No massive cap dumps, no blockbuster trades, just sticking to Holland's plan of getting out of the Chiarelli mess one step at a time.
Plays by the rules that the media has been letting slip: Holland wants back into the second round, a Puljujarvi contract is very close, Bouchard should be in the NHL, and upgrading the goaltending is paramount. Tweaks to the blue line and forwards are a given. I have however, maintained Tippett's structure of a garbage-minutes, "we're paid to play defense" third line and a sheltered fourth line. Given all of the loan contracts we're seeing, I'm starting to think the proposal of the AHL returning to play is quickly becoming nil given the outbreak numbers below the border: this is the only reason I'm opting for Benson on this roster, as pre-covid I thought he should have been a mid-season call-up for this season. No real point in loaning him overseas for half a season, time to see what we've got.
I did however, sign a few AHL deals in case some arrangement is made for the minor league to start up again. Better to have a guy you could call up to the press box than have to trade for one.
Historical cap dumps aren't a reality for this team: Russell's money must naturally expire via Bjugstad next off-season and Seattle will be needed to levy the Neal contract. Depending on Kassian's performance this season, a buyout could be a likely scenario, as the penalty is cheaper than Neal's throughout its lifespan and doesn't actually cost Katz any more than an ELC in years 2 and 4-6.
Someone asked why I prefer Mysak over a guy like Peterka or Reichel at #22: I think Mysak is further ahead of both Germans in terms of development. His NHLe is higher than the DEL youngsters and I really like that he's a shoot-first player with a two-way mentality. Reiterating the point I made in a previous AGM, the math suggests Pastrnak-lite. Proper development and potential chemistry with one of Edmonton's world-beating pivots could result in Mysak reaching that Pastrnak-tier of wingers. I don't see that in either Reichel or Peterka: Peterka is still very, very raw and plays too much like a play-maker for my liking, and I believe the ceiling on Reichel to be lower. I'm not apt to draft them so they can be countrymen buddies with Draisaitl. Take the better player. I also like that he's not under contract anywhere for next season, meaning Edmonton could in theory sign and loan him to a European club for October-through-December, then play him in the AHL after the World Juniors - should either actually occur. Long story short, math and I prefer the player, and I like that he can take a Nylander-esque development path.
Really glad Puljujarvi's back. I think he hits 50 points in this kind of role and Holland becomes a Messiah in Edmonton. I even think this team has enough in the tank to really push Vegas around in the second round, but Colorado reigns supreme at the Western Conference Final. Absolutely a leap forward with no blockbuster changes.
You could probably get a bit more for Larsson than just Johnsson. Probably a more proven top 6 forward or a piece included with him (if it's the Leafs maybe Petan/Malgin/Bracco).
You could probably get a bit more for Larsson than just Johnsson. Probably a more proven top 6 forward or a piece included with him (if it's the Leafs maybe Petan/Malgin/Bracco).
Larsson isn't worth hardly anything. He isn't good and hasn't been for years. He's over paid and not worth Johnsson