Really interesting AGM here 👍

"a [#1G] without one foot in retirements door"

So true well said lol

I think the Canes want to aim higher then Alex Stalock, but I'm assuming that is a deal for any team

So much money spent and still no depth

Canes will resign Ned, but will likely resign Reimer rather than Mrazek. If they don’t resign one of their pending UFA goalies then they will most likely go for a cheap veteran to help mentor Ned. Halak, Brossoit, or Bernier would seem like the most logical and best options for the canes to go after if the situation warrants. Stalock isn’t that bad, but canes will aim higher. Plus why give up a pick when you could just claim him via waivers.

Thanks!

I found the Sorokin offer sheet idea intriguing. Other than Tampa, no team is in greater cap hell than the Islanders for next season and beyond. Maybe some one does the unthinkable and nabs a young starter.

The RHD and the bottom 6 is arguably weaker than this years. McLeod isn't ready for fulltime 3rd line center. He'll get his head kicked in on a daily basis.

The Oilers need more than a developing goalie and a overage goalie.

Sorokin is an interesting goalie to target. The isles might have a bit of trouble matching that AND keeping their core intact with the signings that need to be done. If I am Holland, I would split my forward core into a high octane offensive top six and a high octane defensive bottom six that can still chip in offensively. You would want your top six in the defensive zone as little as possible. A couple of players that would really help this team, specifically in a bottom six role, would include Haula, Glendening, but also McGinn. Haula and Glendening are extremely good at defensive zone draws and can also kill penalties, which is but of a weakness for this team. McGinn is a highly skilled winger who can play up and down the lineup depending on the situation. He is also really good at killing penalties. I think if this were taken into account the Oilers would be more of a cup contender than this season.

Is that commentary on spending 12 million on 2 top 6 forwards, or the 7 million invested in Sorokin? Cuz given Holland's attempt to land Markstrom last year (when the had no money), I think he's definitely gonna see what he can commit to as far as goaltending is concerned . . . Smith payed great and I think he's sincere when he says he wants to bring him back, but he's 40 . . . come on. (Let me add, I don't seriously think he would offer sheet Sorokin, but have to admit it is intriguing)

As far as forwards/depth scoring, rumor has it (Dreger) that the Oilers have serious interest in Hyman but I'm not convinced he leaves Toronto unless the dollars are excessive. Schwarts, too, to a lesser degree, but his tenacity, scoring ability, and Stanley Cup ring are worth the price. I liked him at 6 more than the Nuge. Yeah the depth options are depressingly underwhelming (you know, pretty much what Holland has done for the past several seasons!)

What do people think of the Ho-Sang add? He's good friends with McDavid and thought maybe Holland would take a flyer on him, see what he does with an opportunity and even the chance to play with the best of the best!

I believe Holland goes shopping for a starter, similar to last off-season. I also wouldn't be surprised if he takes a run at Grubauer. If he does chase a 'tender, is that more your preference??

Or would you prefer he run with Smith and Koskinen one more year??

No, I'm so over Smith and Koskinen, I believe Smith earned the right for another 1 year contract but i would run him as number 1.

Given Holland went hard after Markstrom my guess is he's going to be looking at a few goalies, some of them I've heard are....Kuemper & Gibons I haven't heard of Grubauer but I wouldn't be surprised if he takes a look at him as well.

I think the first two names are a huge possibility though.

I like your team, just the bottom 6 needs a bit of balance IMHO.

Good job.

I like it!! Great input. I considered Haula but not McGinn. Great points. Glendening was of intrigue, also, cuz I know there was chatter about Edmonton needing a RH center who can win draws, but I am just so adverse to Holland making moves where he brings in former Red Wings! (Wouldn't shock me in the least if his big goalie add is Mrazek this off-season!! LOL) All that aside, it would kind of remind me of a few years ago when they had Boyd Gordon. Seemed like he was just there to win a draw, then pulled off the ice as fast as possible. But I digress.

Hey thanks. Yeah, that bottom 6 looks like more of the same, doesn't it? Ran out of money!! LOL

The problem if if you look at all the teams that made the top 8, they all had depth 3+ solid lines. Edmonton had 1.5 lines in the playoffs and like 3 D that they rode into the ground. Schwartz had lower ppg then Bozak on the same team so I don't think he is due a 6M contract, maybe he gets the Barrie/Hoffman contract before a 6M commitment. When it comes down to it when you have top 2 C making 21M dollars your top 6 wingers need to be bargains if you want to fill out a contending roster. If those 2 wingers make 4.5-5M instead of 6 maybe you can afford an actual #3C and push McLeod to #3LW/#4C while he develops.

Some very good points. Thanks. Other than the McDavid/Draisaitl draw, I just know that Edmonton is not a tremendously appealing landing spot for top UFA's. They fair better than other clubs (ahem, Jets!) but I still think they have to overpay for a lot of top talent. Might be tough to get those players to leave good situations if the money is negligible. (?) Barrie, to me, was a rare exception. He was basically chased out of Toronto and needed a situation that he could excel in and land a future pay day. (I tell you, if he's re-signed but they walk away from Larsson, it will be a sad day, IMO. Give Bouchard his shot in that role, already!!) But I do agree, a little more wealth spread around the forwards may well have been the way to go! I like a lot of what evelutions2 suggested, in that regard.

Guess I just had too much fun with my imaginary offer sheet on Sorokin and forgot to address the bottom 6!!

Hm. Idk. I'd assume they'd go Mrazek > Reimer

4 years younger, better numbers recently, etc.

Seems very likely even tbh

I like your thinking, but throwing that kind of money at a less than guaranteed return comes with massive risk. For 1, Sorokin has only played 1 NHL season, with a comrade for moral and mentoring-support, and behind a very structured, veteran team. As well, he turns 26 in the summer, so he isn't a young pro. At this time there are zero Russians on the Oilers roster (Kulikov will not be brought back).

In comparison, Chris Driedger is 27 and has played well over 2 seasons, he is a Western Canadian and will be a fraction of the cost and will sign a 3 or 4 year deal.

Also, the Oilers prospect pool is so shallow... . They need to keep their picks while they can. When they are Cup contenders, they will really need their youth to come in to provide good, cheap reinforcements when they are up against the cap.

Totally agree with that assessment . . . would definitely be a high risk move (and not for one second do I think Holland would ever have the Huevos to do it!) but I'll also add that investing big term and dollar in ANY goalie seems a risky proposition in todays NHL. From one year to the next, teams seem to love or hate those contracts---mind you that seems to extend contracts in ANY position---except that goaltending is such a key position, and mistakes are so glaring!

I'd be worried Driedger is a flash in the pan.