The signing of Chris Vande Velde (expected later today) will give the Oilers a rare item: a big forward with size and grit. He's a center and can win faceoffs (his winning percentage in college was just below Toews-range for much of his college career, including 54.1% in 861 FO's this past season).
Vande Velde is also unique in terms of size. The Oilers are undersized at both the big league and AHL level at the position:
- Shawn Horcoff 6.01, 208 1251 faceoffs (46.7%)
- Ryan Potulny 6.00, 190 781 faceoffs (47.1%)
- Sam Gagner 5,11, 190 709 faceoffs (47.4%)
- Andrew Cogliano 5.10, 184 377 faceoffs (43.2%)
- Geoff Paukovich 6.04, 215 (AHL)
- Ryan O'Marra 6.01, 193 (AHL)
- Rob Hisey 5.08, 170 (AHL)
Vande Velde is ranked #19 by Copper and Blue (their top 25 is for all players under 25) and HF has him ranked 14th on their newly released Top 20. I think this is exactly what the club needed, and will be a more important signing than Omark and Petry this summer. Forwards with size and skill are a rare item for this hockey club, and if he can learn to play the game at the AHL/NHL level this guy is going to help win hockey games.
I'm glad we signed him, and look forward to seeing how he performs in OKC next year. It'll be nice to have a player in the system who can win a draw from time to time.
ReplyDeleteI'm not as high on him as some, but I think he can be a useful player down the road. I see more Brad Winchester/Kyle Brodziak in him than Joel Otto though.
"Next on the first tee, the Iginla foursome. Fifteen minute call for Regehr joined by the Sutter twosome."
ReplyDeleteWhat were Toew's FO % in college and the NHL? Might be good news for Vande Velde and the Oil if they are relatively close.
ReplyDeleteAt this point do you think Calgary would trade Iggy or Bouwmeester because if so those would be great pickups
ReplyDeleteWhy is there such love for Bouwmeester? While he's not a dud he's also not shown himself to be the game-changing player some tout him to be.
ReplyDeleteGlad that Tambi is addressing the weaknesses in OKC. He's got a good coach down there, now it's time to give Rob Daum some talent to work with!
I think the "problem" with Bouwmeester is similar to the problem that Brewer had when he was an Oiler: There are unreasonable expectations concerning his offensive and powerplay production.
ReplyDeleteIf you accept Bouwmeester for what he is, an excellent defensive defenseman who isn't a liability moving the puck in transition, then the criticisms concerning his play diminish somewhat.
Whether he should be making the money that he is, well that's another issue.
On the posted topic, it'll be very interesting to see how Vande Velde's offense translates to the AHL and ultimately the NHL. He's probably not top 6 material, but he very well may be the excellent third line centre that this team desperately lacks.
ReplyDeleteWell, of course Jay Bouwmeester is going to be measured to his salary. When you're getting paid $6.8M, you have to produce.
ReplyDeleteI recall the Oilogosphere was pretty high on Jay Bouwmeester over the years. And he certainly displayed solid 5 on 5 numbers in Florida. I do recall Vic Ferrari being wary of Bouwmeester and indicated that he's a firm believer that defencemen who get paid top dollar MUST produce on the powerplay.
Jay Bouwmeester has never been an elite PP producer. He's still a great defenceman - just not worth his salary.
C&B as a whole may have ranked him a fer piece down the list, but this guy had him 9th for all players under 25.
ReplyDeleteI still think he may be in the NHL by December.
coach: I didn't know that (I'd read it but forgot) you like him as much as me. :-)
ReplyDeleteI agree, he could come right away, ala Horcoff who spent maybe 25 games in the AHL.
Excellent signing.
They need third liners, desperately.
ReplyDeleteOf course, Moreau's available for another season, and we can all watch Pisani's struggles in and out of the lineup.
That Nill guy who works for the Red Wings seems to think the idea of tossing too many 20 year olds into the NHL is a recipe for failure - that they might produce for a couple of months, then they get ground down by the men. Somehow this reminds me of Cogliano, and Gagner, and Brule.
Of course Oilers are re-assembling the boys on the bus, right?
Right?
hunter: Vande Velde isn't 20.
ReplyDeletecoach: I didn't know that (I'd read it but forgot) you like him as much as me.
ReplyDeleteI don't know that I like him as much as you, it's just that he fits better into the NHL team better than anyone else.
Big? Check.
Center? Check.
Faceoffs? Check.
History of tough minutes? Check.
Penalty killer? Check.
LT, is this signing now official or still pending? What do you think the delay in making this official? I know there was talks of a contract to be signed last week.
ReplyDeleteOn a completely different note:
http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=31669 3
I'm completely disturbed and disgusted about the news that in coming to light that Graham James was given a pardoned three years ago.
Awful story, especially considering he was still working with children not so terribly long ago. This is beyond pathetic.
ReplyDeleteOT: The Eagles traded McNabb to Washington? WTF? At least when they shot Jaworski you could see it coming (Randall Cunningham).
ReplyDeleteDoes this mean Vick is the starter? What about that kid Kolb they drafted?
How come the Eagles didn't sign any free agents this summer? Isn't this supposed to be a year when there was no cap? And another thing, 37th overall?
Is that a good pick? Mid 2nd? Can you get a player?
This doesn't sound like the Eagles. I bet they send 24, 37 and a roster player for something real good.
Washington. Frick.
Mueller with 2 to put COL up 3-2 over SJS...come on Avs. Nothing would ease the pain of the 09/10 Oiler season than to watch the 1st/2nd round draftless Flames not even make the dance.
ReplyDeleteMueller for Wolski...Pouliot for Latendresse...Cogliano for ????????
Damn, I wish they pulled the trigger on the Cogliano for Mueller deal.
ReplyDeleteFlabbergasting.
Mueller for Wolski...Pouliot for Latendresse...Cogliano for ????????
ReplyDeleteCogliano & Riley Nash for Carey Price?? perhaps add a 3 rounder. Is this enough or Overpay?
LT: Regarding the Eagles...Kolb will be starting...Reid loves him and he appears to be the prototypical West Coast Offense QB...accurate, which means he can hit the speedsters in stride...something McNabb could never do. The offense has now been overhauled and could be very good to great so long as they can keep everybody happy.
ReplyDeleteThe 37th pick is the 5th pick of the 2nd round...so, yes, it's good pick considering they got D. Jackson with a mid second round pick. They should be able to find a player there...or else use it to move up in the first to get their guy...if that's what they want to do.
As for FAs...Peppers was probably the only guy that made sense for them and they apparently tried but just didn't offer enough. They did pick up Mike Bell to help with dismissal of Westbrook but they will still need to address the secondary (after Sheldon Brown was dealt) and their very thin LB unit. Whether that gets done via FA (highly doubt as there is only table scraps left), trade, or the draft is beyond me. Heck the O-Line needs help, too!!
Shit, San Jose within a goal again. Come on Avs, hang on.
ReplyDelete37th is close to a perfect draft position.
ReplyDeleteOne would almost never use a 24th and 37th to move up. It would be considered pretty dumb, because a team has to guarentee the top 10 picks way too much money for what they bring. Late first and early second is typically the sweet spot in an NFL draft in terms of value for money, and this year is a deep draft.
Teams without need for a left tackle or a quarterback usually try trading out of the top five.
WOOOOOOOOOOO AVS
ReplyDeletegodot10: Thanks for that, didn't know about the bonuses, etc.
ReplyDeleteAvs just won in OT. Not over yet, but a sleepless night in helltown.
Mueller got wrecked in that game by Blake. If his shoulder is ok I'll be stunned.
ReplyDeleteHoly shit. Steven Tyler can still stand under his own power?
ReplyDeleteHe looks an awful wreck.
Why is that girl from Reign o'er Me standing next to Steve Tyler? Is she his nurse? I thought Joe Perry had the gig?
ReplyDeleteLT:
ReplyDeleteApparently one of those "singing nurses" I've heard nothing about.
He actually looks about as bad as Ozzy Osbourne.
Dizzy: Why the hell would we accept that?
ReplyDeleteI've seen A LOT of trade proposal like Price vs Cogliano + Garbage.
Why in the WORLD would the Habs consider Cogliano theyr best way out?
fpb:
ReplyDeleteBecause he'd complete your set of lilliputians?
Dorito: Yeah but even at 5''6 Gionta is grittier than Penner.
ReplyDeleteThe top 6 is full, and Cogliano is not really useful on a bottom 6. No interest.
Kostitsyn-Moore-Pacioretty
Moen-Lapierre-Pyatt
(Next year projection)
xD. We do need adress our size need with the ''Oil Technique''
(Hiring or trading for more dwarfs that is).
fpb: let's start the discussion. What would be an appropriate package that Habs fans would consider for Price? Cogliano, even small in size has been playing with more grit and vigor in the last twenty games. With Nash, I still think there is still lots of potential but it's looking like it might be with another organization. Nash's brother was also signed by the Habs last week. P.S. would the Habs be willing to take back Souray in a trade. Their PP has been missing the big shot from the point ever since he and Streit lefted.
ReplyDeleteI don't really like that trade as a Redskins fan either. McNabb is a fine quarterback, but they needed that 2nd rounder more than they needed an upgrade on Campbell (and when he's playing somewhere else next year, it's going to be even worse).
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't matter who the QB is in Washington, their offensive line is a far cry from the Hogs and anyone taking the snaps behind them is going to spend a lot of time on his ass. They needed to draft a tackle before Samuels retired. Now they need 2 (and at least one interior lineman). That 2nd round pick could've been a starter for them on the OLine.
I just hope they can get a decent pick for Campbell, since he's not going to be there much longer.
The Redskins have the 4th pick in the draft. They can pick a LT there in a strong LT draft, or they can trade down up to 10 picks and still get a LT and and a second from a team who wants a QB at 4.
ReplyDeleteLook at the haul Cleveland got from the Jets for the Sanchez pick.
The Redskins decided that the Rams were taking Bradford, and no other quarterback i.e. Clauson was good enough to be picked at 4.
So they will rebuild the offensive line instead with this draft.
I think you'll be disappointed by the return for Price. Then again, you can never tell what these GMs will do. Could the habs even match an offersheet @2.6M or whatever the max 2nd round compensation is?
ReplyDeleteI keep waiting for the NHL owners to announce a special "buy out your GM's biggest mistake" day. Has anyone heard anything? It isn't planned yet but that hasn't stopped the NHL before.
ReplyDeleteOh, I fully expect them to take a tackle (preferably Okung) at 4. But the problem is, they had a perrenial pro-bowl LT in Samuels until he broke his neck earlier this year and they were still hurting on the O-Line. So even if they take an OT at 4, they're really no farther ahead and still need someone at RT. Plus, Rabach isn't going to be around much longer, and neither is Williams. Dockery is the youngest starter on the OL and he's 30.
ReplyDeleteThey've always been a team that sacrifices draft picks for aging stars well past their prime, and because of it, they've never had any depth or youth coming through the system. I was hoping that things would change when Cerrato left, but obviously not.
They've also got a lot more needs than the line. They're week at safety, they need a strong side linebacker, and they're thinking about switching to a 3-4, which means they have a lot of needs on defense in general. And without a 3rd round pick in this draft to start with, they really don't have the means to adress those needs anymore.
McNabb is a terrific QB, and he's certainly worth the price of a 2nd and a 4th (or 3rd). It's just not the kind of move a team like the Redskins should be making.
I was skeptical when I read about "McNabb to Washington" rumours this weekend because they had more needs to address and they're division rivals.
ReplyDeleteGoofy deal on both fronts.
Ed: I would expect more than one team to offer sheet Price if it comes down to this. I think he's worth more than Penner was.
ReplyDeleteDizzy: We have Bergeron for a shot. And 5,5M$ for a PP only guy is just wasting your money.
We can just convince Nash to refuse negotiations and gain UFA status. Even then he might not need to be convinced.
I would say the interesting things are gone. Grebeshkov, Lubo.
But there is still some guys you can sell (Penner,Gagner,MPS,Eberle, Picks etc.)
Deslauriers or Cogliano or Ethan Moreau (Good lord i hope not), or any other wacky stuff in Edmonton is mostly not interesting to MTL.
Maybe something like:
Pick/Brulé+Gilbert/Smid
for Price Would be doable.
I Like Smid a lot.
We can just convince Nash to refuse negotiations and gain UFA status. Even then he might not need to be convinced.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to accuse the Montreal Canadiens of tampering.
Dorito: To prove that you would have to monitor Nash 24/7. Which is way beyond tampering.
ReplyDeleteMaybe something like:
ReplyDeletePick/Brulé+Gilbert/Smid
for Price Would be doable.
fpb: wow! For that price, I rather use Cogs to get a two-way forward or a veteran Dman. Either way, factoring the way how Halak is playing and the way Price has played sinced the '08 playoffs and how he is currently being treated by the fans, I think Price is gone this summer. Depending what happens to Khabibulin, if he's healthy, I would rather sign a either a veteran goalie or keep JDD to team up with Khabby.
I think Price is a fine goalie, but I think we give up significant assets for a goalie when one's the only thing standing between us and contending. We're, ah, not at that point just yet.
ReplyDeleteI also think that whatever the Habs wind up getting for Price is going to be a lot less desirable than what FPB thinks, but time will prove one of us right on that. But for now, the Oilers should stay out.
Dizzy: Should have mentionned pick is not necessarily a 1st rounder.
ReplyDeleteAnd yeah, to add to the Nash thing, it's not like he didn't realise that joining the Oilers was probably not his best option. (Well if he doesn't get warranty he's in the bigs next year)
If anyone's interested, Milan Kytnar's at a ppg in seven WHL playoff games.
ReplyDeleteOmark signs
ReplyDelete800k per year, two years. 2-way contract with 80k signing bonus.
Flames you have to feel sorry for - they've come so close, and yet after that loss to the Hawks, the playoffs must seem further away than ever.
ReplyDeletebelated April Fools.
Finally Omark signed, now I'm happy and consider this season a success(at least off ice).
ReplyDeleteOmark made the right move going to the KHL for a year. Not only does he have a great head start in life financially (and mostly tax free in Russia) for his 1 KHL season, he also got what he wanted in the NHL.
ReplyDeleteLooks like it's near a rookie maximum contract. Early indications are 800K NHL, 85K AHL contract, plus bonuses. Be interesting to see what his real cap hit is with the signing bonuses. Here's hoping he has ample willingness and time to develop in the AHL, and pans out; unlike the other great hopes of years past, I've still not gotten over Mikhnov =(.
85k in the AHL would be higher than the CBA allows, I think that value was his signing bonus.
ReplyDelete