Some of my afternoon classes have been cancelled today, so I have a window to put down some thoughts that have been knocking around inside my head to paper.
Holland's *close* to being finished with the roster as a whole: past allusions, Friedman's notes in the most recent 31 Thoughts, and things we've heard directly from the Oilers suggest that moving Chiasson and maybe a minor move to balance the organization are all that remain for Old Dutch before the season starts in January.
I think the notion of Bjork for Chiasson is ridiculous at best, but I've seen a Chiasson-Ritchie deal kicked around often enough that I could live with. I like that he's cheap, physical, and has club control should Edmonton want to extend him. I also believe that he could fit a role on this team that Kassian hasn't been able to yet: the Maroon Role (trademark pending). Ritchie isn't a burner, but the only thing bigger than him on the ice most nights is the zamboni: all this young man has to do is emulate Maroon entirely. When McDavid has the puck, haul your big ass to the net and keep it there. We know McDavid thrives with big power forward-types that can either make space or create traffic, and there could be a buy-low chance on Ritchie here that finds McDavid that exact type of winger for years to come.
The Wells trade is my own brand of big-braining the idea of the Canadian NHL teams and their AHL affiliates being in their own division for the condensed season: the Condors roster has a slight deficit up front and one too-many goaltenders. Rodrigue is going to be carried by the Condors as their #3: he's at worst as good as Wells is today, and has a much higher ceiling. Should injury occur or Forsberg is up with the big club, there's no time to wait on Rodrigue to self-isolate as he comes from the ECHL to the Canadian Bubble. If estimates of 48-56 games for the NHL (and affiliate) are accurate, there's going to be plenty of overlap for all five goaltenders to see games. Carpenter is a newer add to the Islanders' system, but might be the odd man out with so many of the Isle's drafted prospects being poised to play outside of the NHL this year. I think his average first year in the AHL might make him expendable, as they only have one goaltender ready for the AHL.
My lines are indicative of how I think the Oilers are going to start the season. By about game 15 I think we'll see a more-or-less permanent shift to Koekkoek, Puljujarvi, and Ritchie being elevated over Ennis, Kassian, and Russell. Kassian hasn't filled the Maroon role well enough and I believe that Puljujarvi has a hell of a lot to give in a proper top-six role with better coaching. I think the same can be said about the power play units: I think age is really going to start to show with Neal and he won't be as effective as possible in his given role. I think a transition to two units of:
Puljujarvi - Draisaitl - Ritchie
Barrie - McDavid
Yamamoto - Turris - Neal
Bear - RNH
is inevitable. Ritchie provides a very much-needed net front presence on the top unit and Puljujarvi was factory-built to be the shooter on this unit. The second unit can capitalize more on playmaking and the cycle.
UsingCharting Hockey's WAR lineup creator, fudging with personal details, and taking into a few considerations, I have Edmonton slated to finish third in the Canadian Division behind the Leafs and Jets, which automatically makes them a playoff team. I have them trading their 1st round selection in 2021 for multiple selections outside of the 1st round (two 2nds-ish, possibly as part of a larger deal with Seattle involving Kassian). I think they upset their way all the way through the division beating both the Jets and the Leafs, but are promptly walloped by their third round opponent.
McDavid scores at a 1.61pt/GP pace, and Draisaitl maintains his form and scores anywhere between 74-86 points over the condensed season. I think the Canadian division is going to have a fit trying to contain these two.
Which minor-league LW would be available? I struggled over this personally, as I know the drafted prospects are untouchable and that Koivula couldn't be the first name I considered, as his results were better.
It doesn't make sense for Edmonton to trade a prospect for Jobst or Bardreau: those are guys the Oilers could just sign to a deal. Is is Durandeau? I was under the impression that the Isles would value him higher than Carpenter.
Quoting: Bcarlo25
Uhhhhh okay then. It’s a way of saying he accepts on the phone. No deliberation. No call backs. No counter.
*Sweeney accepts before you end your intentionally made phone call.*
No I get that, but neither team is getting a good player here. Both are gambling on a percieved upside. Not sure why you're acting like Sweeney's getting away with murder here.
The Islanders currently dont need a goaltender for the AHL, They Have Cory Schneider and Skarek. They are more likely going to invite an ATO then trade for another goaltender.
Which minor-league LW would be available? I struggled over this personally, as I know the drafted prospects are untouchable and that Koivula couldn't be the first name I considered, as his results were better.
It doesn't make sense for Edmonton to trade a prospect for Jobst or Bardreau: those are guys the Oilers could just sign to a deal. Is is Durandeau? I was under the impression that the Isles would value him higher than Carpenter.
Why not just get a late pick in return? Holland needs more picks next draft and it seems like his scouting staff is pretty good at picking up late round potential.
Why not just get a late pick in return? Holland needs more picks next draft and it seems like his scouting staff is pretty good at picking up late round potential.
The Islanders don't have picks to trade, and I don't know if Wells is the kind of prospect you can turn into a pick. Thinking more a lateral swap of C-prospects between two teams.
Quoting: KrisBeKreame
The Islanders currently dont need a goaltender for the AHL, They Have Cory Schneider and Skarek. They are more likely going to invite an ATO then trade for another goaltender.
Teams are going to want at least 5 organizational goaltenders for the upcoming season if everything's going the way we've been told. Cory's your #3, and Skarek's a fine prospect. Who's the 5th?
The Islanders don't have picks to trade, and I don't know if Wells is the kind of prospect you can turn into a pick. Thinking more a lateral swap of C-prospects between two teams.
They have a full array of picks, 1 per round. Maybe you can't get one, but they're there.
Which minor-league LW would be available? I struggled over this personally, as I know the drafted prospects are untouchable and that Koivula couldn't be the first name I considered, as his results were better.
It doesn't make sense for Edmonton to trade a prospect for Jobst or Bardreau: those are guys the Oilers could just sign to a deal. Is is Durandeau? I was under the impression that the Isles would value him higher than Carpenter.
No I get that, but neither team is getting a good player here. Both are gambling on a percieved upside. Not sure why you're acting like Sweeney's getting away with murder here.
This line of thinking is very much clouded with the small sample size he had with the Bruins. His numbers with the Ducks are fine for what Edmonton needs.
Hot take mcdavid and drai both drop 100s but the team is only 5-10 wins over .500
Not sure how both guys manage 100+ points in a 48-56 game season (would be thrilled if they did).
If both guys have similar p/gp rates as I have above, this team finishes with a P% effectively identical to what they had last season, even when considering the loss of Klefbom.
This line of thinking is very much clouded with the small sample size he had with the Bruins. His numbers with the Ducks are fine for what Edmonton needs.
Hated him an anaheim too. Hated the trade. He’s not an NHL player.