Rumor: Rumors & Proposals: "Looking for a trade to happen, making stops along the way."

[Little Fury]

I disagree and think Glendenning would be a huge help. He was 60+% in face off wins. That would have come in handy against Winnipeg when the team couldn't win a draw in their own zone to save their lives.

Part of the problem was having a fourth line out taking important D zone draws in the first place and adding a faceoff specialist whose meh in other aspects of the game doesn't fix that.

 

[Ritchie Valens]

Grubauer also shat the bed in the playoffs. I'm scared of him

...sorry forgot to multi quote this reply.

I'm not, shit happens. I didn't watch the 2nd round so I can't comment on his goaltending. Grubauer is a pretty good goalie and is capable of carrying a strong workload. He's a hell of a better option than what the Oilers have right now, which is basically Koskinen unless Smith re-ups another season,which is also fine but not to be the starter.

 

[AddyTheWrath]

Is it just me or are we absolutely starved for rumors right now?

Like zzz hurry up and get the off-season going already.

 

[Ritchie Valens]

Part of the problem was having a fourth line out taking important D zone draws in the first place and adding a faceoff specialist whose meh in other aspects of the game doesn't fix that.

That's on coaching sending the entire 4th line out. Having a skilled faceoff seems to be working just fine for other teams. The intermission panel was highlighting this just the other night. I think it was Vegas...DeBoer sends out most of one of his top line faceoff guys but had his best faceoff guy take the draw. He won it, they got possession, he went off and changed right away. It was late in a game trying to protect the lead. I think Glendenning will come cheap and be an upgrade on what is there now.

 

[Oilers]

I think the Oilers are a LOT closer to winning a cup than many of us think. The difference between a good team, which the Oilers already are, and a great team, isn't that far apart. It's 2-3 players usually, and in Edmonton's case the team is lucky enough that those 2-3 are role players mostly. They aren't looking for the Kings and Aces, they already have those for the most part. They are looking for the 9s, 10s, and Jacks. NHL players are a pretty cocky bunch, you have to be to be in their shoes, and I think there are plenty of them who would look at Edmonton's roster and think they were the final "piece of the puzzle" to go on an extended run.

Honestly, if I told you that Yams has a bounce back season next year, they re-signed RNH and he went back to the player he was in 2018/19 and 2019/20, that 1 of Holloway or McLeod came in and provided a little spark, and that Bouchard played good and worked on the top-PP, would any of that surprise you, or seem crazy? All of that would come from internal growth and wouldn't include bringing in anybody new. Yes, the stars have to align a little bit, but what I just proposed isn't nearly as crazy as saying "Holloway came in and scores 100+ points as a first line C". There are plenty of teams that are still looking for that light-years jump from an internal player to become a legit 1st line star, because they don't have Drai (let alone a McDavid). We have McDrai, and I'm pretty confident that we have an at least passable #1 D in Nurse, all in their primes. We need to fill in around the edges now.

Historically, I'm one of the most negative posters on this board, and have been for years and years and years. But I don't see the reason for panic here, I think we have the core that can win it all. Yes, we have had 2 disappointing playoff losses after really solid seasons, but I would argue that both of those series were "strange" for their own reasons, especially the Jets series. If we replay that Jets series another 100 times, I think we win 65 of them.

I get peoples optimism and I'm not saying I'm not optimistic myself, I think we just have alot of holes to fill and alot of "if's" going into next season. I'm more optimistic that we can hopefully make our way back into the playoffs next year(and yes who knows what could happen if we do) but I'm thinking we're likely 2-3 years from competing for a cup. I think there is a ton of positives from last season, Darnell had an amazing year and looks like he can be our #1 Dman, Puljujarvi has gotten his confidence back and looks primed for a top 6 stay and Mcleod looks like he is a good bet to be on full time.

but looking at our cap, we've got about 22 Million available and lets say the guys below sign for this;
- Mike Smith - 2 Mil
- Kailer Yamamoto - 3 Mil
- Ryan Nugent Hopkins - 6 Mil
- Adam Larsson - 5 Mil
- Tyson Barrie - 5 Mil
= 21 Mil

I think the numbers above are conservative if anything so if we're actually going out and getting some of the names on UFA, we're gonna have to really shed some cap or get a discount on the above. Who knows maybe someone will take that Neal contract off our hands

 

[ujju2]

I get peoples optimism and I'm not saying I'm not optimistic myself, I think we just have alot of holes to fill and alot of "if's" going into next season. I'm more optimistic that we can hopefully make our way back into the playoffs next year(and yes who knows what could happen if we do) but I'm thinking we're likely 2-3 years from competing for a cup. I think there is a ton of positives from last season, Darnell had an amazing year and looks like he can be our #1 Dman, Puljujarvi has gotten his confidence back and looks primed for a top 6 stay and Mcleod looks like he is a good bet to be on full time.

but looking at our cap, we've got about 22 Million available and lets say the guys below sign for this;
- Mike Smith - 2 Mil
- Kailer Yamamoto - 3 Mil
- Ryan Nugent Hopkins - 6 Mil
- Adam Larsson - 5 Mil
- Tyson Barrie - 5 Mil
= 21 Mil

I think the numbers above are conservative if anything so if we're actually going out and getting some of the names on UFA, we're gonna have to really shed some cap or get a discount on the above, just seems unlikely

Well we're likely moving on from Barrie, so that's 5 million. Larsson is likely 4 million or so. So we have roughly 7 million to work with... ideally we could move some cap but regardless that's not bad.

 

[Little Fury]

That's on coaching sending the entire 4th line out. Having a skilled faceoff seems to be working just fine for other teams. The intermission panel was highlighting this just the other night. I think it was Vegas...DeBoer sends out most of one of his top line faceoff guys but had his best faceoff guy take the draw. He won it, they got possession, he went off and changed right away. It was late in a game trying to protect the lead. I think Glendenning will come cheap and be an upgrade on what is there now.

I don't think faceoffs matter that much in the grand scheme of things, so spending money on a guy whose only redeeming quality is his skill on the dot doesn't make the team better.

 

[soothsayer]

Well we're likely moving on from Barrie, so that's 5 million. Larsson is likely 4 million or so. So we have roughly 7 million to work with... ideally we could move some cap but regardless that's not bad.

And Yamamoto is probably going to be closer to 2M.

 

[AddyTheWrath]

 

[Oilhawks]

Progress? Wasn’t there a handshake deal in place?

 

[frag2]

Is it just me or are we absolutely starved for rumors right now?

Like zzz hurry up and get the off-season going already.

Just make some outlandish ones up. Maybe Treliving will bite

 

[CycloneSweep]

I feel like Glendening would be a pointless signing. We need an upgrade at 3C, not another 4C. We already have at least 3 players who can play 4C adequately (Khaira, Shore, McLeod). I wouldn't mind Mrazek though - a Mrazek-Smith tandem with Skinner hopefully challenging as some point and Koskinen shot into the sun would be something I could live with.

You get Glendenning at 4c cause he is better than all those options and is a right shot who can win a damn faceoff.

 

[ujju2]

And Yamamoto is probably going to be closer to 2M.

Doubt it. I think 3 million is fairly accurate.

 

[Ritchie Valens]

I don't think faceoffs matter that much in the grand scheme of things, so spending money on a guy whose only redeeming quality is his skill on the dot doesn't make the team better.

Exhibit A:



Exhibit B:

Jujhar Khaira's faceoff percentage: 45.2%. That's who was out taking out that faceoff and lost it clean.

 

[McJadeddog]

I get peoples optimism and I'm not saying I'm not optimistic myself, I think we just have alot of holes to fill and alot of "if's" going into next season. I'm more optimistic that we can hopefully make our way back into the playoffs next year(and yes who knows what could happen if we do) but I'm thinking we're likely 2-3 years from competing for a cup. I think there is a ton of positives from last season, Darnell had an amazing year and looks like he can be our #1 Dman, Puljujarvi has gotten his confidence back and looks primed for a top 6 stay and Mcleod looks like he is a good bet to be on full time.

but looking at our cap, we've got about 22 Million available and lets say the guys below sign for this;
- Mike Smith - 2 Mil
- Kailer Yamamoto - 3 Mil
- Ryan Nugent Hopkins - 6 Mil
- Adam Larsson - 5 Mil
- Tyson Barrie - 5 Mil
= 21 Mil

I think the numbers above are conservative if anything so if we're actually going out and getting some of the names on UFA, we're gonna have to really shed some cap or get a discount on the above. Who knows maybe someone will take that Neal contract off our hands

Those numbers are off for a few people IMO.
- Smith seems about right
- Yams won't get 3, more like 1.5-1.75 I would think, likely on a 2 year deal
- RNH seems about right
- Larsson was rumored to be in the high 3s or low 4s
- Barrie likely gets more than that, but not from us. Bouchard will be replacing him at 0.86 M

So I would say you are high by about 2.5-3 M and then we'll have another 4 M from playing Bouchard over Barrie. You can get a pretty darn good player for 6.5-7 M. We are also EXCEPTIONALLY likely to buyout Neal this year or next and save 3.8 M. However I am not using that money, as we'll need it to sign Nurse and Pulj next offseason, so even if we buy him out this year, I have us not using it until next year. Nurse likely gets a 2-3M raise and Pulj maybe a 1-2 M raise (depending on play). The 4.5 M we'll be saving on the Koskinen deal ending I just have ear-marked to go back into tending costs.

At any point, I think we have about 6.5-7 M more to use this year than your numbers above show.

 

[McJadeddog]

And Yamamoto is probably going to be closer to 2M.

I don't even think he gets 2 M. He might get that, it wouldn't SHOCK me, but I'd be a little surprised. He is a RFA, coming off a pretty bad season, and only has 105 NHL GP to his credit. He is a 40 point/year guy, who is coming off a really bad year. Like I won't fall off my chair if he gets $2.25, but that would be a bit of an overpay for what he has shown. He has no real leverage right now. If he had put up some actual numbers this year, he would be in that 3-3.5 range for sure, but he didn't.

 

[soothsayer]

Doubt it. I think 3 million is fairly accurate.

He's going to get bridged, and 3M is an overpayment given that he has no leverage and he had a rough season.

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

I don't even think he gets 2 M. He might get that, it wouldn't SHOCK me, but I'd be a little surprised. He is a RFA, coming off a pretty bad season, and only has 105 NHL GP to his credit. He is a 40 point/year guy, who is coming off a really bad year. Like I won't fall off my chair if he gets $2.25, but that would be a bit of an overpay for what he has shown. He has no real leverage right now. If he had put up some actual numbers this year, he would be in that 3-3.5 range for sure, but he didn't.

Maybe he gets something close to what Puljujarvi signed.

Edit: Scratch that, he'll get more then that.

 

[The Nuge]

This is the same mentality Chia had when he made the Strome for Spooner trade.
Strome hardly scored and that was the best 3rd line the Oilers have had since ???
Danault who is being universally praised for his play this postseason, a line that gets a lot of ice time against top guys, has 2 points in 15 games. When you have a top heavy team like the Oilers always will be, they just need a 3rd line that won't get outscored. A break even 3rd line with the two MVP level centers split and running their own line and this team is a real contender.

Getting a high scoring 3rd line center would be a nice bonus but the reality with the cap and the structure of the forward group is that they just need a defensively reliable 3rd line center who can score a little, preferably a guy who can take some of the defensive responsibilities and win big faceoffs.
BTW, the Turris in Nashville was a bad player the last two years. He scored a bit, mainly in a top 6 role, and stunk in the 3rd line center role because he's defensively deficient.

I’m not asking for a high scoring 3C. I’m asking for a better player than Khaira/Shore. Strome for Spooner ended up with us getting a worse player. That’s the problem. I’m all for getting a guy like Danault if possible.

Turris wasn’t great in Nashville, no, but he was still a 35-40 point guy

Offense in the bottom six is fool's gold.

A 30 point +5 player doesn't help you win more than a 15 point +5 player. They have both have the exact same impact on the scoreboard.

You just end up paying more for points that don't matter.

that logic says

Archibald - Khaira - P Russell (+1)

is a better line than

Kahun - Nuge - Chiasson (-18)

you’ll have a hard time convincing me of that.

I agree but I don't know if we can get iether of Coleman or Goodrow. Certainly not both for 5.5M. Coleman is looking at 4-5M on his own. Goodrow is going to get paid too, everyone loves him. 3M+ isn't crazy to think of for him. Add Rakell via trade, and we're looking a lot better up front, albeit we still have a major hole or two to fix.

Rakell - McDavid - Puljuarvi
Kahun/Benson/Holloway - Drai - Yamamoto
Coleman - McLeod - Goodrow
Archie - Shore - Kassian

What I like about this lineup, and what makes it unrealistic to me, is that only the 4th line would be exposed if they were bumped up a line. I'd still like an upgrade on Yamamoto but I'm not wanting him gone at any cost either. If he stays and rebound I will be happy for him and happy to have him, despite his size.

And those numbers terrify me. 8 million for ~50 points is a lot of money. If you can get Coleman for 3.5-4, and Goodrow for 1.75-2.25, sure. If it’s more, it’s just another bad contract we have to work around. I’d easily rather have Nuge back and wasting away on the 3rd line for 6 million than pay Coleman 5. Paying big money to role players on contending teams is rarely a good idea.

He's going to get bridged, and 3M is an overpayment given that he has no leverage and he had a rough season.

3 million is good if you can get some term. I don’t see a bridge as the way to go with Yamo

 

[FlameChampion]

Honestly rather than chasing guys like Hyman and Hall, I'd be looking to pay a but more for Landeskog, and try to fill out scoring depth through smaller moves.

Buy low on Dylan Strome. Sign Tatar to the Barrie deal that ups his value, giving Holloway another year to develop.

I cant see Landeskog being cheap. Regardless of his production, I've heard so many hockey people gloat over his character, leadership etc. GM's are going to fall (or have already) in love with the person (if he even makes it to market).

 

[McJadeddog]

Maybe he gets something close to what Puljujarvi signed.

Edit: Scratch that, he'll get more then that.

Yeah I think he'll get more than that. He is VERY likely to get the standard 2 year bridge deal. I think it ends up around 1.75-1.9, now that I have had a little bit to think about it.

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

Yeah I think he'll get more than that. He is VERY likely to get the standard 2 year bridge deal. I think it ends up around 1.75-1.9, now that I have had a little bit to think about it.

I wonder if he signs a 1 yr deal, bets on himself basically.

 

[McTonyBrar]

...sorry forgot to multi quote this reply.

I'm not, shit happens. I didn't watch the 2nd round so I can't comment on his goaltending. Grubauer is a pretty good goalie and is capable of carrying a strong workload. He's a hell of a better option than what the Oilers have right now, which is basically Koskinen unless Smith re-ups another season,which is also fine but not to be the starter.

If we do indeed go for him, let's hope the price isn't too high

 

[McTonyBrar]

He's getting signed by us after the expansion. Nuge is what they are focused on right now

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

He's getting signed by us after the expansion. Nuge is what they are focused on right now

To that end