JF Jacques and reportedly Zack Stortini were not qualified today, and Liam Reddox has already signed in Europe.
During an interview with Jason Gregor this afternoon on Team 1260, Stu MacGregor told us that JDD (and Martin Gerber) would not return to the organization. MacGregor mentioned it when discussing G Frans Tuohimaa (who is two years older than the other goaler drafted Saturday).
It's likely the Oilers will add an AHL veteran to play with newly signed Olivier Roy in OKC; in fact, JDD could sign with the Oilers but it doesn't seem likely at this time.
Here's a look at the Oilers UFA's and their situation re: Edmonton.
- F Steve MacIntyre: Great. The Oilers finally get a nuclear deterrent and the damn game changes on us. Frack. I expect Mr. MacIntyre will be set free by the Oilers, as they plan on getting more hockey players this summer. I hope he made good money as an Oiler, that's a tough damn job.
- D Jim Vandermeer: Dave Mitchell from CTV tweeted today that "Oil have not spoken w/ UFA Jim Vandemeer about a new contract.Last minute lowball might be coming but he likely won't do anything till July 1." Sounds like both sides may look around and then discuss. If the Oilers can trade for a legit top 4D then Vandermeer might be a useful player on the third pairing with Peckham, Smid or Foster.
- D Jason Strudwick: Matty (I think it was Matty) mentioned the other day the team won't sign him but may welcome him back in another capacity. That would have been an excellent option a year ago.
- G Jeff Deslauriers: Have you every heard the Hank Snow song "I've Been Everywhere?" Well, JDD's version of that song is still on the turntable going round and round.
- G Martin Gerber: Played very well in OKC and in precious few NHL minutes with Edmonton. Oilers must have a plan for that #3 goalie who could get a call at any moment, but I don't believe that player is on the roster now.
- D Richard Petiot: Played a little with the big league club, looked like he had some foot speed and coverage issues. OKC could use him and I wouldn't be surprised if he signed another contract just like the last one.
- L Gregory Stewart: Didn't have the kind of impact some of us expected, suspect Oilers will search for better value for the money.
- R Ben Ondrus: Emerged as a valuable role player and a team leader. I thought he might get a call, but it wasn't to be for him. Could easily be re-signed.
- F Alex Giroux: Wonderful season and saw some NHL time. I'd hope the club will bring him back but these guys cost money (his AHL salary was $500,000 last season) and he may get a better offer.
- F Brad Moran: Already bolted for Europe, he was a nice player for OKC.
- R Colin McDonald: Not technically Oiler property, he's the last man standing for the Oildrop from that 2003 draft (now that Zorg and Crazy Train are gone). May return via a 2-way deal.
We wait.
Its taken a couple of summers but they're finally getting rid of a whole lot of shitty hockey players.
ReplyDeleteI know you can't see the future LT but what's your feeling for the next week or so?
Presently I see:
Hall, Horcoff, Eberle, Smyth, Gagner, Hemsky, Paajarvi, Cogliano, Omark, Jones, Brule
Am I missing anyone?
And if they're cutting Brule loose then that leaves them with ten forwards.
And really who might we expect to make the jump? Hartikainen. Lander?
So they have to be bringing in at least two pieces, no? A centre for sure, right?
Lot's of questions waiting to be answered on this roster for the coming season:
ReplyDelete- D-man
- 3C
- 4th Line competition
- A goalie for when Khabibulin inevitably breaks down.
Lot's of reasons to stay tuned. MBS did his job and then some at the draft table.
3.1 (he graduates with that Smyth/Fraser move) has started now at the major level. Can't wait to see what happens next.
BDHS: I don't really have any names in mind, but do believe they've made their decisions on some guys.
ReplyDeleteIf we were making the C depth chart it might look like this:
1. Horcoff
2. Gagner
3. Cogliano
4. Vande Velde
5. House
6. Lander
7. Kytnar
Plus RNH. They could sign Konopka to back up the 4-7 group but I think they are also going to deal #3 for a more complete player.
On D, I think they have to do the same thing. Too many defensemen who can't PK or PP well, they need to get help for these guys.
So, I'll say a tough LW like Ben Eager, a more complete C like Brooks Laich and a more complete defender like Jan Hejda.
They could also move Eberle to center.
Just read through the last few threads and the Jones signing looks terrible with some of the players not getting qualified.
ReplyDeleteI though Giroux made $500K last year, not $150K.
You get the feeling v3.1 is going to try to grab an overpriced vet D and a pick from a cap-strung team.
Interesting week for sure.
Also,
Mobile view is easier to read than web-view, but it won't let me post. As others mentioned, web view is pretty easy to read on a mobile phone alreay.
Woodguy: $150k was his AHL salary.
ReplyDeleteI am saddened by the Stortini thing. I liked his positional play in his own end and the fact that the puck was generally safe with him on the ice.
ReplyDeleteLT, any word on Brule's health. Not big on the player, but love the public personal he has...hope he's ok.
The Dog's list is not very physical. Does anyone thing this will be an issue. I mean, who on this list can handle themselves out there?
ST said he was clear to play on the Saturday of this weekend, so this could be something aside from the concussion. I agree, hopefully whatever his malady things will work out.
ReplyDeleteLT,
ReplyDeleteThis is likely my last post from Asia. We are moving back to the Capitalist Wonderland on Thursday. Your blog, along with those who comment, have been a wonderful way to keep in touch with the Mighty Oil.
Thanks for building and maintaining this community.
Bring back treats!!! No charge. :-)
ReplyDeleteWhen did Vande Velde become good? Did I miss something?
ReplyDeleteThanks L.T
ReplyDeleteAs for Brule, my $ is on rickets.
I hope they don't sign Konopka.
He and Ryan Jones on the same line would destroy the poor soul who had to play LW with them, probably Harski.
I'm pretty far from a pro scout so I will differ to the guys who get paid but I would try and stay away from the "sexy" names when I was trying to fill my bottom six. Last season it was Maholtra and this year there is a lot of buzz around Konopka and Laich. Not that those aren't effective players but when they are multiple teams looking at these guys, their price tags have to be going up. There have to be guys in the league who are capable of doing the same type of spade work but haven't received the press or the attention, therefore they might come on a shorter term and a little less cap hit. I would like to see Marty Reasoner back but he played pretty damn well last year and he might be in demand.
ReplyDeleteMatthew Hulsizer walked away from the Coyotes today, so it would be great if next year's draft had the Nord's back. If Phoenix moves it will probably be somewhere like K.C. but with all of the excitement in Winnipeg, not to mention the season ticket sales, you have to think that Quebec City would at least get a real look.
I think bringing Gerber back would be a good idea. He played really in the AHL and he excelled in his NHL games and he won't cost an arm and a leg. Khabibulin insurance is needed here and Dubnyk probably can be counted on for much more than 40-50 games.
LT, I finally got a chance to catch the radio show and I really enjoyed it. Very informative and pretty entertaining. Thanks for that and all of the work, time and effort you put into this site.
so LT does this mean you expect a trade or two leading up to free agency on Friday? Makes sense for them to move one of Cogs or Gagner for a more complete centre or dman.
ReplyDeleteLT: I think Lander will shoot up those charts, and it won't take years, it'll only take days.
ReplyDeleteI'm still pissed they took Musil over Jenner. The Oilers need as many "real" centers as they can get their hands on.
How about Vernon Fiddler, an Edmonton boy? ;)
ReplyDeleteWell they either need to sign someone or they need to trade for someone. Was it Tencer who said there would be some movement from the forwards? Certainly he can't have meant today's cull.
If they are planning on sending RHN out then one would have to think that Cogliano is the odd man out if they are planning on upgrading.
So ... 3C, fourth line, a top four D, a goalie ... and that's just to try and get respectable ...
so LT does this mean you expect a trade or two leading up to free agency on Friday?
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness: LT expects a trade? And there are gaping holes in the Oilers' lineup? And the sun rises in the east?
Pboy,
ReplyDeleteI think the only buzz for Konopka is in Edmonton.
Gregor wrote a pieces suggesting $3MM over 3 years *shudder*, and that helped get his name get bandied about.
I know Stauffer likes him too.
Konopka has horrid underlying numbers and was taken off the PK in the 2nd half of the season (no dount due to poor play)
I watched a bunch of NYI games this year (esp. The 2nd half) as they were getting ridiculous odds. Konopka can't keep up in the NHL.
He skates worse than O'Marra. He's not a NHL player. h
WG,
ReplyDeleteYou might be right. I've been listening to Oilers Lunch lately and they have been going on and on about Konopka and they might have duped me into thinking there was a market for him.
Danger: Jensen went at 29 to VAN.
ReplyDeleteAha, Jenner... Sorry. NM
ReplyDelete@pboy: Maybe I'm misreading you but I don't see Brooks Laich as a bottom sixer. Dude's averaged 21-32-53, +10 over the past three seasons.
ReplyDeleteGoing 3 years on Konopka (regardless of his real value) would be an enormous mistake when you look at the center depth chart.
ReplyDeleteWould like to think we can find someone better, but even if we can't (does 3.1 get demoted back to 3.0?), a 3 year term is much too long for a spare part 4D.
Would rather us bring back Reasoner. Guy can win a FO kill a penatly. Bet he would even do windows on a 1 or 2 year deal.
Maybe Laich makes Horcoff a bottom sixer, the better the player, the better the depth is.
ReplyDeleteI really wonder how the org views Cogliano, something tells me he's getting a longer look until someone younger (aka.Lander) browbeats him for his gig.
Sorry, meant to say 4C not 4D on Marty Reasoner.
ReplyDeleteDoh.
hey lowetide,
ReplyDeletei just saw that tyler kennedy from pittsburgh wasn't qualified either. might he be an option?
Since we've already brought back Smyth... any chance Arnott would come back to play centre in a supporting role (assuming the Caps don't resign him)?
ReplyDeleteWG:
ReplyDeleteI read a story earlier today,Ottawa writer.He was pumping 2 players Ottawa should sign,Konoka and Laich.
I looked for the story so I could link it but I can't find it now.
Yeah Laich's a 2nd C not 3rd.
ReplyDeleteAnd Konopka's garbage.
I think the Pens will sign Kennedy right away. Don't think he will be available long.
ReplyDeleteBruce:
ReplyDeleteI guess I was looking at Laich in more of a penalty killing, hard match, grinding role but you are right, he can definitely put some points on the board. Was he 2nd line behind Backstrom for the last couple of seasons? I guess they brought Arnott in to fill the 3C role.
Would you look at Arnott on a 1 or 2 year deal if he could be had for reasonable money?
So much discussion of possible forwards, but what this team needs are D men. Likely Bieksa is too expensive, but he would be a guy to take a run at. Plus there has to be some lower level guys available.
ReplyDeleteI frankly don't care if they sign another forward.
Bieksa signed with VCR today.
ReplyDeletePboy: He played on the wing in the end I believe.
ReplyDeleteOvechkin-Backstrom-Knuble
Laich-Arnott-Semin
Chimera-Johansson-Fehr
There's some smoke that if Richards will sign cheap in TBY they will shop Stamkos.
ReplyDeleteDon Meehan is grinding Yz hard (there's a surprise) on Stamkos' contract, asking north of 7MM.
That Lecavalier contract is quite the millstone.
hg10,
That's good news. Hopefully Murray will outbid the Oilers like Sather did with Boogaard and save the Oilers from themselves.
WG: Well this NHL offseason certainly won't be a ''traditional one'' love it.
ReplyDeleteThere's some smoke that if Richards will sign cheap in TBY they will shop Stamkos.
ReplyDeleteStevie Wonder has made small bets and smart plays so far. He also demonstrated an ability to admit a mistake and cut losses. I can't imagine a scenario where any person not named Milbury or Maclean trades Stamkos in order to sign B.Richards.
I read a story earlier today,Ottawa writer.He was pumping 2 players Ottawa should sign,Konoka and Laich.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I read the same thing. I think they are both going to get some attention
Stu announced on Gregor's show today that Gerber has signed in Europe. He also said that they would be looking at getting two goalies for OKC as it looked like JDD would be moving on.
ReplyDeleteIdeally Tambo signs a few guys that will be flippable at the deadline for a pick or two.
ReplyDeleteGregor had the Chicago beatwriter on today and he said he hoped the Hawks would go after Konopka too. So with the Oilers and Sens that makes three. Mind you that is all media guys looking at FO stats and PIMS, probably never watched the guy play. Here's hoping the Oilers pro scouts have, but I'm not sure we have any pro scouts who actually watch other teams' players.
ReplyDeleteI would love to sign Reasoner for FO/PK and Eager for the tough guy role. Former first rounder at least he can skate. Over pay him a bit to get him, would be worth the money to get a tough player who can actually play a bit.
For those of you hoping for Laich, kind of nuts, he is probably the number 4 guy after Richards, Ehrhoff and, hmm, wait I think he is the number three guy. He ain't coming here folks, stop talking about it.
We would have a chance at Reasoner, Fiddler and Boyd Gordon, go after one and get him. Then Eager or Asham and that is not a bad fourth line with Jones or Cogliano.
Konopka: Proving NHL GM's are influencable dummys.
ReplyDeleteWhy is everyone so excited about NYI's garbage?
Rumour also has it that Vern Fiddler is an Edmonton boy and is very good to his Grandmother.
ReplyDeleteHear that Mr. Tambellini, they guy never misses a chance to visit his Grandmother.
Sign him already!
Edmonton, Grandmothers, Face-offs, PK.
Do it.
Let's not account he played the dregs with the tops, and sorted out with around -15 of RELCorsi.
ReplyDeleteI'd say he's fine at 4th. 3rd... hehhhh
I still wonder if Yandle gets offer sheeted. A front loaded contract to the team owned by the NHL would be priceless. Yandle is a stud, would be hard to overpay him. I'm not saying the Oilers should (probably a year early) but someone should.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to see 3 needs filled
1) a checking center (Marty Sakic or the Edmonton boy)
2) a dman capable of being a 3/4 on a decent team
3) a goaltender capable of 0.910
And Id be ok if they let Souray try out in the fall.
SOmething tells me this offseason will make no sense at all.
ReplyDeletePDO texted me that Stauffer said on the air that if the Oilers can't deal Khabby he wouldn't be surprised if he'll start the year in OKC.
ReplyDeleteAnyone else hear that?
I'm guessing RNH is still burned about being left off the WJ team and will come to camp on a mission. If they do end up sending him down, hopefully they'll be able to sell him on it just being a case of them wanting to give him another year for his body to mature (something that wasn't a concern for Hall). Wouldn't want him starting out his Oil career pissed about a perceived slight.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I don't remember anyone posting this tweet from Whitney during the draft, but thought it was a beauty:
Welcome to RNH to Oil Country.... Now go grab me some tape
If we could trade Cogliano and buy out Brule, we could have room for Laich, Kennedy and Eager.
ReplyDeleteAnd suddenly we would be one tough minutes D and veteran goalie from being a playoff team.
I may be delusional, but worse lineups than that have made the playoffs!
Laich would certainly be an interesting option. He's shown capable of being a tough minutes outscorer, is a good prairie boy, and is still w/i the age range that we're working with.
ReplyDeleteAnyone have a bead on what he'd be worth? $16M over 4 years?
Hall, Horcoff, Eberle, Smyth, Gagner, Hemsky, Paajarvi, Cogliano, Omark, Jones, Brule
ReplyDeleteForwards:
Smyth-Gagner-Hemsky
Hall-Horcoff-Eberle
Omark-Laich-Paajarvi
Eager-Kennedy-Jones
Spares: Vandevelde, McDonald, Hartikainen
Defense:
Whitney-Gilbert
Tough minutes D-Foster
Peckham-Vandermeer
Spares: Petry, Plante
Hell... I'd almost play Souray at this point... just until he can build up some value by trade deadline - because right now he is in nowhere land as a player. Tambellini has already won the war with Souray... now for some brownie points he can be the forgiving soul... actually on second thought screw that Souray made his own bed. He'd have to impress at training camp - if he goes! :-P
Goal:
Dubnyk
Leighton type?
I would prefer if they signed JDD or Gerber to one more year to be honest and buried Khabibulin
Transactions:
- Buy out Brule
- Trade Cogliano, Smid (I like him but he has value)
Also of interest:
Fiddler
Reasoner
Nichol
Konopka (this guy is not so great, don't understand the rumours)
Laich, Belanger, or Handzus would be great for the third line.
ReplyDeleteIf the Oilers could sign Joel Ward for the 3rd line RW, then they could dangle Omark+ for some defensive help.
I'm not sure what the market for Ward is. He had a big playoffs, but there doesn't seem to be much media talk about him at all so maybe he won't be crazy expensive.
There isn't much on the D side of things that would fit on the Oilers long term. Maybe throw a one year overpay at Hamrlik. Or sign Hejda to something short.
I see the Oilers only have Petrell signed when it comes to AHL vets. Hopefully they can bring back Giroux, sign an NHL caliber back up a la Gerber, and at least one star for the blueline, in addition to the 2-3 role players they will probably sign.
Laich is almost certainly going to sign an insane deal with the Leafs so you should leave him off your fantasy lists.
ReplyDeleteIf you look at the list of UFA centers, there is one clear first line center - Richards - and then the next best guys are Laich, Connolly and Handzus, who are all 2nd/3rd line guys.
If Toronto don't get Richards (and they probably won't) then I think they will 'fill' their opening at first line center by paying a 2nd/3rd line guy first line money. Don't be surprised if Laich gets 4+ years and $5M or more per year.
This is not a good year to be getting FAs generally. A bunch of teams need to spend to get to the floor and traditional overspenders like Toronto and NYR have a fair amount of cap space burning a hole in their pockets. This time next week we will be looking at some shockingly bad contracts. I'd much rather see Edmonton picking through the bottom end of the market than see them give a guy like Montador $4M+ a year
Good gawd you have a mobile-friendly version of the blog now thank you! It was never particularly difficult to read in the old version (I frequently read it from my iPhone) but this is just so mug better. Never go back!
ReplyDelete(still faithfully read every post by the way, LT: just rarely have the time (or insight) to comment these days).
@ Woodguy:
ReplyDeleteIn the past I thought I heard him hint at that in passing once or twice. But today, from what I heard, he sounded pretty certain that Khabi and Dubnyk would be the tenders for next year. The only caveat being that he thought another one way 1M contract would be given to a goalie (he through out Garon) to play in the AHL with the chance/promise of moving up if Khabi could not regain his game - so I guess that might hint at Khabi having a short leash.
I doubt that established NHL goalies like Garon or the like would sign a deal that sends them to the AHL though. Seems like Desjardins, Climie, Dekanich, or Lawson would be more likely targets…
Stauffer was also pushing Cam Barker pretty hard today as well as dropped Stralmen's name. Sounds like he is looking for a PP dman. As for forward, once again Hordichuk is being championed as a tough guy winger to potentially replace a guy like Macintyre.
Finally, he was mentioning moving Hemsky for a Penner like return a number of times (not sure if reference to offseason or deadline). Sigh, one step forward three steps back is the motto apparrently.
All in all, I am hoping Stauffer was just thinking out loud rather than dropping feelers he has gotten, especially regarding Hemsky. I like all the talk by the media of the areas potentially being addressed, just not liking many of the names being thrown out.
The folks over at jewelsfromthecrown suggest Handzus won't be brought back to LA. He has size and defensive chops, seems like a guy who would have value as a 4th liner, more than Konopka in my book.
ReplyDeleteBrooks Laich just signs for stupid money with WASHINGTON
ReplyDeleteYou can't have all the same type of player on a team. Their are different roles that need to be filled, and each role suits a different type of player.
ReplyDeleteThe top 9 is basically set unless a trade is made. The team has enough scoring talent (not producing at full potential yet) and 2 forwards over 200 lbs. If you look at the other team's rosters (which I do) that is an unusually small group for the NHL.
I don't think we have any more room for undersized forwards unless they are going to score 110 pts or something.
What the team needs is players that are big enough to hit and have the other team actually care about it, and a couple of guys to protect Hall and Eberle.
Say what you want about Sather, but he never left his skilled forwards to the tender mercies of guys like Regehr.
It's not fair to the rookies, and I think hurts the team's morale and hampers them developing pride in wearing the logo. They need to become passionate about their team, and not feeling like the kid who gets his lunch money stolen is important.
Guys this competitive don't like to lose at anything, including the physical battle between teams.
We need guys who can take a shift and not get lit up, and who no one really wants to fight, on the 4th and 5-8 on D. We need a few Shawn Thorntons.
If the league suddenly decides to protect it's players it wouldn't be necessary, but they don't right now and it doesn't seem to be on the radar.