Kobayashi Maru

Haha that statement worried me too. At least it's a case of Myers at 850k vs 6M per year. I can live with that as he's coached by our strong D coaches we have now (AHL to start still).

To help lift the team to greatness?

Makes too much sense actually for a change of scenery type deal. I would like to take a flyer on Puljujarvi still, but that won't happen if they find some other trade. I would still vote for Puljujarvi and a 2nd for Schenn. We get a pick and a lotto ticket and Schenn stays close to home before coming back here in the offseason.

Never heard of him until now, however sounds very similar to Tryamkin in his earlier days. LD with size and good skating ability, however is a bit chaotic in his own zone which is more like Myers than Tryamkin. Sounds like a project D that would be worth if if we can get him to the AHL. If we can sign Tryamkin (2nd Pair opposite side), Livingstone (3rd Pair to start) and Pulli (AHL to start) it could be a good offseason regardless of the draft and other trades.

I would definitely prefer a premium asset for Schenn, but that may not be in the cards. If we look at Boston for example something like a 3rd + Ryan Mast it could be a good package. Mast is a big two way RD who could develop into a defensive guy for us. Definitely a bit of a stretch project, but gives us more options and then hopefully we can bring him back in the offseason.

Not sure an OEL move/buyout makes sense but certainly a Myers move does. There was early talk in the year of OEL or Hughes moving to the right side. Maybe we move Myers, acquire Chychrun and sign Tryamkin: Chychrun Hughes Ekman-Larsson Tryamkin Dermott Schenn Couple guys on their offsides but it’s probably fine

Definitely ready to see this again from our D. His speed and toughness opens a lot of space for OEL or Hughes to thrive.

We need you big Nik!!! Come save our D

Bellows hasn’t really shown anything at all and feels like a Michael Dal Colle situation all over again. Intrigued if PoolParty hits waivers but not so much for Bellows.

Only way that happens is by claiming him this year and having time to have a real discussion on a fair contract and his development. This would be assuming he shows us something in that audition.

True, but most of it goes to the Leafs anyways. Hard to hate a team as much as them.

Haha me too, except I don't actually mind the Oilers, just not a fan of the Flames who seem like our true division rivals. Here is actually a pretty good write up on it from the Oilers perspective. Actually sounds like a lot of situational issues more than the player himself. Also the highlight that he is actually defensively sound but the numbers aren't there this year. As mentioned at the bottom of the article as far as deal structure, I wonder if something like Puljujarvi + 2nd from Edmonton for Schenn would be an ideal setup. We get our high pick, Schenn gets to stay close-ish to home and Puljujarvi is a multi-month lotto ticket experiment that either works or doesn't. Article: https://oilersnation.com/news/if-jesse-puljujarvi-is-getting-traded-which-teams-are-likely-to-take-the-chance

That's valid and the GMs would have a better idea of whether he would have a negative impact on the team overall. We don't know enough on that aspect. I don't think 31 other teams have had the opportunity to take him for free yet, and I would wager a strong guess that Columbus may if given the opportunity as they have even less to lose.

If they are looking towards the future and moving Zuccarello out maybe they would consider a Greenway for Boeser swap. I think he would bring an element to our team that we don't have on the 3rd line with his size and ability. We can't afford to toss futures at this point however but could do a player swap. Joshua has proven to being able to play on the 3rd or 4th line this year, but if Lazar is a regular 3rd liner, then I think we have failed our re-tool.

If it was 3M beyond this year then of course we wouldn't do that, but it's only for this year (Pro-rated). Unless that cap is specifically for some other reason (Which it may be) then there is no risk to it.

I just think it's worth trying (Zero risk) based on the elements of what he can bring (Size, Speed and previous offensive ability). If he shows nothing more than Edmonton, then you waive him again or leave him unqualified. If we had guys that we should really showcase this year, I would be against it, but we need to not rush our guys into the NHL. Our farm team finally has prospects that are on an NHL trajectory over the next few years. The not gelling with McDavid and Drai seems like a major red flag, but at the point of development he was at, and with the Oilers wanting to be true contenders, then have zero buffer to try something longer (Similar to finding a Sedin winger previously). Edm has a similarly bad problem to us in not developing prospects very well (Outside of franchise or generational players who will succeed no matter what) because of allusions of being a contender, but it may be a unique opportunity where we have committed to a retool, more focus on development (With a fundamentals type coach), to give someone like him a chance. He has better raw skill and ability than Tolvanen and he turned it around immediately in a new environment.

These guys take priority I agree, but none of them should come up to the big club this year. They need consistency and to finish off the year in the AHL. Puljujarvi comes in on an audition to see if he was impacted by the Edmonton situation or if he just can't put it together at all. Based on that outcome you re-evaluate your depth chart, and if he just continues to be a major project, then you just release him. Nothing to lose here and his timeline of the rest of this year doesn't impact any core pieces of our future.

If we have a plan for the cap space this year, then sure that could take priority. If not, then I take a zero risk flyer on him to see if a different situation brings back the ability.

Agreed on nothing long term. Severson in my mind would be a 3 year deal but if someone offers 5-6 then we are out. We do need to avoid those while providing some stability for the team. To be honest, I am still a firm believer that OEL would perform to expectations with some defensive D insulation. I think he still has all of the abilities from previously, but our D is completely out of balance.

Complete agree in principle, however with RD being such an area of need, we need to look at multiple approaches. Draft RD (Who won't be ready for a couple years), sign Livingsone (Still not a guarantee), and augment with a strong veteran (Severson, E Johnson). Severson may not be the right guy, but we will likely need to look at this as part of the strategy. Team will need insulation and RD will be a need. No more long term winger contracts however.

I agree that his hockey IQ does seem to be at a Virtanen level, but doesn't have the other aspects of Virtanen off the ice. He has shown ability, so it could still be the system and environment too. Not a lot of forwards seem to stick in Edm outside of the core group (Yamamoto another example) which could be a sign of poor development. With zero risk and a decent potential, I still try him out for the remainder of the year.

Had the exact same feeling. I am a huge Bo fan (and still would have kept Bo over Miller) but given the current situation, moving Bo was the right call. He is still riding a high this season with a very strong offensive year, and it will continue for a while with the energy of moving to a new team. If Raty becomes at least a 3C, the Isles 1st becomes a productive NHLer, and Beau carries on being a strong middle 6 two way energy W, we win this deal. We also need to remember, that the cap difference between Bo and Beau could also give us the flexibility to sign someone like Severson, so there is potentially a UFA element from this with the cap space.

Completely agree on Boeser and Garland. They have been put in better positions to succeed and are doing better. Either they continue and stay or they build more value for a future trade. Either way, I don't think them moving or not has a direct impact on claiming Puljujarvi and seeing if another system changes his ability. I mean, he had 36 points in 65 points as a +22 (Sometimes an irrelevant stat), last season so he has proven he can produce. I think it's something within the Edm system that is not jiving.

Would certainly be nice, but that would only be if nobody was going to claim him. I am guessing that someone would. This could very easily be another Tolvanen situation (Except with a player with size and speed) where the situation wasn't right and then they thrive. I think that is worth the risk, unless there are bigger plans with the cap space we now have this year.

If we are talking about Garland and Boeser specifically, they are both playing close to the value of their contract. I think what we are trying to do is move them because they don't play with the pace we are striving for. The difficulty in moving them is that other teams may see the same and they have longer terms. Puljujarvi plays with a great amount of pace and is in the last year of his contract so if it doesn't work out we just release him. With a qualifying offer of 3+ M, we may just be able to have him sign a 1.5M x 2 type show me deal as he knows nobody would touch that qualifying offer. Absolutely zero risk in claiming him unless we feel we are blocking the progress of Dries or Di Guiseppe who are not part of the future plans.