I've seen Jones-for-Kessel floated a couple times (very hard to judge, there's all of 0.5 Coyotes fans tbh) and I don't hate the deal for either side. Friedman reported there wasn't an asinine amount of value left in Kessel so I wonder if a favourable retention for the Oilers is feasible so long as Katz ponies up the cash for Kessel's signing bonus. Well over $3M in cash savings for the Coyotes on top of getting a top-4 quality defender to slot in behind Chychrun. I think Kessel starts in the top six but I'd be completely unsurprised and fine if Tippett reunites the DYNamite line and runs a Kessel-driven third line a la Pittsburgh en route to a Stanley Cup. I think both players fit in the roles interchangeably.
The protection list I'm working with leaves Seattle with the 'best' options of: Archibald, Khaira, Lagesson, Marody, K.Russell, Shore, and Turris. As I see it, Lagesson and Marody are the best exposed options for the Kraken to choose from. At the expense of a prospect that COULD go the Marino route, Cairns bridges the gap in incentive between Lagesson and Marody and entices the Kraken to tolerate a year of Turris. Getting even a C-prospect when there's virtually nothing of value exposed by the Oilers (save for a UFA selection but I primarily reserve these to be bad expansion selections, just sign them a week later nbd) should be considered a bonus.
The Islanders are facing a tremendous cap crunch and the Oilers have a need for a short-term LHD (sounds like Klefbom isn't coming back) and a reliable goaltender. I worked out this trade with a pair of Isles fans in a separate AGM and this deal worked itself out to be the consensus offer: I proposed the Oilers 2022 1st and small complimentary pieces, they countered with McLeod+Stalock, so I met in the middle with Marody+Stalock. I often struggle to place Cooper on the roster and Holland doubling down on Shore only added to my woes. Thus, Marody and Stalock come into Long Island as cheap complimentary pieces that result in almost $9M in cap savings for the Islanders. Because Varly comes with term, I'm much more content moving next year's first for the pair of rentals than any one player (obvious exceptions).
There's a likewise cap crunch coming in Colorado: I've been seeing Compher being moved for marginal returns for a bit now and can't help but wonder if the Oilers could upgrade on Khaira at #3C and find their ever-desired RHC in one move. If Compher is relegated to the 4th line next year, Khaira offers a much more realistic fit for the role while bringing higher PK upside. Edmonton gets the player more suited to a #3C role and picks are swapped accordingly. I think there's a fit but it might take a bit more refining in the value department. What I like about this acquisition is that it gives Tippett the opportunity to run Holloway and Compher as the centerman on their line for strong-side draws (I think there's some really worthwhile utility in at least developing Holloway as a center) while Yamamoto can capitalize on their two-way playstyles and learn to play more aggressively. This move also suppresses McLeod from prematurely rising and allows him to focus more on the PK-side of his game.
The Koskinen dump is strictly that. Recency bias, failure from the Oilers' coaching staff, and a few untimely games have Koskinen going for a fraction of his value; I will not be surprised if Mikko ends up a Vezina candidate in Nashville. I'm not after Novak in particular, just a name I can plug into the #1C slot in Bakersfield for the season and the accompanying cap relief. Being the oldest man in their system, I suspect that Predators fans won't be too off-put by the value in this trade. For the record, I prefer only having the dead cap for this year, not this and next: I'm very anti-buyout in Koskinen's case.
Schwartz gets the one-year Barrie treatment. His is a name that I suspect wants to rebound significantly after last year's mediocre performance and would be a perfect candidate to look for bigger dollars as a 30 year-old than at 29.
I have the Oilers drafting (G) Sebastian Cossa 20th overall so long as the Red Wings don't ruin everything and trade up to 19th. Otherwise gimme (LW) Brennan Othmann and send him straight to the AHL.
Edmonton goes into the next offseason with about $18.25M in UFA/dead cap coming off the books and no more than $8.25M owed in raises to the expiring RFAs. $10M for the two roster vacancies next year. Very exciting.
Kessel is only owed $1M in actual salary, thus Arizona is only spending $425k on this retention (factoring the Leafs' 15% as well) unless I'm mistaken.
Always appreciate your insights. Really interested by the Islanders trade and think that would be a great move for the Oilers. I wonder if Kessel would want to come to Edmonton but if so would love to have him he should score you 20 plus every year. I do have a hard time believing NYI or ARI is that all it takes but love the roster. Also think Tatar may be more realistic then Schwartz
Always appreciate your insights. Really interested by the Islanders trade and think that would be a great move for the Oilers. I wonder if Kessel would want to come to Edmonton but if so would love to have him he should score you 20 plus every year. I do have a hard time believing NYI or ARI is that all it takes but love the roster. Also think Tatar may be more realistic then Schwartz
I'm pretty sure I'm the one who offered this, and I like it. I think the Oilers should add more. Maybe change Marody to McLeod or add a 2022 3rd.
I'm pretty sure I'm the one who offered this, and I like it. I think the Oilers should add more. Maybe change Marody to McLeod or add a 2022 3rd.
Taking $10.5M from a cap-strapped team for two 1-year rentals shouldn't cost that much. In this league you never get FMV when you're hard up against the cap (see Schmidt to VCR last summer).
Taking $10.5M from a cap-strapped team for two 1-year rentals shouldn't cost that much. In this league you never get FMV when you're hard up against the cap (see Schmidt to VCR last summer).
Well Vegas didn't have to sign Pietrangelo, but I get what you're saying. I'd take the presented deal, just was hoping for a bit more.