Edmonton is No Good X: Up and Down Like a Toilet Seat

[CalgaryFan1988]

Looking at cap friendly Oilers...

What is "emergency exception" for the Oilers 7th defenceman and why doesn't he have a cap hit for 2022-23?

[McG]

So oilers have played with a 20 player roster most of the season…and moved 2 roster players out and 1 back in?

They’ve got to be right on the cap. So 19 player roster?

Oiler strength: pp. so they trade Barrie.

Oilers acquire a 33 year old $6.25 million contract for this and the next 3 years to play defensive D.

[topfiverecords]

Really curious what they do on PP now. Neither Bouchard nor Nurse have been that strong which is why Barrie got all the time, not because Barrie was some stud.

[Tkachukwagon]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1630622745842139148

[Tkachukwagon]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1630629251421716481

[Reggie Dunlop]

Patrik Pustule.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Alas, farewell Jesse, ye of many E=NG memes.

[Coach]

Congratulations to the Barrie and Pulujarvi families.

Ekholm from one of the most consistent defensive systems of the last 20 years to...Edmonton. Let's see how it works out for 'em.

[Samonadreau]

Originally Posted by Coach

Congratulations to the Barrie and Pulujarvi families.

Ekholm from one of the most consistent defensive systems of the last 20 years to...Edmonton. Let's see how it works out for 'em.

No Saros or Rinne behind you now, either.

[butterfly]

I can hear Don Wittman accidentally calling them the Edmonton Ekholms now

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

Really curious what they do on PP now. Neither Bouchard nor Nurse have been that strong which is why Barrie got all the time, not because Barrie was some stud.

Bouchard was quarterbacking the 2nd unit so I expect he gets elevated to first unit.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Bouchard was quarterbacking the 2nd unit so I expect he gets elevated to first unit.

It must be an easy job to be on the PP with McDavid and Draisaitl. Literally stand there, once in a blue moon receive a pass, but give it right back to McDavid. Sometimes, you get a secondary assist bonus.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

It must be an easy job to be on the PP with McDavid and Draisaitl. Literally stand there, once in a blue moon receive a pass, but give it right back to McDavid. Sometimes, you get a secondary assist bonus.

Just have to keep the puck in around the boards and pass off to McDavid who will eventually find Draisaitl uncovered at the bottom of the circle for an easy one timer. I don't understand why teams simply don't have a player shadow Draisaitl and have the other three defenders look after the other four Oilers on the ice as it's clearly their bread and butter play and teams continue to leave Draisaitl open for the one timer goals.

[Boreal]

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

Really curious what they do on PP now. Neither Bouchard nor Nurse have been that strong which is why Barrie got all the time, not because Barrie was some stud.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1448290913327923209

Clearly Ekholm is a puck moving replacement.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1448291176193400832

[Sofa GM]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Bouchard was quarterbacking the 2nd unit so I expect he gets elevated to first unit.

This actually works great, let him rack on McPowerPlay points on PP1 and drive up his price in the off season since he is a pending RFA. Drive it up for a bridge deal of $5-$5.5MM x 2 or 3.

There is no way they can manage their offseason without big changes. Just replaced JP and Barries contract with Ekholm, Skinners new deal kicks in, and Bouchard needs a new contract. The Oilers window is literally this year.

[Erick Estrada]

Bouchard hasn't had a good season. Not sure he's going to get a big raise.

[Toonage]

While I honestly don't know if this really moves the needle for them a whole lot, I'm just stunned they actually went out and got a defenseman.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Toonage

While I honestly don't know if this really moves the needle for them a whole lot, I'm just stunned they actually went out and got a defenseman.

Barrie was quietly having one of his best seasons in years, on pace for 58 points. Neither Ekholm or Bouchard will replace his offense so it's kind of a one step forward, one step back trade. They are clearly hoping Ekholm will be able to revert back into the shutdown defender he was in 2018/19 and if that happens it should move the needle a bit.

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Barrie was quietly having one of his best seasons in years, on pace for 58 points. Neither Ekholm or Bouchard will replace his offense so it's kind of a one step forward, one step back trade. They are clearly hoping Ekholm will be able to revert back into the shutdown defender he was in 2018/19 and if that happens it should move the needle a bit.

They aren't hurting for offence so it makes sense to look for an actual defender, but I'm not sure if Ekholm - paired with Nurse I assume - is going to be that guy. And yeah, sort of a step back in that if they lose a D to injury the pool is pretty shallow when it comes to experience.

[direwolf]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

They are clearly hoping Ekholm will be able to revert back into the shutdown defender he was in 2018/19 and if that happens it should move the needle a bit.

But the Oilers don't play a shutdown system. In fact they don't seem to have a system at all. They basically just throw McDrai on the ice for 30+ minutes a game and just play run & gun pond hockey. Not sure how Ekholm will fit in with that kind of non-system in place.