AROUND THE LEAGUE - 25-26

[Chef Boi RD]

Well.

Only Dude has suggested he is a distressed asset at this point so the basis of the query was more of a shooting the shit, would you contemplate it as opposed to the because he's another Alex line.

For me, It’s a make or break season for Bedard, we will see what he’s made of. He’s a talent for sure but more in that hot dog category., he disappears for long stretches and seems easy for opponents to keep him quiet. I wanna see more game from this kid. He’s a bit flakey. At this stage, up and comers in his age bracket, he’s barely cracking top 10 for me.

[Cornuck]

Jack Eichel just signed an eight-year, $108 million contract extension.

[donlever]

Nice deal for Vegas.

[donlever]

Looks like Roslovic to Edmonton is real.

[rats19]

Looks like Roslovic to Edmonton is real.

Doesn’t do much for D or goaltending though

[donlever]

Yeah...there is a good deal of mockery towards a team that has made the SCF 2 years running.

Let's not be surprised if they're in the running to do so again....

[rats19]

Yeah...there is a good deal of mockery towards a team that has made the SCF 2 years running.

Let's not be surprised if they're in the running to do so again....

‘Tis true dat dere

[Picker of Cherries]

Roslovic to Oilers 1x1.5m
Management will get a close up view on Saturday.

[theman]

It is a shame that McJesus' contract and cap space comes into play next year. Oil still need a decent goalie for the playoffs.

[UWSaint]

Roslovic to Oilers 1x1.5m
Management will get a close up view on Saturday.

Roslovic to Edmonton really isn't the important Oiler signing. Its another offensive piece that could get highlighted with Hyman out and defensive question mark that could make for a healthy scratch in the playoffs. We all know the movie.

The important signings were Ekholm (3 ys/$4M AAV) and Walman (7 ys/$7M AAV). Prior to these signings, the Oil defense for next season was Bouchard, Nurse, and some 6-8s. Ekholm's taking a pay cut (as he should, he'll be 36 when the contract kicks in), Walman's doubling his salary; together they will be earning a similar cap hit percentage to what they do now. I expect they were holding off finalizing these deals until they knew what McDavid was going to do.

Holding serve -- or worse given ages -- is strange. The Oilers defense is suboptimal. I won't say its a mess -- it was good enough to get them to the finals the past two seasons, and last year they made it there with Ekholm (their top match up guy) out of the lineup for most of the playoffs. But it is suboptimal because Bouchard's defense remains inconsistent (unlike most other offensively potent #1s) and Nurse is paid like the top matchup guy but then doesn't play to that level. So they have holes to fill, and lots of money being used for these two guys. Reupping Ekholm is an enormous risk if he's slated to be the top match up guy because he's 36 and likely to decline. He might play still to his salary, but the Oilers need 2-3 play from him as I see it. So that's what you might do with the Walman money -- but Walman? Sure he was a great fit for last year, but the guy had some early shine when he late bloomed in St. Louis (but that didn't work), had some early shine with Detroit but that went so poorly he was dumped with sweeteners to San Jose (though to be fair, it was a head scratcher), and had a single good season from start to end last year. If a guy is 26 and took a few start and stop seasons to complete a solid on, maybe you bank on that last season being the "real" player, or maybe even a floor. But Walman is 29 (will be 30 when the contract kicks in). That performance is more likely to be a ceiling than a floor.

So on the one hand, the Oilers now have some security at D. Certainly they don't want Emberson or Stecher in the top 4 every night. But these moves also signal NO improvement to come from the opportunity of having those contracts expire. And given age, I expect decline.

[Meds]

Yeah...there is a good deal of mockery towards a team that has made the SCF 2 years running.

Let's not be surprised if they're in the running to do so again....

Truth in this.

BUT!

They are the first team in 45 years to lose in the SCF in consecutive years. Only 3 teams in history have lost consecutively in the final. Boston in 77 and 78, and St. Louis did it 3 years in a row starting in 68.

Also.....

Shortly after the timing of dat dere post by Mr. Lever, Skinner and Bouchard combined to give the tying goal to Calgary and the Oilers proceeded to squander a 3-0 lead and lose in the shootout.

Also of note, Edmonton badly outshot the Flames, and 2 or their 3 markers came on the PP (where McDavid and Draisaitl are exceptionally lethal).

Side note: Dustin Wolf is a helluva young goaltender.

[Tciso]

Looks like Roslovic to Edmonton is real.

Yep. The Coilers have Sprong into the lead of bad defensive teams. Picking up Carolina's statistical worst player is awesome.

[Cousin Strawberry]

Have you ever noticed...Charlie Macavoy looks like Kenny from We're the Miller's"




Just rub some dirt on it...

[Todd Bersnoozi]

Roslovic to Oilers 1x1.5m

Dang, lost out on the Roslo-dood. Oh well, whatevs. I personally don't think Chytil will last all season, it just a matter of time methinks. If we get 50-60 games out of him, I would be happy. When he goes down, it'll be a big hole on that 2C spot.

If it were my call, I would send Cootes back to juniors and sign the Roslo-dood as a placeholder.