Bob Stauffer is reporting tonight that the Oilers have signed Michael Nylander.It's an interesting move, considering center is the one forward position the team seemed to have covered at this time. The Oilers have Shawn Horcoff, Jarret Stoll, Marc Pouliot and Marty Reasoner down the middle and Nylander joining the team likely means a less offensive role for Horcoff (unless he moves to LW).
The possibility also exists for the Oilers to deal Horcoff, Stoll or even Pouliot in a deal for a veteran winger. Either way, the depth chart up front is improved, and the Oilers are likely too close to their 45M cap after this signing to add another significant UFA.
Nylander is very likely to be paired with Ales Hemsky, forming an exceptionally skilled duo in search of a "first shot scorer" who can put up over 200 shots a season. A likely candidate, Petr Sykora, signed with Pittsburgh earlier tonight and I'm sure we'll hear 'Glenn Murray to Edmonton' rumors in the next few days.
Off the top of my head, I'm thinking that many of Nylander's points came off the powerplay.
ReplyDeleteWhen I saw the rumour, I assumed they were going for another Czech line idea, but with Sykora gone that seems out the window. Are we really that close to $45 already? That doesn't seem possible.
In keeping with your previous post - let's think about our LW. We have Torres and Moreau as bigger #2/#3 guys and Sanderson who is a #4 most of the time in my books.
ReplyDeleteSo if - and it's a big if - we pull Murray out of BOS then I think we can build 2 solid tough minute ES lines out of:
Torres Horcoff Murray
Moreau Stoll Pisani
....and then we can leave the softer minute offensive role to:
Nilssen Nylander Hemsky
....and finally a super-soft minute line of:
Sanderson MAP UFA (Johnson/Ashram?)
We need to take a chance on another kid in the top 6 this coming year - and Nilssen probably has the most talent. Sanderson could also be there to help out when the going gets tough as he still has the wheels to keep up with Nylander and Hemmer.
More I think about it - the more I like Nylander and Sanderson coming aboard. Makes us much faster and much smarter. But we still need 2 big RW to make this work IMHO - Murray and the potential BOS deal being one and a bottom 6 sandpaper guy like Johnson or Ashram with the other.
--Today's press conference--
ReplyDeleteHall: What'll your budget be for the season? 45 million?
Lowe: Mmm-m...plus or minus that.
Asia,
ReplyDeleteI don't know if we can take Murray's salary ticket. Horcoff's is the only big salary to trade, but Boston doesn't need centers and doesn't need/want salary back.
They need left wingers -- and we are not deep enough to send one back their way, unless they are really hot for a prospect.
Raffi must have been their target -- but I think we've got to hang on to him.
Nylander, that's interesting. More of a 'make the playoffs' now kind of signing.
ReplyDeleteWith the additions of Sanderson, Nylander and Pitkanen, and loss of Smith, I'm wondering when 'team toughness' is going to be addressed...
The team was too soft last year. Who's plays a physical game? Greene, Moreau, Torres and Stortini... and two of these names could still be traded.
Something else significant must be around the corner for these moves to make clear sense.
Ovechkin. Oh yeah.
On another note, I would think the price in draft picks to sign a RFA goalie like Lundquist, although steep, would pay off for a team like Tampa Bay who have such an obvious area of lack. I think the cost is prohibitive when speaking of forwards (Vanek?), but for an established, franchise goaltender... overnight, a good team becomes great.
Isn't anyone going to mention Smyth to Colorado for 31.25 million over 5 years?
ReplyDeleteOh well, at least we'll still get to see lots of him.
='(
Don't forget Thorsen on RW.
ReplyDeleteIsn't anyone going to mention Smyth to Colorado for 31.25 million over 5 years?
ReplyDeleteKevin Lowe told us he's not an elite player, so we don't talk about him.
Right now Nagy would be my #1 choice for the LW spot. I'm pretty sure that the market will undervalue him and whoever signs him will be getting a relative bargain.
ReplyDeleteI thought he was one of the most dangerous forwards in the VAN-DAL - definitely the most creative one among the Stars - but was totally snakebitten when it comes to putting up points on the boards.
As for his shooting....He definitely didn't look gun shy. His pre-PHX numbers indicate that he's a more than capable scorer. Not sure what happened in PHX that skewed his numbers so much. But then lots of strange things have happened over there the last few years.
As I wrote a couple of months ago, perhaps we can get his buddy Handzus to come here as well. Maybe even Mike Johnson, who had nice chem with Nagy 2 seasons ago.
This is more of a "win now" move than i might have expected. I wonder how much they had to overpay him to come here....
ReplyDeleteEnough that we now know where Smyth's 5.5 that was due for "an elite player" went?
Grabia: Nylander has put up stellar ES scoring rates for a long time. He had some strong years in Chicago.
ReplyDeleteI've often thought he was a soft player, but people like Vic have mentioned that he has been different in recent years. If so, he'll be fine.
Is MacT willing to shelve the development plan for Hemsky and use Nylander/Hemsky against softer opposition?
Don't forget about NYR teammate Shanahan. He can play the LW and provides goal scoring for our top line full of playmakers PLUS brings more team toughness and grit. The more you look at it the more he's exactly what we need. We need a goal scorer for top line LW and more team toughness...hes our man.
ReplyDeleteI think it's obvious that there's about 30 teams out there that need Shanahan type players. The problem is, I highly doubt that the Rangers will ever trade him. He wants to play out his days as a Ranger and I don't think he's got any intention of signing anywhere other than NY.
ReplyDeleteHe was pretty amazing to watch in the playoffs though. Old dog still has some gas left in the tank.
Can't blame him. NYC's a hell of a fun place to live.
ReplyDeleteNamflashback - Everyone is assuming the Murray deal was the one that almost happened at the draft.
ReplyDeleteLowe said at the end of day 1 of the draft that the deal consisted of us giving "futures for an established veteran" type of deal. So if that does happen it is possible that not much or anything comes off our roster.
He possibly could have been talking about some other deal though?
Possibility of dealing Stoll? Who's been dealing you crack?
ReplyDeleteThanks RiversQ. Still no deal on Nylander, eh? I'm surprised there hasn't been more salivating over Ketchup (Selanne). Are people worried he's going to retire?
ReplyDeleteI expect that there is still a trade or signing coming, but only one. Most likely it will be a trade for big winger with speed to play with Hemsky and Nylander. Depending on what's available I'd probably guess Erik Cole, Glen Murray, possibly Guerin.
ReplyDeleteodh,
ReplyDeleteDon't get me wrong, I'm all for the deal for Murray -- but his ticket is 4.1M -- that has my calculation up around 47M cap hit without any other vets on the blue line.
I like the deal even more if it includes a flyer on Toivenen as the back-up.
I fear it's Horcoff who's going.
ReplyDeleteJames L. said...
ReplyDeleteCan't blame him. NYC's a hell of a fun place to live.
The only major downside is if you like to do things that involve flora and fauna not contained in Central Park. ie. You're pretty much catching a plane if you live in NYC and want to golf.
Lowetide said...
ReplyDeleteI fear it's Horcoff who's going.
Me too. He had too much to say re:Smyth and he went in to the toilet with the rest of the team after the deadline.
I don't hold any of that against Horcoff, but the Oilers might. That is to say, I don't think you can be a player that wants to win hockey games and watch the shit show that Lowe put together last year and not be highly tempted to just call it like it is.
I don't hold any of that against Horcoff, but the Oilers might. That is to say, I don't think you can be a player that wants to win hockey games and watch the shit show that Lowe put together last year and not be highly tempted to just call it like it is.
ReplyDeleteHis comments on the phone re. the Pitkanen deal were interesting, too. Clip is up on TSN.ca. But it's also interesting that he was the guy the media talked to, not someone like Moreau. He's either gone, or captain. I wonder how his involvement picking a new PA boss goes over, too?
The only major downside is if you like to do things that involve flora and fauna not contained in Central Park. ie. You're pretty much catching a plane if you live in NYC and want to golf.
ReplyDeleteWhile that's true, apparently once you get out of NYC there's some pretty nice country. There are large tracts of NY State that still only have dial-up Internet. A number of Landscape Designers I know live in the outskirts of NYC and just drive in once or twice a week to drop off their projects =). Must be a tough life.
The Oil need to pull the trigger on another deal or sign someone. This lineup won't get us into the playoffs.
ReplyDeleteLooks like it's a 4 yrs, 22M deal. I'm less concerned with $-per-year than length of contract.
ReplyDeleteHaving said that, I like Nylander as Hemsky's C it should be a nice fit (especially if they can find a triggerman).
Which Oiler shoots the most per game? Which Oiler prospect shoots the most per game?
Awesome, we take the $5.5 Smytty wanted and give it to Nylander.
ReplyDeleteWhere's the upgrade?
Nails in the coffin.
Where did you see it, LT?
ReplyDeleteAwesome, we take the $5.5 Smytty wanted and give it to Nylander.
ReplyDeleteGreat point, Kyle.
Nylander is going to be a pleasant surprise for most here... He has the speed, creativity, determination, and puck control (including along the boards) to really be the centre Hemsky needs. LW still is a concern but I really hope that we actually keep our current depth at centre.
ReplyDeleteHe has the speed, creativity, determination, and puck control (including along the boards) to really be the centre Hemsky needs.
ReplyDeleteAre they just going to play pass with each other? Don't get me wrong, I like Nylander, but he's a passer, he's 35, and that amount of money was the same that Smyth wanted.
I still haven't seen anyone confirm this story.
The only major downside is if you like to do things that involve flora and fauna not contained in Central Park. ie. You're pretty much catching a plane if you live in NYC and want to golf.
ReplyDeleteNot really. There are a gazillion golf courses on Long Island, and another gazillion in Westchester county. So if you like urban living and have a hard-on for golf, it's not that difficult an arrangement. And I suspect that a lot of players would probably live in the more suburban areas anyway (Westchester, LI, or even Staten if they have no taste).
And there's a lot more green space in NYC than just Central Park (e.g. Prospect Park, Flushing Meadows Park).
Nylander to Washington, apparently.
ReplyDeletelink
Newsflash - Apparently Nylander just signed with Washington.
ReplyDeleteDano
Ahhh....too slow
ReplyDeleteI don't know whether to be relieved or disappointed.
ReplyDeleteHamrlik's of the market too. Montreal signed him.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fiasco.
ReplyDeleteI don't know whether to be relieved or disappointed.
ReplyDeleteI'm going with "relief".
4 years at 22 million for Nylander? No thanks.
Get me Vitaly Vishnevski or Andy Sutton, deal one of the young d-men in a package for Erik Cole, and somehow land Hannu Toivonen as back-up goalie.
Good enough for me.
The defense isn't going to change at this point. Vishnevski is pretty much the less offensive minded and more veteran version of Grebeshkov. We don't need both and since it's obvious we're not moving Grebeshkov that puts the brakes on that one. After investigating Sutton a bit more he's not a player we'd want to get. He's apparently very prone to mental mistakes and is holding out for 4 million per year. Pass.
ReplyDeleteIf we don't sign or trade for at least two forwards this a lottery team. Pretty disappointing stuff.
I'm disappointed to be honest with you. The term of the deal was a concern, but if this is Hemsky's team (and it is) getting a skilled center like Nylander to impact the PP was an immediate help for the club.
ReplyDeleteNagy is still available, Guerin too, but Nylander was nice.
The one GOOD thing is maybe Horcoff stays now (although I'm still a bit concerned about it).
4 years at 22 million for Nylander? No thanks.
ReplyDeleteNope. 4 years at $19.5 million, according to TSN.
I'm somewhat disappointed, too...
Nagy's gone to LA, with Handzus.
ReplyDeleteAll the cynics who said that the Oilers weren't signing anyone of consequence, pat yourselves on the back.
Well, I'm pretty well ready to accept the fact that we're rebuilding (not that it hasn't been obvious for weeks, but denial's a powerful force). But you know what? We have a better team to rebuild around now than we did before the Philly tade. At this point, Lowe should try to sign a couple of cheap veterans who'd be good at mentoring some of our prospects, and then start scouting next year's draft class hard.
ReplyDeleteAll the cynics who said that the Oilers weren't signing anyone of consequence, pat yourselves on the back.
ReplyDeleteBut he tried, Tyler. He really, really tried.
I'm actually more excited about the blow to Stauffer and Tencer's credibility on this. It's like watching Eklund get destroyed on deadline day all over again.
I don't know that it's a blow to their credibility. The Oilers obviously thought that they had him - Tencer doesn't report so much as he moves his mouth while someone from the Oilers talks.
ReplyDeleteTencer doesn't report so much as he moves his mouth while someone from the Oilers talks.
ReplyDeleteYou just proved my point.
By the way, with Sykora now gone, our top goal scorer is Shawn Horcoff. He scored 16 goals last year.
ReplyDeleteIt's going to be an incredible summer. I'm thinking Lowe may resign BEFORE the season.
ReplyDeleteSeriously.
It's going to be an incredible summer. I'm thinking Lowe may resign BEFORE the season.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking the same thing. I just hope he doesn't overpay in a deseration move. I can only handle one Danny Ainge.
Quite the series of events since Game 1 of the SCF. In hindsight, will we say that the greatest damage Pronger did was destroying the image of the city as a hockey destination?
Andy: Nah. Dennis has caved my head in on this point, but the lesson from Pronger is that when you're sending your franchise player away, you fucking well better be right on the return.
ReplyDeleteNow that we have JP in the fold, and I've loved this guy for awhile now, and even though Smith had to be thrown in on the deal, I'd say that the Smyth return and the decision making on Ryan was worse than what Lowe did with Pronger.
ReplyDeleteSeriously, you're operating in a city where no one wants to play and you fuck over a guy that wants to stay? Like how does that make sense?
Then again, the cap keeps going up and up and pronger was signed for a very affordable 6.25 mill so even if all we got last summer for him was Pitkanen, it still wouldn't be enough.
So, yeah, the pronger thing was ultra damaging but the Smyth thing was the most stupid and the most avoidable. The fact that Stauffer and everyone esle this evening wouldn't throw Lowe under the bus shows why he does what he does.
Just wait until I get on Stauffer's show, as Semenko once said, don't go for a coffee;)
Dennis, not only did Smytty want to stay (and on the cheap for that matter), he's one of the most popular personalities in the sport.
ReplyDeleteI honestly kinda hope the Oilers get rid of MacT because he doesn't deserve the bullshit he's going to be put through.
give us some warning Dennis.
ReplyDeleteYup, the Pronger trade is a little less forgiveable, even though the return was poor and the strategy of getting 5 assets in return was ridiculous. At least he semi-redeemed himself by getting Pitkanen.
ReplyDeleteSmyth? Wrong on so many levels. Negotiations should have began much earlier (a la Regehr and Iginla), and you better damn well have a replacement lined up if you're going to make such a move.
Worse thing is, you then throw the SAME money to a 35 year old (Smyth would have been 36 when his contract ran out) in Nylander for four years, until he's 39. I don't see any fucking strategy in this - it has a Mike Barnett move written all over it.
Lowe says he offered Smyth a contract - perhaps, just perhaps if him, Patrick (especially), and Cal Nichols didn't take verbal swabs at him after the trade, maybe he would consider coming back. The Smyth is ''not elite'' talk on HNIC isn't going to win you back Smyth's respect.
So yeah, it's time for Lowe to go. I like the guy, but as a GM it's time to move on. Any possible replacements outside the organization? You look at Philly, and how quickly they turned the ship around - creative thinking with acquiring rights prior to July 1, set a new trend with front loading contracts - just a good, aggressive game plan that's more action, less talk.
The Smyth is ''not elite'' talk on HNIC isn't going to win you back Smyth's respect.
ReplyDeleteYeah that's a lack of class.
However, the real problem is that they either really believe that or they're out of touch with the player market. I'm not sure which is worse. Whichever reason it is, neither deficiency would help a team sign UFAs.
I think these guys are totally throwing Edmonton under the bus as a UFA destination. The city isn't the top attraction, but these idiots aren't helping.