Rumor: Rumors & Proposals Thread | With Klingberg in the Mix Who Are Our 7D After the Deadline?

[samiam]

Yeah that's the other thing ... the market isn't that great this year for D.

Connor Murphy isn't anywhere close to an Ekholm impact add, neither is Ristolanien. The ask for these players is likely a 1st + prospect. Then you have lesser options like Denis Savard, TJ Brodie, Jusso Valikmaki, etc. Nick Jensen and Chychrun are likely off the market because both teams are having good seasons.

For people saying "the market will magically open up!", no it probably won't. We're now into February this is not like US thanksgiving still, we're getting into the home stretch already, the teams in it right now will likely want to stay in.

Whereas for goaltending, Vejmelka could be available (12th best GSAA). So could Gibson (5th best for GSAA this year). So could Talbot (14th best GSAA). You could also take a shot on a younger guy like Annunen or Blomqvist or Soderblom or Dobes.

There's not a lot of logic here in that a there's a D available who would move that needle more than a goalie.

Unless Sidney Crosby is available there's not that much exciting on the forward side either other than "lets spend even MOAR on the 50th center to play a bottom 6 role because giving up Kesselring for Bjugstad didn't suck bad enough already!".

With how deep we already are down the middle, how effective will he be without Larmer or Secord flanking him? It's an intriguing option, but I feel we need to look at filling other areas of weakness before going too far with this one.

 

[McDoused]

Yeah, that's what a lot of fans are concerned about.

Overpay for a top 4D when they need a tandem goalie to babysit Stu

I don't get why we have to babysit a 26 year old. He's the same age as Logan Thompson and Joseph Woll but somehow fans still think he's some up and coming goalie.

 

[Oilhawks]

I don't get why we have to babysit a 26 year old. He's the same age as Logan Thompson and Joseph Woll but somehow fans still think he's some up and coming goalie.

It's the least of what they need to do. And yet they're going to do nothing, and wonder why goaltending leads to disappointment once again in the playoffs

 

[Mr Positive]

Nothing wrong with looking at xGF%. You want players who are going to help you more than hurt you.

Didn't you just make an argument for why goaltending is such an issue? Upgrading our teams sv% just slightly would increase our odds dramatically.

Also, if Klingberg works out we might not need to spend a lot of assets on defence. Maybe just a depth defender that can play PK.

Yup. It's the same reason to get a new RD. Stecher, Kulak and Emberson have done a good job there. However for a top 4 D a little bit more advantage can have a huge effect. The upgrade would help every other player be better.

We are a prime candidate to be a true tandem team in net. It's not even to put down Skinner. Whoever we'd get would push Skinner to be better and there would be some camaraderie I'm sure. Both could even have playoff starts. We don't need to devote to picking just one. Luongo/Schneider, Ullmark/Swayman, or wasn't even Holtby/Samsonov like that? It keeps goalies fresher and better.

And a goalie plays all 60 minutes so a little bit of an edge can go a long way

 

[McDoused]

By comparison Saros is only 29 btw.

 

[Oilhawks]

It's the least of what they need to do. And yet they're going to do nothing, and wonder why goaltending leads to disappointment once again in the playoffs

I suppose I should say, they SHOULD wonder why, but apparently mediocre goaltending is not something they recognize here.

 

[McTonyBrar]

Make a deal to get a top six winger and get Frederic.

Then put all efforts into trying to get Brandon Carlo

 

[Heavy Dee]

It's pretty damn wild. Could be BS, but I trust this person who says he knows some brass. It's more wild than you would even dream of

Maybe it's on Reddit, I never cared to check. Word usually travels quickly.

Bad break up?

 

[belair]

It's pretty damn wild. Could be BS, but I trust this person who says he knows some brass. It's more wild than you would even dream of

Maybe it's on Reddit, I never cared to check. Word usually travels quickly.

Only thing I could find is that Petey came into camp out of shape and Miller called him fat. Pettersson is a sensitive guy and didn't take the criticism well.

 

[McDoused]

Make a deal to get a top six winger and get Frederic.

Then put all efforts into trying to get Brandon Carlo

I like Carlo but he's not a good fit for Nurse.

He isn't overly fast and doesn't exactly move the puck well.

Statistically he's been one of Bostons worst dmen with a 46.49 CF% (worst among all Boston dmen) and a 44.95 xGF% (worst among all Boston dmen).

 

[Scrapin Ice]

While i would love to make a trade for those assets with Boston (wouldn't Carlo be ideal?) its a bit of a fantasy as Boston covets a top line center OR the assets they can move to help get one ...so something along the terms of Savoie and a '26 1st and a kicker. I mean its not impossible Sh7thead does something like this but that would seem to be mortgaging our future and doesn't feel to me like something he has a history of. Oh yeah Unce Don just LOVES the Oil.

More likely we end up with something keeping Kulak as our 4th (seems to be working okay and Nursery seems a lot more confident with somebody he can depend on back handling the defensive details). They probably buy somebody like a Jeremy Lauzon to play on the third pair with Emberson who while still learning to transition at this level has improved quite well since the start of the year. Whats a Lauzon worth.. 18-19 mins a night Lauzon ...a '25 3rd or '26 second?
I know he is injured right now. Not sure if its serious but likely not. He likely will be available at the deadline as well.

 

[ChaoticOrange]

Only thing I could find is that Petey came into camp out of shape and Miller called him fat. Pettersson is a sensitive guy and didn't take the criticism well.

Considering how many locker rooms Miller has been run out of, I don’t think he takes criticism well either.

 

[Scrapin Ice]

Considering how many locker rooms Miller has been run out of, I don’t think he takes criticism well either.

Rutherford likely made the smart play long term but damn it must be a kick in the balls short term. I wonder if Rutherford goes to a friend and asks about the availability of Chandler Stephenson for a short term fix. Would Chandler waive?
Obviously he can play second line center and can be pretty good defensively when he is interested and seems to have got his step back. He is no Miller but a part of what could be a solution for them. Seattle has Beniers and Wright coming along.

 

[foshizzle]

I dont get what's hard to understand. Skinner was great on odd numbered games, that started after 7pm or 8pm on fridays, not counting statutory holidays or alternate Wednesdays.

Hahahaha…I spit out my water laughing…you owe me a new keyboard!

 

[McTonyBrar]

While i would love to make a trade for those assets with Boston (wouldn't Carlo be ideal?) its a bit of a fantasy as Boston covets a top line center OR the assets they can move to help get one ...so something along the terms of Savoie and a '26 1st and a kicker. I mean its not impossible Sh7thead does something like this but that would seem to be mortgaging our future and doesn't feel to me like something he has a history of. Oh yeah Unce Don just LOVES the Oil.

More likely we end up with something keeping Kulak as our 4th (seems to be working okay and Nursery seems a lot more confident with somebody he can depend on back handling the defensive details). They probably buy somebody like a Jeremy Lauzon to play on the third pair with Emberson who while still learning to transition at this level has improved quite well since the start of the year. Whats a Lauzon worth.. 18-19 mins a night Lauzon ...a '25 3rd or '26 second?
I know he is injured right now. Not sure if its serious but likely not. He likely will be available at the deadline as well.

Kulak is not a top 4 Dman on a Cup contender nor can he be one over the long haul

 

[guymez]

Kulak is not a top 4 Dman on a Cup contender nor can he be one over the long haul

A lot of that depends on the quality of the bottom pairing. A quality bottom pairing allows for more flexibility with matchups and the TOI.
Also...what elements of Kulaks game disallows him from being a fit on the 2nd pairing long term?
Also...how are you defining long term?
The only concern I have with Kulak is his ability to continue to play on his off wing but (and I think you would agree) that he has actually been quite solid on his off wing so far this season.

I see Kulak as an elite bottom pairing dman who can be a solid 2nd pairing dman with the right partner.
Ultimately I think (if Klingberg doesnt work out) the Oilers will bring in another Kulak like dman who is a high quality bottom pairing dman who can play in the top 4 if necessary.
That gives Knoblauch a lot of flexibility.

In a perfect world I would like to see them acquire a legit (full time) top 4 RH dman who can sub in on the top pairing when required. I dont see that happening though.
Pushes Kulak down to the bottom pairing which then allows you to be able to play the bottom pairing against tougher opposition if necessary.
On the road you then dont have to concern yourself with matchups on D as much.

 

[Scrapin Ice]

Kulak is not a top 4 Dman on a Cup contender nor can he be one over the long haul

I liked it because i enjoy your statements.

 

[TopShelfGloveSide]

It's pretty damn wild. Could be BS, but I trust this person who says he knows some brass. It's more wild than you would even dream of

Maybe it's on Reddit, I never cared to check. Word usually travels quickly.

Message me this rumour if you get an chance please.