites including Spector’s Hockey, The Fourth Period, NHL Trade Talk, The Hockey Writers, Sportsnet, The Athletic, TSN and more!

*This is a repost from 6/16/21*

From Oilers Now

We’re only three days into the week and Bob Stauffer is tossing names out left and right on his AM radio show Oilers Now. Here’s a little bit of what I’ve gathered listening to the shows from Monday and Tuesday,

  • Names most brought up, Tomas Tatar (MTL), Joel Armia (MTL), and Alex Killorn (TB).

BLH’s Thoughts: So there ya go. Now there are reports that Zach Hyman is done in Toronto, add his name to the list along with RNH. I would be willing to bet those give individuals are who Ken Holland has on his list right now.

Mr. Stauffer reckons Tomas Tatar might be willing to come to Edmonton on a one year deal in order to earn himself a larger deal the following year akin to what Tyson Barrie did last summer. 

  • Bob reckons Tampa could move Killorn for a 2nd rounder and then use that draft pick to sweeten the pot for Seattle to take Tyler Johnson, a local lad for the Kraken given he’s from Washington state.
  • Edmonton Oil Kings head coach Brad Lauer was on the Monday show and Bob ended his segment with him by asking Lauer, who coached Killorn in Tampa, for a report on the player.
  • John Shannon said Killorn is “The secret sauce” for Tampa because he’s one of the Lightning’s best players when playoff time comes.

BLH’s Thoughts: Lotta talk on Killorn recently… Very convenient that Stauffer had his ex-coach on and the reports from Lauer and Shannon were more than glowing. And for good reason too. Killorn is a stud. 

So, you reckon Edmonton gives up a 2nd round in the 2022 draft for him or is there a deal coming this year that’ll land the Oilers one in 2021?

  • A texter brought up potentially trading Ethan Bear for help on the wing and then signing or trading for a RHD or LHD like Jamie Oleksiak, Bob completely ignored the trade suggestion and instead focused on shutting down the Oleksiak idea.

BLH’s Thoughts: Stauff’s not saying much on Bear these days when prompted, I find that to be a bit of a tell. 

There’s a market for this player but if the Oilers are going to speed things up a bit here, even marginally, they’ll need a better defender than Bear in their top-4. Somebody who can skate better, is more assertive, has a bigger frame, and doesn’t buckle under a hard forecheck. 

  • Bob said he’d consider bringing back Alex Chiasson for the 4th line if “something” moved on the right side (Zack Kassian to the Rangers, maybe?)

BLH’s Thoughts: The Kassian to New York narrative is really piling on now. I wonder if we’re getting into “when” not “if” range. 

  • Regarding RNH, “time will tell, the price has got to be right.”

BLH’s Thoughts: The feeling on Nuge is turning a bit I feel. Then again, when I heard Stauffer and Spector talking about how good of a person RNH is, that was a sign to me that something was afoot. 

  • On Tuesday’s show, the big question was what if Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway are ready to go out of camp? Meaning Broberg has shown to be the 2nd-best LHD and Holloway has outplayed his peers to win a spot in the top-9.

BLH’s Thoughts: If they’re that good, I’m okay with the team starting the year with them in those spots BUT only if they have the proper depth to bail those young guys out when there’s a bump in the road. Also, the club has to be comfortable with sending them to the AHL if they really struggle. They’ve got to be able to put the ego aside and do the right thing.

That’s a funny thing for me to say given how the team handled Puljujarvi and how staunchly against him playing in Bakersfield I was. But the fact of the matter was, he was a superstar in that league from the age of 18… Edmonton simply could figure out how to put him in a position to succeed in the NHL and destroyed his confidence in the process. 

  • A very thick “draft and develop” narrative was being thrown out on Tuesday.
  • Stauffer’s already prognosticating that Klefbom might not be ready and that’ll open up the door for Broberg to step in. Mark Spector and him spent some time recalling last summer’s training camp when the swift-skating Swede looked very good.
    • Spector finished that off by saying he thought Broberg looked that good because the rest of Edmonton’s defense were well under form.

BLH’s Thoughts: What is up with the media in Edmonton and this burning desire to recreate the early 80s Oilers? I get it that the young players are more ready and more mature when they enter the league now, but there’s no way a team like the ’84 Oilers will ever be recreated. People in Edmonton have to get that through their heads. Stop building the team from the top-six forwards out and get the spine of the team constructed out of elite NHL hockey players. They need eight of them (four fwds, three dmen, and a goalie) and the Oilers have three (McDavid, Draisaitl, and Nurse). 

  • Bob reckons the Oilers need another big body for Klefbom’s spot. Cites the four remaining teams playing hockey right now and the defensemen they’re deploying.
  • “(Ethan) Bear is a serviceable defenseman that can play some minutes. Is he a stone cold mortal lock to be a top-4 D at this time? Don’t know. He’s a really good no.5 defenseman on a team.” – Stauffer

BLH’s Thoughts: The Edmonton Oilers need more than a serviceable defenseman in their top-four. If Bear is Edmonton’s 3rd pair RHD, I think there are worse situations to be in, let’s put it that way. And maybe that’s what happens this year because Evan Bouchard is going to come in and blow the doors off next season. 

  • The Oilers need to continue to focus on a drafting and developing because it’s a market that struggles to attract top free agents. Spector and Stauffer liken Edmonton to Winnipeg and add that two cities on most of the no-trade lists are in fact, Edmonton and Winnipeg…
  • Rob Brown says if Boston couldn’t get a deal done with Taylor Hall, that he’d have no problems signing him in Edmonton if the money was right. Term wouldn’t be an issue.

BLH’s Thoughts: Another interesting question from Bob. Not a peep about Hall all week and then BAM! However, I’ve said this before, it’s my belief that Ken Holland went hard after Hall last summer and at this year’s deadline.

Now, if you’re asking me to choose between Hyman, Hall, and Nuge, I’m probably taking Hall but I’m with Rob Brown here. The money will need to be right because I’m not so concerned about term with Taylor.

  • “I don’t believe that the money Taylor Hall was going to get two years ago is still out there for a couple of reasons. He hasn’t put together the back-to-back seasons that he needed and you can’t afford to pay that kind of money right now.” – Brown
  • Brown says that Ryan Nugent-Hopkins missed an opportunity to get a bigger contract (not just in Edmonton but around the league) and now he’s a very good complimentary player, not a line driver.

BLH’s Thoughts: So, Nugey can stay in Edmonton if he’s willing to sign long-term and lower cash OR he can go somewhere like Seattle and sign long-term for MEGA bucks… It comes down to what Nugent-Hopkins values most now, winning or skrilla.

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Are the Oilers Contemplating Signing TWO High-Priced Left-Wingers This Offseason?

Coming from an Edmonton Oilers point of view, BLH provides you with the latest NHL news, rumors, and speculation from all of the internet’s best sites including Spector’s Hockey, The Fourth Period, NHL Trade Talk, The Hockey Writers, Sportsnet, The Athletic, TSN and more!

From Spector’s Hockey

LATEST EICHEL SPECULATION

THE BUFFALO NEWS: In a recent mailbag segment, Lance Lysowski predicted the Sabres will grant permission for interested clubs to speak to Eichel. That will be necessary because of the treatment Eichel requires to treat his injury. If a rival club is willing to allow him to undergo the surgery he seeks and offers the right trade package, Lysowki believes the Sabres will make the deal sooner rather than later.

THE ATHLETIC/BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Fluto Shinzawa believes the Boston Bruins will pass on Eichel because of his neck injury. “A $10 million player has to be a sure thing,” he wrote. Joe Haggerty dismissed any talk of the Bruins acquiring Eichel as “fantasy stuff.”

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: Jimmy Murphy wondered if the Seattle Kraken could use the prospect they select with the second-overall pick in this year’s draft as part of a package offer for Eichel. One NHL executive said he was told Kraken general manager Ron Francis checked in on the Sabres captain.

THE ATHLETIC: Rick Carpiniello reports hearing the New York Rangers are not likely, or much less likely now, to get into the bidding for Eichel.

BLH’s Thoughts: Man, I do not mind that Seattle deal… How would the rest of that offer look though? Seattle could do worse than to have an American hockey player like Jack Eichel be the face of their franchise. However, I think Anaheim or Minnesota look like the most realistic landing spots for him at this point in time. 

From NHL Trade Talk

Jets’ Scheifele Would be of Interest to Rangers If He Hits Trade Block

It would be crazy to think that one mistake and missing a few playoff games could lead to a change of scenery for a player as good as Winnipeg Jets’ forward Mark Scheifele. But, this weekend, the forward’s name appeared in trade rumors for the first time. Larry Brooks — who is fairly plugged in on this sort of thing — noted that the New York Rangers would be interested in Scheifele should he become available.

  • “Though it goes without saying, it will be said anyway: If Mark Scheifele somehow becomes available out of Winnipeg, he is the player for whom the Rangers empty the cupboard, and the guy in Buffalo becomes Jack Who?”

If you’re wondering why the Jets would decide it better to move forward with Scheifele not a part of their future, us too. Sure, it’s not a good look when you take an incredibly stupid charging penalty and miss three games, not being able to help your team ward off elimination. This is now the second year in a row where Scheifele hasn’t been able to help his team come playoff time (last year he was injured).

BLH’s Thoughts: As if the Jets are going to let their franchise center go…

Now if they did, would Winnipeg get as good a return for him as they did Dale Hawerchuk all those years ago? 

When Winnipeg moved the best player in the history of their city at the 1990 entry draft, they got Phil Housley, Scott Arniel, Jeff Parker and a draft pick that would turn into Keith Tkachuk. They also send a pick of their own to the Sabres to round out the deal and Buffalo would pick Brad May with it. 

So, try to equate that to today’s Rangers. It’d have to be Adam Fox, Ryan Strome, Julien Gauthier, and New York’s first rounder this year. Winnipeg would also move their first to New York. 

That’s a dumb trade for both teams right now just as the Hawerchuk deal was poor for Winnipeg back in ’90… 

From The Athletic

This Appears to be the End for Zach Hyman as a Maple Leaf

Multiple sources said they didn’t believe any talks of substance had happened, going back months. No progress was made on extension talk at any point, really, going back to when Hyman first became eligible for a new deal last year.

Other teams and agents around the league believe Hyman can now command close to $6 million a season on a long-term deal, an unthinkable sum only a year or two ago.

Josh Anderson’s mammoth seven-year, $38.5 million deal signed with the Canadiens last October often comes up as a comparable.

BLH’s Thoughts: Well that opens up the possibility for the Oilers. I don’t mind the player, but I’m not very keen on opening the bank vault for him on a long-term deal. I think there could be better options available to the team. 

From The Daily Goal Horn

Taylor Hall and Oilers reunion?

Around the NHL Trade Deadline, before Boston made the deal, analyst Doug MacLean was told that a reunion was discussed.

“I also heard yesterday they’re in on the guy from Buffalo that everybody wants [Hall]. I’m thinking, how could Taylor Hall go there on a deal?” MacLean said. “The guy told me they’re looking at a deal that would have [Hall and RNH] both done for less than $12 million for both of them, and it would work next year. It was a reasonable source that said it.”

The possibility is still there to sign both, but I see it as unlikely. If Nugent-Hopkins were to depart, Hall makes as much sense as anyone.

BLH’s Thoughts: As long as Taylor Hall is in the NHL, that “unfinished business” tag will never cease to exist and the rumors connecting him to the team every trade deadline and and offseason will continue. 

So here we are again for the 5th time in five years talking about Hall and the Oilers. Could it happen? Absolutely! Should it happen? It wouldn’t hurt. Will it happen? I’m thinking there’s about a 10% chance it does. 

Now, that being said, I believe there’s a scenario that the Oilers are contemplating where they bring in TWO left wingers at between $5M and $6-$6.5M for their top-six and then gift the 3rd line LW spot to Dylan Holloway. 

That could be two of Zach Hyman, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Taylor Hall, Brandon Saad, Gabriel Landeskog, Jaden Schwartz, etc. 

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Oilers Insider Lays Out Possible Deal to Bring Alex Killorn to Edmonton

Coming from an Edmonton Oilers point of view, BLH provides you with the latest NHL news, rumors, and speculation from all of the internet’s best sites including Spector’s Hockey, The Fourth Period, NHL Trade Talk, The Hockey Writers, Sportsnet, The Athletic, TSN and more!

From Oilers Now

We’re only three days into the week and Bob Stauffer is tossing names out left and right on his AM radio show Oilers Now. Here’s a little bit of what I’ve gathered listening to the shows from Monday and Tuesday,

  • Names most brought up, Tomas Tatar (MTL), Joel Armia (MTL), and Alex Killorn (TB).

BLH’s Thoughts: So there ya go. Now there are reports that Zach Hyman is done in Toronto, add his name to the list along with RNH. I would be willing to bet those give individuals are who Ken Holland has on his list right now.

Mr. Stauffer reckons Tomas Tatar might be willing to come to Edmonton on a one year deal in order to earn himself a larger deal the following year akin to what Tyson Barrie did last summer. 

  • Bob reckons Tampa could move Killorn for a 2nd rounder and then use that draft pick to sweeten the pot for Seattle to take Tyler Johnson, a local lad for the Kraken given he’s from Washington state.
  • Edmonton Oil Kings head coach Brad Lauer was on the Monday show and Bob ended his segment with him by asking Lauer, who coached Killorn in Tampa, for a report on the player.
  • John Shannon said Killorn is “The secret sauce” for Tampa because he’s one of the Lightning’s best players when playoff time comes.

BLH’s Thoughts: Lotta talk on Killorn recently… Very convenient that Stauffer had his ex-coach on and the reports from Lauer and Shannon were more than glowing. And for good reason too. Killorn is a stud. 

So, you reckon Edmonton gives up a 2nd round in the 2022 draft for him or is there a deal coming this year that’ll land the Oilers one in 2021?

  • A texter brought up potentially trading Ethan Bear for help on the wing and then signing or trading for a RHD or LHD like Jamie Oleksiak, Bob completely ignored the trade suggestion and instead focused on shutting down the Oleksiak idea.

BLH’s Thoughts: Stauff’s not saying much on Bear these days when prompted, I find that to be a bit of a tell. 

There’s a market for this player but if the Oilers are going to speed things up a bit here, even marginally, they’ll need a better defender than Bear in their top-4. Somebody who can skate better, is more assertive, has a bigger frame, and doesn’t buckle under a hard forecheck. 

  • Bob said he’d consider bringing back Alex Chiasson for the 4th line if “something” moved on the right side (Zack Kassian to the Rangers, maybe?)

BLH’s Thoughts: The Kassian to New York narrative is really piling on now. I wonder if we’re getting into “when” not “if” range. 

  • Regarding RNH, “time will tell, the price has got to be right.”

BLH’s Thoughts: The feeling on Nuge is turning a bit I feel. Then again, when I heard Stauffer and Spector talking about how good of a person RNH is, that was a sign to me that something was afoot. 

  • On Tuesday’s show, the big question was what if Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway are ready to go out of camp? Meaning Broberg has shown to be the 2nd-best LHD and Holloway has outplayed his peers to win a spot in the top-9.

BLH’s Thoughts: If they’re that good, I’m okay with the team starting the year with them in those spots BUT only if they have the proper depth to bail those young guys out when there’s a bump in the road. Also, the club has to be comfortable with sending them to the AHL if they really struggle. They’ve got to be able to put the ego aside and do the right thing.

That’s a funny thing for me to say given how the team handled Puljujarvi and how staunchly against him playing in Bakersfield I was. But the fact of the matter was, he was a superstar in that league from the age of 18… Edmonton simply could figure out how to put him in a position to succeed in the NHL and destroyed his confidence in the process. 

  • A very thick “draft and develop” narrative was being thrown out on Tuesday.
  • Stauffer’s already prognosticating that Klefbom might not be ready and that’ll open up the door for Broberg to step in. Mark Spector and him spent some time recalling last summer’s training camp when the swift-skating Swede looked very good.
    • Spector finished that off by saying he thought Broberg looked that good because the rest of Edmonton’s defense were well under form.

BLH’s Thoughts: What is up with the media in Edmonton and this burning desire to recreate the early 80s Oilers? I get it that the young players are more ready and more mature when they enter the league now, but there’s no way a team like the ’84 Oilers will ever be recreated. People in Edmonton have to get that through their heads. Stop building the team from the top-six forwards out and get the spine of the team constructed out of elite NHL hockey players. They need eight of them (four fwds, three dmen, and a goalie) and the Oilers have three (McDavid, Draisaitl, and Nurse). 

  • Bob reckons the Oilers need another big body for Klefbom’s spot. Cites the four remaining teams playing hockey right now and the defensemen they’re deploying.
  • “(Ethan) Bear is a serviceable defenseman that can play some minutes. Is he a stone cold mortal lock to be a top-4 D at this time? Don’t know. He’s a really good no.5 defenseman on a team.” – Stauffer

BLH’s Thoughts: The Edmonton Oilers need more than a serviceable defenseman in their top-four. If Bear is Edmonton’s 3rd pair RHD, I think there are worse situations to be in, let’s put it that way. And maybe that’s what happens this year because Evan Bouchard is going to come in and blow the doors off next season. 

  • The Oilers need to continue to focus on a drafting and developing because it’s a market that struggles to attract top free agents. Spector and Stauffer liken Edmonton to Winnipeg and add that two cities on most of the no-trade lists are in fact, Edmonton and Winnipeg…
  • Rob Brown says if Boston couldn’t get a deal done with Taylor Hall, that he’d have no problems signing him in Edmonton if the money was right. Term wouldn’t be an issue.

BLH’s Thoughts: Another interesting question from Bob. Not a peep about Hall all week and then BAM! However, I’ve said this before, it’s my belief that Ken Holland went hard after Hall last summer and at this year’s deadline.

Now, if you’re asking me to choose between Hyman, Hall, and Nuge, I’m probably taking Hall but I’m with Rob Brown here. The money will need to be right because I’m not so concerned about term with Taylor.

  • “I don’t believe that the money Taylor Hall was going to get two years ago is still out there for a couple of reasons. He hasn’t put together the back-to-back seasons that he needed and you can’t afford to pay that kind of money right now.” – Brown
  • Brown says that Ryan Nugent-Hopkins missed an opportunity to get a bigger contract (not just in Edmonton but around the league) and now he’s a very good complimentary player, not a line driver.

BLH’s Thoughts: So, Nugey can stay in Edmonton if he’s willing to sign long-term and lower cash OR he can go somewhere like Seattle and sign long-term for MEGA bucks… It comes down to what Nugent-Hopkins values most now, winning or skrilla.

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Are the Oilers Dunn with Kulikov Already?

Coming from an Edmonton Oilers point of view, BLH provides you with the latest NHL news, rumors, and speculation from all of the internet’s best sites including Spector’s Hockey, The Fourth Period, NHL Trade Talk, The Hockey Writers, Sportsnet, The Athletic, TSN and more!

From Sportsnet

Here are a few rumors from Elliotte Friedman’s latest 31 Thoughts,

  • 9. I did ask around to see if the Sabres gave anyone permission to talk to Jack Eichel, but don’t believe that’s the case. Everyone’s gone into the cone of silence. From what I can tell, the team and its captain are negotiating the next steps of his recovery. Multiple sources indicate that if there’s any deal involving either Eichel or Sam Reinhart, do not be surprised if the Sabres end up with a second high first-round selection in July’s draft.
  • 11. I’ve thought a lot about the Blue Jackets since the Seth Jones news broke and what I’d do if I were in charge. Answer: Don’t allow a slow water torture. Rip off the band-aid and eliminate the pain as quickly as possible. See where you stand with your players and make your decisions now.I’m curious to see if Florida asks about Patrik Laine. He and Aleksander Barkov have a good relationship. The Panthers are expected to be aggressive in pursuit of improvement.
  • 12. Boston GM Don Sweeney showed some strategy at his season-ending media briefing on Tuesday. The Bruins will try to avoid signing any of their UFAs before the expansion draft in order to maximize their protection list. I believe he will be respectful of David Krejci/Tuukka Rask’s timelines for making decisions on next season. The only request will be to allow the Bruins time to adjust their plans if the answer is no. They’ve been talking to Taylor Hall about an extension for some time.
  • 15. Philadelphia’s got a lot of balls in the air. I figured they’d be in on Hamilton, but, as mentioned above, he doesn’t appears to be their top target. I’m speculating here, but my guesses would include Seth Jones and Matt Dumba (who GM Chuck Fletcher knows very well). It also wouldn’t be a shocker if they have asked the Coyotes about 2019 first-rounder Victor Soderstrom. The Flyers liked him at that draft, and Arizona actually flipped picks with them to move up and take the Swedish defenceman.
  • 16. The Buffalo News’ Lance Lysowski reported that New Jersey had interest in Rasmus Ristolainen. I’d heard similar. I’ve also wondered if the Devils would consider Shayne Gostisbehere, with a sweetener included, but Hamilton makes sense there, too.
  • 17. Edmonton and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins are grinding to find common ground.
  • 28. I think Alec Martinez is going to do very well in unrestricted free agency.
  • 29. Mentioned it on Saturday Headlines a couple of weeks ago, but wanted to include it here, too: St. Louis made Vince Dunn available, and several teams are taking a long look.

BLH’s Thoughts: I read yesterday on Twitter there’s a chance that the Sabres are going to end up with a 2nd pick in the top-10 of the draft this year, but could they end up with four picks in the first ten selections? 

There are rumors that the Devils like Rasmus Ristolainen and NJ has the 4th overall pick. Columbus likes Eichel, they’ve got the 5th overall, and LA has been connected to Sam Reinhart. Has a team ever had four picks in the top-10 of the draft?

Imagine the Sabres walking away from this draft with Owen Power, Dylan Guenther, Brandt Clarke, and Mason MacTavish? Now, that’s how you restart a rebuild! They could even move those picks for proper NHLers or use them to get rid of some unsavory contracts if they wanted to slap the defibrillators on it. 

I love Vince Dunn! If Edmonton could get him for Caleb Jones plus (or maybe just Jones himself), that might be a good deal for the Oilers. He’s a bit of chaos but he can move the puck really well, has hands as soft as charmin, and he’s a fantastic skater. The question is, on the Oilers would he be better suited for the 2nd or 3rd pair? If I had to say right now, I’d probably much rather see him with Adam Larsson as his partner than Evan Bouchard or Ethan Bear but there’d be some bumps in the road if that scenario came true. 

Another candidate that would really be an excellent option for the Oilers open spot at 2nd pair left-shot D is in the next segment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McdK17Pc_yk

From NHLRumors.com

Oilers should at least talk to Kulikov

Bruce McCurdy of the Edmonton Journal: The Edmonton Oilers traded a 2022 fourth-round pick at the trade deadline for Dmitry Kulikov. Kulikov was paired with Adam Larsson on the second pairing. Both coach Dave Tippett and GM Ken Holland like their veteran defenseman.

Before free agency opens this offseason, Holland should at least talk to his camp to see what he’s looking for. He had signed a one-year, $1.25 million deal last offseason and could be looking for a raise.

The Oilers did re-sign Kris Russell to a one-year deal at $1.25 and they play a similar role.

Potential free agents targets could include defensemen Jamie Oleksiak or Derek Forbort.

BLH’s Thoughts: I’ve got absolutely ZERO problems with the Oilers bringing back Dmitry Kulikov. His regular season play for Edmonton was solid, but what presents a dusting of doubt is Dave Tippett Healthy scratching him in the playoffs… 

There was a bit of chatter on Oilers Now (630CHED) yesterday about a scenario where Philip Broberg finishing training camp next season as the clear-cut 2nd best left shot defender and what should the Oilers do in that situation. If they’ve got Kulikov I would think they’re in a very good spot because he can play 2nd and 3rd pair minutes easily. 

Personally, if Broberg is ready to step into the NHL, I’d prefer he does it on the 3rd pairing because I’ve seen time and time again where the Oilers put a player with promise in a spot they’re not quite ready for and they find themselves completely underwater. With a Kulikov on the roster, Edmonton has a hedge. 

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This Oilers Rumors Blog is Brought to You by the Letter ‘H’ (as in Hall or Hamilton)

Coming from an Edmonton Oilers point of view, BLH provides you with the latest NHL news, rumors, and speculation from all of the internet’s best sites including Spector’s Hockey, The Fourth Period, NHL Trade Talk, The Hockey Writers, Sportsnet, The Athletic, TSN and more!

From The Hockey News/Sports Illustrated

The Hurricanes have given their star defenseman permission to speak with other teams leading up to free agency. Who will join the feeding frenzy and make a play for Hamilton?

Edmonton Oilers

There’s a good case for re-signing Adam Larsson after he realized his potential as a defensive defenseman, sure. But with him and fellow righty Tyson Barrie slated to become UFAs, there’s room on the depth chart and the payroll for Hamilton, theoretically, especially if the Oilers are prepared to let Evan Bouchard and his entry-level contract occupy a full-time roster spot next season. With growing concern over the Oilers burning away crucial prime years of superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, it would make sense for GM Ken Holland to throttle up and try to propel his top-heavy squad deeper into the post-season. Having Hamilton and Darnell Nurse playing 30 minutes a night sounds like a fine recipe for winning more playoff rounds going forward.

BLH’s Thoughts: There’s a common belief going around that Dougie doesn’t want to play in a hockey mad market. He enjoys playing in a city where he can walk down the street and nobody will notice him. 

If that’s true, you can take Edmonton right out of the mix because even the folks who aren’t fans of hockey or the Oilers will give you trouble if the team is losing in that city.

I’d also add that if Holland lets Adam Larsson walk for nothing and uses Ethan Bear on the 2nd pair, he’ll regret it. Larsson’s skillset is required for post-season success in my opinion. Mind you, if Ethan can improve his skating like Darnell Nurse, Leon Draisaitl, and Jesse Puljujarvi have in the past, the sky’s the limit. At the rate he’s going, I just don’t think he’s going to be better than Evan Bouchard and in fact, I believe Bouchard will be the better player come game one of the 2021-22 season. 

My suggestion would be trade Bear for Jake DeBrusk and sign David Savard, then use Bouchard in the same manner Tyson Barrie was used this past year. Savard and Larsson can always transition down a pairing as Bouchard gets better and the team will be set come playoff time. The right side of your defense is sorted for another three seasons.

From NHL Trade Talk

Hurricanes Playing With Fire Here

The risk for Carolina here is that teams are saying, ‘Hey, if you don’t take care of your own guy, who are you going to take care of?’ In other words, if a commodity like (Rod) Brind’Amour can’t even get an extension done in a place he wants to stay and with a team he said he’d sign with as long as they took care of his assistants and other staff, there’s no loyalty by the organization and that sends a terrible message throughout the rest of the league.

When asked if it’s Carolina or bust for Brind’Amour, Friedman couldn’t provide an answer. He said, “Every day this goes by without a solution, we don’t know.”

BLH’s Thoughts: They sure do things a bit different with Tom Dundon in charge, eh? I can’t think of a team sane enough to let a coach of the year candidate and one of the few right-handed no.1 defensemen in the league get to market. 

Now, if it’s true that Brind’Amour would rather stay in Carolina than go anywhere else, even if that means not coaching in the NHL, that’s on him and he’s sunk his own battleship with regards to negotiating power. On the other hand, if he’s willing to go elsewhere and Dundon is playing chicken with Rod the Bod, it’ll be a massive loss for the Hurricanes. 

Is this what happens when you only look at the numbers and disregard the human element of the game?

From NHLTradeRumors.me

4 Potential Destinations for Taylor Hall Besides Boston

  • Los Angeles Kings: Kings’ general manage Rob Blake has made it known to every team across the league he’s looking to improve his top-six forwards. Hall would immediately step into the team’s top-line and give Anze Kopitar a speedy left-winger to work with. LA has been interested in the past, and could be a perfect fit for someone like Hall who doesn’t like to be in the spotlight.
  • Columbus Blue Jackets: The Blue Jackets have almost $25 million to spend this summer and while they are looking for a #1 center, adding a player of Hall’s caliber is a decent option B. Hall’s speed and skill would mesh well in Columbus and they are one team that actually may ‘overpay’ on a long-term contract.
  • St Louis Blues: The Blues are a wildcard because they are looking to trade some big names off their roster including the oft-injured Vladimir Tarasenko. Hall could be seen as a stellar replacement for their top-two lines and would give the Blues forward group a much needed breath of fresh air. It all comes down to money, so unless there’s a trade or two from St Louis, don’t expect them to be involved.
  • Minnesota Wild: The Wild were a surprise success story this season and are looking to carry that momentum into next year. The team is after some high-end talent to pair with rookie sensation Kirill Kaprizov and Hall could be a nice compliment for the second line. The two could also play power-play time together and find some chemistry as they would play on opposite lines throughout the game. While it’s not the #1 center the Wild are after, it’s an upgrade and that’s all that’s on the mind of general manager Bill Guerin.

BLH’s Thoughts: Minnesota need a center badly and I’d argue the same with St. Louis unless the stick with O’Reilly and Schenn down the middle and allow Schwartz and Hoffman to walk but the Blues need to upgrade their defense in my opinion.

Columbus could be an option but surely that deal would have to have term, money, and a show of faith from the team by acquiring a real no.1 center for Hall to play with. 

Now, LA is an interesting option. Hall had a year with Todd McLellan in Edmonton and if I recall, according to my sources, T-Mac was one of the main men who green lit the Hall trade. From what I’ve been told though, he expected the return to be somewhat more substantial. 

With Taylor, I just expect him to pick the teams with the most potential for winning at this point in his career. He tried the one year mercenary deal with Buffalo and it didn’t work. He orchestrated his trade to Boston and the start was awesome but the finish sucked… We’ll just have to wait and see with him. 

All of that said, if Hall does get to market, expect the Oilers to be in the mix as well. They were well in it with him last summer and if he’s available and willing to talk Edmonton, Holland will definitely be inquiring as to how serious the whole “there’s unfinished business” narrative is with the former Oiler. Should he like what he hears, I would think a competitive offer would be tabled. 

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