Rumor: Rumors & Proposals Thread | What Do Our RFA's Sign For Edition

[Beerfish]

Ekholm Bouchard is essential if you ask me.

Broberg will not last 20 games as a 2nd pairing D man

 

[Oilers in NS]

He’s one of quite a few players I’d take a look at if they’ll sign for an amount that can be buried. Worst case is you throw him on waivers and have a good callup option if he clears



Because Holland has essentially said he sees him claiming a spot. Holloway was also pretty good as a 4th liner last year. The offense just hadn’t translated



Doesn’t hurt to try. Ekholm is pretty good at babysitting. It just depends if Bouch is ready to step into the top pairing spot. If Broberg actually earns that spot, and isn’t just given it, that would mean we’ve got a really solid defense

Fella mentioned Gurinov possibly signed in KHL

 

[russ99]

Ideally we'd have someone who can step up to the top 4, but Kulak has proven that he can't do that.

 

[Oilers in NS]

Exactly. Some fans need to be more rational like you


Yet its the furthest they've gone since 2006...

We do have lots of CHICKEN LITTLE THE SKY IS FALLING fans in our fan base to say the least

 

[Bryanbryoil]

Trade McLeod and Foegele (yeah some of the guys want him to stay, but I'd hope that they'd want to win more) for a 2nd round pick.

Sign Dumba to a 1 year $3 million contract

Sign Derek Grant to a 2 year $900K contract

Sign Noah Gregor to a 2 year $775K contract

Sign Zack McEwan to a 2 year $775K contract

Sign Lavoie to a 2 year $775K contract

Let Broberg go back to the minors and force his way up or claim a spot if/when injuries hit. After last camp I am not interested on handing him anything without him showing 100% that he's ready for it. Keep Desharnais as the 7D.

Kane-McDavid-Brown
Hyman-Draisaitl-Lavoie
Holloway-RNH-Gregor/Ryan
Janmark-Grant-Gregor/Ryan/MacEwan

Ekholm-Bouchard
Nurse-Dumba
Kulak-Ceci
Desharnais

 

[Macblender]

I think that's not worth a shit for a multitude of reasons.

#1-Nurse/Bouchard have not shown near the chemistry that Ekholm-Bouchard have and risking crashing Bouchard's confidence is not worth it just to polish the turd that is Nurse's contract.

#2-We're trusting a guy with a top 4 role out of camp that we trusted would be a 3rd pairing guy right out of camp last season. Fool me once...

#3-Who is the puck mover between Kulak and Ceci? Broberg or Desharnais based on pay and experience should be in one of these spots. If we are good with a 3rd pairing of Kulak-Ceci that should only be because we have 4 defenseman that are superior to them and quite frankly I don't see Broberg as being superior to either guy yet, not even close actually.

#4-Expecting anything outside of a 3rd pairing/#7D spot out of both of Broberg-Desharnais is a fail. Desharnais is at an age that I don't see a ton of improvement from him going forward so he's a good candidate as a #6/#7 guy because he's cheap and brings bite to the back end.

#5-We saw the impact that Ekholm made on the team, why not move mountains to try and add an actual top 4 RHD? Allow Bouchard to pair with Ekholm and find someone that can compliment Nurse to round out the other top 4 pairing?

#6-If we only give Bouch a 1 year deal and plan to tank his upcoming contract value by playing him with Nurse instead of Ekholm it likely hurts our team short term and maybe long term if Bouch loses confidence.

#7-Standing pat is what losers do. We should always be looking to improve the team. I would hope that our players reach out to Bouch and McLeod and help to get these contracts done soon so that Holland can get to work without 1 arm tied behind his back.

I dont think we should be getting to whipped up about a Bob Stauffer tweet.

Realistically it is:

Ekholm - Bouchard
Nurse - Ceci
Kulak - Broberg
Desharnais

That D-Core was almost good enough to beat the team that ended up winning the stanley cup and prob does without the nurse suspension and Stu having some big lapses.

At the end of the day people need to understand that we are rolling into the season with the same D core that was the 9th best defence post deadline. If we need a big upgrade at the deadline thats where our 1st ++ should go if we cant rip a goalie or a true difference maker elsewhere from someone.

 

[Bryanbryoil]

I dont think we should be getting to whipped up about a Bob Stauffer tweet.

Realistically it is:

Ekholm - Bouchard
Nurse - Ceci
Kulak - Broberg
Desharnais

That D-Core was almost good enough to beat the team that ended up winning the stanley cup and prob does without the nurse suspension and Stu having some big lapses.

At the end of the day people need to understand that we are rolling into the season with the same D core that was the 9th best defence post deadline. If we need a big upgrade at the deadline thats where our 1st ++ should go if we cant rip a goalie or a true difference maker elsewhere from someone.

That's the problem it was "almost" good enough. Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades and we need to be pushing to get better vs. staying the same.

 

[Burnt Biscuits]

Every year without fail the org pushes some underserved optimism on Broberg that he is all of sudden ready for a level above him that seems unrealistic.

I will say Broberg is somewhat proven that he can eat easy 3rd pairing d-minutes, the next step would be eating normal 3rd pairing minutes and the step above that would be eating somewhat sheltered 2nd pairing minutes which you aren't likely to get with Ekholm.

--------------------------------------------------
As an aside Ekholm is tremendous with young D and out of all the players we currently have, Ek is the one I'd have the most interest in hiring to the coaching staff when he retires.

 

[Macblender]

Trade McLeod and Foegele (yeah some of the guys want him to stay, but I'd hope that they'd want to win more) for a 2nd round pick.

Sign Dumba to a 1 year $3 million contract

Sign Derek Grant to a 2 year $900K contract

Sign Noah Gregor to a 2 year $775K contract

Sign Zack McEwan to a 2 year $775K contract

Sign Lavoie to a 2 year $775K contract

Let Broberg go back to the minors and force his way up or claim a spot if/when injuries hit. After last camp I am not interested on handing him anything without him showing 100% that he's ready for it. Keep Desharnais as the 7D.

Kane-McDavid-Brown
Hyman-Draisaitl-Lavoie
Holloway-RNH-Gregor/Ryan
Janmark-Grant-Gregor/Ryan/MacEwan

Ekholm-Bouchard
Nurse-Dumba
Kulak-Ceci
Desharnais

You just made our forward core way worse and I dont think Dumba is the answer at all but the D core is definitely better.

If anything we need upgrades on goaltending and we are kind of at the impasse in a cap world where we need young guys to step up. Our team is definitely good enough for a top 3 divisional finish and to get into the playoffs - lets upgrade at the deadline and hopefully fill that 4c spot after Bouch and Mcleod sign.

 

[Behind Enemy Lines]

If they’re going to keep the D roster the same why don’t they just go with

Nurse - Bouchard
Ekholm - Ceci
Kulak - Broberg
Desharnais

And give Broberg some shifts with Ekholm

Kulak can also play both sides which is great versatility. I think he can be a solid bottom pair and stylistic complement to Broberg. Would wonder if they would pivot the veteran to RD but this essentially a 6/7 competition between Broberg and righty Desharnais.

Agree, there will likely be opportunity to incorporate some minutes with Ekholm as this team runs through the regular season. They've also running again with a goofy 8 game exhibition schedule which is too much for a largely set roster. Woodcroft has to set the team defending expectation and toolbox early while deeply imprinting it to be adhered to and trusted when the winning season begins. Placing players in positions to succeed is critical.

 

[Macblender]

That's the problem it was "almost" good enough. Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades and we need to be pushing to get better vs. staying the same.

Cap world vs dream world.

We legitimately cannot really do much to upgrade aside from a trade right now and lots of the top 4 pieces are just not available. Our best hope right now is Pesce as a rental in a 3-way trade as we dont have an extra top 6 forward for Carolina for a guy who is likely a rental. Any trade to upgrade the D from a cap perspective needs Kulak/Ceci going the other way as otherwise we tank forward depth.

Our options are slim either way - the only thing really in play right now is a depth signing and we are waiting for the deadline. If that is the case no sense losing our collective minds until Holland fails to add a good piece at the deadline for futures.

 

[oXo Cube]

The reality of the situation is that Oilers management thinks more highly of Cody Ceci than those of us who pose as experts on the internet.

 

[Macblender]

The reality of the situation is that Oilers management thinks more highly of Cody Ceci than those of us who pose as experts on the internet.

If he can revert to 2021-2022 Ceci I am all for keeping him.

That is a big if, but supposedly he was battling a season long injury.

 

[ToeMcDrag83]

Terrible suggestions by Stauffer.

Nurse-Ceci needs to go. But to suggest breaking up the only top 4 pairing that works is nuts. Nurse in no way offers the stabilizing presence needed for Bouchard's game to thrive. Bouchard's game is the only element of that type of game we have back there, so we'd better maximize that.

If I'm Woody, I'm begging Nurse to focus purely on the defensive side of the game. Don't force stretch passes, learn to stand up the blue line without sacrificing gap control, and for goodness sake identify the dangerous passing lanes. If you're stuck with Nurse-Ceci, simplify and quicken the game plan with them out there. Low center supported breakout, maximum one D-to-D pass before moving it up.

If I'm Holland, I'm chasing an upgrade on Ceci with everything I have, including Broberg as a trade chip. Should have been, and should still be, priority number 1. It's not like there aren't names out there, Pesce/Demelo/Karlsson, the right move can be made with some savvy.

 

[McDoused]

Trade McLeod and Foegele (yeah some of the guys want him to stay, but I'd hope that they'd want to win more) for a 2nd round pick.

Sign Dumba to a 1 year $3 million contract

Sign Derek Grant to a 2 year $900K contract

Sign Noah Gregor to a 2 year $775K contract

Sign Zack McEwan to a 2 year $775K contract

Sign Lavoie to a 2 year $775K contract

Let Broberg go back to the minors and force his way up or claim a spot if/when injuries hit. After last camp I am not interested on handing him anything without him showing 100% that he's ready for it. Keep Desharnais as the 7D.

Kane-McDavid-Brown
Hyman-Draisaitl-Lavoie
Holloway-RNH-Gregor/Ryan
Janmark-Grant-Gregor/Ryan/MacEwan

Ekholm-Bouchard
Nurse-Dumba
Kulak-Ceci
Desharnais

I like the players you mentioned but I would dump Ceci over McLeod and Foegele if Dumba is coming in.

 

[belair]

Wonder if Holland circles back to Zadina, a former draft pick by Wright. It would have to be at league minimum.

That would be a fun pickup. It'd be interesting to see how he clicks in camp. Low risk.

 

[CupofOil]

Ekholm Bouchard is essential if you ask me.

Broberg will not last 20 games as a 2nd pairing D man

Maybe but we just don't know. Broberg has never gotten regular minutes in any capacity so we don't know what he can bring. Sometimes young Dmen flourish with opportunity especially alongside a steady D partner.

The reality of the situation is that Oilers management thinks more highly of Cody Ceci than those of us who pose as experts on the internet.

That's a problem when he got absolutely shredded in the last two playoffs when it really counts.

I'm pretty bullish on the Oilers in general but they'll never win a Cup with Ceci being their tough minutes RHD. That's THE biggest hole in the lineup right now. Ceci is a good player to have on a team but he's way out of his element on a top pairing and, yes, the Nurse pairing is still the top pairing at even strength even after the Ekholm addition.

 

[McAsuno]

Lmaooooo, the Oilers have decimated the flames even more by the minute

 

[Took a pill in Sbisa]

Ideally we'd have someone who can step up to the top 4, but Kulak has proven that he can't do that.

a left hand defenseman for the top-4 is as big a need to this team as a top-6 center.

 

[Broberg Speed]

I don't mind Holloway, but we're not at the time in this teams life cycle to give raw rookies top 6 minutes just for shits and giggles.

Hard no imo to Lavoie or Borgault at those spots, imo.

Holland likes to over ripen his rookies so Bourgault isn't likely. Lavoie hasn't received a sniff at the NHL yet and he's fair game on waivers if he gets sent down. Maybe a Samorukov type deal if he can't stick.

 

[belair]

Lmaooooo, the Oilers have decimated the flames even more by the minute

I liked him. Had a couple good years in Arizona. Earned some cash because of it. Got bought out because of the cash. Wasn't too hurt about it and eventually re-signed with the team that fired him. And then he never left.

 

[Ritchie Valens]

Lmaooooo, the Oilers have decimated the flames even more by the minute

All 41 goals probably came against the Oilers, or so it seemed that way.

 

[McSuper]

That's a weird way to look at things. Fire Holland cause bottom pairing is Kulak-Ceci?

it is too much money tied up on the bottom pairing. 2 to 4 M is ideal and lets you upgrade in another area

 

[Beerfish]

That's the problem it was "almost" good enough. Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades and we need to be pushing to get better vs. staying the same.

If we get average goaltending we are the cup champions right now. No matter what our d did.

Our D was not bleeding chances all over the place in the playoffs, the goalie stunk. That is why we lost.

 

[CycloneSweep]

McLeod filing for arbitration sucks and pretty much directly means we can’t add anyone else to the roster.