Latest on the Detroit Red Wings, Ottawa Senators and Vancouver Canucks, plus updates on Evgeni Malkin, Dion Phaneuf and Antti Niemi.
What next for the Red Wings?
Could the Detroit Red Wings trade Jimmy Howard?
ESPN.COM: Craig Custance believes re-signing coach Mike Babcock, upgrading the defense and mapping out struggling starter Jimmy Howard’s future are the three offseason keys for the Detroit Red Wings. Custance speculates they could let aging playoff rental Marek Zidlicky depart via free agency and believes Nashville Predators’ pending UFA Cody Franson could be a great fit with the Wings. He also feels they’ll have to find a place for Howard and his $5.2 million per season contract if they believe Petr Mrazek is the real deal as their starting goalie.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Not sure how great a fit Franson could be with the Red Wings, given how much his performance plummeted after joining the Predators in February. If they feel Mrazek is ready for prime time (which his playoff performance against the Lightning certainly suggests), they’ll try to trade Howard. He has a full no-movement clause until July 1, after which it becomes a modified no-trade.
Latest Senators speculation.
OTTAWA SUN/OTTAWA CITIZEN: Bruce Garrioch and Ken Warren reports the Senators have made a contract offer to pending UFA goaltender Andrew Hammond. If Hammond is re-signed, the Senators will have three goaltenders under contract, which could require a trade of Craig Anderson or Robin Lehner to resolve. Garrioch claims the San Jose Sharks, Edmonton Oilers, St. Louis Blues and Buffalo Sabres could be in the market for a netminder this summer. Warren reports GM Bryan Murray said the club’s budget will be higher for next season but they still won’t spend to the cap ceiling. Murray is also reluctant to trade young defenseman Jared Cowen, who will require surgery for a sports hernia.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: If Hammond re-signs with the Senators, my guess is they’ll shop Robin Lehner once he’s fully recovered from his concussion. While Lehner is younger than Anderson, the latter is a proven performer, especially in the playoffs. Cowen’s sports hernia certainly explains why he was used sparingly down the stretch and didn’t dress in the playoffs.
Updates on Malkin, Phaneuf and Niemi.
SPORTSNET: Mike Johnston cites colleague Elliotte Friedman’s belief the Pittsburgh Penguins should consider trading Evgeni Malkin. Johnston lists St. Louis, Nashville, San Jose, Calgary, Vancouver and Florida as clubs which have the depth in young assets to interest the Penguins.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: To paraphrase “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver”: why is this still a thing? Despite Penguins ownership recently claiming Malkin (along with Sidney Crosby, GM Jim Rutherford and head coach Mike Johnston) will return next season, some in the media seem to be almost begging the Pens to reconsider. Malkin has a full no-movement clause and has already stated his wish to remain with the Penguins. It’s reminding me of a rumor several years ago claiming the Penguins were shopping Malkin to the Kings. Evgeni Malkin’s trade status: why is this still a thing?
EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples recently weighed in on a rumor from Sportsnet’s Damien Cox suggesting the Edmonton Oilers could be suitors for Toronto Maple Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf. While acknowledging Phaneuf could help the Oilers’ woeful blueline, Staples points out his hefty cap hit ($7 million annually) makes little sense for Edmonton. He doubts the Leafs are willing to pick up half of Phaneuf’s salary, plus the length of his deal (which has six years left) could create a cap crunch in a few years.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Spot-on assessment by Staples. Sure, the Oilers could say screw the cap hit and pursue the Leafs captain, but I doubt that happens unless the Oilers ship out a couple of expensive contracts in the deal and the Leafs pick up a sizable chunk of Phaneuf’s contract
CSNBAYAREA.COM: Kevin Kurz recently reported there’s been no serious contract discussions between the San Jose Sharks management and pending UFA goalie Antti Niemi.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I doubt the Sharks have any intention of re-sign Niemi. They’ll likely look elsewhere for a new starting goalie.
Markstrom a marked man?
THE PROVINCE: Ben Kuzma reports Vancouver Canucks third-string goalie Jacob Markstrom could become a trade candidate this summer. He notes the Canucks still need picks in this year’s NHL draft and believes Markstrom, a restricted free agent, could fetch a third rounder.
I addressed this yesterday. The Oilers don’t have any cap issues. They have 17 players signed at 51.714 mil. The only RFA of any significance to sign is Schultz & he won’t be seeing much a raise. The minimum probably on a 1 or 2 year deal. The reality is he just isn’t progressing past being a 1 dimensional offensive Dman.
The core of this team is signed to fairly long term contracts at reasonable money. $6 mil for Eberle, Hall & RNH. Pouliot has 4 years at 4 Yak just signed for 2 at 2.5. Lander 2 years at .988
Say what you will about Edm but from a cap perspective they have staggered all their contracts so they don’t have a bunch of players all coming up at once.
There is not a single UFA coming up in the next 3 seasons of any significance unless you consider Nikitin, Gordon, Ference, Purcell & Hendricks to be of significance. Purcell, Gordon & Nikitin come off the books after next season, Hendricks & Ference the season following.
Where is the cap issue? Edm could easily take on Phaneuf’s contract. They don’t have a cap issue potentially for a minimum of 3 years & then only if McDavid, Driasaitl & Nurse all command huge raises coming out of their ELC’s. Unlikely for 2 of those 3 as they will be developed more conventional. That being Driasaitl & Nurse.
That 52 million bucks is for 17 players on a team with no D and 2 backup goalies, yes the Oilers currently dont have anycap issues…if they want to continue to be bad their cap looks pretty good but. add in a couple contracts to address a Dman and goalie thsat are a few years long for 5 and 6 million bucks and bingo Klefbolm Nurse McDavid Draisaitil in the next few years gets tight.Even after entry deals assuming no one offer sheets annyone Nurse McDavid and Draisaitil are like to go from around 3 mill to likely close to 12 mill at least…then add in resigning Yaks after his bridge if they decide to go that way. The Oilers Cap is not great, not terrible like the Boston and Chicagos of the world, but…
sounds to me Shticky you are trying to argue against what Striker has stated but your saying the same thing. Striker stated in his post that the cap crunch may come in 3 years. Your doing the same thing. At present their isn’t an issue.
However I do agree. It would be foolish to straddle yourself with Phaneuf’s contract. The general consensus is he is a 3-4 D man. The money he makes is more for a 1-2 D man.
Like I been saying yesterday. They don’t need to do anything drastic next year. Just enough to turn them into a playoff team and doing that does not require bringing in big name D. Solid consistent vets is all they need to help mentor the young D moving on up.
Two excellent centres down the middle with in my view a Corey Perry/Ryan Getslaf combo on the line in Taylor Hall/Connor MacDavid makes this team a playoff team in my mind.
Many say MacDavid solves nothing in Edmonton. I so disagree. Unless he is another Alexander Daigle he will solve many issues all on his own. A management group who failed to develope a proper roster suddenly has gotten lucky and all their many of their problems suddenly fixed themselves with MacDavid’s addition.
But I am the guy who always thought this team was better than they showed. While others pointed out the errors in my belief. MacDavid is a generational player that will change much. Perhaps if he was just another standard 1rst selection like the other Oiler selections nothing would change but I am thinking this team suddenly got better with the addition of one man.
Now the goaltending is another thing. What to do with that?
Generational like Crosby Ovie Stamkos and Tavares? combined so far 1 cup and how many years of no playoffs or first round exits?..it takes alot more than 1 player even generational.
Well with 30 teams in the league I don’t think a generational player garantees a Stanley cup. But it sure garantees a great shot at making the playoffs and then putting on a great show.
To be honest Shticky I don’t think you can really do anything to garantee 1 cup let alone multiple cups. All that can be done is to make the team as best as you can while maintaining as much flexibility as you can. Right now they have the flexibility to add some D and not give up their core players. If a top end D comes available than perhaps make that move.
I don’t think Mcdavid does not make them better. But he isn’t exactly the cure to this teams ills either. I said the other day he will make them marginally better. I don’t think McDavid will make up the 35 point gap that Edmonton missed the playoffs by this year. I’d expect San Jose and the Kings to have bounce back years next year, making it more than likely they will need more than the 35 points they missed by this year. This team has regressed in the standings over the last 2 years. I’m not saying they fall again, but that gap is WAY too much for 1 guy to make up.
Adding 2 d-men and a goalie is going to cost a minimum of $12 million this year (If they choose to upgrade) and that’s assuming the goaltender will come with a price tag of $2 million or less.
So what are you suggesting? They should trade Hall Eberle and RNH for defense and goaltending? Or should they just give up the first overall and just be thankful to be in the league?
Teams turn around all the time, it isnt as bad as you would like everyone to think in Edmonton. They have a new GM they are getting the best player to come through the draft since Crosby. They also have a couple of really good d prospects and time to grow.
The goaltending will sort itself out this off season and they are guaranteed to add to their D. They really only need to add one solid defenseman like JBo and a decent goaltender. They don’t have to bury them selves in cap hell or spend 12 million of future cap space….They also have a lot of valuable picks they can trade between this draft and next years.
And that is where we differ. I see Vancouver and Calgary taking a step back next year. Vancouver continues to rebuild and Calgary unsustainable stats do what Colorado did. These two teams regressing alone open the door for Edmonton to move to a playoff spot with in their division.
I also see Winnipeg vulnerable, Chicago and Nashville not invincible although they likely be playoff teams again next year.
Los Angelas, Dallas, San Jose and Colorado i am not sure on how they will end up next year.
The key though is Edmonton’s division
Anaheim
Vancouver
Calgary
Los Angeles
San Jose
Edmonton
Arizona
Outside of Anaheim who really would put a garantee down on the other teams making the playoffs.
The opportunity is wide open for Edmonton.
@Dino, How in the world did you come up with “So what are you suggesting? They should trade Hall Eberle and RNH for defense and goaltending? Or should they just give up the first overall and just be thankful to be in the league?”…….Out of ANYTHING I said? Talk about completely misconstruing EVERYTHING I said! …..Not even close!
Teams turn around all the time. I wouldn’t say All the time, but you are correct, it does happen. However, we are talking about Edmonton here. And I keep hearing this same story year after year….of “how they will get better” or How they ARE better. As I mentioned earlier, they have actually regressed over the last 3 years,and have shown NO overall improvement what so ever. So now that Chia has been there barely long enough to unpack his office, he is going to waive a magic wand and make it all better overnight?
Goal tending will sort itself out? Really? I can’t wait to see it sort itself out….Should be interesting….Is Scrivens going to channel his inner Roy this year and do a complete 180? Or by sort itself out you mean “sign or trade for somebody” which was exactly my original point.
They are guaranteed to add defensive help? Guaranteed? I also believe there will be other teams looking to improve their defense this year, NYI’s, Pittsburgh, Dallas, Colorado, Philly,Toronto, Carolina, etc. Is Edmonton going to attract all these fa’s or just outbid everyone in order to land Green, Martin or Ehrhoff? Who are at best, minor upgrades anyway.
Getting Jbo=5 million dollar cap hit, which is EXACTLY what my estimate was per d-man ….5 million….and 2 million on a goaltender. If they’re lucky…=12 million. = the cap hell you are speaking of? Even saying they don’t need 2 d-men, which I think they do, my 5 per wasn’t an outrageous number….#3-4 guys make 5 per nowadays. I certainly don’t see any UFA’s taking less to go to Edmonton, Do you?
As far as Mcdavid being the missing link his 1st year in the NHL….Did Crosby (scoring 102 points) make the playoffs in 2006 season? Did Stamkos in 2008? Is Mcdavid is going to do it? We’ll see. But without that team improving dramatically (from outside), I seriously doubt they do.
The Oilers were actually sort of respectable after the firing of Eakins. Nelson wasnt too far off when he took over, he had the special teams clicking. He has an injury depleted roster and still managed what he did. McDavids extra 70+ points.
Phaneuf a #3/4? Come on. He logged 23:43 in TOI last season good for 25th overall in the NHL. He was 2nd on Tor for both hits; 28th overall in the NHL for Dman & blocked shots; 52nd over all, for Dman. Yes his points totals have declined but that is directly related to the quality power play minutes given up to Franson, Gardiner & Reilly over the last 2 years.
McD is going to make Edm better & they were going to be better next year even with out McD but unless Edm addresses their D they can’t hope to make the playoffs. I’m not saying Phaneuf is the only answer but Dman with his abilities aren’t available so the opportunity to get him deserves exploring & they can certainly afford the cap hit.
The issue really is at what cost & will Tor eat any of the cap hit as rumored? Edm can make the #’s work moving forward. The real cap issue for Edm doesn’t come to bear until Eberle’s contract comes up 1st of the big 3 in 2019-20 & by then what will the cap be. I see the cap going up again starting the 2016-17 season by close to 5 mil per season. This year we have to absorb the decline of the Can $ but I don’t see the Can $ going much below 78 cents in the near term, next 2 years so that downward pressure won’t be in place after this season.
Yes McD probably jumps into the 5 or 6 range on his 2nd contract on a bridge or more if he wants to sign on for 7 years but even then probably no more than 7.5. Draisaitl I don’t see it. I assume he will spend the majority of next season in the minors & be worked into Edm’s roster more conventionally. Think Droiun type advancement in minutes & there for salary.
Phaneuf would make a great mentor. His contract in 3 to 4 years will seem like great value based on where contracts are headed. All you need look at is what players are signing for now. Kane, Toews, Perry, Getlaf, Lundqvist, Orpik, Niskanen & so on. Salarys are going up. Defensemen that can tie there own skates & barely are getting 3.5 mil to 4.5 a season. See Sbisa, Nikitin etc. You watch what Dman like Franson, Sekera & Green get as UFA’s this summer it will be rediculous $ for what they provided overall as Dman. All players have warts. Phaneuf’s are over aggression on hits pulling himself out of position & he has mental breakdowns a little to frequently but overall I take that at 7 mil a season with his other strengths & if you can get Tor to eat part of the salary I’m in. It’s a great start to building a D to compete for a playoff spot.
Phaneuf & Reimer for Pits 1st. Tor eats $1.25 mil a year of the salary & takes Ference back with 2 years left on his deal at $3.25 mil per. I’m in.
is mcdavid going to play goalie and D this year? i knew he was good but i didn’t think he was that good. I doubt the oilers will be in a cap crunch in the next 3 years. They will flounder again this year and one or multiple of the “older” kids will be traded
I agree. They are in a great cap situation today, and are also horrible and in need of major upgrades on the back end. Even if they were to sign 2 short term deals on d-men, they are looking at at least 5 per. And that is with what will be available this year, which is not good at all.
The problem, as with most teams in the exact situation (<15 million to spend to fill remaining roster), is that if the players they sign (example phaneuf) brings them up to cap ceiling but DOES NOT make them contenders….then your stuck for years, with no extra money to try adding another player to contend.
Additionally, when you are maxed out you do not have flexibility (injuries, playoff push, steal a player, add money value to trades…).
This is the flip-side of salary cap and parity.
But you are correct the oilers have cash to burn and highly sought after assets to offset any future cash needs.
They have drafted a potential high calibre team, they kow need to play them (Mc David & Nurse) together and fill spots as needed, avoiding high priced players until the right opportunity arises (within 3 years) at which time edm. At any time they have assets to trade so they are in a position of demand.
I think the discussion on Edm and getting goalies and defencemen is because people think Edm should start to contend….
If your realistic about it, everyone knows they arent ready to contend for 1-3 years so realistically trades are a moot point as no top end Dman or Goalie are available
While I’m pretty confident Shanahan and the gang would be willing to take back a shorter term ‘toxic’ contract to ease moving Phaenuf to EDM, I highly doubt they’ll take back toxic contract(s) AND pay a portion of Phaenuf’s salary – unless Chiarelli is suddenly high as a kite and offers 2 of EDM’s young studs.
Agreed Joseph, if the Leafs pick up some of Dion’s salary then he isn’t overpaid anymore, and anyone taking him will pay full value. I’d rather this scenario than taking on a ‘toxic’ contract.
Yes. That’s how it will be going down. There’s a small chance Leafs will eat some of the salary if they get full trade value. But most likely they will seek a trade partner who can eat the whole salary and take as little salary back as possible. It’s not the $7M or 7 years that is the problem, it’s the combination of the two. This is a salary dump kind of trade.
Agreed, I can see one or the other but not both, hold a mill or 1.5 and it puts Phaneufs contract in the same ball park as most top 4 type guys in the league have been signing contracts for….not taking back a toxic contract on top of that unless thhe return was very good. Holding anything 8ver that and taking a bad contract back on top of that puts the Leafs in a worse position than just keeping Dion, doesnt make sense. Hold 2 mill than bring 5 back in dead space leaves 7 mill in deadspace, why would anyone do that for a pick or prospect that may not work out? The Leafs are not planing on being good in the next few years anyway there will be easier ways to trim down some capspace than making bad deals, and the cap really isnt that much of an issue if they dont plan on siging a whole bunch of ufas…I think they will be more patient than that.
Pouluiot 4 mil until 2019 34 points
Fayne 3.625 mil until 2018
Dion 7 mil until 2021
Here are 2 toxic contracts IMO for the Oilers………would you do the deal ? Ed takes more term but only 2 years worth.
I dont think I woudl do it but this comes close to what Toronto should be looking at if they do not want to retain salary.
I think you would have to throw in a fairly decent draft pick to make that deal happen. Don’t see a huge upside for the leafs unless its like Pitts 1st or something.
k so if Dions deal is bad enough that the only thing another team is willing to give up are 2 contracts like that why exactly is another team interested in Dion…it makes no sense. Obviously if some one was interested in Phaneuf they would think he was worth something. Phaneuf may not be worth 7 mill but he is no Clarkson either, there will be a return or there is no hurry to deal him. From a team that says its building thru the draft for the next few years, that will have a bit of cap room and wont be in the market for a ufa really and could possibly make even more room voa buy outs or moving guys like a Bozak or Bernier (just as an example) cant see making moves for no reason, and I cant why if a team would think Dions contract is sooo bad that the only thing they would give up is 2 anchor deals like that, why they would be looking at him at all.
I highly highly doubt Edmonton has any interest in Dion to be honest. PC might have been looking at him for the team he had in Boston I just don’t see Edmonton trying to build their defense around Dion.
Dion does have trade value to the right team but Toronto is either going to lose in value or cap space. I don’t see an outcome of trading Dion where there is anyway that Toronto will walk away like the won the deal.
oh I agree, not saying he is going to bring in a boatload or anything of the sort and nope not a fit in Edmonton either but, he ill get something in return…the Leafs are not going to trade 1 questionable contracts for 2 shorter but worse deals…say what you want about Phaneuf but he is a top 4 guy on the majority of teams in the league…is he overpaid ? yep but bit considering what top 4 guys sign for its not much 5-6 mill for the majority and for a guy his age likely 6-7 years min. So Toronto holds a mill or 2 mill maybe a couple of picks?…not an outlandish price really and hardly a great return for Toronto. Al I am saying is it wont be nearly 8 mill of bad contracts coming back or holding a bunch of salary and taking on other bad contracts on top of that or whats the point? Teams are not doing Toronto any favors by picking him up, if a team is interested in Phaneuf chances are they need a top 4 guy, you are going to give something up besides 2 bad contracts to get one.
as far as i know he almost was traded to detroit with NO retaining any salary
Other teams are not willing to give up much for Dion and why would they ? If you’re expecting alot then I got news for you, it’s not happening. The only way Toronto gets clear of him is to take contracts of equal value. Or they eat some salary. I’d prefer not to eat salary as they already are eating 1.8 mil next year for Tim Gleason.
i have said all along Edmonton is a good fit, it will be interesting to see what plays out in the weeks and months ahead.
youre mistaking overpaid for a player that cant play anymore..phaneuf is a top 4 D man on most teams in the league, he is not overpaid like a player who should be in the AHL making top pairing money…there is a difference
Never said he couldn’t play.
What is also forgotten here is Hall, Nuge, & Eberle contracts are all up in 2018/19 season. So with those three needing to be re-newed and having Phuffy on the books with his cap hit can create a cap problem. I don’t see anyway Toronto unloading that contract on the Oilers.
Hall 2020
Nugent 2021
Eberle 2019.
Dion 2021.
It can work.
Correct, I missed the “show more years” button on nhlnumbers.com, but I still do not want to see him in an Oiler jersey.
Really miss Capgeek. RIP Matthew Wuest.
I wonder if the Oil would be interested in Howard and had any numbers that might work to do that trade?
While I’d imagine Edmonton is on his modified NTC, if the Wings said to him, “We can’t find any other trade partners and you’re going to be a backup in Detroit,” I could see him opening up which teams he’d go to.
Don’t know if it works for $$$, but Howard (even though he struggled this year) would add a lot of stability in their crease.
I see Edmonton and Ottawa getting together and one of the Sens’ goalies moving to the Oilers. Chiarelli has a strong Ottawa connection and the Sens have three solid goalies.
The sens have 2 goalies and a contract offer out to a 3rd …
And possibly a 4th? Were they not one of the kid out of Boston University preferred teams?…whole lot of goalieing goin on there.
Yeah and Edmonton is after that guy to.
True Dino. If Hammond thinks he can get better going to free agency than he will and Ottawa will remain with the same. Something I am ok with.
Although I do understand the logic of signing Hammond as then you can move one of the others and bring something back. Kinda maintaining control of the situation.
because murray is so sneaky he pulls the wool over you sens fans eyes all the time
My only thought on that is that Anderson is a known quantity (and not going anywhere). Lehner is a mostly-but-not-totally known quantity. Hammond not at all.
If the Oilers want stability – and they should! – Anderson would be the only one I’d trade for, if I was them. And Ottawa is almost certainly keeping him.
Better for them to get a proven #1, even if it costs a bit more, even if someone else has more upside. (which means they would also have more downside. Which EDM can no longer afford)
Edmonton picking up Anderson from Ottawa and Matt Oconnor from the NCAA would be a nice move.
Totally agree. I just don’t see Ottawa letting Anderson go, though.
I would like to see the Oilers go after Talbot from NYR if they can’t get Anderson. He played great when Lundqvist was out. He would be the better then Howard or Lehner, IMO.
Agreed.Fits well salary wise too. Howard 5.3 until 2019. Talbot 1.45 but a UFA in 2016.
wise move stay away from ottawa buyer beware
Dion isn’t going anywhere. All this talk of going to Detroit or whatever isn’t gonna happen. The issue isn’t the annual salary, it’s the term. If Dion is not worth his contact today, then he sure isn’t going to be worth the money 2-3 years from now with 3 years left on the contact. Any team with young talent today is going to have to pay the talent at the end of their entry level contracts.
He’ll be Dion the Dinosaur in three years – #LeafforLife
I’d agree with you if not for Clarkson. That deal showed me that anything is possible.
That deal was only done because of Nortons contract wasn’t insured and CBJ can’t afford paying a guy who is not playing.
I wouldn’t compare with Clarkson trade as that was an unique case. But the Gomez trade from 2009 is more like it. Still baffled that Rangers pulled that off.
You underestimate the power of 30 team league. There is almost always the one taker out there for trade or waiver. Other options, like buyouts, or standing pat are seldom needed. Dion can still play. We’ll see.
Does anyone know when matt o conner goalie from Boston University is expected to sign ? I know so many people are talking about the bad goal he let in the finals but has any one seen him play the man is a stud and possibly the best goalie coming into this league in many years
No idea when he will sign, but it is supposedly down to 4 teams. Edmonton, Vancouver and Ottawa and NYR’s.
From what I understand the decision is still months away.
I would suspect his agent would like it wrapped up prior to July 1st, thus beating the UFA season
Listening to Vancouver Canucks post season conference, it’s obvious they have VERY good goalie prospect depth. IF Matt O’Conner signs with them, Benning said flat out that he would be trading guys out before or at the draft to make sure that there were spots there for goalie prospects to play. That might be as interesting or more than speculating on a possible Lehner destination (as he still has a concussion).
@NYR4LIFE
I can’t even get into this with you right now, but again I will ask what are you suggesting the Oilers do? From what I gather you are saying is well they have to many players that one day are going to want big money so they cant do anything except suck.
Look at the young talent they have, they are missing a defenseman and a marginal goalie. How hard is that going to be to find this summer? How many teams are going to want to get rid of larger long term contracts that the Oilers can take advantage of?
My point is its not all doom and gloom in Edmonton the future looks bright, and I am flames fan who has hated the Oilers since the 80s minus Gretzky.
personally I think they are missing more than that as a western team, not heavy enough, need 2 or 3 D and all they have ever had is marginal goalies…they need better, none of which is cheap. McDavid and Draisatil will be a great start Hall Nurse again very nice pieces, imo thats the core you keep anything else would be fair game if the return was right.
Immediate needs: Oilers need quality D. Two of them. They also need a quality veteran transitional goalie on a Anderson level with a Anderson type contract. More expensive goalie is ok if term makes sense. They need to be patient with ALL of their prospects. No penciling in anyone before training camps. They need long term stability with their coaching. Way too much turnover there in the last years. Some veteran coach with aura that can bring stability and legitimacy to their style of play. Hitch?
Longer perspective needs: They would be smart to hunt for that exceptional goalie prospect, like a Vasilievsky or such, starting from now until 5 years time.
Trade ideas: They could look into if Griffin Reinhart could be available. He’s in the right age bracket for them. Grigorenko and Hodgson from Sabres are obviously available but don’t think they have right attitude for Oilers. Seidenberg would perhaps be cheap and plays a safe style that might stabilize their game a little bit.
I agree with this 100% a coach thats heavy on systems and leave him there no matter the standings for a few years..Hitch Julien Tippet or possibly DeBoer, I think could really help this team, they dont need to be taught skill and offence they need a system thats proven and to stick to it very, good point, not that Nelson didnt look ok but just someone with a bit more of a resume.
gardiner kadri and 1st for malkin!
Replace Kadri with JVR and its a deal. Pitt needs a winger back to play with Sid.
cant do scotty
I need jvr malkin kessel line for my fantasy cup run / parade 😛
i’ ll give ya nashvilles 1st and hold 2 mill on gardiner’s contract instead
Deal?
lol
If edmonton does a big trade this year they should go after hanifan or ekman-larson from arizona and / or marc-andre fleury from pittsburg
I understand both are possibly available, obviously pitts would need a solid UFA goalie signed prior to trading fleury
It’s not smart to get too aggressive on D prospects. The statistics on them panning out is not very good if you take a look. You have to play the odds. Maybe Hanifin is the third best guy, I don’t know. If he is, they should draft him. But if it was me, I’d go with Dylan Strome.
I don’t think either Ekman-Larsson or Fleury is available. That is a little too much fantasy league. I haven’t heard anything but praise for Ekman-Larsson the second half of the season. Rutherford is invested into Fleury now going forward. They’d have to fire Rutherford for that situation to change.
The oilers lost 27, 1 goal games by my count last year and probably a few more if we count losses that included an empty net goal. That means there were more competitive than their w/l record suggested. Many watching the team regularly will probably attest to that. That is not to say there were not a substantial number of stinkers….there were. for sure there were.
That was with ECHL level goaltending, a team full of dmen that would rank at best #3-7 on average teams in the NHL, only 2 NHL centers for the first half and without Hall much of the later half.
First, management has changed and with it, an expected change to an established NHL coach is likely to follow. Then they have assets such as quality prospects up front and on D along with an extra 1st rd and 2nd rd picks to entice teams to trade a quality defenseman or a legit starter. They also have adequate cap space to shop this summer as well.
Why folks think the transformation of this team from the basement to playoff contender will require drastic trades is beyond me. My point is that they have holes, but to climb to respectability they don’t need radical changes.
To become a Stanley cup contender one day, yeah, they do need to make blockbuster trade or two but lets be reasonable, Next year is not about competing for the cup, it’s about having a team that can compete for the playoffs.
Any drastic, radical trades ore more likely to occur next offseason.
Just my two cents.
I agree 100%, if they get a solid top 2 defenseman and a mid-tier goatender maybe marginal is the wrong word. I would consider Anderson to be mid tier with price lundquist rinne top tier fasth and the other one low tier. This team will be respectable, Klefbom sure seems top 4 now, Marincin looks top 4 Shultz top 4 Ference is easy bottom 6 with whoever else.
So a top 2 defenseman and mid tier goaltender with that offence a new coach with a solid game plan (Babcock) all the excitement about Connor Mcdavid Edmonton will be the story of the NHL all year. And should easily contend for a playoff spot with as someone already mentioned all the question marks in there division for next year.
As for the salary cap, they have some money coming off the books in the next couple of years and should have the money to comfortably resign who they need too when they need to.
Just to kinda clarify my view cause looking back over it it seems a bit harsh, all I am getting at is I think especially with a guy like Chiarelli now running the ship, they will be on the right path, he is an aggressive gm tho I would expect results.
If he can make a big move he will and I am not sure its a bad thing, for instance lots are saying all the talent should be safe and almost act like 6 or 7 guys should be untouchable and be patient with them but, if you are able to make a bigger move with a deal revolving around Eberle or RNH to get say Jossi Elkholm out of Nashville or as Dino pointed out a deL for JBo (other pieces going back and forth of course) you make that move, yes its giving up alot but it starts to balance things out on a team thats going to be top heavy in salary in the near future in the top 6. I dont think you can just wait to see what happens, there are lots of pieces and ways to improve the team, rather quickly and its silly to think you dont do a deal that even tho it ,ay initially look a little lopsided in the long run benifits the team in leaps and bounds, make a bigger deal like that maybe sign one of the ufa and boom suddenly you may have a blueline thats not a black hole, not saying it gets them to the playoffs this year but its great strides to solidifying the team as a whole and keeps the cap well in line.
Yeah, Josi and Ekholm are beasts. All the props to the team that’s able to pry them out of Nashville. Brent Seabrook could be interesting choice as well. Jared Cowen could be had for fairly cheap one year ago, I don’t know how the situation is regarding him. On the top of my head, maybe Griffin Reinhart, Josh Gorges could be had and are stable defensive D. I don’t like the prospect of JBo in Oilers – it would be close to that awful Calgary situation he was in.
Finland is not known for quality dmen but if I was the GM I would inquire about Sabres dman Ristolainen. That guy will be a beast (is a beast already). I would trade the farm for him. 🙂 This player will be among the best for many years. He can do it all. Inquire…you never know… 😉
I have a feeling Chiarelli is going to be talking to Boston to see what it might take to get Chara. They do have a relationship from both from their time at Ott and Bos. I think for Bos this is probably one of the years they would maybe consider trading Chara. They are in cap trouble, Chara is on the down swing, his age and injuries are all factors for them to consider as well as they could still get some value from him now. For Edm they get a top dman they need that would be a perfect mentor for their young D also his contract length is perfect for Edm.
I think the difference between Edm being a playoff team & what they are is not 3 years out. If they could add 2 Dman, 1 being a reasonably reliable 2 way Dman that can log big minutes in all situations, a soft # 1 or solid #2 & another decent top 4 shut down Dman as well as a slightly above average goalie they could contend for a playoff spot. Making the playoffs in the west is no easy feet even if you are a good team. Just ask Dallas, LA, Col & SJ. These teams all make the playoffs if in the east.
Edm is set at forward for years to come. Here is next seasons roster.
Pouliot, RNH, Eberle.
Hall, McD, Yakupov.
Fraser/UFA, Lander, Purcell.
Klinkhammer, Gordon, Hendricks.
Spares. Gazdic, Pitlick, Pakarinen.
This is a solid group with options in the minors to cover for injuries. Adding 1 #3 LW as Fraser may have skills but his skating just isn’t good enough to offset his package of skills.
I don’t resign Roy, Lander is ready to play as the #3 C. Draisaitl goes to the minors pending injury.
It’s the D that’s scary.
Schultz, Klefbom.
Nikitin, Fayne.
Maricin, Ference.
Spares, Musil, Davidsson, Aulie.
Nurse may play but I think we are going to start to see Edm make a more concerted effort to develop players properly & not rush them unless truly ready. Sending Nurse & Draisaitl down with who ever Edm drafts other than McD this season & they have a stable of quality picks makes sense for player development & cap management. You have to start to address the business side of contracts. # of games to waiver eligibility. I may not agree with how Detroit delays the advancement of their prospects but for their development & future salary’s it’s a thing of beauty.
I propose going & getting Phaneuf & Reimer, ideally for Ference & Pittsburghs 1st. Tor eats 1.25 per season on Phaneuf’s deal. If not Ference then Nikitin, although I prefer dumping Ference with 2 years at 3.25 to Nikitin with 1 at 4.5. He’s gone after next season which works for me. I also like targeting a Barret Jackman, Jan Helda type Dman as a UFA to come in & be a #4/5 shut down Dman to hit people, block shots, clear the crease & make life miserable in front of Edms net & offensive zone & allow more time for the young D to develop. No more than 2 years for this UFA Dman. In 2 years the young D in Edm, Klefbom, Schultz, Musil, Nurse, Marincin etc will be ready to take on more & more responsibility as you phase out Nikitin, Fayne etc.
Thoughts from the bench.
Here are my thoughts on this…
I just don’t see Ference going anywhere unless him and Chiarelli don’t get along at all. He only has 2 years left on his contract so it really isn’t that big of an issue and I think if he ends up playing as a 5-4 dman he will be fine instead of Edm trying to get him to play top or second pairing most of the time.
I see no reason for Edm to go after Reimer, they already have Scrivens under contract. Edm needs to be going after a bonafide starting goaltender and Reimer isn’t that.
As for Phaneuf, I have no problem with Edm going after him but to me his contract length is a serious issue for the amount of money he gets paid. If I am Chiarelli the only way I am trying to get Phaneuf is if Tor eats 2 mil per season, even if that means his value is a bit higher. The simple reason why I would want that much salary taken off of him is come 3-4 years time when I have to resign some of the young D Edm already has it could be an issue. Take Klefbom for example, I will assume that next year he will be signed to a 2 year bridge contract and by the time that ends, if he keeps progressing as we hope he might, he could be looking for a nice raise and I don’t want an overpaid underperforming Phaneuf in 3-4 years time possibly effecting that contract negotiation.