Should the Oilers ship a defenseman to the Columbus Blue Jackets? Should they try to add a bargain forward? Read on for the latest.
Should the Edmonton Oilers attempt to move recently re-signed defenseman Justin Schultz.
EDMONTON JOURNAL: Jonathan Willis notes the Columbus Blue Jackets seek an affordable defenseman, suggesting a scenario by which the Oilers trade Justin Schultz to the Jackets (while retaining 50 percent of his $3.9 million salary for next season) for draft picks/prospects. He then suggests the Oilers could use the cap savings to pursue an upgrade to Schultz, like UFA rearguard Cody Franson.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s an interesting scenario, but I doubt we’ll see it unfold. Oilers GM Peter Chiarelli seems intent to observing Schultz’s performance next season under coach Todd McLellan. I also don’t believe he has genuine interest in Franson. If he did, he wouldn’t have wasted the effort of re-signing Schultz.
Willis also wonders if the Oilers might try to add an affordable forward via free agency, noting the availability of Curtis Glencross, Jiri Tlusty, Sean Bergenheim and Scottie Upshall. He notes Chris Stewart’s one-year, $1.7 million contract with the Anaheim Ducks, suggesting it’s possible to add one of those players on the cheap.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: That scenario is more plausible. While the Oilers have 15 forwards under contract for next season, two of them (Tyler Pitlick and Andrew Miller) are two-way deals. So, too, is Connor McDavid’s contract, but we all know he’s not going to be demoted to the minors next season. Luke Gazdic’s salary is under $950K, meaning the Oilers can demote him and remove the full value of his annual average value from their cap payroll.
Still, that scenario likely won’t occur until training camp/preseason, as I daresay Chiarelli and McLellan want to evaluate their current checking-line players before determining if there’s a need to bring in a free agent.
Now that the Oilers have a real front office and a real, genuine experienced coach, it will be interesting to see if Schultz can start to reach his potential. No point in dealing him until McClelland (spelling?) can honestly evaluate him and see if he’s worth keeping.
Schultz seems to be the same deal to what we have in Toronto with Jake Gardiner – completely oblivious to the defensive side of the game and disinterested in taking the body, retrieving pucks if it involves contact. Both will get new coaching this year and I think both will prove frustrating for those who want to see defenseman actually play defense.
I couldn’t agree more. When the Leafs signed Gardiner to that $4M+ contract I was astonished. I keep trying to give management the benefit of the doubt with this guy (perhaps they still see something the rest of us don’t), but after 5 odd years of watching Jake, I can’t help but to look on with frustration. The general consensus from within is that he is an allstar waiting to happen, but when someone makes a defensive mistake and causes the Leafs a goal, how often do we see the camera zero in on Gardiner and follow him to the bench? … way too often
Well unfortunately I think you nailed it Jedi, I just shake my head when I watch the boy in his own end…
The saving grace is that if anyone can teach him, you’d put your money on Babcock being able to do it with a simple system that a monkey could adhere to.
If he can’t be taught then hopefully at least they figure it out before the rest of the league does and we can still deal him on potential.
Gardiner needs 30 pounds (14 kg), 2″ in height and someone to reach how to use it.
One doesn’t need to be 6’4 and 200+ lbs to be an effective NHL defenseman. If all he needs is size, there wouldn’t be a discussion on his play lol. Your comment is archaic. Lindstrom was 6’1, 195. He was pretty good. Gardiner is only 10 lbs lighter. Just an example but there are many good D that size
Gardiner needs to be more physical, that’s his biggest problem he is not effective in his own end. If you ever played defense you would know that. And he needs to hit the gym and out on some weight and build some muscle. Guys like Housley can get away with being slight, but Gardiner is no Housley.
generally speaking, size & skill would be ideal (obviously elite players). Shultz and Gardiner have very little offense with very bad defense (fight/strength, positioning, & def awareness).
That said, even an average player (skill in this example) needs to be able to play the man instead of the puck to defend at some point in their lives. If a basic (non skill) defence, then perhaps he should be a forward.
Nothing to do with being ancient, everything to do with position & IQ first; then size & skill second. Same thing with goalies
Yeah, I just don’t understand Schultz. In the lockout year he lit it up in the AHL and lead the league in points for defence men with only playing half the season there, but non of that followed him into the NHL.
It is certainly possible to put up ridiculous offensive numbers in the AHL playing only half the rink, but you can’t get away with that in the NHL unless you’re an elite, like Karlson, Subban, etc. Look at TJ Brennan – he’s another one, 1 ppg in the AHL as a Dman, scratch at the NHL level. Kostka before him.
I agree with that. Edmonton’s main problem over the last few years has been lack of an NHL ready defense group. They now are very improved, so why trade Schultz? Better to see what improved surroundings can do before making a call. Besides, if you move him out, you need to find someone as good or better to slot in and I don’t see that available right now that is affordable (retaining half his salary for the sake of moving him ISN’T affordable either).
If Columbus wants a defenseman, they should feel free to place a call to Rutherford about the availability of Scruderi. Likely could get him for nothing and you’d get your 50% retained salary on the deal as well.
If Columbus is looking for a Dman-how about Luke Schenn from yesterday’s rumours. Flyers issue is they have too many “D” and could retain $1M to get a better return.
Probalem is Schenn is a bottom pair guy making $3.6m or whatever it is.
CAP hit of $2.6M for Schenn isn’t too onerous. If the Flyers reain $1M
He’s slow but bottom pair is a little harsh. Maybe a # 4 at a stretch a # 3. He’s not spectacular but does the dirty work a team needs him to do.
And there is no way Flyers retain salary for a guy like Schenn. AMac and Vinny maybe but not Schenn.
If retaining salary enables more teams to be in the running for Schenn-then by all means retain $1M and increase the returm
Luke Schenn is somewhat of an anomaly. He was chosen high in the draft (5th overall I believe), and broke into the league immediately. You could make the argument that it was too soon for him, but as an 18-19 year old he played very well, led the entire league in hits, was defensively sound, showed an ability to help offensively when he had to. He seemed poised to become an elite top 2 defender for years to come, but never improved. He is still the same 18 year old trying to make a name for himself in the big league. He is one player that may have reached his prime in juniors.
Similar to Zach Bogosian – both players needed to stay in juniors at least 1 more season. But their teams decided to push them into the NHL at 18, a tough spot for any defenseman.
i though zach would be awesome and shenn pretty good, but they became average, still worth a gamble at their age and ability to at least play in the nhl.
only a matter of time the Oilers end up in cap jail
As an Oiler fan I would rather be in the position the Black Hawks are in as a top team and cap problems then a team not making the playoffs and having lots of cap space.
What fan wouldn’t want that. The Oilers could easily end up a non playoff team with no cap space. The organization has proven over and over that top talent does not equal success.
no guarantees when you max cap space you make the playoffs…proof of that Bruins,Kings,Flyers and sure there are others
There are big differences between Anaheim and Edmonton both on and off the ice. I doubt free agents will be as willing to take discounts to play for the oilers.
Now a days the big FA’s are past there prime, teams are not letting their top players reach free agency anymore. Plus I didn’t see Kesler take a discount to stay in Anaheim.
dealing Schultz should only be an option if the Oilers are getting a dman or d prospect thats close. they are ready on all 4 forward lines imo. only need to grab a one year veteran if they have a training camp injury. maybe they could package Schultz in a bigger deal. so kinda beating a dead horse but would Chicago or St. Louis be interested in Schultz++ for either Seabrook or Shattenkirk?
Hall/McDavid/Draistl
Pouliot/RNH/Eberle
Korpikoski/Lander/Yakupov
Hendricks/Letestu/Purcell
Sekera/Fayne
Klefbom/Schultz
Nurse/Gyrba
Oilers starting line up for the season
The ++ would have to be considerably better than Schultz if they want to land one of those Dmen.
See I would try Yak on the first line and see if he could be the Kurri to McDavids Gretzky. I think yak could excel in a trigger man role. And I would put Draisatl at 3c, then they could have a 3 headed monster like the old Penguin’s when they won the cup in 2009. I don’t know Lander that well but that bottom 6 as constructed is nothing to brag about. They will be lucky to get 20 goals from that group for the entire season.
yakupov needs the puck on his stick too much to play with McDavid. Draistl has amazing vision and is a great passer. he would match perfect with McDavid.
Here’s how I see things shaking out lineup-wise in EDM…
Hall RNH Yakupov
Draisaitl McDavid Eberle
Pouliot Hendricks Purcell
Korpikoski Letestu Gazdik
Sekera Ference
Fayne Schultz
Klefbom Gryba
(Nurse is the ‘call up guy”)
Trading Schultz, Nikitin and a pick for Phaneuf might be a way to go! Dion goes “home” to the west, gets reduced role on 2nd pairing with defensively responsible d-mate.
Schultz adds to the Leaf’s depth of offensive puck moving D, is a right handed shot which the leafs need on the PP and has lots of upside. And Nikitin is off the books after this coming season.
Both teams win. Just sayin’!!!
Ferance, Nitkinin, & Reinhart all on the bench? That’s a cool $10+ mill you are missing. Gryba is the bench rider and Nurse will have to play very well to break the team. Ferance & Reinhart are the more likely 3rd pairing.
Ideally Nurse should start the season in the AHL and fit Nikitin or Ference in the starting line up, and bring Nurse up in case of injuries if he has proven himself ready.
I 100% agree
I laugh continually at the guys that think you can move a player like Schultz who most Oiler fans think is terrible and add some late picks and you can acquire top flight dmen. No teams out there are trading away top 2 dmen. The Flyers have been looking since Pronger got hurt and it doesn’t happen. If Edmonton truly wants to get a #2 dman (cause you are not getting a #1 in trade) you have to start with names like Eberle, Hall, RNH or Draisatl not Schultz and picks.
” Cause your not getting a #1 in a trade” ??? Did you forget what Calgary did …. trade picks for Dougie Hamilton a true # 1 , my point is anyone is available at a cost.
I don’t see the Oilers doing anything on the blueline. There is really nothing left that will help them long term. Sekeras was a fantastic pickup, but they need another top 4 under 30 to make an pact, and no Frans on doesn’t fit that bill. Too slow for a high tempo team (or one would think they will be).
I personally take a look at a few of the FA forwards left, say like an Upshaw and a Santorelli. Both can skate, both are defensively sound and can be had on a short term deal. This also gives them tertiary scoring which come on, Korporkoski will not give you. And, Drasitl gets a full year of development on the AHL.
Right now the blueline is what it is, there is no sense putting a bandaid on a gaping wound.
Pretty soon all of the NHL teams are going to start to look like the NFL….. 2-4 players that make up 60% of the salary cap and the rest of the roster is interchangeable parts of journeymen with 1-2 year deals.
I made a comment a couple days ago about someone suggesting a buyout of Ference and signing Franson…… still think this would be a bad financial decision (agreeing Franson is much better than Ference) because any one that signs Franson to the contract he thinks he deserves is going to be looking for a way out. However, I would take Schultz, send him anywhere and then sign Franson. As many have said in above posts, Schultz is a pylon in his own end.
The Oilers need to wait a year and get some of these bad contracts off the books. They may be able to dump some players at the deadline to a team looking for a little bit of depth but its likely they need to burn the contract when they hit July 1st. They’ll be able to dump Nikitin, and Purcells contract which frees up 9 million. Then they can buy out Ference who only has a year left on his deal. They would save close to 10 million is cap space and won’t be losing an impact roster player.