Rumor: Rumors & Proposals Thread | Ekholm's Season Over? | Buckle Up Buckaroo | Oilers Sign Samuel Jonsson to ELC | Quinn Hutson Incoming?

[Soli]

Time for a new thread. Last thread can be found [here].

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EDIT: Ekholm's season over?



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From Oilers NOW with Bob Stauffer: Oilers G.M. Stan Bowman, Apr 11, 2025


On Beryozkin:

Stauffer: The Oilers have a prospect named Maxim Beryozkin that's playing over in Russia. Is there a possibility that he may get signed?

Bowman: Yep, he's had a very good season as well. We've been in touch with his representatives. And when his season finishes, we're going to buckle down on that. But we've paid close attention, been impressed with him. He's a little bit older, good size kid, skilled, makes plays, comfortable with a puck. And you can never have too many of those guys.

On more signings out of NCAA/Europe:

Stauffer: Yeah. Are you done out of the NCAA or out of Europe? Or are you still looking at a couple more options?

Bowman: Yeah, we're still, I wouldn't say we're finished yet. But I think we've had a pretty good last couple weeks here, making some progress, getting these decisions to the final point. So, you know, I think we're hopeful on a few other things and you don't really know if they're done till they're done. But we're working on...

Stuaffer: Well, if you're hopeful on a few other things, is the player still playing?

Bowman: Yeah, one of the players is still playing and some of the other guys we're having conversations with, their season's just ended, so we'll see where those go. Like, you know, especially the players that are playing well, they've got a lot of interest from a lot of teams. So you can present your opportunity and hopefully they see the value in coming to the Oilers.”

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Can we manage to sleuth out the players we're looking at? Not nearly as locked in as the last time Stuaffer let some clues out there (Tomasek, Samanski), but let's look.

The NCAA Final will see Boston University meet Western Michigan University. People will hope the player that is still playing is Quinn Hutson. It could be WMU's captain Tim Washe; feels like Oilers have a penchant for signing captains.
The KHL playoffs and other Euro leagues are still playing as well.

EDIT:


Denver and Penn State were just eliminated from the Frozen Four.
Matt Davis? If rumours of the Oilers courting Samuel Jonsson to come overseas, Rodrigue, Jonsson, Day, etc. is a log jam.
Carter King? Don't see any arrows not pointing towards Calgary.

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EDIT: The rumours were true:

 

[Soli]

One of Ekholm or Hyman to join Frederic on the doubtful to start begin the playoffs list.

 

[Canovin]

Beryozkin, Hutson, Brochu, Davis in that order of priority

 

[Stud Muffin]

Beryozkin, Hutson, Brochu, Davis in that order of priority

I find it hard to believe we will sign a goalie outside of Jonsson. We signed Day just last week and have Unager already under contract for another 2 years I believe. Rodrigue is a RFA and I’m not sure at all what they will do with him.just doesn’t seem to be enough spots for Rookie goalies unless we can dump Ungar.

 

[Stud Muffin]

Still like to see another Russian like Aimurzin, Shabanov or Kuzmin along to go with Berezkin. But we won’t see those moves until there contacts are up at the end of May

 

[PitkanensGitch]

One of Ekholm or Hyman to join Frederic on the doubtful to start begin the playoffs list.

Is what it is when you have the oldest crew in the league.

Many of us spoke about the window. We're limping into the playoffs now with a lot of older players suffering some pretty serious injury setbacks. By old I mean 30+. You can only play a hard game for so long in this league.

Let's speak bluntly. This group is in a much worse state than it was last year, and it will only get worse as the core ages and these injuries pile up. Let's pray we find a way to get it done this year.

 

[Zerotonine]

One of Ekholm or Hyman to join Frederic on the doubtful to start begin the playoffs list.

Getting really annoyed with fking knoblach and how thinks he is being smart with the media. Guy has the personality of a snail and it really fking bugs me. He reminds me of forrest gump when he talks

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

Getting really annoyed with fking knoblach and how thinks he is being smart eity the media. Guy had the personality of a snail it it really fking bugs me. He reminds me of forrest gump when he talks

What in the f*** are you talking about? He said they were both hurt, he said one more than the other, but didn't elaborate. He's not a f***ing doctor nor is he just going is going to freely admit who's hurt, how much and exactly where.

 

[Zerotonine]

What in the f*** are you talking about? He said they were both hurt, he said one more than the other, but didn't elaborate. He's not a f***ing doctor nor is he just going is going to freely admit who's hurt, how much and exactly where.

You think my post was solely based on 1 fking interview? Gtfoh with that rubbish....

 

[Whoshattenkirkshoes]

What in the f*** are you talking about? He said they were both hurt, he said one more than the other, but didn't elaborate. He's not a f***ing doctor nor is he just going is going to freely admit who's hurt, how much and exactly where.

So we are assuming Ekholm is more hurt?

Does it sound like Hyman can be back for playoffs or do we not know? It didn't look bad

 

[McDrai]

I think we will need to do a slight retool in the offseason. The goal is to bring in some younger players on the main roster

Podkolzin, Philp and Savoie should all be on the roster next year. I’d also target any 27 year olds in free agency.

 

[Canovin]

I find it hard to believe we will sign a goalie outside of Jonsson. We signed Day just last week and have Unager already under contract for another 2 years I believe. Rodrigue is a RFA and I’m not sure at all what they will do with him.just doesn’t seem to be enough spots for Rookie goalies unless we can dump Ungar.

Oilers:
Skinner
Pickard

Bakersfield:
Rodrigue
Brochu

Etica:
Ungar
Jonsson/Day

Definitely limited spots if we add Davis. I think the NCAA guy the Oilers are looking at is Quinn Hutson

Shabanov would be a nice add for sure if we are adding another guy with Beryozkin

 

[Fixed to Ruin]

I find it hard to believe we will sign a goalie outside of Jonsson. We signed Day just last week and have Unager already under contract for another 2 years I believe. Rodrigue is a RFA and I’m not sure at all what they will do with him.just doesn’t seem to be enough spots for Rookie goalies unless we can dump Ungar.

To add to this, the more i look into the 2025 draft I've come to the opinion that this draft is pretty good for goaltenders so i hope the Oilers focus on replenishing the goaltender depth chart this summer.

 

[Jarvi]

I think we will need to do a slight retool in the offseason. The goal is to bring in some younger players on the main roster

Podkolzin, Philp and Savoie should all be on the roster next year. I’d also target any 27 year olds in free agency.

I can see how it's tempting, but idk if it's the right move. I think guys who disappointed this year could, like Arvidsson, could have a resurgence next year. Few guys on contract years next year also, so they will be extra motivated. We also have all the NMC's and such to deal with, which would make any moves very difficult and most likely losses in terms of value.

Take Henrique for example, he doesn't have many fans this year, but few guys in the league would put up many points with Janmark/Brown as their linemates while also getting heavy D-zone starts.

I agree in bringing in some youth, but I just think if we buyout/give away guys like Rico/Arvy/Kane, we could watch them put up a good season elsewhere. Then we struggle to find where the new pieces fit for most of next season. Kinda like what happened to us this year with everyone who left.

Idk maybe I'm just gunshy now because of how spectacularly last summer failed. Frankly, I'm becoming more and more open to moving on from Knob as our big summer move, along with changing up the goaltending.

 

[fireantz]

At least on of Kane,Rico and Arvidsson have to go if we want to upgrade goaltending

 

[jukon]

Oilers:
Skinner
Pickard

Let me stop you right there.

 

[McTonyBrar]

To the person who said Beryozkin is mid 20s... he's 23 years old and is almost a ppg in the 2nd best league in the world.

To the person who is comparing a drafted European prospect to Haas and Persson, what on earth are you talking about?

What did you guys drink last night?

 

[McJadeddog]

Is what it is when you have the oldest crew in the league.

Many of us spoke about the window. We're limping into the playoffs now with a lot of older players suffering some pretty serious injury setbacks. By old I mean 30+. You can only play a hard game for so long in this league.

Let's speak bluntly. This group is in a much worse state than it was last year, and it will only get worse as the core ages and these injuries pile up. Let's pray we find a way to get it done this year.

Almost no chance of going all the way this year. We needed to be healthy and to have better tending. Our tending is easily the worst of all the playoff teams, and we are the most banged up we've been in well over a decade. Very likely we don't even make it out of the first round this year to be honest.

 

[McJadeddog]

I think we will need to do a slight retool in the offseason. The goal is to bring in some younger players on the main roster

Podkolzin, Philp and Savoie should all be on the roster next year. I’d also target any 27 year olds in free agency.

It is going to take more than a slight retool. Our team is crazy old and has no depth whatsoever. We need Savoie to be a 40-50 point guy next year, which isn't likely to happen. I actually expect we'll struggle to make playoffs next year, similar to how it was way closer than we would have thought this year already. We are a very old team, and will have to rely on McDrai, who themselves are getting old.

 

[Arpeggio]

It is going to take more than a slight retool. Our team is crazy old and has no depth whatsoever. We need Savoie to be a 40-50 point guy next year, which isn't likely to happen. I actually expect we'll struggle to make playoffs next year, similar to how it was way closer than we would have thought this year already. We are a very old team, and will have to rely on McDrai, who themselves are getting old.

I disagree. You're looking at a full year of Walman, Ekholm, Nurse, Bouchard as your top four. That's a very solid top four. They'll either have Kane back or have moved him out (either through trade or buyout) which gives them cap space, and Jeff Skinner obviously won't be back. And while it's unlikely, there's the possibility of moving out a guy like Henrique, as I doubt he's totally happy playing fourth line minutes here. They were reportedly fairly aggressive in acquiring and signing Rantanen, so they clearly believe there will be room to add players in free agency (considering Rantanen would've cost 13 million).

This group of players plus free agent acquisitions will not struggle to make the playoffs:

Kane/acquisition - McDavid - Hyman
Podkolzin - Drai - Arvidsson
Savoie - Nuge - xxxx
xxxx - xxxx -xxxx

Ekholm - Bouchard
Nurse - Walman

You can fill in those other pieces with whoever you want, it's still a really solid team.

 

[TB12]

It is going to take more than a slight retool. Our team is crazy old and has no depth whatsoever. We need Savoie to be a 40-50 point guy next year, which isn't likely to happen. I actually expect we'll struggle to make playoffs next year, similar to how it was way closer than we would have thought this year already. We are a very old team, and will have to rely on McDrai, who themselves are getting old.

Ya, the bolded is really hyperbolic. Would bet you anything they clinch earlier next year than they did this year. Shit tending and injuries have added up this year in a big way.

 

[Bryanbryoil]

I find it hard to believe we will sign a goalie outside of Jonsson. We signed Day just last week and have Unager already under contract for another 2 years I believe. Rodrigue is a RFA and I’m not sure at all what they will do with him.just doesn’t seem to be enough spots for Rookie goalies unless we can dump Ungar.

Rodrigue should be gone, he's had his chance to prove that he's a NHL goalie and hasn't. Sign Brochu, Jonsson and Davis. Let the cream rise to the top and competition is never a bad thing. Worse gets to worst you loan a few of them to other AHL or ECHL teams.

Jonsson
Brochu
Day
Davis
Ungar

1 or 2 of those guys should work out down the line as at least a NHL back-up you would hope.

 

[Arpeggio]

I think it's really important to remember the Rantanen rumours. No doubt in my mind that they're going to target a Marner/Bennett if they're available in free agency, and likely be the highest bid on those players. I think they'll try to move off of Kulak and Henrique, and bridge Bouchard again. They clearly had a plan to fit a huge contract in, and I think they are going to try to add an elite player who's prime matches or slightly ahead of McDavid/Draisaitl.

Whoever is able to land an elite player on a long term contract this summer is going to benefit most from the rising cap, as you're basically going to get a discount on that contract within a couple of seasons. While agents will want teams to consider the cap forecast, they still won't be paid as much as they would be in a couple seasons when the cap actually increases. It's a unique opportunity to set yourself up in a good situation long term (ex. Draisaitl's contract will already be a steal within two seasons).

 

[aspin3]

Rodrigue should be gone, he's had his chance to prove that he's a NHL goalie and hasn't. Sign Brochu, Jonsson and Davis. Let the cream rise to the top and competition is never a bad thing. Worse gets to worst you loan a few of them to other AHL or ECHL teams.

Jonsson
Brochu
Day
Davis
Ungar

1 or 2 of those guys should work out down the line as at least a NHL back-up you would hope.

You have no goalies with any substantial AHL experience. Rodrigue could be that and if he develops more that is a bonus as opposed to signing a 30 year old to mentor.

 

[Soli]