With how vaccinations are accelerating in Canada and the general openness of the States right now, taxi rosters are going to be moot next season: trade Stalock to the Lightning for a minor piece - AHL or a 7th - and let Broberg and Holloway play in California. Turris can join them to keep his cap savings.

Samorukov is much more likely to see NHL icetime than Broberg: Dima was effective in the world's second best league before being forced out due to injury while Broberg finished his SHL stint on the bottom pair and limited usage. Samorukov's experience on North American ice is a substantial advantage for the young defender. Both should likely start in Bakersfield however.

Given the rumours regarding a Larsson extension in and around $3.75M/4y, I genuinely think that Holland might actually be willing to walk away from Barrie. Or the organization is going to make a massive mistake in trading Bear for pennies on the dollar and double-down on Barrie. I don't mind the Nemeth deal but it definitely opens up complications if Klefbom does indeed return next season.

If Smith comes back next year it needs to be at a discount: I never recommend betting on 40 year-old NHL players, nevermind goaltenders at that age. He needs to be financially moveable, be it by way of burying or dumping in a trade should the Oilers need to upgrade on him midseason. $1.05M or less.

I don't like the Armia signing. I'd rather see Kassian demoted to the 4th line and a better #3RW brought in. That's something the savings from Larsson>Barrie and a cheaper Smith can address.

Ullmark is arguably the best option for teams looking for a young starter. I think he's getting close to 5 mill or 5 years of term on the open market.

I think RNH is gone. His options in EDM are to be a bottom 6 C, or play LW, this guy is a centre and teams will covet him. Minnesota and Columbus come to mind.

Tatar would make a lot of sense, the familiarity with Holland. Schwartz could be a fit too

Apparently Taxi rosters are going to be modified to still exist in some capacity as some form of convenience for teams, but I'm not fully informed there.

Good to know about Samorukov. I know Broberg has been highly touted for awhile so I appreciate you telling me who's better right now. They'll both likely be playing in Bakersfield next year anyway.

Thanks too for informing me re: Larsson extension. I didn't know where they were with him. I agree I think Barrie had the luxury of getting secondary assists on two of the best players in the world, and also that Bear is SUPER valuable and underrated he's improved so much especially in the analytic department. He's the next top RHD imo for them, with either Nurse or Klefbom.

Apparently Smith is for sure coming back next season if they can agree on a contract. I think value-wise what you're saying makes sense but if his pitch his he's been playing great and will be insurance for whomever else they bring in it could be closer to $1.5 mil.

The Armia signing was me going with a more two-way bottom six winger to replace someone like Ennis, Chiasson or Kahun. I agree though if they go the better route and don't bother with Barrie then I would sign a better 3RW and bury Kassian on an improved fourth line

I agree I thought of Schwartz but he just hasn't been as offensively dynamic as other options recently. I do think Ullmark could get $5 mil on the open market, but considering he's still a little unproven and goalies are generally underpaid I don't think the above contract is unreasonable.

This is a better post than most articles written about the NHL on all levels which says a lot about both of those things at the end of the day

Driedger as a career .929 in a small sample size so far though is likely to be at worst as good as Ullmark who is really just ok ultimately and at best likely elite

Out of curiosity what does it mean when your username goes green?
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Armia is the best 3rd line RW in the league, he'd be a great signing for the Oilers.

A 0.34ppg average says otherwise.

3rd liners produce that much.

And the reason we can't have a half-point-per-game winger in that role instead is?

those seem like all reasonable targets. Personally, salaries are too high for Barrie and Nuge.... too low for Nemeth & Armia. Both taking significant paycuts? Smith deserves that modest raise!

I think we need to revamp LW completely, but I wonder what the development plan is for Holloway with big, long terms deals for Nuge, Tatar & Coleman? Or do you play him at center behind 97, 29 and McLeod. Just a consideration. Big salaries with big term are tough to move - something to consider with those 3 new contracts on LW. Id start holloway in AHL, but he might only need half a season and then what?

D hasnt improved enough to think we'll challenge for the cup. Its a dilemma for me and i have no strong feelings. I like Barrie, Bear, Larsson & Bouchard........... but not enough room for all three until injury! I like Nemeth, One thing we lack on D (Stauffer says its coming) is wingspan. Besides Darnell, everyone is "normal" size. We could use a guy more of it and move Russell to 7th Dman.... with Broberg & sam in the minors to start. Guys from winning organizations is important - Oleksiak, McNabb.... i know, they dont grow on trees. Hard to get them on a 1 or 2 year deal too. But the D hasnt improved enough for playoffs.... maybe improve that at deadline..... i guess.

Jujar. So good on PK. Size. So bad on faceoffs. Defensive guy and completely loses man in game 3 on goal #3. ive mixed feelimgs about him coming back. Be more interested in Rightie center who can take draws instead of 29 on PK. Sutter? Glendening? Bozek? Bozek would be my pick on a 1 yaer, inexpensive deal and hope he doesnt contract Belanger-Turris syndrome.

All in all not bad..... have you added enough scoring in bottom 6 with Coleman & Armia? D needs significant upgrade on left side for playoffs.

Who's the 3rd line winger you're getting that's going to put up half a point a game with 3rd line minutes??