RT @Bob_Stauffer: The #Oilers have placed Toni Rajala on unconditional waivers
Smallish RW that put up a Point per game last season in the AHL.
Speculation is he has a deal in place with a euro team but should the Flames claim him let him come to camp and if it doesn't work out let him go to Europe?
His small stature makes me want say pass. But the Flames are thin on RW prospects
I would pass just because we do not need to get any smaller than we already are. Gaudreau can play RW too and fills the small scoring role as well as this guy.
A team like Florida should give him a try. They need the offensive threat and he could hide in Barkov's shadow.
I want to say yes... but we're already at 48 reserve list slots and have two NCAA senoirs to sign at the end of the year (+ Gaudreau who I'd like a year early). Really wish the Flames cut ties with Byron had we done that I'd be happy to grab Rajala.
A 22yo who scores at a PPG pace in the AHL in his first year on NA Ice... tempting.
Last edited by Parallex; 08-23-2013 at 11:21 AM.
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Intriguing. Good numbers, based on points.
46 GP: 17-28-45 in the AHL last season, followed by 17 GP: 4-12-16 in the playoffs.
Some other takes, noting they all use different criteria:
Corey Pronman ranks him as the Oilers' fourth-best prospect, and best forward, although says he's LW unlike the others. http://www.puckprospectus.com/articl...articleid=1562
1. Oscar Klefbom, Defense
2. Darnell Nurse, Defense
3. Martin Marincin, Defense
4. Toni Rajala, Left Wing
5. Anton Slepyshev, Left Wing
6. Martin Gernat, Defense
7. Jujhar Khaira, Left Wing
8. Marc-Olivier Roy, Right Wing
9. Bogdan Yakimov, Center
10. David Musil, Defense
4. Toni Rajala, Left Wing
2011-12 Ranking: N/A
Date of birth: 03/29/1991
Age: 22
Height: 5'10''
Weight: 163
Shoots: Left
Statistics: 46 GP, 17 G, 45 P (Oklahoma City, AHL)
Acquired: Fourth round, 101st overall in 2009 by Edmonton
Year in Review: Rajala increased his stock as much as almost any other prospect this season. He started the year in the ECHL after being a slightly above-average player in Finland, and he ended up as one of the top offensive players in the AHL.
The Good: Rajala is a dynamic and exciting forward. He has great puck skills, displaying the ability to make defensemen miss with consistency while generating a lot from his individual skill. He is also an above-average distributor who is not selfish, despite his great hands. He makes all the right reads and his decisions are quick. Rajala skates at a good level, with quality speed and agility.
The Bad: His physical game is a major question mark. Rajala is small and very slight, with a major need to bulk up as much as he can. His defense also needs work.
Projection: He could be a second line winger.
Copper and Blue ranks him 16th-best of Oilers' assets under 25-years-old, and 10th-best forward. http://www.coppernblue.com/2013/8/19...final-rankings
1 Taylor Hall
2 Nail Yakupov
3 Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
4 Jordan Eberle
5 Justin Schultz
6 Sam Gagner
7 Darnell Nurse
8 Oscar Klefbom
9 Martin Marincin
10 Martin Gernat
11 Teemu Hartikainen
12 Jujhar Khaira
13 Dillon Simpson
14 Anton Lander
15 Marc-Olivier Roy
16 Toni Rajala
HF ranks him as the Oilers' second-best RW prospect http://www.hockeysfuture.com/teams/edmonton_oilers/
RIGHT WING
1. Nail Yakupov
2. Toni Rajala
3. Antti Tyrvainen
4. John McCarron
5. Jackson Houck
6. Cameron Abney
__________________ "I think the eye test is still good, but analytics can sure give you confirmation: what you see...is that what you really believe?" Scotty Bowman, 0 NHL games played
If contract #s weren't an issue, I'd like Flames to claim him, but it might not be something Flames want to give up at this point - contact # flexibility, that is.
Interesting to look back. I had him ranked 29th overall in this draft year - 2009.
According to Bob Stauffer of Oilers Now, the organization has placed Rajala on unconditional waivers for the purposes of being bought out. (Edit: Stauffer later clarified that “When a player goes on unconditional waivers like Rajala…usually it means a mutual termination of a contract not buy-out”.)
Quote:
Trying to make sense of it from an organizational perspective, only two scenarios resonate at this moment. “Too small/weak to ever be able to cut it in the NHL, so why pay him?” which seems premature. The other goes to Craig MacTavish’s recent comment about “weeding out the complainers”. This is entirely speculative on my part and I don’t wish to paint Toni Rajala with this brush, but it’s at least one way to possibly connect the dots between “great debut season” and “gone”, which are otherwise few and far between. Let’s just say I’m looking forward to hearing the two parties address the reasons for this rather stunning development.
Interesting to hear the story behind this. Laugh if he turns out to be another St. Louis but no we don't need another midget on the Flames.
I would pass just because we do not need to get any smaller than we already are. Gaudreau can play RW too and fills the small scoring role as well as this guy.
A team like Florida should give him a try. They need the offensive threat and he could hide in Barkov's shadow.
'as well as this guy'? umm, ok
As for the Oilers cutting ties (if that is in fact what they're doing)... they have Eberle and Yakupov on RW - what possible need would they have for a 5'10" 163 lb, 22 year old prospect?
As for the Flames having interest - no thanks. The Flames have plenty of small skilled forward prospects (and Gaudreau is infinitely more talented). What they need in the RW slot is a BIG skilled player who can play physical and have the ability for a top 6 role.
I don't see why people think he is redundant to the Flames org, when none of the Flames' undersized prospects have made it full time in the NHL yet. In fact, Rajala has already proven more at a the pro level than any of the Flames' guys.
If Gaudreau puts up a PPG in the AHL, we'll all say he's doing fantastic.
This kid is already doing what we hope Gaudreau will be able to do in 2 years.
I don't think that would make him redundant in the Flames' system. That would probably make him one of the team's top forward prospects if they claimed him.
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Maybe I'm a dumby but why don't the Oilers try to trade him in order to recuperate some assets? He was a low first/high second pick and such and has a decent record to back something up... Seems like something you should be able to flip a third for at least? Second doesn't seem totally crazy either..
The AHL website says he is LW, and I assume that is the most accurate source in this situation.
I'd still claim him. The Flames have a pretty strong prospect pool at LW, but we can always use more talented forwards. To me, this is exactly the reason why the Flames should keep a few contract spots open - to take advantage of an opportunity like this. Low risk, high reward.
Maybe I'm a dumby but why don't the Oilers try to trade him in order to recuperate some assets? He was a low first/high second pick and such and has a decent record to back something up... Seems like something you should be able to flip a third for at least? Second doesn't seem totally crazy either..
He was a 4th rounder I think. Maybe 5th. I imagine the Oilers offered him around the league and there were no takers. I haven't seen much of him but he can apparently play with eggs in his pockets and not break them.
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Judging from the outburst on Twitter responding today’s news that the Edmonton Oilers have placed Toni Rajala on unconditional waivers, plenty of folks were surprised by the move, be they people who primarily follow the Oilers, the Oklahoma City Barons, or the game as a whole. Here’s a sampling of responses from respected voices around (and even beyond) the Oilogosphere, with a little comic relief at bottom.
Bob Stauffer, host of Oilers Now: The #Oilers have placed Toni Rajala on unconditional waivers. … Rajala will almost surely have a deal in place in Europe
Kent Wilson of Flames Nation: Uh, why would they do that?
Patricia Teter, Artful Puck: I don’t blame Rajala for wanting to remain in Europe, but wow.
Arch, Archaeologuy: The Oilers had too many offensively gifted forwards in their minor league affiliates anyway…#UmNoTheyDidnt
Michael Spiedel (“Speeds”), Hockey Symposium: Why would the Oilers buy Rajala out? Are they not allowed to just assign him to a European team and retain his rights?
Tyler Dellow, MC79hockey: I’d be interested in hearing the Oilers reasoning as to why they allowed this. They must have zero faith he can become an NHLer … This was really Rajala’s age 21 season. First year in NA, scores a point a game. Bizarre.
Derek Blasutti, Copper & Blue: I’d love to hear the reasoning behind this… I assume I’m not going to like the answer.
Corey Pronman, Hockey Prospectus: The Oilers had few scoring forwards in their system. Rajala was one of them. Will be interested to hear the rationale.
Eric Tulsky, Broad Street Hockey: Just downright bizarre how many people’s opinion on the Oilers letting skilled guys go is “who cares, we already have six skilled guys.” Like, heaven forbid a team should have skill on its third line too.
Eric Rodgers, Barons insider: Heaven forbid there’s any skill players to replace the top 6 when the injury bug hits. Oh hey, RNH, how’s the shoulder?
David Staples, Cult of Hockey: Only thing I can think is that Rajala wanted out. Badly. Loudly. Can’t figure it out otherwise.
Neal Livingston, Tend the Farm: Omark. Hartikainen. Rajala. All very different sorts of players. All likely capable NHL players. All gone … Rajala was the most naturally gifted offensive player on the #OKCBarons last season (post lockout). This is wacky. #Oilers
Pierce Cunneen, advanced stats buff: wait a second, the Oilers just put this guy on waivers http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=118372 …? … guy was a point per game player in the AHL for half a season, and then you release him? What are the Oilers thinking? … I don’t understand why NHL teams don’t like smaller players. It’s insane.
Staples: Rajala would have been good fill-in if Top 6 guy got hurt this year. But Arcobello/Hemsky also there to fill that role in 2013
Blasutti: So that’s Omark, Hartikainen and Rajala all gone, all 3 of whom are probably better than the guys the Oilers will play on the 4th line.
Jim Matheson, Edmonton Journal: i can see rajala not wanting to play for 50 grand in OKC this year. he can make way more in EUR but why don’t OIL loan him, not say bye-bye? … rajala told Oil wanted to play EUR this year..Oil didn’t want to loan kid because already have Hartikainen in that boat. Reserve list Nos.
Jeff Chapman, Copper&Blue: WAIT A MINUTE, THAT’S OMARK’S MUSIC!
Copper & Blue official Twitter feed: So, Rajala not hungrier than Omark?
Livingston: Maybe Rajala was thirstier than Omark. That’s a possibility.
@FakeOilersGM, “Craig MacTavish” parody account: Toni Rajala accidentally called me “Mr. Tambellini” so I “accidentally” put him on waivers.
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He was a 4th rounder I think. Maybe 5th. I imagine the Oilers offered him around the league and there were no takers. I haven't seen much of him but he can apparently play with eggs in his pockets and not break them.
You're correct - 4th round 101st overall.
Looking forward to the explanation behind this one. I definately thought he would be a moveable asset.
I don't see why people think he is redundant to the Flames org, when none of the Flames' undersized prospects have made it full time in the NHL yet. In fact, Rajala has already proven more at a the pro level than any of the Flames' guys.
If Gaudreau puts up a PPG in the AHL, we'll all say he's doing fantastic.
This kid is already doing what we hope Gaudreau will be able to do in 2 years.
I don't think that would make him redundant in the Flames' system. That would probably make him one of the team's top forward prospects if they claimed him.
Umm, no.
Gaudreau could be on the Flames as early as April (though that's unlikely due to schedules)
If Gaudreau is in Abby 2 years from now, it would be a huge disappointment, based on his current progression.
If you think Rajala is more talented than Gaudreau, well, the nicest thing I can say is: you would be in the minority
Oilers waive Toni Rajala
