Rumor: Rumors & Proposals Thread | Where's The Beef?

[Fourier]

I'm surprised to read there was apparently discussion about Draisaitl v Bennett. The Oil were always going to go big centre (with wing versatility) to complement Nugent Hopkins at middle ice. Saw lots of Draisaitl in the Dub including the Prospects Game. Knew he would be a very good player but never saw this super elite level. The pick was going to be Draisaitl or Reinhart, whichever fell.

The Puljujarvi draft seemed fortuitous with C-Bus opting for the big centre/wing (always build through the centre of the ice with high end lottery picks). I felt Laine was the real gem but wasn't going to fall. Saw Tkatchuk at the Memorial Cup in Red Deer play through on one leg and thought I was watching McDavid's winger for the next decade. Then watched the draft as Canuckles opted for the overrated Juolevi and swore at my tv knowing future turtle was going to be a problem in Calgary. But apparently the Oil pick was to be Sergachev (with intel from Rocky Thompson) had Dubois been there at #4.

Bought the ticket for the Yakupov hype train. But liked Dub d-men Murray and Rielly but zero chance the Oil were rolling the dice on Rielly with his major injury and stunted draft eligible season.

Lots of what if's with Oilers drafting. But sticking the Draisaitl pick has been transformational (duh!)

The one guy in the JP draft that I did not want was Juolevi. When there was talk about the Oilers wanting a defenseman I was definitely hoping he was not the guy. That Knights team was an offensive juggernaut and it looked to me like Juolevi was along for the ride. Bouch got some time on that team as a 16 year old but I don't really remember him from back then. Two years later was a different story. In his draft year it seemed he never left the ice.

 

[Spawn]

I'm surprised to read there was apparently discussion about Draisaitl v Bennett. The Oil were always going to go big centre (with wing versatility) to complement Nugent Hopkins at middle ice. Saw lots of Draisaitl in the Dub including the Prospects Game. Knew he would be a very good player but never saw this super elite level. The pick was going to be Draisaitl or Reinhart, whichever fell.

I was on the draft Bennett train.

Reinhart, Draisaitl and Bennett had essentially identical numbers that year in the CHL. But Bennett at the time was a better skater and played with a crazy high motor. He was also basically uniformly considered the better prospect by basically every pre draft ranking.

Then the draft combine came around and Bennett couldn’t do a pull up and it felt like everyone on this board went into overdrive saying he was too small and weak and his physicality wouldn’t translate to the NHL level.

I personally loved Bennett as a prospect. But the Oilers made by far the better choice lol. Never have I been so pleased to be wrong. Draisaitl has turned into one of the all time greats.

 

[Louis Cypher]

Drai was an easy pick, Nurse was a good pick too but that draft was loaded. Yup, he was OK but nothing special. Tambo was Lowes puppet and Chia didn't have much freedom either. None of them helped this team rebuild.

Drai wasn't an easy pick. Everyone was saying Bennet was the BPA.

 

[iCanada]

The one guy in the JP draft that I did not want was Juolevi. When there was talk about the Oilers wanting a defenseman I was definitely hoping he was not the guy. That Knights team was an offensive juggernaut and it looked to me like Juolevi was along for the ride. Bouch got some time on that team as a 16 year old but I don't really remember him from back then. Two years later was a different story. In his draft year it seemed he never left the ice.

For me I never really liked JP, tbh.

But I figured he'd be better than he turned out. People made him sound like he'd step into the league and dominate, but like even in juniors he wasn't really elite at any one thing, he was just bigger, faster and better generally; I figured he was 5 to 6 years away from figuring it out in the NHL because even though he's tool-sy - he needed to sort out the toolbox before he could be a good NHL player. And you could see - he completely lacked a toolbox at the time, he just did random paradoxical shit all over the ice that somehow worked out because he was that much bigger faster and more talented - and a lot of the time if he did something weird Laine was right there to score, too. But you'll never be that much bigger faster and more talented in the NHL - not even Lindros was that at the NHL - and JP was no Lindros.

Most prospects that step into the NHL and have immediate success are the types that have a singular elite talent - they can lean on that thing and beat most NHLers with it right away while they round out their game.

That being said - if you told me during that draft year that he didn't really speak English and didn't see the need to - I wouldn't have been surprised to see him burn out of the league the way he has. His player type has to be smart to be successful, and he just ain't it. No game sense at all - Born from a lack of general sense.

 

[oXo Cube]

Vancouver having one decent season and then immediately becoming the league's biggest circus is so on brand.

You just love to see it.

 

[Behind Enemy Lines]

The one guy in the JP draft that I did not want was Juolevi. When there was talk about the Oilers wanting a defenseman I was definitely hoping he was not the guy. That Knights team was an offensive juggernaut and it looked to me like Juolevi was along for the ride. Bouch got some time on that team as a 16 year old but I don't really remember him from back then. Two years later was a different story. In his draft year it seemed he never left the ice.

Agree. It was pretty clear watching that stacked Knights team at the Memorial Cup that Juolevi was being pumped up by their elite forward attack. Small sample for direct observation but he looked like a player within ideal circumstances having his numbers and game boosted. I remember Bouchard being projected as a prospective future first round potential player but he was very limited in ice-time and responsibilities within the London Knights machine.

From reports it was to be Sergachev with lots of insight from his Windsor coach Rocky Thompson who had just left the organization. Interesting what might have been. The story for many teams each draft year.

 

[Stud Muffin]

Vancouver having one decent season and then immediately becoming the league's biggest circus is so on brand.

You just love to see it.

The Circus in Manhattan and Buffalo are pretty entertaining as well

 

[Tarus]

Agree. It was pretty clear watching that stacked Knights team at the Memorial Cup that Juolevi was being pumped up by their elite forward attack. Small sample for direct observation but he looked like a player within ideal circumstances having his numbers and game boosted. I remember Bouchard being projected as a prospective future first round potential player but he was very limited in ice-time and responsibilities within the London Knights machine.

From reports it was to be Sergachev with lots of insight from his Windsor coach Rocky Thompson who had just left the organization. Interesting what might have been. The story for many teams each draft year.

There were reports that it was Sergachev, but Tkachuk did an interview not too long ago where he said he watched Oiler's brass throw a jersey with his name on it under the table and had one of their guys start putting Puljujarvi's name on new one when Columbus passed on him.

Could be just his usual media gamesmanship, but he had a few anecdotes about meeting the Oilers and Chiarelli at the memorial cup and during draft interviews that had him thinking he was their guy up until he wasn't.

 

[Behind Enemy Lines]

There were reports that it was Sergachev, but Tkachuk did an interview not too long ago where he said he watched Oiler's brass throw a jersey with his name on it under the table and had one of their guys start putting Puljujarvi's name on new one when Columbus passed on him.

Could be just his usual media gamesmanship, but he had a few anecdotes about meeting the Oilers and Chiarelli at the memorial cup and during draft interviews that had him thinking he was their guy up until he wasn't.

Very interesting, thanks. I've never heard that story. NHL teams generally have several jerseys with different name bars at the ready given the volatility of the draft. I'd be surprised teams are that clumsy with such situation that only a prospect in the stands would have noticed subbing out the jersey. Especially with a broadcasted event. Interesting. Will have to try to find that interview.

EDIT: Found an article that cited his Overdrive interview & comments

"During the draft, on the draft floor, it was kind of a weird moment where some people at the Edmonton table, you could ask them they would probably deny it, but they’re kind of staring me down and kind of giving me some smiles. The only people that saw it were me and my mom so we’re like ‘alright, we’re going to Edmonton.’

Then Pierre-Luc Dubois went third-overall and the phone started to ring like crazy at the Edmonton table and they threw the jersey under the table and it looked like they stripped off a name and gave it to Puljujarvi with the next pick."

 

[K1984]

Vancouver having one decent season and then immediately becoming the league's biggest circus is so on brand.

You just love to see it.

It shouldn't even be a surprise. To anyone other thank Nuck fans I guess.

They were the biggest circus in the NHL, then EVERYTHING went right on the ice for a year. The circus didn't go away, the on ice results just took the spotlight off it for a bit. Even towards the end of last year, the Pettersson contract/shitty play drama poked up. The writing was on the wall.

The funny thing with the Nucks this year is they still have a horseshoe up their ass in the form of high bottom 6 scoring and Laikenen basically saving them. Even though they can't win they find a way to fart themselves into OT more often than not. The difference is Pettersson and Miller are both side shows individually. Now the luck is finally subsiding with Hughes and Hronek out.

On that note, can't help but laugh at what happened to their defence. Nuck idiots spent all summer waxing poetic about how amazing their D was because "woah, they're all big!" Thing they're missing is when all the "big" guys are Forbort, Desharnais, Myers, and Juulsen the size starts to not matter as much. That group of 4 simply blows.

 

[CupofOil]

I was on the draft Bennett train.

Reinhart, Draisaitl and Bennett had essentially identical numbers that year in the CHL. But Bennett at the time was a better skater and played with a crazy high motor. He was also basically uniformly considered the better prospect by basically every pre draft ranking.

Then the draft combine came around and Bennett couldn’t do a pull up and it felt like everyone on this board went into overdrive saying he was too small and weak and his physicality wouldn’t translate to the NHL level.

I personally loved Bennett as a prospect. But the Oilers made by far the better choice lol. Never have I been so pleased to be wrong. Draisaitl has turned into one of the all time greats.

Oiler fans have always loved their high motor physical guys so Bennett was a popular pick.
Personally, I wanted the big, elite playmaking center (really didn't expect a big goal scorer with Drai) so he was my pick but I would have been ok with Bennett. Wasn't a big fan of Reinhart (plus Griffin really turned me off to all Reinharts haha) and really wanted Ekblad but knew that wasn't possible.

In any event, there sure wasn't any "slam dunk" pick in the 2014 draft. What I do know is that the majority here were elated, beyond elated, at the Yakupov and Puljujarvi picks, including this guy right here so, yeah, definitely no hindsight needed there with the HFOil consensus.
Going back to the Nurse draft since we're discussing the MacT era, I remember there being a lot of Nichushkin supporters. I was not one of them, missed on that one.
Was a little iffy on Nurse until the WJC where he was a dominant force that sold me instantly.
Actually, most of us wanted Monahan to drop and were supremely upset when Calgary swiped him sort of reminiscent of the 2020 draft when the majority wanted Jarvis and the Canes swiped him so we got stuck with the leftovers of Holloway, Mercer etc.

 

[RegDunlop]

Drai wasn't an easy pick. Everyone was saying Bennet was the BPA.

I don't see a lot of prospects like some do but I do pay attention.
That year prior to draft I saw a doc on some international potential drafts, and he very much intrigued me. I always wanted him on the Oil. Then, watching the wjc, I actually followed Germany because of Draisaitl. He was head and shoulders above many.
Those who are saying his skating was a concern though were absolutely correct. His passing and iq were elite already to me. If he could better his skating he could be a very good prospect. He did obviously but it certainly wasn't a given.
Of course I didn't think he would turn out this incredible, but I had him as my draft pick all along.
So... correct again for the 13th time out of 2374!

 

[Fourier]

Oiler fans have always loved their high motor physical guys so Bennett was a popular pick.
Personally, I wanted the big, elite playmaking center (really didn't expect a big goal scorer with Drai) so he was my pick but I would have been ok with Bennett. Wasn't a big fan of Reinhart (plus Griffin really turned me off to all Reinharts haha) and really wanted Ekblad but knew that wasn't possible.

In any event, there sure wasn't any "slam dunk" pick in the 2014 draft. What I do know is that the majority here were elated, beyond elated, at the Yakupov and Puljujarvi picks, including this guy right here so, yeah, definitely no hindsight needed there with the HFOil consensus.
Going back to the Nurse draft since we're discussing the MacT era, I remember there being a lot of Nichushkin supporters. I was not one of them, missed on that one.
Was a little iffy on Nurse until the WJC where he was a dominant force that sold me instantly.

My guy in the Nurse draft was Sean Monahan. I was really impressed with him in Ottawa. I also liked Horvat.

 

[RegDunlop]

For me I never really liked JP, tbh.

But I figured he'd be better than he turned out. People made him sound like he'd step into the league and dominate, but like even in juniors he wasn't really elite at any one thing, he was just bigger, faster and better generally; I figured he was 5 to 6 years away from figuring it out in the NHL because even though he's tool-sy - he needed to sort out the toolbox before he could be a good NHL player. And you could see - he completely lacked a toolbox at the time, he just did random paradoxical shit all over the ice that somehow worked out because he was that much bigger faster and more talented - and a lot of the time if he did something weird Laine was right there to score, too. But you'll never be that much bigger faster and more talented in the NHL - not even Lindros was that at the NHL - and JP was no Lindros.

Most prospects that step into the NHL and have immediate success are the types that have a singular elite talent - they can lean on that thing and beat most NHLers with it right away while they round out their game.

That being said - if you told me during that draft year that he didn't really speak English and didn't see the need to - I wouldn't have been surprised to see him burn out of the league the way he has. His player type has to be smart to be successful, and he just ain't it. No game sense at all - Born from a lack of general sense.

Yeah agree.
I never liked the pick at all. And never saw what others did throughout all the time here.
But for some stupid reason I continually trust our scouting team to get things right. I never learn!

 

[RegDunlop]

There were reports that it was Sergachev, but Tkachuk did an interview not too long ago where he said he watched Oiler's brass throw a jersey with his name on it under the table and had one of their guys start putting Puljujarvi's name on new one when Columbus passed on him.

Could be just his usual media gamesmanship, but he had a few anecdotes about meeting the Oilers and Chiarelli at the memorial cup and during draft interviews that had him thinking he was their guy up until he wasn't.

I have a theory on Tkachuk. Love to hear others' opinions on it.

My brother in law is a loser. Whoops i mean a Flames fan. We had this discussion years back. My theory is that Tkachuk going to Calgary was the best situation for him to shine. His game fit their mold like a glove. While I'm sure he would have had success with the Oilers, I don't think as much since his style wasn't (isn't) in line with Oilers style.

What do others think? Do I have some merit or am I F ing delusional again?!

 

[Bobieque]

I have a theory on Tkachuk. Love to hear others' opinions on it.

My brother in law is a loser. Whoops i mean a Flames fan. We had this discussion years back. My theory is that Tkachuk going to Calgary was the best situation for him to shine. His game fit their mold like a glove. While I'm sure he would have had success with the Oilers, I don't think as much since his style wasn't (isn't) in line with Oilers style.

What do others think? Do I have some merit or am I F ing delusional again?!

I think he would have done even better here.

Putting the BS antics aside, he is a very talented player. I think his self-indulgence would have been muted a bit and he would have had an even better opportunity to score goals. In my mind, he would have ended up being a better scoring, slightly more aggressive version of Hyman.

And he would have thrived in any playoff run, becoming a core member of the team.

He is a fantastic pest, but I believe that would have been tampered down to focus on goal scoring.

Course...I was also ecstatic with the Yak and JP picks so

 

[Tarus]

Very interesting, thanks. I've never heard that story. NHL teams generally have several jerseys with different name bars at the ready given the volatility of the draft. I'd be surprised teams are that clumsy with such situation that only a prospect in the stands would have noticed subbing out the jersey. Especially with a broadcasted event. Interesting. Will have to try to find that interview.

EDIT: Found an article that cited his Overdrive interview & comments

"During the draft, on the draft floor, it was kind of a weird moment where some people at the Edmonton table, you could ask them they would probably deny it, but they’re kind of staring me down and kind of giving me some smiles. The only people that saw it were me and my mom so we’re like ‘alright, we’re going to Edmonton.’

Then Pierre-Luc Dubois went third-overall and the phone started to ring like crazy at the Edmonton table and they threw the jersey under the table and it looked like they stripped off a name and gave it to Puljujarvi with the next pick."

That would be the one. 4 years old now, so not surprised I got some of the details wrong, but I'm also surprised I remembered as much of it as I did

Side note - I remembered an oddity of Puljujarvi being drafted in that his jersey didn't have a nameplate at all. Glad there is the old video of him up on the podium to confirm that was accurate

I have a theory on Tkachuk. Love to hear others' opinions on it.

My brother in law is a loser. Whoops i mean a Flames fan. We had this discussion years back. My theory is that Tkachuk going to Calgary was the best situation for him to shine. His game fit their mold like a glove. While I'm sure he would have had success with the Oilers, I don't think as much since his style wasn't (isn't) in line with Oilers style.

What do others think? Do I have some merit or am I F ing delusional again?!

I don't agree with that theory personally. Tkachuk is an extremely smart player, his ability to think the game was a standout at the junior level and is still probably his best feature at the NHL despite being overshadowed by his own belligerent antics on the ice. He would have fit in on any team, with any player.

The fact that the Oilers passed on arguably the highest IQ/skill/abrasiveness combo complimentary winger in the entire NHL to draft a guy who is the very definition of a dullard on skates just makes that draft that much more frustrating.

 

[RegDunlop]

I think he would have done even better here.

Putting the BS antics aside, he is a very talented player. I think his self-indulgence would have been muted a bit and he would have had an even better opportunity to score goals. In my mind, he would have ended up being a better scoring, slightly more aggressive version of Hyman.

And he would have thrived in any playoff run, becoming a core member of the team.

He is a fantastic pest, but I believe that would have been tampered down to focus on goal scoring.

Course...I was also ecstatic with the Yak and JP picks so

Interesting. Thanks
Absolutely concur for the POs. Would have excelled.

 

[Behind Enemy Lines]

I have a theory on Tkachuk. Love to hear others' opinions on it.

My brother in law is a loser. Whoops i mean a Flames fan. We had this discussion years back. My theory is that Tkachuk going to Calgary was the best situation for him to shine. His game fit their mold like a glove. While I'm sure he would have had success with the Oilers, I don't think as much since his style wasn't (isn't) in line with Oilers style.

What do others think? Do I have some merit or am I F ing delusional again?!

He was going to be a player wherever he went. Guy played through the Memorial Cup with a significant injury from the OHL playoffs and excelled in the tournament of champions. There was a bit of question about his skating but strong processor, skill and hard ice game.

I really liked him as a junior. But didn't see the clown show stuff that he slipped into his game in the NHL. Finally reached a point in Cowtown where his team wouldn't back him with the goofiness he caused them on-ice. He would have been a perfect hard ice winger for McDavid with also the processing ability to read off the super elite. Can't stand the loud mouth goof but respect the player minus the circus sideshow stuff.

 

[RegDunlop]

That would be the one. 4 years old now, so not surprised I got some of the details wrong, but I'm also surprised I remembered as much of it as I did

Side note - I remembered an oddity of Puljujarvi being drafted in that his jersey didn't have a nameplate at all. Glad there is the old video of him up on the podium to confirm that was accurate


I don't agree with that theory personally. Tkachuk is an extremely smart player, his ability to think the game was a standout at the junior level and is still probably his best feature at the NHL despite being overshadowed by his own belligerent antics on the ice. He would have fit in on any team, with any player.

The fact that the Oilers passed on arguably the highest IQ/skill/abrasiveness combo complimentary winger in the entire NHL to draft a guy who is the very definition of a dullard on skates just makes that draft that much more frustrating.

Thanks! I'm 0-2 for my thoughts now!
While hating the Flames passionately, I've always been envious of them having him instead of us.

 

[Tobias Kahun]

Oiler fans have always loved their high motor physical guys so Bennett was a popular pick.
Personally, I wanted the big, elite playmaking center (really didn't expect a big goal scorer with Drai) so he was my pick but I would have been ok with Bennett. Wasn't a big fan of Reinhart (plus Griffin really turned me off to all Reinharts haha) and really wanted Ekblad but knew that wasn't possible.

In any event, there sure wasn't any "slam dunk" pick in the 2014 draft. What I do know is that the majority here were elated, beyond elated, at the Yakupov and Puljujarvi picks, including this guy right here so, yeah, definitely no hindsight needed there with the HFOil consensus.
Going back to the Nurse draft since we're discussing the MacT era, I remember there being a lot of Nichushkin supporters. I was not one of them, missed on that one.
Was a little iffy on Nurse until the WJC where he was a dominant force that sold me instantly.
Actually, most of us wanted Monahan to drop and were supremely upset when Calgary swiped him sort of reminiscent of the 2020 draft when the majority wanted Jarvis and the Canes swiped him so we got stuck with the leftovers of Holloway, Mercer etc.

You’re aware we traded for griffin after draisaitl was drafted right?

 

[RegDunlop]

He was going to be a player wherever he went. Guy played through the Memorial Cup with a significant injury from the OHL playoffs and excelled in the tournament of champions. There was a bit of question about his skating but strong processor, skill and hard ice game.

I really liked him as a junior. But didn't see the clown show stuff that he slipped into his game in the NHL. Finally reached a point in Cowtown where his team wouldn't back him with the goofiness he caused them on-ice. He would have been a perfect hard ice winger for McDavid with also the processing ability to read off the super elite. Can't stand the loud mouth goof but respect the player minus the circus sideshow stuff.

Almost a concensus thanks!
I think I'll have to shitcan my hypothesis!

I've always agreed that he was / is an exceptional talent, but thought that maybe he'd be shut down with his antics here. I do believe that they are an asset when he dosent get carried away.

 

[Behind Enemy Lines]

Almost a concensus thanks!
I think I'll have to shitcan my hypothesis!

I've always agreed that he was / is an exceptional talent, but thought that maybe he'd be shut down with his antics here. I do believe that they are an asset when he dosent get carried away.

Haha. Just to add I absolutely had a sense of dread when the Canuckles bunged up with the Juolevi pick as I saw Tkatchuk becoming a future Oiler nemesis along the lines of Iginlia. Not necessary as good but rather the hard, grinding skill game that would show up in Battle of Alberta rivalry.

I don't think his goofiness would have been tolerated in Edmonton especially by lining up with McDavid. Likely I think he would have had a greater focus on playing in hard ice and producing with the super elite talent. I saw his Dad at the 1991 World Junior in Saskatoon who was really the first generation hard, physical American power forward... not the soft, finesse college guy I had anticipated.

 

[iCanada]

I have a theory on Tkachuk. Love to hear others' opinions on it.

My brother in law is a loser. Whoops i mean a Flames fan. We had this discussion years back. My theory is that Tkachuk going to Calgary was the best situation for him to shine. His game fit their mold like a glove. While I'm sure he would have had success with the Oilers, I don't think as much since his style wasn't (isn't) in line with Oilers style.

What do others think? Do I have some merit or am I F ing delusional again?!

Eh, as much as I hate the guy, I think Tkachuk pops off wherever he went.

If anything, I'd go the other way - he likely isn't near as much of a side show in Edmonton that he was in Calgary.

 

[CanadasTeam99]

I met a whole bunch of Vancouver and Edmonton fans I've never met before while I'm away on vacation right now.

I asked them all what they think our biggest weakness is right now to get to the cup. Every single one within a second blurted out goaltending

Vancouver fans - "we hope you guys don't get a better goalie" in a playful rivalry way.