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Armchair GM, Beer League Hero, Edmonton Oilers, Keith Fries, NHL, NHL Entry Draft, Prospects, TPE Hockey, Trades

BLH Oilers Mailbag: 2019 NHL Draft SPECIAL with @KeithFries and @TPEHockey

With the NHL Entry Draft this Friday and Saturday, let’s circle the wagons one last time with a questionnaire for both of our contributing scouts, Max (@TPEHockey) and Keith (@keithfries). I’ll be participating in this exercise 🙂

Question #1: With the 8th-overall pick, do the Edmonton Oilers move up, trade back, or stay put?

Max: Personally, I always prefer staying put. Moving forward can work out if a team really has an eye on a certain player, but at the 8th-overall spot moving up just a few picks can be costly. Trading back is risky as your guy may be off the board. I’d see Edmonton staying put and selecting from the various talents in the deep #5-#14 range, of this class.

Keith: If you look at Ken Holland’s recent track record, at the draft, he doesn’t usually move up or down. I see him staying put because a) it’s in his nature and b) because the options at #8 are probably as equal as they would be if he moved up to, say, 6th-overall. He might slide back a spot-or-two if he can pick up a valuable asset in a trade, but I just don’t see that happening.

BLH: I concur with the scouts on this one. I don’t really see the advantage in moving up to anything apart from 3rd overall and I can’t see that happening. Trading down would be a more likely event given the group of players ranked #4 to #12, but even then, I just don’t see the point. Get your guy at 8 and walk away happy. Don’t mess around.

Question #2: Playing armchair GM, if you stay at the 8th-overall pick, who would you draft if the following players had already been selected?

1) Jack Hughes
2) Kaapo Kakko
3) Alex Turcotte
4) Bowen Byram
5) Kirby Dach
6) Dylan Cozens
7) Cole Caufield

Max: In this scenario, Peyton Krebs is my guy. Krebs was on a weak Kootenay team but found success, nonetheless. He can run his own line and drive offense even without great teammates.

Keith: I think Trevor Zegras would make a lot of sense. He’s, in my opinion, the smartest player at the top of this class, on-and-off the ice. Really good kid – and when you couple that with all the gifts he has in the rink, it’s really a no-brainer. …See what I did there?

BLH: Krebs and Zegras would definitely be of great value to the Oilers going forth. They’d add an element of flash to the Oilers center depth and if I had to choose one or the other, I’d probably side with Max here and go with Krebs due to his work ethic and two-way game.

With that said, I’m a Matthew Boldy man. For my money, he’s the best all-around forward in the draft and the Oilers are really lacking in those. He can stir the drink from the wing and there aren’t many players in the game you can say do that. He can play across the board and in every situation. To add to that, he’s most likely physically ready to play pro right now and his vision, hands, and hockey IQ are right up there with the best in the draft. A season or two in the NCAA will develop him into an impact player upon his NHL debut.

 Question #3: Who do you think (realistically) will be on the board at #38? Who should the Oilers draft with that pick?

Max: A good option might be Patrik Puistola. Puistola is a popular pick for an under the radar, 2nd-round, option, who’s found a lot of success in the Mestis – the 2nd premiere adult league, in Finland. Puistola is a creative goal scorer who will make the jump to the Liiga, next season.

Keith: A guy that doesn’t get enough love is Maxim Cajkovic. The definition of a “journeyman,” he’s played pretty much all over the world, already, and when you look at how well he’s performed at every stop along the road, he’s the kind of guy that teams will trade for at the deadline to go on a ‘Cup run.

BLH: This will really depend on who the Oilers take at 8th overall. I reckon it’ll be a pretty offensive player, so… I really like John Beecher here. He’s one of the fastest players in the draft, he plays center, and he likes to get mucky. I don’t feel he’s quick like Hughes, but he’s fast like jersey flapping Mike Modano fast. He’s got a pro frame and at the end of the day, it wouldn’t surprise me if he ended up being 6’2″ and 210lbs. Just a beast on skates. The downside is he’s not all that offensively gifted, so the Oilers might be developing a defensive center/wing here in Beecher if they take him.

Question #4: Do you think Edmonton selects a goaltender in this draft? Why or why not?

Max: Edmonton has six picks in this draft and, with no NHL level netminder in their system, it might be worth spending at least one on a goalie. Spencer Knight might be out of the Oilers’ range, but there’s a deep class behind him who could be available in the 3rd-round.

Keith: It depends on who’s available and when. For me, there are three goaltenders in this draft that matter: Spencer Knight, Dustin Wolf, and Ilya Konovalov. If any of those guys are sitting there in the 3rd-or-4th rounds, I don’t care how good of prospects Stuart Skinner or Olivier Rodrigue are, I’m making the pick.

BLH: I’m not sure. With only six picks, I’d be hard-pressed to take one knowing there are four already in the system. I’d probably wait until next season or if I felt the urge to add another one, sign a free agent out of the NCAA or Europe.

Question #5: Another armchair GM scenario… You’re approached by the Avalanche to trade up to #4. It will cost you the: 8th, 85th, and 100th-overall picks. Do you make that trade, knowing the following players are off the board – and who would you select?

1) Jack Hughes
2) Kaapo Kakko
3) Bowen Byram

Max: Alex Turcotte is my 3rd-ranked prospect, in this draft, and I’d jump at the chance to take him. He’s by far the most complete player in the draft. When you combine his skating, creativity, scoring, intellect, and playmaking abilities, he’s easily the best option available after Jack Hughes and Kaapo Kakko.

Keith: I’d likely ask for additional draft pick in-return – 3-for-2 deal – but ultimately, no. I’m projecting the same ceiling for guys in the 3rd-to-12th-overall range. No need to move.

BLH: No, I wouldn’t. I do like Keith’s idea though. The M.O. in Edmonton is draft and develop and removing half of your picks to move up and get a player that might not be any better than the guy you take at 8th overall, doesn’t make sense to me. There should be enough players around 86th and 100th that interest me too. So, no. I wouldn’t do that trade.

Question #6: Who, in your opinion, is the most underrated player? The most overrated player?

Max: My pick for most underrated would be Domenick Fensore. He’s a 5’7” defenseman with high caliber offensive tools. A top-5 skater that defend both sides of the ice. My pick for most overrated would be Vasili Podkolzin. He failed to produce in Russia’s lower leagues while other less-known prospects thrived. A top-10 or even top-15 pick should be owning the MHL.

Keith: If we’re speaking in terms of the entire draft class, then Simon Holmstrom would be my most underrated. Really skilled winger. Good playmaking IQ, and did a lot down the stretch that showed a return to his dominant form. The most overrated would be Arthur Kaliyev. The kid can score like nobody’s business. It’s a beautiful shot, and it’s really something fun to watch. But that’s it. I see no compete. I see no hustle. For a kid who’s 6’2” – 190, I see no checking. It’s incredibly frustrating. Do I think he’s a first-round talent? Absolutely. But a late first-rounder. Anyone telling you he’s a top-10 pick lives in a padded cell.

BLH: My most underrated player might be Anttoni Honka. This guy has got some real talent but has disappeared off of scouts’ radars due to a really tough season he’s had. At the beginning of the year, I had him as the 3rd best prospect in the draft. Honka reminds me of Sergei Gonchar so much in his ability to stay cool under pressure. His offensive game is really good and he can thread a needle as well as any other prospect in this draft I feel. Some people might say he looks lazy on the ice, but I just find he’s just so collected it appears that he doesn’t care. I think that some scouts are scared off of him due to his brother Julius’ inability to develop into the player he was expected to. Some team is going to get a good player later on in the draft here, book it.

The other guy who’s being underrated is Vasili Podkolzin. He might not be putting up very much on the scoresheet, but make no bones about it, the Russian Hockey Federation doesn’t push its young players to play at higher levels often and Podkolzin is getting just that from them. He’s special. You try traveling as much as this guy has over the season and still maintain a high degree of production. You’ll see, once he’s settled in one spot for a year, he’ll start to tear things up.

Question #7: Final question… We’ll do one last armchair GM scenario. What kind of deal would you be asking for in return for Jesse Puljujarvi?

Max: The ask would probably be a high pick in his draft and an NHL-ready prospect. You’re taking a chance that he just needed a change of scenery and could look like a real fool if he ends up overperforming.

Keith: Realistically, a 1-1-and-1 – as in: a player, a prospect, and a pick. But, I think the trade market has soured a bit on JP. While there are teams that likely have interest, they probably also have that lingering concern of “is he another Yakupov?” So, a 1-for-2 would be nice, and realistic. Let’s say, for example, if they made a deal with the Los Angeles Kings, it might look like: Jesse Puljujarvi for Alec Martinez or Tyler Toffoli + 64th-overall pick.

BLH: My feeling is that he’s right on the cusp of breaking out. The double hip surgery might slow down the beginning of his season, but I’d be willing to bet that he’ll be producing in the 2nd half and teams are cognizant of that. They’re aware of how young he still is and how the Oilers management, coaching, and playing staff have treated him, and they’ll try to fleece Ken Holland, but I can’t see him falling for it.

There are two trade scenarios for me,

  1. The “futures” ask, meaning picks/prospects.
  2. The “help now” ask, meaning an NHL player.

So for scenario “A”, I’m asking looking for the kind of prospect that will even out the scales in the case that Puljujarvi does turn things around. I’m not sure if we’re talking about an Eeli Tolvanen here, a Drake Batherson/Filip Chlapik, or possibly a bigger deal that would bring a Nolan Patrick to Edmonton. Roslovic out of Winnipeg is an interesting option as well. But something in that range. Gotta play hardball in a deal like this.

In scenario “B”, I’d look at oft-maligned players. Maybe guys who are on the outs with their current organization. Nikita Zadorov, Rasmus Ristolainen, and Jason Zucker are names that come to mind immediately. There are also teams that need to shed salary badly, so what about a Tyler Johnson or Nazem Kadri trade?

Be sure to follow both Max (@TPEHockey) and Keith (@keithfries) on Twitter and tune into the NHL Entry Draft, this weekend, and have a cold one on us. Or… 8 cold ones. Cheers!

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Edmonton Oilers, NHL, NHL Entry Draft, Prospects

BLH Guest Post: A 2019 NHL Mock Draft (Picks 1-15) by Terrance Grise

Today’s guest post is from a fellow Oilers fan named Terrance Grise. He wanted to have a mock draft of his published and I’m happy to help him out.

If you’re looking to dip your toes into the water with regards to blogging, feel free to reach out and get in touch with me! Best bet is probably on Twitter here.

I’ll turn it over to Terrance now. Enjoy!

Elias Pettersson’s nickname is “Alien”. Here’s a shirt to celebrate it! Click the image to buy one!

Hey, hockey fans! If you think you’ve read every 2019 mock draft you can handle then you’re wrong cause I’ve got one more for you! Don’t worry it is slightly expedited as I chose to only cover the first 15 picks. I am a big draft nerd largely due to Edmonton’s positional tendencies over the past decade.

So this is how I think the top-15 picks should play out. Having said that as with most drafts this will most likely play out very differently than I think it will but that’s half the fun!

1.) Jack Hughes – (NJ Devils)

Posting 34 goals and 78 assists (112 Points) in 50 games (2.24 PPG), Jack Hughes is the bell of the ball for the 2019 draft class. Every aspect of his game screams franchise player, to the point that comparisons have been drawn to Connor McDavid. I am hesitant to draw the same parallels only because Hughes plays much more of an East-West game and forces openings by getting the defense out of position. He doesn’t seem to possess the same breakneck speed that #97 uses to embarrass defensemen. Having said that, he is an elite skater who will break his opponent’s ankles with perfect edge work and stick handling.

A part of me wanted to predict a Kaapo Kakko upset at first overall, largely due to the fact that New Jersey has done it before with the Nico Hischier selection back in 2017, that saw Nolan Patrick fall to Philadelphia. But given New Jersey’s need for a centerman and how elite of a prospect Hughes has proven to be, I just couldn’t justify it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yR7VH4Xirr4

2.) Kaapo Kakko – (NY Rangers)

It was awesome watching Kakko in the Word Championship tournament less than a month back. You really got to see why he always seems to be mentioned in the same breath as Jack Hughes. It was also very apparent that he has been playing above his age class for a while now, looking very comfortable going up against some of the best that the NHL has to offer. He had a very strong season in the LIIGA scoring 22 goals and 16 assists for TPS. He is so strong on his skates and stick, this allows him to control the game down low and really dictate the play in the offensive zone. Being a left shot on the right wing, he really uses the inside angle to his advantage, beating goalies on either the short or far side from outside the slot. He also has the ability to make defenders look silly from in tight.

Considering how far the Rangers jumped at the lottery they will be thrilled with this consolation prize and that there is a strong chance that in five years’ time we will be looking back at this draft and arguing about who should’ve been taken first overall.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0QpejmAih0

3.) Bowen Byram – (CHI Blackhawks)

Bowen Byram is my favorite player from this draft class. Growing up I loved watching Scott Niedermayer, and let’s just say when I watch Byram play, a feeling of nostalgia washes over me. I truly believe if he was eligible for the 2017 draft that he would’ve been the consensus #1 choice. His lateral movement on the blueline alone is enough to make scouts and GMs fall in love with him. Then you add his passing and playmaking ability to the fold and you have the most complete defenseman the draft has seen in a long time. Although his shot does not possess overwhelming power, he beats you with ridiculous accuracy and a fast release.

Byram potted 71 points in 67 games and also carried 33 +/- rating. Really good when you consider he went -3 and -5 in his previous two seasons with the Vancouver Giants. Quite frankly, Chicago would be crazy not to take him at 3rd overall.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96A0xmTFTkA

4.) Alex Turcotte – (COL Avalanche)

If there was a comparable to Alex Turcotte it could be said he resembles a smaller version of Leon Draisaitl. His passing ability is eerily similar and I find that he also likes to slow the game down in the O-zone, even though he is a very good skater and can generate speed through the neutral zone. Any team would love to have his playmaking ability down low, especially on the power play. He has a strong, active stick and always seems to be in the right spot in all three zones. Teams are going to like this guy because he plays a pros game and probably only requires one more year of development before he’s ready for the show.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvR0e2wpj3c

5.) Kirby Dach – (LA Kings)

I am just going to come out and say it, I really like this kid. He just may be the most polarizing player in this draft class, cause people seem to love him or hate him. Not too many people (that I’ve heard from anyways) seem to have a neutral opinion on #77. By all accounts, however, he seemed to really impress at the combine. I think he’s going to take a big step next year for the Saskatoon Blades and prove that he deserved to be a top-5 pick in the draft. Being the other large WHL centermen in this draft, Dach and Cozens have been compared to each other all season.

Personally, I feel that Dach can have more of an impact on the game and is not limited to being solely a point producing centerman. The knock on him, however, is consistency. This is the main area that I am predicting will improve sooner rather than later in the years to come.

I do also foresee the possibility of him transitioning to the wing as an NHLer. Having said that, forwards that can play multiple roles are becoming extremely valuable in this league. So having a big right shot guy who can take faceoffs every now and then could prove to be a game changer for the team who drafts him.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOgVdIz6mi4

6.) Cole Caufield – (DET Red Wings)

GOALS, GOALS, GOALS! Alex DeBrincat may be the best thing that has ever happened to Cole Caufield. So many comparisons can be made between these two players, so we’ll see if teams have learned anything from Chicago back in 2015. For most of the year, Caufield has been ranked somewhere in the top-20, finishing the year with an unbelievable 72 goals for the USNDP, has seemed to shoot him up the rankings with the draft now only days away. Elite finishers are becoming increasingly hard to come by nowadays and Caufield may be competing for the Rocket Richard Trophy in the near future. It will be interesting to see how well his game converts to the NHL, but I think that he has proven to GMs and scouts that he has the ability to score goals and be effective in more than just one way.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XXIDv7Gy0I

7.) Matthew Boldy – (BUF Sabres)

Like Dach, Boldy has incredible hands for a guy his size. His passing ability may also be the most underrated part of his game, as he is known largely for his heavy and accurate shot. He can also use his strength to get past defenders, and usually ends up making space for his teammates in the process. Already weighing in at 192lbs, Boldy may be the most physically prepared prospect in this draft class. There are a couple of aspects of his game that do require a little attention. Unlike his USNDP teammates, he can be caught out of position from time to time. He is also more willing to make riskier plays in the offensive end of the ice, something that he has been able to get away with because of the strength of his team in comparison to their competition. The good news is that these are habits that are arguably some of the easiest to remedy, and the positives that Boldy can provide to the team that drafts him, far outweigh the current downsides.

8.) Dylan Cozens – (EDM Oilers)

As one of the strongest skaters in his class, the pride of Whitehorse – Dylan Cozens – may just turn out to be one of the sleeper picks in the top-10 of this draft. Big right shot centers with skill aren’t easy to come by, and that is why at #8, this could prove to be a value pick. Although he has a big frame, he is more likely to use his speed to overpower the opposition and generate scoring chances. He’s a guy that likes to find the unoccupied areas on the ice, especially in the offensive end. Being one of the most complete two-way players, teams will be very excited to call his name at the podium on Friday.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HkcX4Sf_aU

9.) Trevor Zegras – (ANH Ducks)

At this point in time, Zegras is the best passer in this draft. His vision and hockey sense allow him to predict where his teammates will be, and his execution allows him to get the puck to that exact spot when they arrive. It is beyond impressive watching him place the puck in vacant ice, at the exact moment it needs to be there, time and time again, rarely turning it over. He is a guy that coaches will design set-plays around just because of how perfectly he can execute passes. He loves to use his feet and the boards to his advantage to maintain possession, and also has an above average shot. Would not surprise me in the least if he was not available for the Ducks at #9.

10.) Vasili Podkolzin – (VAN Canucks)

No matter where Podkolzin is drafted, he is going to be one of those picks where the GM will say “We could not believe he was still on the board when Bettman called our name.”. Just based on his skill and the fact that he already has an NHL first step, he should be a lock at 4th overall. But for whatever reason, Russian prospects usually seem to fall a few places. Podkolzin is a big right winger with bite that plays a responsible game and takes pride in helping his defensemen out in his own end. Sample size may be the biggest factor for this pick but this is a guy that always seems to show up when the spotlight is on him, something that will occur quite a lot throughout his career.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFCA6GHrTOg

11.) Peyton Krebs – (PHI Flyers)

You always hate to see guys get injured, but it is especially rough when it happens just before their pro draft. Being that he is very young and has arguably the highest ceiling in this draft, I would hate to see Krebs fall due to this unfortunate Achilles injury. Krebs likes to stir the pot and set the tempo of games, he also has an uncanny ability to avoid taking bad penalties. He is a very competitive player who will out skate opponents to both ends of the ice and will beat them there more often than not, demonstrating his incredible hockey sense and positioning. Krebs may be the only player in this draft that has the potential to be just as effective on both the powerplay and the penalty kill.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMJjAj3v8ks

12.) Phillip Tomasino – (MIN Wild)

Tomasino is a guy that has flown under the radar due to the forward strength in this draft class. However, after researching this kid and watching every one of his highlight videos on YouTube, I cannot see a scenario where 15 straight GMs pass on him. He refuses to be outworked and has one of the quickest releases I have seen out of a major junior player. If I was only given one word to describe him, “dynamic” comes to mind. Another right shot guy who can play multiple roles and has the potential to make GMs who pass on him look back and wonder “what if?” down the road.

13.) Philip Broberg – (FL Panthers)

This may turn out to be one of the most interesting/active drafts in recent memory. I say “active” because I can totally see picks being swapped and teams wanting to move up or down based on what selections occur in the top 5. I say this now because we are at pick #13 and this is only the second defenseman I have on the board. I honestly can’t justify placing Broberg any higher. Although he has very good skating and playmaking ability, he frequently makes questionable decisions with the puck that constantly burn defensemen at the NHL level. That is why I don’t think he is a top 10 player in this or most drafts. Having said that, if he can clean his game up, he does possess the upside to be a solid two-way, top 4 defenseman at the NHL level.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ylLjmJ3tQQ

14.) Spencer Knight – (ARZ Coyotes)

This is probably the pick that I am most skeptical about just because of how reserved GMs have proven to be about drafting goalies early in the first round. I am convinced that Spencer Knight deserves to be taken in the top 15, but would not be shocked at all if he fell as far as the early 2nd round. Knight has ice in his veins and remains composed under pressure. He has also perfected his technique, standing at 6’3” he positions his glove and blocker perfectly, as to not be caught too high or too low, reducing the amount of movement and energy he has to exert to make a save. Another reason I could see him falling is based on the strength of the USNTDP team in front of him, a justification that I acknowledge, but do not believe justifies ranking him lower.

15.) Raphael Lavoie – (MTL Canadiens)

If the Montréal Canadiens want to prove to the league that they are not required to have only small forwards on their team, while at the same time proving that they love their French Canadian players, then they should draft #50 from the Halifax Mooseheads, Raphael Lavoie. Not only does he make dwarves out of the players around him, but he also has tremendous skill and a pro-release. He also has a tendency to show up in big moments and capitalize on his opportunities. Being just 10 days shy from eligibility for the 2018 draft, Lavoie should be eligible to play in the AHL this year, as he turns 20 years old on September 25th. This may be desirable for a team looking to add youth to their pro-roster, sooner rather than later.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4dGcSe1ZHs

Some players I believe deserve an honorable mention as potential top 15 picks include: Moritz Seider (D), Cam York (D), Victor Soderstrom (D), and Alex Newhook (F).

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Recently on Twitter, I have seen a lot of discussion about the Oilers potentially trading down in order to acquire some assets, while at the same time hopefully making a value pick slightly later on. While this idea intrigues me, a friend of mine suggested maybe trading the 8th and Puljujarvi up to 3rd, as it sounds like Chicago really wants to take a forward and may be willing to trade down to do it. Given the current situation with Puljujarvi, and that trading him would help the Oilers with the upcoming Seattle expansion draft considering he will be eligible to be selected. Not to mention the fact that the 3rd overall would basically guarantee that you would draft one of Bowen Byram or Kaapo Kakko, I would make this trade all day long if Chicago was game. Based on what we know about Ken Holland and his recent comments, my guess is they make the pick at #8.

Part two is coming folks! I’ll address picks #16-#31 shortly!

Feel free to comment with your opinions and thanks for reading! You can follow Terrance on Twitter here.

Armchair GM, Beer League Hero, Edmonton Oilers, Keith Fries, NHL, NHL Entry Draft, Prospects, Rumors

Edmonton Oilers: Weekly #AskBLH Mailbag + The 2019 NHL Entry Drafts 1st and 2nd Team All-Stars from @KeithFries

It’s time to get into the #AskBLH mailbag one more time! This is where you ask me any question you’d like and I give you my honest answer. Topics might simply be centered on the Edmonton Oilers, but I encourage folks to step outside that box and ask me whatever is on their minds.

Now, I hope to get around to everybody who sends me their question, but sometimes it doesn’t work out. In that case, I will do my best to get back to you on the ol’ Twitter machine.

THE MAILBAG!

@dashate24 asks: Why do we want to trade Lucic for a more useless player?

Good question my friend! I think it’s just a matter of giving guys a fresh start in other markets. What I’m wondering is why the Oilers are the ones having to sweeten the deal if the Canucks are the ones who really want Lucic?

@AhmedMayta asks: Realistic free agents Oilers should target?

You know what Ahmed? I think it’s going to be really hard to gauge this until we know what the roster is going to look like the night before Canada Day. I would say they should go after players like Dan Carr, Brandon Pirri, Joonas Donskoi, and Brian Elliott, but if they find a way to clear up some cap space by trading some of their bigger tickets, that changes things. You might see them go after players like Gus Nyquist, Marcus Johansson, or Anton Stralman then.

@adnacOilGhost asks: You replace Bob Nicholson as CEO, what’s the very first thing you do?

Oh! I like this question. I’d make it as affordable as possible to go to regular season games for everyone. Bringing down the prices on healthier food options would be a must for me. I’d do what it takes to make the in-game presentation one that rivals that of Vegas’ or Nashville’s. The fan experience is really important to me, so I’d try to maximize that potential the most.

I enjoy anarchy a bit, so I’d also give media passes to the Oilers bloggers out there who pass my rigorous interview process.

As for the team itself, I’d encourage my GM to expand the scouting team as much as possible. I feel like teams really skimp out here. I want scouts everywhere, including Asia. I’d be having hockey camps all over the world promoting the brand and keeping an eye out for talent.

@dashate24 asks: Is it possible that Poolparty (Puljujarvi) gets an offer sheet at $2M x 4 years, and if he does, do we take the 3rd rounder?

I’d match it. JP at $2M for four years would be an amazing contract.

@ArchivistSports asks: What do you think JP will do this June/July?

I think he’ll head home and resume his off-ice training and participate in his annual charity games. Whether he comes back in September or not, we’ll have to wait and see on that.

@Tusen_bitar asks: Why and when you have chosen Oilers?

I was born in 1980, so one might consider me to have been born into the Oilers. My father tells me stories of cheering for Edmonton when I was a very young lad during their Cup dynasty days but I don’t really remember much about that.

As I got older I gravitated towards the Red Wings because of Yzerman/Coffey/Federov and the Penguins for Lemieux/Jagr/Coffey in the early 90s. I liked Peter Forsberg and the Avs for a while and also the Maple Leafs when Curtis Joseph was playing net for them too.

But I always had the Oilers in my back pocket. It wasn’t really until they started to get really bad as to when I ramped up my interest in the team and I simply haven’t found a reason to not cheer for them since then.

@OilDoug asks: What happens with Lucic this offseason. Stay? Go? What comes back?

He gone. What comes back for him? Who knows? It sounds like a player who needs a change of scenery like Milan.

@LonnbergMari asks: If Leavins is right and part of the team just doesn’t want to play with him, what should a smart gm do? Resign or trade and in either case, just hope for the best?

I’m torn on this. Aren’t we sick of the locker room cliques on this team yet? If Holland believes there’s still something in Jesse, he could sit down those guilty of alienating Jesse and give them a stern grilling. Then at the same time, sit Pulju down and tell him it’s time to grow up and that we don’t always work/play with people we like.

But if things are simply too broken, he would find a way to move him and get a good like-aged player in return. My fear in this scenario is that Jesse hits his stride on another club and the Oilers get burned though.

When it’s all said and done though, the players have a job to do, so they should go and do it.

THE 2019 NHL ENTRY DRAFTS 1ST AND 2ND TEAM ALL-STARS by Keith Fries

With this article, I thought it’d be fun to try and construct all-first and all-second teams for this year’s draft-eligible prospects.

Keep in mind that I went with the player’s primary position.

All-First Team

LW – Matthew Boldy  /  C – Jack Hughes  /  RW – Kaapo Kakko

LD – Bowen Byram  /  RD – Moritz Seider

LG – Spencer Knight

A forward line made up of Boldy, Hughes, and Kakko would likely be nicknamed, “Goals and Grit.”

While Hughes maybe is more on the “goals” side than the grit one, there’s no doubt that he’s flanked by some rough riders with skill. We know of Kakko’s explosive offensive abilities, but Boldy also shows a propensity to score. All three are great puck movers. Speaking of which, there’s Byram whose bread and butter is getting the puck out of his own zone. Playing alongside the physically imposing Seider would make those breakout rushes much easier for Byram. Once the puck enters the offensive zone, both defensemen have the ability to jump into the play as a fourth-forward. In their own zone, Seider is the more reliable defender of the two and is helped in net by arguably one of the best goaltending prospects of all-time. Knight, who some would say has franchise potential, doesn’t need much help in front of him to be the brick wall that he is.

This starting line-up certainly helps, though, but even if playing with an All-Worst Team, Knight would find ways to make his squad seem competitive.

All-Second Team

LW – Peyton Krebs  /  C – Alex Turcotte  /  RW – Cole Caufield

LD – Philip Broberg  /  RD – Victor Soderstrom

LG – Dustin Wolf

Krebs, Turcotte, and Caufield would not only be a hell of a trio, but could legitimately be one of the best power play units, in history.

Krebs’ distribution game is off the charts, and with his smart reads and calculated timing, could dish out some beautiful primary assists to either Caufield or Turcotte. We know Caufield is arguably the best sniper in his entire draft class, but Turcotte’s shooting stroke is just as pretty and just as effective. While he may be more of a playmaker, like Krebs, Turcotte has the kind of slick mitts that you want in a centerman to either set up his linemates or finish with a remarkable shot. On the back end, they’re flanked by two highly-skilled Swedish-born defensemen, Soderstrom and Broberg. While Soderstrom handles more of the defensive duties – sound play in his own end, moving the puck along the boards, or manning the point, Broberg is able to jump into the rush with his lightning quick speed and heads up play. The two would make a formidable pairing, with a complimentary skill set. An argument could be made about who slots in at goaltender, here – possibly Ilya Konovalov or Mads Sogaard – but there’s no argument in my mind. Wolf has been lights out since debuting in the WHL in 2017 and has received nothing but criticism along the way – all because of his undersized frame. His IQ, compete level, and maturity are all well beyond his years.

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

Edmonton Oilers: Drafting with the McKeen’s Draft Guide

The 2019 NHL Entry Draft is just around the corner and I’ve got a plethora of draft guides sitting on my desktop and in my tablet just waiting to be utilized. So I thought a good idea might be to use the picks from each guide’s rankings to perform the draft for the Edmonton Oilers.

Now, some guides don’t have enough players ranked to do the entire draft, so we’ll just have to do with rounds one to four in that case, but for the rest that do have enough, I’ll lay them out for you and give you the best brief reports on those players that I can. I haven’t watched all of the players and therefore I’ll be forced to go with reports from other publications and my own digging about to get a good idea on them in order to present it to you.

Today we’re going to continue with the McKeen’s draft guide, which you can find here. What you do with them is you pay $12.99 for a 3-month subscription and that includes three digital magazines in a PDF format (2019 IIHF World Juniors Guide, McKeen’s NHL Draft Guide, and McKeen’s Hockey Yearbook) plus exclusive online content and updates according to their website. The subscription is recurring though, so you can cancel that anytime through your McKeen’s account or by emailing them.

The Oilers have the no.8, 38, 85, 100, 162, and 193 picks in the draft and this is who McKeen’s has ranked at those numbers.

#8 – Peyton Krebs – C – 5’11” 180lbs – Kootenay (WHL) – 67gp 17g 37a 54pts 40PIM

When I first started looking into this player, I have to be honest, I wasn’t impressed. But that was before I learned about the quality of his teammates and before I’d gotten a chance to watch him a bit more. Now that I’ve done that, I wouldn’t be disappointed if the Oilers selected Krebs.

The things I  like about his game are things like his ability to make plays in an unorthodox manner. He’s an unpredictable playmaker and what I mean by that is that just when you think you can predict the sort of pass he’s going to make or how to beat the defender 1v1, he does something completely different. He’s got a tricky little backhand dish that he likes to use that really fools the opposition.

Other aspects of Krebs’ game I think are outstanding are his skating, his defensive awareness, and his tenacity. The Ice captain plays a 200ft game very soundly and he’s like a little waterbug out there, so fast, slick, and elusive. This is definitely the kind of player you put out with a minute left and you want to protect a lead or conversely, try to score a late one.

It’s not all good though, Krebs does have some flaws. Sometimes he tries to do a bit too much on the ice and maybe that’s a product of playing for such a poor team in Kootenay. His shooting can sometimes be erratic despite how lightning-quick his release is and then there’s the issue of the sliced Achilles tendon. Better than a torn one mind you, but are we looking at the next Claude Giroux or the next Robbi Fabbri?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMJjAj3v8ks

BLH’s Pick: Matthew Boldy – LW – 6’1″ 192lbs – USNTDP (USHL/NCAA) (ranked 12th)

As I said in the first segment of this series, I’m a HUGE Boldy fan because I love his all-around game. He’s the most complete player in the draft and the Oilers need help on the wings, especially the left wing. He’s bigger and smarter than Krebs but not as quick and flashy.

“There have been USNTDP classes in recent years wherein a player the class of Boldy would have been the top player around. Most of them actually. He has the size of a burgeoning power forward, but the overall game of a skilled one. There isn’t anything that he doesn’t do well, making him a legitimate five-tool winger.” – McKeen’s

#38 – Nolan Foote – LW – 6’3″ 190lbs – Kelowna (WHL) – 66gp 36g 27a 63pts 62PIM

Nolan Foote is your typical power forward. His skating is, at best, average but he’s a very powerful hockey player with a deadly shot. He’s an industrious worker who is tough to knock off the puck but is pretty much a north/south player due to his skating.

I’d say for a team that loves to implement the cycle down low, Foote would be a good addition to their squad.

This season the brother of Tampa’s Cal Foote and son of Ex-Av Adam Foote played through a hand injury and some have wondered if that is the reason why his production wasn’t as high as expected. His team unexpectedly missed the playoffs as well, so there’s that to consider in addition.

BLH’s Pick: Nils Hoglander – RW – 5’9″ 185lbs – Rogle (SHL) (ranked 41st)

This little whippersnapper would be a fan favorite due to how he plays the game. He LOVES to lay guys out despite being so small and he’s pretty good at it too. He’s so very quick and dangles defenders out of their jocks regularly. He’s just the kind of guy that’ll provide the depth scoring a good team is looking for. When they’re paying the boys in their top-6 the big bucks, they’ll have Hoglander on the cheap down the lineup providing offense and entertainment.

It would behoove the Oilers to add as many exciting players to its organization as possible I feel. Hoglander isn’t just electrifying, he also works his ass off and in a blue-collar city like Edmonton, the fans would really appreciate this little Swede.  

“He’s always 100 percent with his work ethic. He always starts something when he’s on the ice and is hard to play against. He’s not smart enough to be the go-to offensive guy, but he can pop up from the second or third line and contribute.” – The Hockey News

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aGPbvUUYm4

#85 – Vojtech Strondala – C – 5’7″ 155lbs – Horacka (CZE 2) – 33gp 8g 15a 23pts 14PIM

Right off the bat, I’ve got reservations with a 155lb centerman but let’s set that aside for a moment. Strondala is VERY quick. He’s got some of the quickest hands in the draft as the puck is never on his stick for long. He likes to make rapid passes to get the puck up the ice and that’s where his tremendous motor, and dogged determination kicks in. He’s not the most offensively gifted when it comes to scoring goals. Most of them come from goal-mouth scrambles apparently, but he’ll work his ass off to do what it takes to either stop a goal from being scored against or produce one for his team.

Unless he puts on 20 or so pounds, he’ll probably never be strong enough to make it at the NHL level. But where there’s a will, there’s a way and Strondala’s will isn’t the question here.

BLH’s Pick: Danil Gutik – LW – 6’3″ 179lbs – Yaroslavl (RUS-JR) – 38gp 5g 8a 13pts 12PIM (ranked 90th)

Folks from Alberta might remember this fella from the Hlinka/Gretzky and the WJAC tournaments where he and Vasili Podkolzin ripped it up. One of the younger players available in this draft, he put up eight points in 11 games combined at those tourneys. The hands, the shot, the passing, the stickhandling, it’s all there… The line on him is that he’s extremely talented, one of the most talented in this draft class actually. 

Unfortunately, he might fall into the “enigmatic” category which tends to scare a lot of teams away from Russians, the compete level isn’t really there. The other thing that might scare folks away is his skating. Apparently, Gutik’s skating mechanics are not there, so you have to wonder if he could get his that portion of his game to at least an acceptable level and if he brought up his compete level just a bit more, what kind of player the team taking him would have; because he’s the kind of player you will see on highlight reels making asses out of defensemen that give him too much respect on the ice. Imagine that on Leon Draisaitl’s wing? I mean, when’s the last time Edmonton had a real dangler on the wing? Eberle? Hemsky? He might be the ultimate gamble. 

“He’s an elite puck handler and he completely dictates the play with possession. He’s difficult to hold to the outside as his spatial awareness and creativity are off the charts.” – Future Considerations

#100 – Antti Saarela – RW – 5’11” 183lbs – Lukko (FIN) – 24gp 2g 8a 10pts 20PIM

Saarela spent half of this season playing for Luuko’s junior team and their men’s league team where he scored at nearly the same rate (7g 8 15pts 21PIM for Luuko jr).

He’s a positionally flexible player but has spent most of his time playing centre or right-wing. Saarela plays with a lot of energy and urgency in his game, he’s a fantastic forechecker, he skates well, and he’s someone that you can play in all situations. A responsible and supportive player defensively he is as well.

Aleksi’s brother is not a line driver though (not sure who’s expecting a line driver at this point in the draft anyhow), his shot velocity isn’t amazing, he lacks strength, and he’s a bit undisciplined. I reckon we’ve got the makings of a solid bottom-6 winger who can contribute on the PK.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQ2MyCd-zoQ

BLH’s Pick: Shane Pinto – C – 6’2″ 192lbs – Lincoln/Tri-City (USHL) – 56gp 28g 31a 59pts 63PIM (ranked 105th)

From all the reports I’ve read, it’s a shame that Pinto wasn’t included on this season’s USNTDP squad. He’s a very balanced player in that he does a lot of things well and none very poorly. Some of the attributes that one might notice right away with him is his anticipation. Pinto is a really smart player that can see the way a play is developing before it does. His wrist/snap shot is pro-ready, he’s got the strength, hockey IQ, and positional flexibility that coaches at the next level will really love. 

He’s not the most physically engaging player, but he doesn’t shy away from it. He could probably work on his defensive awareness in his own zone. I reckon he’d be a good pick for the Oilers as he’s pretty much flown under the radar until recently, I feel like with his size and toolbox, he could turn out be at the very least a depth scorer and at best, a two-way middle-6 forward. Edmonton could use as much depth as possible. 

“He definitely has an NHL body. He’s got hands, skating ability and a good shot. He’s effective when he’s playing a power game, and he can make plays down low.” – The Hockey News

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#162 – Cameron Rowe – G – 6’2″ 203lbs – USNTDP (U18) – 30gp 16W 10L 3.40GAA .875SV%

In today’s NHL, teams are looking for goaltenders that are calm, collected, and don’t unnecessarily expend energy when stopping the puck. Rowe’s game is quite the opposite of that. Fundamentally, he’s a fine netminder, and he’s got the technicals to be a good goalie, but it seems that all breaks down when the puck is shot. He played about as many games as Spencer Knight this year but let in nearly a goal more per game than him (3.05 vs. 2.21).

BLH’s Pick: Santeri Hatakka – D – 6’0″ 175lbs – Jokerit (FIN-JR) – 43gp 4g 9a 13pts 30PIM (ranked 176th)

I watched Hatakka at the U18s recently and he was a defender that stood out for me for the Finns. Apart from having a really fun name to say, this guy has a cannon for a slapper. He’s not a flashy defender like Antonni Honka or Lassi Thomson, but at this point in the draft, he’s a VERY solid two-way option. Lacks a bit of creativity, but to be honest, I’m not so worried about that. If he can make low-risk plays consistently and he has the skills and tools to be an effective defenseman at the next level, great! 

“He’s not a defenseman with a super-high upside, but he does just about everything well on the ice. He’s solid at both ends of the rink; in his zone he can play a physical game and be tough to play against along the wall and in front of the net. He has good speed going forward when rushing the puck or jumping into the play.” – Hockeyprospect.com

#193 – Ethan De Jong – RW – 5’10” 170lbs – Quinnipiac (NCAA) – 38gp 10g 15a 25pts 8PIM

I’m going to be honest here, I couldn’t find any scouting reports for this player online or in any of my draft guides for this year, but from what I can gather; he’s a small skilled playmaking forward. Pretty typical for the Junior A level in Canada. He lead the Prince George Spruce Kings two seasons ago in scoring and then went on to finish this year 6th on the Quinnipiac team in scoring.

BLH’s Pick: Martin Hugo Has – D – 6’4″ 192lbs – Tappara (FIN-JR) – 37gp 9g 7a 16pts 38PIM (ranked 204th)

A project player, more or less. The right-shot Has’ best attribute is his top-end speed. He’s got a fairly good slap shot from the point but he takes his time getting it off. In terms of defense, he’s solid. When he needs to be physical he is, when he needs to be more cerebral, the Czech defender can play that way too. He’ll need to improve on the more technical aspects of his skating in order to make the jump to North America, but for now, marinating in Tappara’s system (as he’s been doing for two seasons now) is as good a plan as there is. 

I like him for the Oilers because of his skating ability, his size, and for the fact that it could be a while before he would even come to North America, thus not allowing the team to throw him to the wolves before he’s ready. 

“He has decent footwork, but still has work to do in terms of his agility and backwards skating. Once he starts rushing the puck and reaches his top speed, it can be very impressive. He has good confidence with the puck on his stick; he likes to rush it out of his zone with his good skating abilities.” – Hockeyprospect.com

What do you think of McKeen’s picks vs. mine? Do you agree? Let us know in the comments below or on Twitter (@beerleagueheroe)!

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Edmonton Oilers Draft: 2019 Mock Draft (Four Rounds) from @keithfries

Now that we know Ken Holland is Edmonton’s general manager, I thought it’d be fun to do a mock four-round draft for the Oilers based on the Red Wings’ recent draft patterns/habits.

In the first-round, Holland has a history of remaining incredibly patient on draft night. So, let’s pencil in that the Oilers won’t move up-or-down from the 8th-overall spot. I think he’s under the mindset that where you’re scheduled to pick there’s always a viable draft commodity available.

Over the last decade, Detroit has used all-but-one first-round pick on forwards (Dennis Cholowski [2016] being the lone defenseman). Before that, you’d have to go all the way back to 2007 (Brendan Smith).

Quickly, let’s try and hammer out a top-7 and see who might be available. Jack Hughes and Kaapo Kakko are gone, we know that. Likely: Bowen Byram, Kirby Dach, Alex Turcotte, Cole Caufield, and Dylan Cozens, as well. That would leave: Trevor Zegras, Matthew Boldy, and Peyton Krebs, to name a few of the more notable players remaining. Knowing, again, that Holland likes drafting highly-skilled forwards, he definitely has options.

Krebs would be seen as a guaranteed top-5 pick, potentially a top-3 pick, if he had some help around him, this season. For a team like the Oilers who are hot-and-cold when it comes to offensive production, he would be a blessing and bring some sense of stability.

First-Round Pick: Peyton Krebs – C – WHL – Kootenay Ice

Krebs takes creative lines to dangerous areas of the ice. He’s the type of player that sees plays develop before those around him and uses that to exploit the opposition.  He’s a playmaker who can impact the game on any shift. He’s also capable of playing all three forward positions but likely ends up on the wing in the NHL. Cam Robinson

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMJjAj3v8ks

Detroit’s recent second-round picks: Filip Hronek (2016), Gustav Lindstrom (2017), and Jonatan Berggren (2018), all look like they’ll be regulars in the NHL. Based on those three players, I suspect Holland may go with a defenseman, here.

Lassi Thomson impressed me in my early viewings and, like the gentlemen I mentioned above, has the potential to be an everyday NHLer, in the future. A Finnish-born prospect who made the jump to the WHL, his quick transition to North American rinks hasn’t been ignored by scouts who have had more positives than negatives to report.

Second-Round Pick: Lassi Thomson – D – WHL – Kelowna Rockets

Lassi Thomson could become a top defenceman at the next level, however, it is more likely that with his defensive issues, he is more of a second pair player. He can be a real threat on the power play though and should be able to put up points if he properly develops. In terms of style, Thomson’s game is reminiscent of Brent Burns. This is a style comparison only, not one based on talent level. Ben Kerr

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7C7HApLQwk

Holland has used his third-round pick heavily on defenseman – specifically, Finnish defensemen – and I don’t see that changing. Anttoni Honka and Mikko Kokkonen have fallen on most boards and could be available with this pick. Both started the season as some of Finland’s noteworthy prospects, with the former being touted as a potential top-10 pick.

I have a feeling Honka will be gone by now, but Kokkonen would be a steal if he’s still available. He did a very good job hanging with adults in the Finnish Liiga, this season, tallying 19 points (3Gs|16As) in 56 games played.

Third-Round Pick: Mikko Kokkonen – D – Liiga – Jukurit

“Kokkonen moves effortlessly in all four directions, closes gaps quickly, rarely gets exposed and is sneaky-strong in puck battles. He looks exactly like what you’d want a modern NHL defenceman to look like.” Scott Wheeler

Since selecting Petr Mrazek in 2010, Holland, on average, drafts a goaltender in the fourth-round. While the Oilers have both Stuart Skinner and Olivier Rodrigue in their system, Holland may utter the old adage, “you can never have too many good goaltenders.”

Hugo Alnefelt has been Sweden’s go-to netminder for several international tournaments, in recent years. He’s got ideal size at 6’3” – 194. Reliable, competitive, and poised, NHL Central Scouting has him ranked as the second-best European goaltender, in this draft.

Fourth-Round Pick: Hugo Alnefelt – G – SuperElit – HV71 J20

Swedish net minder with nice size, glove and blacker. Tracks shots well and uses his pads to direct those pucks to his defenseman. Even uses his skates to kick them past those attackers lurking near the blue paint. Absorbs shots with his frame, and reacts well on rebound attempts. Still developing his reads and improving his play.  Bill Placzek

That’s it for me, this week. Be sure to follow us on Twitter: @BeerLeagueHeroe for all your Oilers news and updates.

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