Another trade deadline comes and goes. At the start of the season I felt like this deadline would be a terrible one due to so many teams would be up against the cap but boy was I wrong. Some shocking moves during the day and now that it is at a close I will review the moves that the Oilers did before the deadline.
Ilya Bryzgalov to the Wild for a 4th round pick in 2014
It seemed as if Bryz would not be here next season so Edmonton ended up offering him to the Wild. In the end the two sides came into agreement and Bryz was shipped off. He did well in his time here but MacT knew that he would not sign so he ended up flipping him for a mid round pick which is fine by me. I never expected any teams to be interested in Bryz the first place. That opened up a goalie spot which led to the next trade.
Viktor Fasth acquired for a 3rd round pick in 2015 and a 5th round pick in 2014
This is a pretty good trade for Edmonton. They got another goalie who at the very least can provide solid goaltending while splitting with Scrivens. Also the price was nothing substantial at all which also makes this trade a good one. It seems as if MacT has hopefully resolved our goalie problem now. It makes it better to solve this now because he can concentrate on other problems than our goalie now. My only concern is the lack of experience but I have confidence that they will be a solid duo.
Hemsky (at 50%) to the Senators for a 3rd round in 2015 and a 5th round in 2014
This is a trade that probably benefits Hemsky the most. He has provided great service to the team but both the player and GM knew it is time to move on for both parties. The value some may feel is very low but thats what happens when a player becomes very injury prone and does not produce like he should their value will diminish quickly like Hemsky's did. In the end I am fine with this trade and I hope that Hemmer is able to succeed in Ottawa. I think his final game helped his case for Ottawa!
Nick Schultz to the Blue Jackets for a 5th round pick in 2014
Nick Schultz who originally came over in the Gilbert trade looked like we got a good defensemen but slowly he regressed. He had become a bottom pairing defensemen who we over played quite a bit at times. I feel like he is a solid 6th defensemen and will be a good trade for Columbus. It is good that we got something for him because we were not resigning him. Also this gives a chance for Klefbom (who has played well via various reports) to get some NHL action.
This has been a decent deadline for the Oilers. They were able to solve their goaltending problems and push it to the side. They also got rid of some of the players that they were not going to sign. I did not expect MacT to fill any holes that we have because most of our holes that need filling require major pieces that most teams are unwilling to trade during the season. In terms of the rest of the season I hope that Edmonton is able to finish out the season with a strong performance.
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Bryzgalov traded. Fasth to Edmonton? UPDATE: Oilers acquire Fasth
Bryzgalov has been traded to the Wild for a fourth rounder in 2014. It is also rumoured that the Oilers will acquire Fasth from Anaheim. Sounds like Oilers have their goaltending duo for next year. I will update this post with more analysis later tonight!
UPDATE: Fasth has been traded to Edmonton for a 3rd round pick in 2015 and a 5th round pick in 2014. It seems as if Edmonton has found their goaltending duo for next season. Analysis will be up by tonight.
UPDATE: Fasth has been traded to Edmonton for a 3rd round pick in 2015 and a 5th round pick in 2014. It seems as if Edmonton has found their goaltending duo for next season. Analysis will be up by tonight.
Monday, March 3, 2014
Scrivens Extension and Markov Rumours
Scrivens providing stellar goaltending as of late. (Photo Credits: CBC)
It is a good day for Scrivens who got resigned by Edmonton to a 2 year contract worth 2.3 million per year. Scrivens has provided solid goaltending for the Oilers and has kept in games which the Oilers have no business being in (59 save shutout performance). This is a good deal for both the team and player and is very good money wise. Now it remains to be seen whether Scrivens is the Oilers starter. With this deal being done and Bryzgalov being offered to Minnesota, I expect Scrivens to get the majority of the starts until the end of season. I can see the Oilers looking for another goalie and going with 1A/1B and hoping that a starter can emerge from that. Until then though lets hope that Scrivens keeps up his stellar play in net.
Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun says that Edmonton has made a pitch for Andrei Markov. I do not think the Oilers even have a chance of getting Markov. It also seems unusual that the Oilers would be trying to spend assets on a UFA when they are out of the playoff picture. It would make more sense for Edmonton to go after him in the offseason instead of trying to get him right now. I also highly doubt that Markov would want to come Edmonton (unless we throw lots of cash at him) because of the state the team is in and it does not look like we will be contending anytime soon. It would be nice to get Markov but it is nothing than a pipe dream at the moment.
Saturday, March 1, 2014
Upcoming Preview of Trade Deadline
It is this time of year where fans are all anxious to wait and see what their favourite team does leading up to the trade deadline. This time of year is where teams who are in the playoff race tend to acquire players to help them make the playoffs and to help win the ultimate prize in the Stanley Cup. Unfortunately the Edmonton Oilers go into this years deadline as a seller once again to the dismay of Oilers fans. The Oilers play did not help them this year and it seems as if this team has regressed in comparison to the lockout shortened season. The Oilers did not play well and dug themselves a hole so deep that it is pretty much impossible to make the playoffs. MacT told the media that he is looking for draft picks that he had traded away in the Perron and Scrivens trade. The Oilers sound like a broken record saying they are looking for draft picks which has angered some of the fan base. The problem is the assets that they are on the trade block may only return a draft pick. Sorry fans but MacT is not going to be making that bold as promised. Here is what to look for until trade deadline:
Hemsky finally traded this year?
One player who is rumoured to be on the block is Ales Hemsky. It seems as if for the past few years that Ales Hemsky is always rumoured to be trade yet he is still an Oiler to this day. This maybe the year that Hemsky may actually go to another team. Hemsky would be a great depth addition who can inject some skill into the lineup for any team looking for a winger. A problem is that he is an injury prone winger whose production has declined over the years. Hemsky for most of the season has been put into the 3rd line role that his game is not suited to. During the Olympics when he was put into a top-6 role showed that Hemsky still has game and may have caught the eye of a few GMs. Due to Hemsky's struggles it has diminished his value around the league. Any team that is looking for a cheap option on the wing will be looking at Hemsky as it is expected that he may only get a 2nd or 3rd round pick.
Gagner rumours
Sam Gagner after having such a good season last year has struggled mightily with only 24 points in 48 games. His struggles can be linked to when Kassian smashed Gagner's jaw with his stick. None the less his struggles has hurt the team. Gagner is another redundant player to Edmonton who is small and is very poor defensively. Both Gagner and MacT agreed that it is time for move on for both parties. MacT was reportedly looking for either a top-4 defender or a top-6 forward but it seems as if Gagner will not be able to return neither. Gagner is a small centre who is poor on the dot, poor defensively but has some good offensive skills (although he has struggled terribly this season) on top his contract (4.8 AAV through the 2015-16 season) will not have much value around the league. It seemed at one point that Gagner would be going to LA for Clifford as the base of deal but it fell apart. I believe MacT should be able to obtain a big bodied 3rd liner and a draft pick for Gagner. MacTavish could wait till draft day to trade him because some teams may not want to give up a roster player if they are in the race for the playoffs. The draft would be easier for MacT to acquire that asset he maybe looking for.
Other Players That Could be Traded
Since Oilers are in selling mode many other players could be on the move for Edmonton. MacT will try and trade the pending UFAs for draft picks or prospects if possible.
One player that should be able to garner some interest is Ryan Jones. He has played well in bottom 6 role for the Oilers for a while now and would be solid addition if a team is looking for a reliable 4th liner. He can hit, chip in with a goal, and play on the PK. Ryan Jones would probably return a late round draft pick.
Nick Schultz is another pending UFA that should be able to garner some interest from teams looking for a defensemen. He plays a defensive game and would be able to slot in and provide some stability on the backend. Boston is one team that could be very interested in him due to Seidenberg being out for the whole season. Nick Schultz would come cheap only costing a 3rd or 4th round pick.
Our goalie Ilya Bryzgalov is another potential trade candidate. He has played a generally solid for Edmonton providing some reliable goaltending along with Scrivens. It is speculated that Edmonton has offered Bryz to the Wild who are looking for a goalie. Bryz would come cheap for any team looking for a solid back-up goalie.
Ryan Smyth is similar to Jones for any team that is looking for a 4th liner. Although he does not bring a physical presence he is able to still win many puck battles along the boards and is another solid PKer for any team needing a 4th line. He could be another player that can cheaply had.
Another couple players that has been rumoured to be traded is Eberle and Yakupov but trades for these players have been speculated but these players will not be traded at trade deadline due to a lot of teams having next to no cap room and teams reluctance to trade an impact player that the Oilers are looking for during the season. If either these players are dealt it will be in the offseason.
Other UFAs Belov and Potter have not played well at the NHL level and I do not believe will garner any interest from other teams. Scrivens who is also a UFA has provided quality goaltending and is expected not be traded. As long as Scrivens keeps on playing well I expect MacT will offer him a contract.
Fans what do you think MacT should do during trade deadline? Who do you think he should keep and offload?
Hemsky finally traded this year?
One player who is rumoured to be on the block is Ales Hemsky. It seems as if for the past few years that Ales Hemsky is always rumoured to be trade yet he is still an Oiler to this day. This maybe the year that Hemsky may actually go to another team. Hemsky would be a great depth addition who can inject some skill into the lineup for any team looking for a winger. A problem is that he is an injury prone winger whose production has declined over the years. Hemsky for most of the season has been put into the 3rd line role that his game is not suited to. During the Olympics when he was put into a top-6 role showed that Hemsky still has game and may have caught the eye of a few GMs. Due to Hemsky's struggles it has diminished his value around the league. Any team that is looking for a cheap option on the wing will be looking at Hemsky as it is expected that he may only get a 2nd or 3rd round pick.
Gagner rumours
Sam Gagner after having such a good season last year has struggled mightily with only 24 points in 48 games. His struggles can be linked to when Kassian smashed Gagner's jaw with his stick. None the less his struggles has hurt the team. Gagner is another redundant player to Edmonton who is small and is very poor defensively. Both Gagner and MacT agreed that it is time for move on for both parties. MacT was reportedly looking for either a top-4 defender or a top-6 forward but it seems as if Gagner will not be able to return neither. Gagner is a small centre who is poor on the dot, poor defensively but has some good offensive skills (although he has struggled terribly this season) on top his contract (4.8 AAV through the 2015-16 season) will not have much value around the league. It seemed at one point that Gagner would be going to LA for Clifford as the base of deal but it fell apart. I believe MacT should be able to obtain a big bodied 3rd liner and a draft pick for Gagner. MacTavish could wait till draft day to trade him because some teams may not want to give up a roster player if they are in the race for the playoffs. The draft would be easier for MacT to acquire that asset he maybe looking for.
Other Players That Could be Traded
Since Oilers are in selling mode many other players could be on the move for Edmonton. MacT will try and trade the pending UFAs for draft picks or prospects if possible.
One player that should be able to garner some interest is Ryan Jones. He has played well in bottom 6 role for the Oilers for a while now and would be solid addition if a team is looking for a reliable 4th liner. He can hit, chip in with a goal, and play on the PK. Ryan Jones would probably return a late round draft pick.
Nick Schultz is another pending UFA that should be able to garner some interest from teams looking for a defensemen. He plays a defensive game and would be able to slot in and provide some stability on the backend. Boston is one team that could be very interested in him due to Seidenberg being out for the whole season. Nick Schultz would come cheap only costing a 3rd or 4th round pick.
Our goalie Ilya Bryzgalov is another potential trade candidate. He has played a generally solid for Edmonton providing some reliable goaltending along with Scrivens. It is speculated that Edmonton has offered Bryz to the Wild who are looking for a goalie. Bryz would come cheap for any team looking for a solid back-up goalie.
Ryan Smyth is similar to Jones for any team that is looking for a 4th liner. Although he does not bring a physical presence he is able to still win many puck battles along the boards and is another solid PKer for any team needing a 4th line. He could be another player that can cheaply had.
Another couple players that has been rumoured to be traded is Eberle and Yakupov but trades for these players have been speculated but these players will not be traded at trade deadline due to a lot of teams having next to no cap room and teams reluctance to trade an impact player that the Oilers are looking for during the season. If either these players are dealt it will be in the offseason.
Other UFAs Belov and Potter have not played well at the NHL level and I do not believe will garner any interest from other teams. Scrivens who is also a UFA has provided quality goaltending and is expected not be traded. As long as Scrivens keeps on playing well I expect MacT will offer him a contract.
Fans what do you think MacT should do during trade deadline? Who do you think he should keep and offload?
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