Heres my take on what Holland needs to do for next season. I have been admittedly against moving futures and picks for this team, but now is the time to go all in (for long-term players) to take advantage of 97s upcoming prime years.
*hopeful Klefbom is back and healthy.
Trades
- Miller from VAN. I heard a few rumbling that he may be dealt. Not sure if there is any truth, but Oilers need top 6 LWs and Miller would be a perfect fit on 97s line. Figured a 1st was good value, since thats what VAN gave up and he has less years left on his deal.
- Seems like Jones is likely to go to Vegas. Decided to add on a good pick to take on the last 2 years of Neals deal. Would be fine making that deal with any team. I personally don't believe much is needed to flip the last 2 years of his deal, but if it proves to be difficult, we will just buy him out. I don't mind Neal, but between recovering from COVID and simply not getting put in the lineup, you got to imagine he is for sure gone. Tippett doesn't seem to love him in the lineup so really no place for him.
- Goaltending was not the Oilers shortcoming this season, but at this point in his career, Smith is a wildcard and Koskinen is not a reliable #1 guy. Oilers need to make a splash in the net. There has been lots of debate if Gibson were to ever be dealt, but I decided to swing for the fences. Im sure some ducks fans think it short, while some Oilers fans think its too heavy. But imo our top prospect who will be ready within the next 1.5 years in Broberg and a 1st rounder is a great haul for Gibson. A high price given what goalies have been dealt for in the past, but this would solidify our net for the next decade.
Signings
- Nuge deal is a lot less than what I would have given him at the beginning of the season. Seravalli mentioned it could be around $5.5M x 5 years. With his pretty mediocre play the last half of the season and the fact that he pretty much showed he can't carry a line on his own, I can't see him getting more. He is still a good complimentary guy, but complimentary guys don't get $6 or $7M+.
- Same goes with Larssons contract. I've heard he's in talks around the $3.5M range for 4 years. He played great this season but his effectiveness is limited. Fair deal for both teams.
- Coleman would be a perfect fit for the middle 6. Good offensive production but a pest-type player. Could easily see him in the top 6. I honestly don't know what a fair contract for Coleman is, but figured around $3M for 3-5 years is fair. If Holloway isn't ready, Coleman would have a really good look in the top 6.
- I'd like to see Koekkoek as the 6/7 dman. I thought that Tippett liked him but clearly lost some trust in the last game. Would love to see him back as a cheap bottom pairing or extra guy.
- The Dreidger contract is a stretch. With his success, I could see a lot of teams interested. But given that it was quite a small sample size, I could see some teams hesitant to give him term. I targeted him to be a really really high quality 1B to Gibson. Having a guy you can be confident in when the hypothetical Gibson needs a break would be huge. With Gibsons having a couple injuries recently, I feel like the long-erm outlook is to have a guy who can take 25-30 games in the regular season so he's fresh for the playoffs. If Dreidger were to have higher offers, I would be ok with Smith as a backup, playing like 20-25 games.
Lineups:
- Miller is the perfect fit for McDavids LW, and JP has had a great season. Hopefully with a better rounded line he can may get to the 40-50 pt mark.
- Holloway could look nice on the 2nd line. Obviously this is extremely optimistic, and if he's not ready, you have either Yamamoto or Coleman who can step up.
- 3rd line is a nasty 3rd line that could compete with that of Tampa and Winnipeg in terms of depth. That is where the Oilers big shortfall was the past few seasons. Depth that isn't at all offensively reliable.
- 4th line is well rounded. Realistically, guys like Kassian, Coleman, Yamamoto, could play anywhere in the lineup, which is nice.
- Ennis and Shore both brought back,. Great veteran guys who can be in and out of the lineup while still having a positive impact. Shore looked incredible in the playoffs.
- With Barrie likely chasing the bag, the plan is for Bouchard to step in his place. I don't think he can play the same minutes as Barrie in his first full season, but will for sure run the pp.
- Hopefully Klefbom is healthy and can play reduced minutes to ease him in. Doesn't have to worry about pp or pk early. Just play even strength until we know he's for sure 100%
- Lagesson and Larsson was a great shutdown pair this season. Larsson always seems to play well with other Swedes.
- Samorukov will likely get a look this upcoming season since the team needs to make a decision on him shortly. Koekkoek would be an ideal 7 who can play anywhere in the bottom 4 when needed.
Would love to hear everyones thoughts. Tough to really nail down contracts given this is the second year of COVID-era contracts and its pretty tough to judge exactly what people will get.
i think 2 things:
1. vancouver underpaid for miller because of tampa's cap issues
2. miller's stock has increased since the tampa-vancouver trade (which was miller for a 1st + 3rd, btw): in the two seasons miller has been on the canucks, miller has 118 points, leading the team by 24 points over that time. at 5.25 he's a bargain and definitely worth more than a 1st + 3rd
If the Ducks do trade Gibson they'd be getting more than this back, If not they dont trade him look at Price its pretty much the same scenario.
And they 100% would not be trading him in-division
Easy decline for ANA, No goalie trade in the history of the league can be used to think up a trade package, there has never been a goalie as good as Gibson signed to a contract as good as his traded in the history of the league (Roy doesn’t count he forced MTL to move him) If Gibson gets moved it would take a package not seen in the history of the league
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Holloway,
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