Simpleton
Joined: Jun. 2017
Posts: 1,365
Likes: 502
Having just gone through a second surgery to repair his scaphoid, it is unrealistic to expect Holloway to play in Edmonton this season, he and Lavoie may be joining the team for 2022-23. Ceci should not be expected to play top pairing minutes, the cast is set with Barrie playing along side Nurse until Bouchard surpasses him in a year or two. Besides, Ceci thrived in a lesser role, while in Pittsbugh and the Oilers should be doing everything possible to help him repeat that success. If Puiljujarvi continues his developmental trajectory, taking him off McDavid's line will be a mistake, regardless of whether Holland acquires a player like Rakell. On that note, its been some time since Rakell has been the outstanding player he used to be. He might be a good TDL pickup, if the cost makes sense and if both Yamamoto and Kassian struggle again this season. Otherwise, I think the Oilers are better off looking to upgrade their goaltending and adding at least one big, nasty veteran shut-down defender with good playoff experience. Stolarz is not the goaltender Edmonton needs to add for that purpose.