Rumor: Rumors & Proposals Thread | All Star Break Edition

[Canovin]

I don’t think Dubas would deal with the Oilers under any circumstance but that’s just me.

Dubas would but it'll go down as something like this when Holland mentions 6th round

 

[NotASheep]

He said it depends on bonus payment date.

Most Bonuses are paid at the end of the year. If they havent been paid out yet, they can be traded.

He thinks brown's was designed to either receive the bonus as soon as he hit the 10 games, or at least start having the payments come in. In that case, it can't be traded.

signing bonuses have a due date, There are 3 popular dates. Canada Day, August 1st and September 15th. Whomever is holding the contract on that date, pays that years signing bonus. For performance $$$$$ it is the team holding the contract when the bonus or bonuses are met that pays them

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

Random Hasek note. I read he lived here in Edmonton for a year or two with billets. I could be completely wrong about the length, but surprised me. I've never followed his pre nhl career

Might have been for one of those play Eastern European teams for some kind of showcase, the Macs Midget tourney used to be that, I think Petr Nedved defected from one of those as a kid.

 

[K1984]

another 5M+ player in the top 6 just destroys any chance of building quality depth throughout the lineup. The only type of player I want to see them bring in with a 5M+ cap hit is a bonifide high end top 4 RD.

We’ve already got a very good top 6 that doesn’t have trouble scoring with the exception of short stretches here and there which every team experiences, no matter how good. That last spot in the top 6 has to be a value spot, we need to be able to identify and give opportunities to guys either in our own system or in other teams that would fit well and have a high chance of outperforming cap hit. It seems like this coaching staff has a good handle on the roster and what works, and with Mcdavid and Draisaitl we should be able to pluck guys out of relative obscurity and make players out of them. Crosby, Malkin and the Pens have been doing it for years, we should be able to as well with guys like Mcdavid and Drai along with other weapons like RNH, Kane and Hyman. Keep picking up promising rocks and applying a little polish until you find a gem.

Last year a major reason we lost was a mismatch in the top 6, which based on the second line's play since basically the start of the season appears to be a risk again.

One thing that hasn't been a concern at any point since Knoblauch has taken over is defence. Even the much maligned Nurse-Ceci pair is dominating their ice relative to the rest of the league. Been a broken record on this, but if we are reasonably confident our goaltending can sustain at around a .900 level there is absolutely zero reason to pursue defensemen. We simply don't lose games with our current group and average goaltending, and it's been that way for over a calendar year.

The second line with a traditional 3rd liner playing his off wing, a banged up LW that has zero chemistry with Leon, and not much of a lineup redundancy to backfill in these areas, however...........

We simply don't have time to gamble nibbling around the edges of a top 6 issue and hoping a value option works. Put a fly out with a sledgehammer and win a cup. We actually have decent depth which only gets better if we add a sure fire top 6 player, however as of today we don't have a quality second line that you can feel comfortable setting and forgetting.

 

[SupremeTeam16]

Last year a major reason we lost was a mismatch in the top 6, which based on the second line's play since basically the start of the season appears to be a risk again.

One thing that hasn't been a concern at any point since Knoblauch has taken over is defence. Even the much maligned Nurse-Ceci pair is dominating their ice relative to the rest of the league. Been a broken record on this, but if we are reasonably confident our goaltending can sustain at around a .900 level there is absolutely zero reason to pursue defensemen. We simply don't lose games with our current group and average goaltending, and it's been that way for over a calendar year.

The second line with a traditional 3rd liner playing his off wing, a banged up LW that has zero chemistry with Leon, and not much of a lineup redundancy to backfill in these areas, however...........

We simply don't have time to gamble nibbling around the edges of a top 6 issue and hoping a value option works. Put a fly out with a sledgehammer and win a cup. We actually have decent depth which only gets better if we add a sure fire top 6 player, however as of today we don't have a quality second line that you can feel comfortable setting and forgetting.

Very fair points, I’m just weary of the defensive play holding up and would love to see us upgrade that 4 slot and really put together one of the strongest blue lines out there heading into the playoffs but I can definitely understand your view and I think closer to the deadline it could be very well best to bring in another top line player.

But I want to see if Kane can get going over the next month, and I’m sure I’ll get raked for this but I want to see some different looks in the top 6. McDavid and Hyman are really driving that top line while Nuge has been quieter. Possible that Nuge is providing the defensive conscious as his part for that lines success but I wouldn’t mind if they tried Kane on the line and put Nuge with Drai as they’ve had chemistry in the past, then looked to add another piece. Maybe even Nuge and Kane with Drai and new addition with Mcdavid and Hyman. They’ve got lots of possibilities to find two solid lines.

In that case I think a high end 3C who can play a shut down role along with a cheaper to acquire calculated gamble winger addition could help the team more then a single top 6 winger, likely coming at the same cost cap wise and probably asset wise, maybe even cheaper.

 

[McDNicks17]

I think I'd be prioritizing a #3C right now. If you add a guy like Sissons and keep Kulak-Desharnais together, you've now got a third line and third pairing that can take some of those tough matchups in the playoffs.

You aren't necessarily upgrading #2RW or Ceci with that move, but you're making the second line and Nurse-Ceci's job a whole lot easier.

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

I think I'd be prioritizing a #3C right now. If you add a guy like Sissons and keep Kulak-Desharnais together, you've now got a third line and third pairing that can take some of those tough matchups in the playoffs.

You aren't necessarily upgrading #2RW or Ceci with that move, but you're making the second line and Nurse-Ceci's job a whole lot easier.

Upgrading Ceci should be priority #1.

 

[dustrock]

The defensive play has definitely has been the most impressive part of this run under Knoblauch. But the regular season is 82 games of travel, bouncing between home and road, etc.

The playoffs a team has time to focus on only you. I think the Knights scouted/videoed us to death (and the Kings as well, they're just not as good a team) and Woodcroft wasn't able to adjust.

 

[McDNicks17]

Upgrading Ceci should be priority #1.

Just from an options standpoint, I don't think it's really worth prioritizing.

I think you'd be better off just waiting until a few teams have filled their D spots and the market has come down and then just go after which of Chychrun, Walker, Carrier, etc. is left.

 

[SupremeTeam16]

I think I'd be prioritizing a #3C right now. If you add a guy like Sissons and keep Kulak-Desharnais together, you've now got a third line and third pairing that can take some of those tough matchups in the playoffs.

You aren't necessarily upgrading #2RW or Ceci with that move, but you're making the second line and Nurse-Ceci's job a whole lot easier.

I think that would be my focus as well but I think it’s really going to come down to fleshing out all options at the deadline and seeing what are the best options available and where cap and assets are best spent. Maybe it’s 2RW maybe it’s 3C maybe it’s 2RD, maybe it’s a combination of two of those.

Lots of options for the team.

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

Just from an options standpoint, I don't think it's really worth prioritizing.

I think you'd be better off just waiting until a few teams have filled their D spots and the market has come down and then just go after which of Chychrun, Walker, Carrier, etc. is left.

Cody Ceci is clearly the guy most under performing in the defense core. He's not a bad player, it's just a spot the team needs to solidify to take that next step.

There are guys out there who will be upgrades, the Oilers need to prioritize this, as it will have the largest impact.

Getting another center is great, adds depth and makes the team harder to play. Getting a top-6 winger makes the team deeper and harder to play against, but upgrade 2RD will have the largest impact because it makes everyone else's lives easier in that defense group.

 

[belair]

I think that would be my focus as well but I think it’s really going to come down to fleshing out all options at the deadline and seeing what are the best options available and where cap and assets are best spent. Maybe it’s 2RW maybe it’s 3C maybe it’s 2RD, maybe it’s a combination of two of those.

Lots of options for the team.

That's the one thing that we can all agree upon. We may have considerable disagreements about what the Oilers have in front of them, but there are a countless number of ways this deadline could unfold for them.

It's a good thing that Ken Holland didn't have an itchy trigger finger early on when some people were overly critical of his inaction.

 

[Canovin]

Upgrading Ceci should be priority #1.

Nurse-Ceci is an above average top pairing.

As for our #3C, we don't even know who that is and right now that spot is kind of below average.

 

[Mr Positive]

Upgrading Ceci should be priority #1.

I used to think this, and I still say an Ekholm tier talent with Nurse would unlock something in him.

However, I don't think Ceci is a weak spot. That's a spot that could be stronger

However I see genuine weakness in our bottom six. Imo there is a need to duplicate the Bjugstad trade. Too much hinges on Ryan right now

I would like to do both moves though, sure

 

[K1984]

Very fair points, I’m just weary of the defensive play holding up and would love to see us upgrade that 4 slot and really put together one of the strongest blue lines out there heading into the playoffs but I can definitely understand your view and I think closer to the deadline it could be very well best to bring in another top line player.

But I want to see if Kane can get going over the next month, and I’m sure I’ll get raked for this but I want to see some different looks in the top 6. McDavid and Hyman are really driving that top line while Nuge has been quieter. Possible that Nuge is providing the defensive conscious as his part for that lines success but I wouldn’t mind if they tried Kane on the line and put Nuge with Drai as they’ve had chemistry in the past, then looked to add another piece. Maybe even Nuge and Kane with Drai and new addition with Mcdavid and Hyman. They’ve got lots of possibilities to find two solid lines.

In that case I think a high end 3C who can play a shut down role along with a cheaper to acquire calculated gamble winger addition could help the team more then a single top 6 winger, likely coming at the same cost cap wise and probably asset wise, maybe even cheaper.

Yep a strong 3C is an option too for sure. I am of the very strong opinion (as you can probably tell lol) that a forward addition at 3C or 2RW should be the priority unless goaltending gets shaky again.

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

Nurse-Ceci is an above average top pairing.

As for our #3C, we don't even know who that is and right now that spot is kind of below average.

They aren't, they're an average 2nd pair, because Ekholm and Bouchard are the top pair. They need to upgrade Ceci, there are options.

I used to think this, and I still say an Ekholm tier talent with Nurse would unlock something in him.

However, I don't think Ceci is a weak spot. That's a spot that could be stronger

However I see genuine weakness in our bottom six. Imo there is a need to duplicate the Bjugstad trade. Too much hinges on Ryan right now

I would like to do both moves though, sure

Upgrading Ceci's spot should help Nurse be even better and makes the team harder to play against.

Guys this isn't a "Cody Ceci sucks", this is a realization that he's the weakest link and improving him makes the team significant better.

 

[McTonyBrar]

Josh Yohe of The Athletic said that Kyle Dubas is not afraid to trade away Guentzel. Good for us tbh.

Would Pittsburgh even consider that?

 

[SupremeTeam16]

They aren't, they're an average 2nd pair, because Ekholm and Bouchard are the top pair. They need to upgrade Ceci, there are options.


Upgrading Ceci's spot should help Nurse be even better and makes the team harder to play against.

Guys this isn't a "Cody Ceci sucks", this is a realization that he's the weakest link and improving him makes the team significant better.

We never know what the team is thinking but if there is any truth to what media has said it seems they are looking at the possibility of upgrading Ceci. But what I found interesting is my thinking is they should be looking for a lock down, chance suppression defender who can also fill the hole Ceci departing is going to leave on the PK, like Tanev or Savard types, reliable veteran who can support Nurses sometimes chaotic game. But it seems like they aren’t being linked to those types who may be available but are being linked to more transitional defenders. I don’t mind a guy like Walker as a defender but I wonder about fit, is he going to be able to cover for Nurse when needed or take those pk minutes? Who’s the guy on the right side who can lock it down for you for twenty minutes when you need that?

When it comes to the guys who seem to be available, none of them are the type of defender that you look at and say this guy is very clearly a step above Cody Ceci, so in that situation how the player fits becomes really important so it’s interesting to see some of the possible targets we’re hearing.

Maybe it’s a little misdirection so they don’t seem too hard after certain guys, or more likely they’re managing the team for a reason and I’m just some guy who doesn’t know everything.

 

[Celleyna]

Who is gonna play second pairing on the right side then?

 

[oilers4life5]

Josh Yohe of The Athletic said that Kyle Dubas is not afraid to trade away Guentzel. Good for us tbh.

Would Pittsburgh even consider that?

That would leave a giant hole on the right side. Makes no sense for us.oh wait it is the hockey news. Nothing to worry about, complete rag.

 

[Green Xero]

Josh Yohe of The Athletic said that Kyle Dubas is not afraid to trade away Guentzel. Good for us tbh.

Would Pittsburgh even consider that?

"Guentzel for Ceci make sense for the Oil." So would Bedard for Broberg. Doesn't mean the other team would do it. That's a terrible deal for the Pens.

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

"Guentzel for Ceci make sense for the Oil." So would Bedard for Broberg. Doesn't mean the other team would do it. That's a terrible deal for the Pens.

I suspect there would be more pieces involved lol

Who is gonna play second pairing on the right side then?

Chris Tanev or Alex Carrier once they trade for one of them.

 

[McTonyBrar]

Holland says he has no problem calling up Philip Broberg and putting him in the NHL

-Oilers Now

Anyone want to listen to Medi Chicken right now? I can't listen to him at the moment lol

 

[McTonyBrar]

f*** it I did it

He said:

- Has been talking to a lot of GMs and will have to get creative with the cap
- The bottom part of the roster haven't produced as expected
- Depth scoring is needed
- Next mix of games are important to decide on what he should do
- Wants to reward the team


Stauffer also said we will most likely focus on a forward

 

[The Nuge]

"Guentzel for Ceci make sense for the Oil." So would Bedard for Broberg. Doesn't mean the other team would do it. That's a terrible deal for the Pens.

He has a partial NTC, and reportedly turned down a pretty significant offer. Depending on what Pittsburgh’s trade choices look like, a deal like Guentzel (retained) for Ceci, a 1st, and something else might end up more reasonable than it seems right now