Rumor: Rumors & Proposals Thread | Savoie Gets an Audition With the Trade Deadline Looming

[SupremeTeam16]

Assuming Kane is out until the playoffs.

Make a couple deals and get better.

TO SEA: 2027 1st (top-5 protected), 2026 3rd, Roby Jarventy and Joel Maatta

TO EDM: Jamie Oleksiak ($1.6M retained) and Daniel Sprong (minors)

then

To UTH: Calvin Pickard, 2025 2nd and 2027 3rd

To EDM: Karel Vejmelka (50% retained) no extension pre-deal.

then

To PIT: Victor Arvidsson, Beau Akey and 2026 2nd

To EDM: Rickard Rakell

Then the team looks like

Rakell - McDavid - Hyman
Skinner - Draisaitl - Podkolzin
Brown - Nuge - Kapanen
Janmark - Henrique - Perry

Ekholm - Bouchard
Nurse - Oleksiak
Kulak - Emberson
Klingberg, Stetcher

Vejmelka
Skinner

Not sure if these work, but that's a better team now and going forward.

I don’t think Oleksiak is returning a 1st even with retention, certainly not a 1st+. Sprong adds nothing for the Oilers he’s a worse version of Skinner.

I think the cost on Vejmelka is quite high as well. There’s almost no market for selling goalies and there’s a few potential options available between possibly him, Gibson, Quick and probably another 1-2 who could be available by the deadline.

I like Rackell a lot as a player but I just don’t see them spending good assets to acquire a 5M+ winger who’s on the wrong side of 30 with a long term deal.

 

[ManofSteel55]

I think it was a Gregor tweet that was trying to imply Savoie was being showcased. But since it's Gregor, his opinion can eat shit

He could be right though. As much as we want Savoie to succeed here, I think if Bowman can dangle him for a really good deadline addition that is signed for a few years, he might do that. I just hope that if we do end up going that route, its for a significant upgrade that we have for at least 3 years. Gregor can still eat shit though.

We'll be finding out soon enough. That said it would be wise of management to start to have some younger guys learn from Connor and Drai while they are in their primes so that they can help take some pressure off of them as they age.

It would be wise, but we can see the levels of their wisdom with young players in Holloway and Broberg.

 

[Bryanbryoil]

He could be right though. As much as we want Savoie to succeed here, I think if Bowman can dangle him for a really good deadline addition that is signed for a few years, he might do that. I just hope that if we do end up going that route, its for a significant upgrade that we have for at least 3 years. Gregor can still eat shit though.


It would be wise, but we can see the levels of their wisdom with young players in Holloway and Broberg.

If Savoie pans out, having him and Holloway would've been huge in terms of replacing guys like RNH and Hyman organically.

 

[soothsayer]

If Savoie is being floated, it's for a significant piece, like a Jordan Kyrou at forward, Pulock on D, or Saros in goal ...

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

If Savoie is being floated, it's for a significant piece, like a Jordan Kyrou at forward, Pulock on D, or Saros in goal ...

Pulock (or Dobson) see like the obvious choices in that case.

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

I don’t think Oleksiak is returning a 1st even with retention, certainly not a 1st+. Sprong adds nothing for the Oilers he’s a worse version of Skinner.

I think the cost on Vejmelka is quite high as well. There’s almost no market for selling goalies and there’s a few potential options available between possibly him, Gibson, Quick and probably another 1-2 who could be available by the deadline.

I like Rackell a lot as a player but I just don’t see them spending good assets to acquire a 5M+ winger who’s on the wrong side of 30 with a long term deal.

So here's my take with this,

Oleksiak is a top-4 defenseman, with term, they don't tend to come cheap, and getting him for this and next year at $3M on the cap is significant. Like if they acquire him and he works out, getting the level of play out of Oleksiak and Kulak for under $6M on the cap is kinda amazing.

I do think Vejmelka is valuable, but he's not as proven as his year this year makes it seem. I think if he was more proven, like Blackwood, he would have already been traded, and the Oilers risk here making the deal without an extension in hand.

Rakell isn't young, but he's a good player who plays well with very good players. He's better and healthier than Arvidsson and he can play center. He might decline, but I would say this is an upgrade for the Oilers at forward that makes them alot deeper.

 

[brentashton]

Completely disagree, he's their best offensive prospect riding a prolonged hot streak in the AHL. They're calling him up to see if he can fit in the top six, allowing them to push a winger down to the third line, which will hopefully kickstart the offence a bit. He's competing for a spot on the roster in the playoffs, because the guys currently playing in the top six have left that door open.

I think we agree more than we disagree. He’s here on a look see for sure.

He’s not a guarenteed answer for the top 6. He could prove to better than the underperforming bodies currently in the top 6, but I think it’s a bigger chance he gets dealt for a proven asset. The roster doesn’t need anymore might be/question marks. At this point he’s not proven so is more of a down the road type asset that can be used on the trade market. I guess we will see.

 

[Took a pill in Sbisa]

So here's my take with this,

Oleksiak is a top-4 defenseman, with term, they don't tend to come cheap, and getting him for this and next year at $3M on the cap is significant. Like if they acquire him and he works out, getting the level of play out of Oleksiak and Kulak for under $6M on the cap is kinda amazing.

I do think Vejmelka is valuable, but he's not as proven as his year this year makes it seem. I think if he was more proven, like Blackwood, he would have already been traded, and the Oilers risk here making the deal without an extension in hand.

Rakell isn't young, but he's a good player who plays well with very good players. He's better and healthier than Arvidsson and he can play center. He might decline, but I would say this is an upgrade for the Oilers at forward that makes them alot deeper.

I've never been a big fan of Oleksiak myself, have always seen him as a #5 and not sure how much better he is than what we have. He's got the size advantage but I'm not willing to pay a 1st for that.

Vejmelka to me is pretty comparable to Blackwood, maybe he's considered less proven because he hasn't played as many seasons? His play has definitely taken a dip since the start of the year and he went from being a clear upgrade to Skinner to matching him in that wish-washy middle. Considering goalies don't command a big return in trades, I still think he'd be an upgrade on Pickard and would be willing to take the gamble that he might get hot towards the end of the year as a legitimate starting option if Skinner faulters.

Rakell is having a terrific season. I'd like to think that he'd be a great fit in the top-6. The term scares me a little, but with the cap going up as drastically as it is it's far more palatable of a contract.

 

[foshizzle]

So here's my take with this,

Oleksiak is a top-4 defenseman, with term, they don't tend to come cheap, and getting him for this and next year at $3M on the cap is significant. Like if they acquire him and he works out, getting the level of play out of Oleksiak and Kulak for under $6M on the cap is kinda amazing.

I do think Vejmelka is valuable, but he's not as proven as his year this year makes it seem. I think if he was more proven, like Blackwood, he would have already been traded, and the Oilers risk here making the deal without an extension in hand.

Rakell isn't young, but he's a good player who plays well with very good players. He's better and healthier than Arvidsson and he can play center. He might decline, but I would say this is an upgrade for the Oilers at forward that makes them alot deeper.

Oleksiuk is not a top 4 dman, he can’t move the puck and has zero physicality. He’s terrible. I do like your other two players though

 

[Forgot About Drai]

I can't talk Gregor seriously either. This buffoon said Barrie is just as good as Bouchard a week ago LOL. He also said Ceci is better than Tanev

Aint no way...

Do you have a link? I got to see this LOL

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

Oleksiuk is not a top 4 dman, he can’t move the puck and has zero physicality. He’s terrible. I do like your other two players thought

Umm, what the f*** are you talking about? I'm not talking about Risto. Maybe read the article I posted first. Seems like you have no idea who the player is.

 

[McDNicks17]

Oleksiuk is not a top 4 dman, he can’t move the puck and has zero physicality. He’s terrible. I do like your other two players thought

Check out the article that was linked earlier. 2025 Trade Deadline Targets for the Oilers: Defencemen

"Though his production is unimpressive, it seems to be more attributed to his forward linemate quality as suggested by Oleksiak’s passing microstats. His scoring chance assists per 60 rate ranks in the 71st percentile, and his passed zone exit per 60 rate ranks in the 84th percentile, ranking higher than every Oilers defenceman but Evan Bouchard."

I believe that data is from AllThreeZones.

 

[stewy04]

It's gonna be hard to get players when every player sucks lol. Those nhlers are all so bad! Accept the good ones then we can't afford them! Oh man...

 

[SupremeTeam16]

So here's my take with this,

Oleksiak is a top-4 defenseman, with term, they don't tend to come cheap, and getting him for this and next year at $3M on the cap is significant. Like if they acquire him and he works out, getting the level of play out of Oleksiak and Kulak for under $6M on the cap is kinda amazing.

I do think Vejmelka is valuable, but he's not as proven as his year this year makes it seem. I think if he was more proven, like Blackwood, he would have already been traded, and the Oilers risk here making the deal without an extension in hand.

Rakell isn't young, but he's a good player who plays well with very good players. He's better and healthier than Arvidsson and he can play center. He might decline, but I would say this is an upgrade for the Oilers at forward that makes them alot deeper.

I think you’re overvaluing a bit, the Kraken traded Dumoulin who’s a similar player with a year left and lesser AAV for a 4th. Now that was offseason instead of deadline so that’s going to affect the return a bit but I don’t think from a 4th to 1st++ He’d probably return something like 3rd + Jarventie, maybe a bit more if the Oilers wanted the Kraken to eat some salary.

Vejmelka, I dont see him being made available if Utah still in the hunt at the deadline even if they’re unlikely to make it. If he was made available there just isn’t much of a market for him. What playoff team is looking for a rental goalie besides maybe Edmonton? 2nd + throw in prospect should be the absolute highest Oilers should go for a rental goalie in this market when there will be other options such as a vet like Quick or Gibson if they wanted to look at that option or maybe a Detroit goalie shakes loose. Maybe even something crazy like Saros before his nmc kicks in, just never know but the point is there are basically no teams looking to add a goalie and the Oilers have negotiation leverage with other options available.

Again Rackell would be nice but I don’t see them adding him or any other big money winger for that matter. Guys like Arvidsson, Henrique, and Skinner have all been better in the second half of the season and potentially adding a young guy like Savoie or Kane returning or RNH picking it up. There’s lots of places scoring bumps can come from internally and it wouldn’t surprise me if the team feels secondary scoring can come by committee internally.

My guess is their wish list goes:

Big, reliable 4/5 depth defender.
Big, phys btm 6 player maybe with some scoring upside.

After that a toss up between a 3rd goalie to slot in above Pickard or a scoring winger. Which one will depend on what’s available and at what cost.

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

I think you’re overvaluing a bit, the Kraken traded Dumoulin who’s a similar player with a year left and lesser AAV for a 4th. Now that was offseason instead of deadline so that’s going to affect the return a bit but I don’t think from a 4th to 1st++ He’d probably return something like 3rd + Jarventie, maybe a bit more if the Oilers wanted the Kraken to eat some salary.

Fair, I might be, but getting the Kraken to eat some of the cap hit would be big.

Vejmelka, I dont see him being made available if Utah still in the hunt at the deadline even if they’re unlikely to make it. If he was made available there just isn’t much of a market for him. What playoff team is looking for a rental goalie besides maybe Edmonton? 2nd + throw in prospect should be the absolute highest Oilers should go for a rental goalie in this market when there will be other options such as a vet like Quick or Gibson if they wanted to look at that option or maybe a Detroit goalie shakes loose. Maybe even something crazy like Saros before his nmc kicks in, just never know but the point is there are basically no teams looking to add a goalie and the Oilers have negotiation leverage with other options available.

He's a pending UFA, he's not happy in Utah and they haven't started extension takes (at least as of January 2025) he's absolutely available and the Oilers should be all over it.

Again Rackell would be nice but I don’t see them adding him or any other big money winger for that matter. Guys like Arvidsson, Henrique, and Skinner have all been better in the second half of the season and potentially adding a young guy like Savoie or Kane returning or RNH picking it up. There’s lots of places scoring bumps can come from internally and it wouldn’t surprise me if the team feels secondary scoring can come by committee internally.

I mean I guess, Rakell is better than all 3 of those players, you still have 2 if you make that move and Rakell can also play center.

Even after this deal there's still space for Savoie and Kane.

My guess is their wish list goes:

Big, reliable 4/5 depth defender.
Big, phys btm 6 player maybe with some scoring upside.

After that a toss up between a 3rd goalie to slot in above Pickard or a scoring winger. Which one will depend on what’s available and at what cost.

I mean there's probably still cap space for Fredrick.

 

[foshizzle]

Umm, what the f*** are you talking about? I'm not talking about Risto. Maybe read the article I posted first. Seems like you have no idea who the player is.

huh? When did I mention Risto? I just said Oleksiuk isn't a top 4 d man anymore but I like the other 2 you mentioned. I'm not sure why you are so offended by that.

Check out the article that was linked earlier. 2025 Trade Deadline Targets for the Oilers: Defencemen

"Though his production is unimpressive, it seems to be more attributed to his forward linemate quality as suggested by Oleksiak’s passing microstats. His scoring chance assists per 60 rate ranks in the 71st percentile, and his passed zone exit per 60 rate ranks in the 84th percentile, ranking higher than every Oilers defenceman but Evan Bouchard."

I believe that data is from AllThreeZones.

That is interesting. Ive seen a handful of Seattle games and I didn't see what is described. Might be biased eyes- but thanks for posting that. I stand corrected.

 

[SupremeTeam16]

huh? When did I mention Risto? I just said Oleksiuk isn't a top 4 d man anymore but I like the other 2 you mentioned. I'm not sure why you are so offended by that.


That is interesting. Ive seen a handful of Seattle games and I didn't see what is described. Might be biased eyes- but thanks for posting that. I stand corrected.

Your technically right in the fact that Oleksiak is 5th in terms of avg ice time for Kraken this year but he does play some of the tougher comp and more importantly as pointed out earlier he’s sneaky underrated in passing zone exits as well he defends the blue line and off the rush well due to his massive size, decent skating and huge reach. Finally he’s a bit above average at defensive zone puck retrievals, all these things likely make him a suitable partner for Nurse.

I think his lack of numbers this year and reduced avg toi could bring down the interest/price for him but he could be a good fit and underrated add for the Oilers. Instead of one definitive #4 guy you’ve got three options in him, Klingberg and Kulak who can all slot in there and bring a different mix as needed.

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

I don't think you can play Savoie with Draisaitl, unless Janmark is on the RW. That much handsome on one line, it might overwhelm teams.

 

[ManofSteel55]

I think you’re overvaluing a bit, the Kraken traded Dumoulin who’s a similar player with a year left and lesser AAV for a 4th. Now that was offseason instead of deadline so that’s going to affect the return a bit but I don’t think from a 4th to 1st++ He’d probably return something like 3rd + Jarventie, maybe a bit more if the Oilers wanted the Kraken to eat some salary.

Vejmelka, I dont see him being made available if Utah still in the hunt at the deadline even if they’re unlikely to make it. If he was made available there just isn’t much of a market for him. What playoff team is looking for a rental goalie besides maybe Edmonton? 2nd + throw in prospect should be the absolute highest Oilers should go for a rental goalie in this market when there will be other options such as a vet like Quick or Gibson if they wanted to look at that option or maybe a Detroit goalie shakes loose. Maybe even something crazy like Saros before his nmc kicks in, just never know but the point is there are basically no teams looking to add a goalie and the Oilers have negotiation leverage with other options available.

Again Rackell would be nice but I don’t see them adding him or any other big money winger for that matter. Guys like Arvidsson, Henrique, and Skinner have all been better in the second half of the season and potentially adding a young guy like Savoie or Kane returning or RNH picking it up. There’s lots of places scoring bumps can come from internally and it wouldn’t surprise me if the team feels secondary scoring can come by committee internally.

My guess is their wish list goes:

Big, reliable 4/5 depth defender.
Big, phys btm 6 player maybe with some scoring upside.

After that a toss up between a 3rd goalie to slot in above Pickard or a scoring winger. Which one will depend on what’s available and at what cost.

Dumoulin isn't really similar though, his game has regressed significantly, and he was only a #4 at his peak. That's what Oleksiak is now. Doumoulin is the #6 defenseman on a pretty awful team right now. Over on the mains, there is a Kraken fan who is suggesting Oleksiak's value is a 2nd or 3rd. I say, if we can get him for that little, we make the move. I like your suggestion of a 3rd and Jarventie, but I'm not sure if Jarventie is enough of a player. Kraken fans seem to want prospects who are going to be NHL ready in a year or two over draft picks. I wonder if Philp would check that box.

I've posted about Vejmelka a lot. I don't think Utah will be trading him, unless they lose a whole pile of games leading up to the deadline. At this point, I'm not sure if it's really even worth discussing his value, but I agree, a 2nd and a toss in should be fair value for a rental goalie.

I agree on Rakell too. I like him, but I don't see where the cap space comes from. I don't expect that Pittsburgh is in a hurry to take a guy like Arvidsson off of our hands for Rakell. I think our scoring bump has to come internally.

I agree with our list too. Defense partner for Nurse, and a guy who can play bottom six every day and provide some grit and functional toughness would be nice.

 

[McDoused]

Sounds like Lankinen rejected the canucks extension offer.

 

[SupremeTeam16]

Dumoulin isn't really similar though, his game has regressed significantly, and he was only a #4 at his peak. That's what Oleksiak is now. Doumoulin is the #6 defenseman on a pretty awful team right now. Over on the mains, there is a Kraken fan who is suggesting Oleksiak's value is a 2nd or 3rd. I say, if we can get him for that little, we make the move. I like your suggestion of a 3rd and Jarventie, but I'm not sure if Jarventie is enough of a player. Kraken fans seem to want prospects who are going to be NHL ready in a year or two over draft picks. I wonder if Philp would check that box.

I've posted about Vejmelka a lot. I don't think Utah will be trading him, unless they lose a whole pile of games leading up to the deadline. At this point, I'm not sure if it's really even worth discussing his value, but I agree, a 2nd and a toss in should be fair value for a rental goalie.

I agree on Rakell too. I like him, but I don't see where the cap space comes from. I don't expect that Pittsburgh is in a hurry to take a guy like Arvidsson off of our hands for Rakell. I think our scoring bump has to come internally.

I agree with our list too. Defense partner for Nurse, and a guy who can play bottom six every day and provide some grit and functional toughness would be nice.

Dumoulin had a down year last year in his one season in Seattle but before that he spent years averaging 21-22 a night, playing tough minutes including on extended playoff runs. This year he’s back to averaging a hair under 20 a night playing the tough comp as one of the Ducks most trusted defenders. The only Ducks defenders who’ve averaged more ice time than him are Jackson Lacombe and Fowler, now replaced by Trouba.

He’s even averaged more ice time than Oleksiak this year and I’d say he has better results.

I’m not saying that he’s a surefire top 4 dman but as a big, reliable defender who can give you 19-20 a night, there’s probably not many better options.

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

Sounds like Lankinen rejected the canucks extension offer.

I wonder if the Oilers bring him in.

 

[McTonyBrar]

So here's my take with this,

Oleksiak is a top-4 defenseman, with term, they don't tend to come cheap, and getting him for this and next year at $3M on the cap is significant. Like if they acquire him and he works out, getting the level of play out of Oleksiak and Kulak for under $6M on the cap is kinda amazing.

I do think Vejmelka is valuable, but he's not as proven as his year this year makes it seem. I think if he was more proven, like Blackwood, he would have already been traded, and the Oilers risk here making the deal without an extension in hand.

Rakell isn't young, but he's a good player who plays well with very good players. He's better and healthier than Arvidsson and he can play center. He might decline, but I would say this is an upgrade for the Oilers at forward that makes them alot deeper.

Man I don’t know what info NHL Sid puts into fans heads but Oleksiak is not a top 4 defender and since when has he ever proven he can make a great first pass? He’s no puckmover and never has been.

 

[McTonyBrar]

Aint no way...

Do you have a link? I got to see this LOL

 

[Took a pill in Sbisa]

He's not wrong. Barrie was as productive as Bouchard when he was on the PP. What point are you disagreeing with?