Edmonton Oilers

[metaldude26]

Curious as to why benson hasn't had a real shot in the bigs yet. Yamo has skill, but couldn't stay healthy and still has got the body of a teenager. Maybe the speed of Kialer is what pushed him farther in hollands eyes, and maybe Benson's turn is yet to come this season. Still so many passengers on this team, wouldn't be surprised to see him soon if things are still going south.

Uncertain, as I'd have assumed Benson would be the first forward call up. I presume it's because the team is REALLY invested in Yamamoto having picked him in R1. I also wonder if his recent run of goals in 4 straight in the AHL had any impact.

[chuckcouples]

Uncertain, as I'd have assumed Benson would be the first forward call up. I presume it's because the team is REALLY invested in Yamamoto having picked him in R1. I also wonder if his recent run of goals in 4 straight in the AHL had any impact.

One reason that Yamamoto may have been called up first is because the Condors coach, Jay Woodcroft, has called Yamamoto an elite penalty killer.

[Axeman33]

One reason that Yamamoto may have been called up first is because the Condors coach, Jay Woodcroft, has called Yamamoto an elite penalty killer.

Interesting. Killing penalties hasnt been an issue this year, as much as getting secondary scoring. Either way, it will be interesting to see how Yamamoto fairs on the 2nd line.

[chuckcouples]

Interesting. Killing penalties hasnt been an issue this year, as much as getting secondary scoring. Either way, it will be interesting to see how Yamamoto fairs on the 2nd line.

Penalty killing wasn't an issue to start the season but it's been terrible for the past month or so. It's at less than 70% over the past 10 games (16/23).

[Dennis]

I was worried for a bit there

Jonathan Willis‏ @JonathanWillis

Oscar Klefbom is on the ice.

[metaldude26]

Klefbom may play but if he's limited, go straight into tank mode.

[Axeman33]

Lets see how much he gets overpaid.

https://twitter.com/Sportsnet/status...399549955?s=19

The Oilers and Zack Kassian are close to an extension. ��

https://t.co/jmzqCFOzzT

[metaldude26]

Lets see how much he gets overpaid.

https://twitter.com/Sportsnet/status...399549955?s=19

So conflicted. He's easy to root for. Would love for him to stick around a couple more seasons. And you can't begrudge him getting paid. On the other hand, he's so obviously being propped up in a situation where virtually anyone would produce. And has the type of profile where any deal is bound to be regrettable the second he gets re-signed. I'm betting something in the Micheal Ferland range.

[Axeman33]

So conflicted. He's easy to root for. Would love for him to stick around a couple more seasons. And you can't begrudge him getting paid. On the other hand, he's so obviously being propped up in a situation where virtually anyone would produce. And has the type of profile where any deal is bound to be regrettable the second he gets re-signed. I'm betting something in the Micheal Ferland range.

I'd be ok with $3M for 3 yrs but I'm afraid it's going to he closer to $4 for 4 yrs.

[ericdaoust]

$3 million would be below the league average cap hit so if that option is available then it's tough to say no. The only risk is the rest of the team not being set up well cap-wise so they can't afford to be wasting any dollars.

[metaldude26]

My forecast for the season ahead puts them at roughly $75M, with mostly the same task as last off-season; rebuild the bottom-6, acquire a backup goaltender, be patient and allow bad money to expire.

Neal - McDavid - Kassian
Nuge - Draisaitl - Yamamoto
? - ? - ?
Khaira - ? - Chiasson

Nurse - Bear
Klefbom - Larsson
Jones - Bouchard
Russell - ?

Koskinen - ?

*

A few assumptions in here:

Nurse and Bear combine for roughly $12M on the cap. I have Nurse at $7M (somewhere between what Trouba and Morrissey got) and hoping he comes in cheaper. Bear at $5M on a long term deal comparable to what Klefbom/Larsson got out of their ELCs. They could go bridge but Bear seems like a good one to bet on, and they have enough wiggle room to spend up on a longer deal to save more in the long run.

Kassian in at $3.5M, right around the Ferland contract.

Bouchard makes the leap. If not him then one of their other young defensemen (Lagesson, Persson, etc). I'd bet Bouchard gets incubated until Christmas before forcing his way up.

Neal can continue to offer enough to not get bought out. I think he's done enough to buy another season. He shouldn't be a top-6 guy but until we see otherwise he gets penciled in.

*

This would set the Oilers up to spend a little bit more on their bottom-6. That probably means retaining some of the hits like Nygard and Haas at pricier deals (hopefully not too pricey) but could also allow them to splurge a little on depth scoring. The market isn't great and you're more liable to make mistakes there but Colorado did great in that mid-tier market where the Oilers should be shopping.

[Axeman33]

I've seen the good Bear early on, and the not so good Bear the past 4 weeks or so. The not so good has been scary.

I hope your numbers are high and they come in a lot lower than you anticipate. I haven't seen anything from Nurse that makes me feel hes worth anything more than what Provorov or Morrissey are about to make.

[metaldude26]

Mark Spector
@SportsnetSpec
·
4m
Likely range on Kassian contract: four years, with an AAV of $3.25-$3.5 million.

[Axeman33]

Mark Spector
@SportsnetSpec
·
4m
Likely range on Kassian contract: four years, with an AAV of $3.25-$3.5 million.

I'll take that. Wish it was only 3 yrs but the money is doable.

[ericdaoust]

I'd rather pay $500k more and get a shorter term. Four years might be problematic. Shouldn't be as much of an issue short-term though.