The Edmonton Oilers signed the best prospect in their system today. They also improved their LW depth chart in a big way. The 2006 Stanley team was a terrific portside club but the Oilers sent away everything they'd acquired in a quick hurry.We're not certain who gave the "terminate with extreme prejudice" order, but that LW depth chart from spring 2006 has been sorely missed.
It feels good to have some depth at the position. MPS is not guaranteed a spot on the Oilers this fall, but a quick glance at the depth chart suggests his SEL club may have had more depth last season than the 10-11 Edmonton Oilers.
My ranking of MPS as the #1 prospect in the organization is here. He is also the current #1 prospect (early summer edition).
I also want to post this because it may have some value as we move toward training camp. This is the 09-10 Desjardins NHLE numbers (per 82 games) for the top rated prospects in the Oilers system. MPS shows well.
- Jordan Eberle 22-24-46
- Riley Nash 13-26-39
- Magnus Paarjavi-Svensson 16-22-38
- Linus Omark 20-15-35
- Chris Vande Velde 13-21-34
- Teemu Hartikainen 12-14-26
- Anton Lander 9-12-21
Interesting list. The Oilers could draft Seguin, send him to juniors and still have a plethora of quality rookies up front. Omark is in tough to make this team, and may be the first great star in Oklahoma City Barons history in 2010-11. I doubt MPS spends time in the minors. Not with the Oilers depth chart.
This is a good thing, imho, but I give it 3 posts before someone tears this news apart.
ReplyDeleteHe has played with men and only gotten better. Let's see what he brings to camp.
Not having talent ahead of him is a poor excuse for promoting him.
ReplyDeleteSend him down so he can force his way up.
It doesn't even use up a year of his eligibility while we will suck anyway.
The future is not 2010-2011.
Someone else made this suggestion months ago: Omark and Eberle should share a roster spot. Eberle makes the team out of camp for a cuppa coffee while Omark gets a 'conditioning stint' in the AHL to get used to the small ice and the physical game. After 10 games or so (not that this number matters) they switch places until Omark gets traded for something bigger, slower and meaner.
This is a good thing, imho, but I give it 3 posts before someone tears this news apart.
ReplyDeleteFumbolinni is an idiot. I am tired of six Ring Lowe wrecking this team. Katz is probably behind this. Pääjärvi-Svensson slept with Dan Tencers wife. Not one tax dollar of mine better go to support this Euro-wimp...
Finally, book;e joins the program!
ReplyDeleteI doubt MPS spends time in the minors. Not with the Oilers depth chart.
ReplyDeleteI don't see the Oilers signing 4 or 5 UFAs and I don't see Nilsson and O'Sullivan around, so whats left? MPS is as good a player as anyone to put your chips on.
Penner-Horcoff-Hemsky: We know it works... when all are healthy.
ReplyDeleteMPS-Brule-Cogliano: Fastest line ever?
Hall-Gagner-Eberle: Eberle has been none too subtle in his hints about who the team should take.
Moreau-POS-Stortini: Just about the only spots open, but it's hard to say POS hasn't deserved it.
Hopefully we get a real checking line in there somewhere so Hall/Gagner/Eberle can begin the year as a limited ES minutes unit. However, I'm not holding my breath.
Mr. Bugg: I look at your lineup and I'm more convinced everyday that this team will need Pisani back on top of they need a Matt Cullen type UFA. Having the kids running around aimlessly won't be good for anyone's confidence or patience. Having some players who can stabilize a game will benefit everyone involved.
ReplyDeleteIf we are committed to a rebuild, does the lineup next season really matter, so long as its tough enough to protect our prospects from getting creamed?
ReplyDeleteIf mgmt counts on MPS being ready and they are wrong, they will tough it out and try to salvage something without destroying his confidence. (poor chance of recovery w/o damage to the player)
Instead, if they plan on him not being ready and they are wrong, they waive a newly-signed UFA to make room. (excellent chance of recovery w/ less damage - costs Katz some $)
Which is the better way to make MPS the best possible player, maximizing the asset and keeping your highly-paid GM job?
Solid mgmt is about keeping better options available. Sending him down keeps more, better options open.
He obviously will make the team out of camp.
Solid mgmt is about keeping better options available. Sending him down keeps more, better options open.
ReplyDeleteSo MPS isn't one of the best LW options?
MPS has played 2 years in the SEL. That has to be worth at the very least 1 year in the AHL. If he is a good player he is ready, otherwise you can only shelter so much. His WC performance (small sampleset and all) leads me to believe he can handle the NHL. Barring injuries, this team is likely too good to finish worst again next year. Banking on another Hall or Seguin is not a wise bet and a guy like Gudbranson could be 2-3 years away.
Penner - Horcoff - Hemsky
Hall - Gagner - Eberle/Nilsson
MPS - Dubinsky* - Cogliano
Stone - Poultuny - Stortini
That lineup can win some hockey games. D is a mess but thats a decent lineup.
*Dubinsky for Souray
Sean - Not if he's not ready its not. Again, plan for him to not be ready and be surprised when he is, instead of planning for him to be ready and being disappointed when he isn't. Why is this so difficult?
ReplyDeleteI am referring to better options for MPS's development, not better options for the NHL roster. It is within mgmt's power to move MPS down the depth chart before the season even starts.
Committing to a rebuild means handling the prospects in the best manner possible (which we should be doing anyway - rebuild or not). The current roster may have to suffer for it.
Again, if we are rebuilding, it does not matter how many games we win next season.
Judging from the number of line combos posted, I am in a minority of people that sees rebuilding as different from trying to squeak into the playoffs perpetually.
For the record I don't think that management is really that committed to a rebuild. Its just lip service.
Deano,
ReplyDeleteGood point. Next year this team will need some Adam Burish and Ben Eagers to protect the future from the Regher's and the Clutterbucks. If kids get spots that should mean the end of the Nilsons and the POSs to make room for some crust
I respect Stortini's try, but I don't think he's scaring many of these guys anymore.
Who's available that fits the energy guy who can actually skate, hits, play 10 to 12 minutes a night and fight middleweights?
Stone might fit the part.
Too bad JFJ plays with a ringette stick.
In a pure asset management world (which I am a big fan of), no draft pick plays on a 30th place (no hope in He** of competing big time) team unless they have at least one year burned after their draft year. They must get two years away from their UFA year unless they have proven they are a key top 6 player.
ReplyDeleteWhich means, whoever we draft this year does not play with the Oilers - no matter what.... We already scre*ed up with Gagner - time to learn from that mistake...
Which puts MPS on the cusp; therefore a one year contract must be given to a top six "aging" LW such as Whitney / Holmstrom - even if it is an overpayment... To a player that can be traded at the trade deadline if the Oilers are not in the playoffs.
Before I get the expected response that "What if MPS earns a spot in training camp?", just remember that every team we play against is also playing their newbies - MPS will not be playing against NHL caliber opposition.
And if perchance MPS has proven after 20 games in the minors that he is clearly ready for the big leagues, then & only them do we consider burning off a RFA year.
Because contrary to some people's idealistic world, players also use the rules to their advantage - contracts for impending UFA's & players changing teams at the first opportunity proves that.
Asset management, asset management, asset management...
Speaking of line combos:
ReplyDeleteMPS - Seguin - Eberle
really turns my crank.
That line could realistically not even be on the Oilers next year either, which may be for the best.
Let the Moreau, POS, Nilsson contracts run out next year and bid them fuckin' adieu. Unify your new core in OKC which will include:
MPS
Eberle
Petry
Hartikainen
CVV
etc
...then bring them up together.
Solved.
Oh, and through surfing around and speaking with "people in the know" (lol), some feel MPS may be the superior option to Hall.
ReplyDeleteDiscuss.
Deano - I guess I just dont see MPS playing long in the AHL.
ReplyDeleteI doubt we're far apart. I went back and forth trying to determine if we're bad enough to justify tanking another season. I think we are about 20-22 overall next year and its really only worth committing to sucking if you can get a lottery pick. That probably wont happen unless we trade Hemsky. But I'm more against perpetual rebuilds than I am for pushing to make the playoffs.
Next year is a development year regardless but there are still important decisions to be made.
I just dont see MPS playing long in the AHL.
ReplyDeleteMe either, but not signing someone ahead of him on the roster and counting on no AHL time at all for him seems pretty dumb to me.
Which is why I think he makes the team out of camp. We're pretty dumb with this stuff.
umm...maybe you all forgot that pierre mcguire said MPS was NHL ready, back in December.
ReplyDeleteso, book it!
)sark-asem(
Yes he will learn the smaller rink but, after 2 years of SEL, I dont see 20 AHL games adding much to his resume. Give those minutes to Eberle and co.
ReplyDeleteMy roster only has 2 rookies - Hall and MPS. Both of which are unavoidable IMO.
@Sean Hall/Seguin, Don't assume things because... well you know the rest
ReplyDeleteSean, don't forget that the AHL and NHL are significantly more physical than the SEL as well. Most SEL and KHL players that come over have a period of adjustment.
ReplyDeleteIt would be much more advantageous for MPS to iron out the kinks in the AHL where the pace is slower, and not bringing him up till he destroys the AHL so you're absolutely sure he's ready. Much better than burning a year off his ECL or his UFA clock prematurely.
Also with the possibility of most or all of Eberle, MPS, Omark, Vande Velde, Hartikainen, Cornet, Kytnar, Petry, Plante, Peckham et al. starting out in OKC, is anyone else here more excited about the start of the Baron's season than the Oiler's season?
ReplyDeleteNow I have to find a reliable stream for the OKC Baron's games =).
if you find one, uni, tell us! :)
ReplyDeleteFrom a marketing standpoint
ReplyDeletestarting some of our young stars in Okla would be good for their fanbase and it would also help to build the anticipation for oiler fans for 20 games or so.
Should MPS make the Oilers out of camp?I believe he was selected to the all star team at the Worlds.He appears to thrive on challenges!
Put me down for OK either way.
It is all good.
Update:
ReplyDeleteAccording to Joanne Ireland's piece in the Journal today, MPS has an out clause to return to Sweden if he does not make the NHL team.
SERIOUSLY!!!
ReplyDeleteYou guys just signed your best prospect. This is a good thing.
He did not go back into the draft.
He did not pull a Daigle.
He has played against men.
He is going to be good.
BACK OFF - and let the kid do his thing.
PLEASE - loyal Oilers fan, do not poison the water with negativity. Good things are coming your way.
I don't think it is absurd to think MPS might turn out to be the better player than Hall/Seguin. At this point it is simply too early to tell, but he has a number of good indicators--starting with his recent season, and ending with a WHC performance that saw him lead the Swedes in scoring and make the WHC all-star team. He was ranked well enough in his draft year that he could have went top 5, and the consistent criticism (lack of finish) seems to have been put to bed in the SEL/WHC this year.
ReplyDeleteHere's a sweet video of Magnus from the world hockey championships:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXSIYhXTQZc