Edmonton is No Good XI: Mud, Sweatpants and Tiers

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by sevenarms

I agree that the offer sheets should be a threat, but they're not. When has a player ever been signed to the minimum compensation offer sheet?

The league minimum is too extreme but I see both signing for sub-$900k. Their qualifying offers are $875k.

Going back to the Ryan Mcleod comparison, Mcleod was a full time nhler when they strong-armed him into accepting less than his qualifying offer. Both Holloway and Broberg spent significant time in the minors last year.

Mcleod then had arbitration rights, elected arbitration, and cashed in with a big pay bump before his hearing. Which then priced him out of the Oilers plans this year.

Do we really think think that a management team with this track record is above playing hardball on a couple of rookies?

They will both be wanting $1.5m and hoping for an offer sheet. When that doesn't come, they will limp in right before training camp with 1 year deals at <$900k.

I can't see their agents agreeing to take paycuts for their players to help the Oilers out, I would expect that their agent would make some phonecalls. I mean even though Holloway hasn't been great, he's shown some good flashes and could be interesting.


They can also just not show up for camp, or make a play for Europe couldn't they at a lot more money.

[dino7c]

I like when Oiler fans post their over the cap lineups to brag...heck media members are doing it too

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

Originally Posted by RedHot25

I think both forward pick ups are great for the Oilers.

My challenge though is the Skinner one. Nothing on him, I think he scores lots, sure. But I don't think that's the issue.

I.e. I think you rather put that $3 million into your defense rather than into another scoring forward. But just my two cents anyway.

The strange thing was that the Oilers defense wasn't awful last year. They were tenth in goals against and that is after their absolutely atrocious start to the season. (12 goals against in their first 2 games and 30 in the first 7). Now if you ignore any teams worst stretch it makes them look better but after they dumped Woodcroft the team actually played an effective defensive game.

On paper they have holes but it seemed to come together for them last year with players buying into a system that they could play.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Mean Mr. Mustard

The strange thing was that the Oilers defense wasn't awful last year. They were tenth in goals against and that is after their absolutely atrocious start to the season. (12 goals against in their first 2 games and 30 in the first 7). Now if you ignore any teams worst stretch it makes them look better but after they dumped Woodcroft the team actually played an effective defensive game.

On paper they have holes but it seemed to come together for them last year with players buying into a system that they could play.

Definitely. I chalked it up to new coach effect and then just being on a huge heater (they went 16 games without giving up 3 goals).

The relevant question is: one-time event (heater), or indication of a stronger defensive team?

IMO, the answer to that is pretty clear.

Ekholm - Bouchard
Nurse - Ceci
Kulak - Brown
Broberg - Stecher

Is that a roster that should slot top-third defensively? And they got weaker defensively with the changes up front. Basically all their chips are on Skinner to win.

[RedHot25]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Ekholm - Bouchard
Nurse - Ceci
Kulak - Brown
Broberg - Stecher

I think a big tell - and, yes it's rumours but that's all as fans we can go on - is that they are looking at swapping out 3 (2 if you think they want to keep nurse) of their defensemen.

So the Oilers themselves seem to feel they need to replace over one-third of their defense. And if you include the brown swap in, you are looking at them replacing essentially half of their defense.

In essence, does that seem like a team real confident in their defense, let alone replicating it again next year?

[schteve_d]

Originally Posted by RedHot25

... (2 if you think they want to keep nurse)...

Realistically, what would the Oilers have to add to unload that contract? I really have no idea but I'd be interested to hear thoughts. It would be heavy.

[Boreal]

Originally Posted by schteve_d

Realistically, what would the Oilers have to add to unload that contract? I really have no idea but I'd be interested to hear thoughts. It would be heavy.

Reverse offer-sheet? 5 first round picks?

[Whynotnow]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Definitely. I chalked it up to new coach effect and then just being on a huge heater (they went 16 games without giving up 3 goals).

The relevant question is: one-time event (heater), or indication of a stronger defensive team?

IMO, the answer to that is pretty clear.

Ekholm - Bouchard
Nurse - Ceci
Kulak - Brown
Broberg - Stecher

Is that a roster that should slot top-third defensively? And they got weaker defensively with the changes up front. Basically all their chips are on Skinner to win.

Brown sits behind both Broberg and Stecher in the depth chart and will likely be up and down to the AHL. Even with that change it’s a bit thin on the bottom and an injury away from real trouble.

Don’t agree the forward group is that much worse off, Foegle was really suspect in the playoffs once the pressure was really on. McLeod I’m iffy on the defensive loss there. If Henrique stays healthy and Connor brown plays like he did toward the end it’s about even. But there’s a few ifs there for sure.

[RedHot25]

Stecher is a great guy, but if you're trending to playing him frequently......yikes.

[Whynotnow]

Originally Posted by RedHot25

Stecher is a great guy, but if you're trending to playing him frequently......yikes.

He’s seven right now so no.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Whynotnow

Brown sits behind both Broberg and Stecher in the depth chart and will likely be up and down to the AHL.

Originally Posted by Whynotnow

He’s seven right now so no.

If Stecher is seven, then Brown is top six. Broberg isn't even on the depth chart until they figure out how to get him under contract.

I highly doubt the Oilers signed Brown to a three-year, one-way contract to play in Bakersfield.

[memphusk]

[QUOTE=dino7c;9149982]I like when Oiler fans post their over the cap lineups to brag...heck media members are doing it too[/QUOTE
And built on buyouts and broke downs.

[memphusk]

And Nurse and Ceci are the second pair? Beautiful.

[Rejean31]

And, let's face it, when Ekholm is on the ice he is being asked to cover for a lot of Bouchards defensive deficiencies.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Rejean31

And, let's face it, when Ekholm is on the ice he is being asked to cover for a lot of Bouchards defensive deficiencies.

Hey, it's worth it for that 85 mph "bomb".

[GFG#1]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

I can't see their agents agreeing to take paycuts for their players to help the Oilers out, I would expect that their agent would make some phonecalls. I mean even though Holloway hasn't been great, he's shown some good flashes and could be interesting.


They can also just not show up for camp, or make a play for Europe couldn't they at a lot more money.

Yeah I agree, especially when a team can offer sheet up to 1.5mil without any compensation. If they haven't signed nearing the end of summer, I would think any good agent would be calling up teams and suggesting an offer sheet 2 years at 1.5mil per. A smart GM may wait until the season starts as well, since the Oilers wouldn't be able to match if they would not be cap compliant.

[SaskyFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by metroneck

Even though offer sheets are rare, I’d imagine their Agents quietly make phone calls to other teams if they are only getting sub $1m offers.

Someone please correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe Agents can shop, but team can not contact them.

As far as contacting or negotiating contracts they are no different than UFAs, they are all free agents. The difference comes once a contract is signed, the right to match or receive compensation.

Offer a 1 yr, 4.5 mil deal. If a career limiting injury occurs during 24-25, would you rather have 4.5 mil or 1 mil. The threat only gets more real as training camp approaches.

[Radio]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Hey, it's worth it for that 85 mph "bomb".

Man that was annoying this playoffs. Every shot that clown took the speed was displayed...AND it wasn't even that impressive. Dooshbomb more like it.

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by Radio

Man that was annoying this playoffs. Every shot that clown took the speed was displayed...AND it wasn't even that impressive. Dooshbomb more like it.

I've had faster poopbombs.

[MisterJoji]

All these Oiler fans are convinced that every player will eclipse last years production. Given the age of most of their roster and the fact that rarely do players have back to back career years they are ripe for regression.

McDavid: Okay, hate him but he’s always lethal, could get 150+ points.*

Draisaitl: Kind of the same as McDavid, always a threat. Could get 120+ points.*

*They’re both on the right side of 30 but have also played a tonne of hockey, both in terms of playoff GP & TOI. Injuries are a concern.

Arvidsson: Huge issues staying healthy, career year was 7 years ago & he’s 31.

Henrique: Hasn’t played more than 62 games in 6 years, career year was over a decade ago, hasn’t scored more than 43 points in 10 years, 34 years old.

Holloway: He’ll have a career year but that’s only &gt;9 points.

Hyman: Everything went right for him last year, no way he hits 50 goals or 80+ points this year. 32 years old.

Janmark: Could have a repeat performance.

Kane: Made of glass, locker room poison, 32 years old, career year was 6 years ago, been replaced on special teams. Buyout potential.

Nuge: 1/2 the points last year compared to his career year the season prior with practically no injuries. 70 points max. 31 years old.

J. Skinner: This one’s tough, he’s so up & down. Could get 30+ goals, 60+ points. Could also get 10 goals & 40 points. 32 years old, concussion concerns.

Perry/Ryan: Pretty much guaranteed regression.

Bouchard: Unfortunately could have a repeat performance offensively but remains mid at best defensively.

Broberg: Developing, is likely done with the AHL. Probably a career year but at 8 points that’s not much. Mid, defensively.

Ceci/Nurse: Black holes of awfulness. Massively over paid.

Ekholm: Solid but 35 years old, could go either way.

Kulak/Stecher: Dime a dozen Dmen.

S. Skinner: Could be good, could be terrible. Inconsistent at best, only 59GP as a true starter. I think he’ll regress.