Edmonton Oilers 2012 Off-Season Thread

[Marcel Petrin]

He looked like he might be a keeper a couple years ago in limited play, but man did he look terrible most of last year. He's tough and has a ton of heart, but very limited skills, mediocre at best foot speed, and last year looked like he had absolutely terrible instincts with and without the puck.

Then again, guys like Matt Greene take years to get where they are, so it's worth giving him another year. But that'll be it.

[North Guy66]

Oilers’ centre Sam Gagner avoided the often messy arbitration process just before his Toronto hearing Friday morning, agreeing to a one-year contract for about $1 million more than he made last season.

Gagner got $3.2 million after he was paid $2.275 million last season, his fifth with the Oilers.

It’s a short-term solution because Gagner, who turns 23 next month, will be back next July looking for a long-term deal. He becomes an unrestricted free-agent on July 1, 2014, with seven years service in the NHL after starting at 18 in 2007, a few months after the Oilers took him sixth overall in the draft.

http://blogs.edmontonjournal.com/201...al-for-gagner/

Just like with Peckham, let's see what Gags can do under a new head coach. If he is not the right fit, the Oilers can always trade him.

[McBoo]

Gags flourished in the #2 centre spot. The trick will be how good he is to start, not just frinish the season.

[moahunter]

Good choice to give Gags one year I think. He has a year to prove he is a genuine number 2 centre, he needs to show he can score points not just for a week, but for the whole year.

[Marcel Petrin]

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/sport...=Google+Reader

Pretty good point of comparison on what Gagner might have been looking for on a longer term contract. Oshie has put up fairly similar numbers to Gagner. He's a bit older but has played fewer games, has put up a few more points (0.67 ppg in his career vs 0.6 for Gagner), same physical size and also plays center.

[moahunter]

^not sure, that 8 point night, IMO, probably earned Gagner an extra million.

[IanO]

Oil re-sign Gagner for 1 yr

[Marcel Petrin]

Originally Posted by moahunter

^not sure, that 8 point night, IMO, probably earned Gagner an extra million.

Doubtful it factored much at all. What he got is essentially market value, if not a bit below. Mike Fisher puts up less points than Gagner, is better in his own end, and is a few inches taller and he's making 4.2m a year. Tomas Plekanec puts up a few more points on average, same size, making 5m a year. David Legwand has put up career numbers almost identical to Gagner, is a few inches taller, and makes 4.5m. Juri Hudler puts up less points than Gagner, same size, makes 4m.

If he was a UFA on the open market, he probably could have gotten 4m+ for at least a few years, given that he still has the potential to put up more points than he has been. The contract we signed him to is entirely reasonable, and the 8 point night had little or nothing to do with it.

[moahunter]

Originally Posted by Marcel Petrin

Doubtful it factored much at all. What he got is essentially market value, if not a bit below.

I disagree. Without that night:

- he would have had 39 points, considerably lower (less than all four previous seasons)
- he wouldn't have been player of the week / national news.

His potential and stock rose considerably. Gagner is a small body, and not great in the defensive zone. He isn't a gritty player so all he gives is pure offense sometimes, yet he still hasn't broken 20 goals in a season. I hope he goes on to do great this year, but I think this was a very wise move to see if it was a just a flash in the pan, or something more.

[Marcel Petrin]

Meh, if you take away those 8 points his career production goes from 0.6 ppg to 0.58 ppg. Still better than Hudler and Legwand, who make more but are also better in their own zone.

What comparables would you use?

[MrOilers]

It also took Gagner a long time to get going from his ankle injury before the season started, which is typical of early-season injuries.

He definitely wasn't very consistent once he started getting some points again, but his early season was pretty much a write-off, and his poor play during that "recovery" time was uncharacteristic of his past 3 years with the team.

This 1 year deal is a good one. And the league average is around $2 million these days, and Gagner is quite a bit better than "average". $3.2 million is a bargain for him.

[North Guy66]

I don't understand why the hockey pundits compare T.J. Oshie with Gagner? Oshie has more sandpaper in his game, thus he brings another element than pure point production.

Put it this way, would you do a straight up trade of Oshie for Gagner? I'll do it in a heartbeat. I'm sure every other NHl team would prefer Oshie because they all have a smallish forward with huge offensive upside in their system.

Keep in mind I have nothing against Gagner. A combination of him altering his play, similar to Petry, and being properly utilized by the coach (ie. not bouncing between wing and centre), he can be a crucial clog in the Oiler system. Don't forget he only turns 23 next month.

[Sonic Death Monkey]

Yakupov signed:
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=401259

[ScottieA]

Originally Posted by moahunter

Good choice to give Gags one year I think. He has a year to prove he is a genuine number 2 centre, he needs to show he can score points not just for a week, but for the whole year.

Having Yakupov likely be one of his wingers this year should definitely help in boosting his offence.

[MrOilers]

Kreuger is going to have fun playing with line combinations this year.

[24karat]

I was thinking, since hockey players all have nicknames, do you think Nail's nickname will be Spike?

[envaneo]

Yakupov looks good if he can make camp, but my expectations for him this year are, meh.

[The_Cat]

I'd be happy if Yak broke 50 points.

[Alex.L]

I'll be happy if:
1) The kids all have good seasons and don't get hurt
2) We are still playing meaningful games in January/February

Making the playoffs would be nice though.

[jagators63]

The Edmonton Oilers have signed Alex Plante and Chris VandeVelde to one-year contracts Thursday.

Global Edmonton | Edmonton Oilers re-sign Alex Plante, Chris VandeVelde to one-year deals

[envaneo]

^ Yawn.

[The_Cat]

I think it might be the last chance for Vande Velde and Plante, given the improving depth of the team.

[moahunter]

I am a bit uncomfortable that the Oilers are giving to many contracts with marginal players, as there is a contract limit of 50. If we do finally have a good year, I'd like to see some space for some moves at the trade deadline to hire some rentals then.

Plante makes sense (as still young with upside), by Vande Velde is just a journeyman, a fourth line centre at best.

[lobbdogg]

At one year deals, its not that big of deal. Would be a different story, if they were signed for 3+ years.

[ScottieA]

Keep in mind that these are AHL players. Sure they eat up a portion of the professional contract limit, but the organization can easily flush them to another team who may be wanting to add some depth to their farm team.

[richardW]

if you buy mini-pack tickets when do they usually come in the mail?

[Sonic Death Monkey]

Anyone been following the hockey rumormongers on twitter? Some of the Oiler rumors floating around for the past couple of weeks:
- Gagner + 3rd round pick to Buffalo for Jordan Leopold + Luke Adam
- Bernier from LAK
- J-Bo from the godless Flames

[moahunter]

^I wonder if the CBA bargaining has an impact? Might make sense for that to be sorted out, and consider its impacts, before making a trade.

[Glenco]

Originally Posted by Sonic Death Monkey

Anyone been following the hockey rumormongers on twitter? Some of the Oiler rumors floating around for the past couple of weeks:
- Gagner + 3rd round pick to Buffalo for Jordan Leopold + Luke Adam
- Bernier from LAK
- J-Bo from the godless Flames

Are you making this up?

[moahunter]

^its the normal rumor stuff you see on internet sites. Most of it probably is made up / speculation, occasionally an ounce of truth might sneak in.

[The_Cat]

Bunz and Roy:

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/sport...783/story.html

Somehow, I can't see the Oilers trading for Bernier.

[ScottieA]

Originally Posted by Sonic Death Monkey

Anyone been following the hockey rumormongers on twitter? Some of the Oiler rumors floating around for the past couple of weeks:
- Gagner + 3rd round pick to Buffalo for Jordan Leopold + Luke Adam
- Bernier from LAK
- J-Bo from the godless Flames

Are some of those from Eklund? If so, I would highly recommend not paying attention to anything he says.

[Sonic Death Monkey]

Two were reported by Hockeyy Insiderr and a couple of other twitterers, the J-Bo rumour was from several sources - just follow #Oilers on twitter.

Although I don't put too much heed into rumours, admit it - they are a guilty pleasure and generate discussion! And let's face it, sometimes one or two of these rumours do pan out, it's a matter of seeing what's generating the most chatter.

[Hilman]

Please no J-Bo, he is horribly soft and makes $6.68 million/yr more than he is worth (I wouldn't want him for free).

[moahunter]

Originally Posted by Sonic Death Monkey

Although I don't put too much heed into rumours, admit it - they are a guilty pleasure and generate discussion!

Its something I love about hockey, esp. when not much happening.

I'd take J-Bo, not long ago everyone was raving about him. I think second chance players often do very well.

[bpeters]

umm, his second chance was Calgary. Plays every game (easy when you never engage physically) and never improved on his output from when he was in Florida. 'nuff said.
this Oiler rumour has to die.

[MrOilers]

Boumeester is a decent defenseman, but he hasn't significantly improved any team he has played for.

The Oilers can do better.

[Gord Lacey]

Originally Posted by Sonic Death Monkey

Two were reported by Hockeyy Insiderr...

They've traced that account back to a 17 year old. I wouldn't put much stock in what he has to say.

[Marcel Petrin]

I'd take J-Bo if he was making 4m a year. He may not put up huge numbers offensively, and he's not physical at all, but he can eat up minutes and can move the puck up the ice well. Phenomenal skater as well. He's never lived up to expectations, and probably never will, but that doesn't mean he's not a very solid second pairing D-man.

But I wouldn't be willing to give up much for him trade-wise, nor do I want anything to do with his current contract.

[moahunter]

^if we could somehow trade him for Horcoff, losing Horcoffs salary and getting Jbo back (sort of a salary cap dump for Calgary of some of jbos contract to the extent not offset by horcoffs), that would be perfect. Highly unlikley of course.

[richardW]

Originally Posted by moahunter

Its something I love about hockey, esp. when not much happening.

I'd take J-Bo, not long ago everyone was raving about him. I think second chance players often do very well.

Cam Barker

[MrOilers]

Originally Posted by moahunter

^if we could somehow trade him for Horcoff, losing Horcoffs salary and getting Jbo back (sort of a salary cap dump for Calgary of some of jbos contract to the extent not offset by horcoffs), that would be perfect. Highly unlikley of course.

I don't like the idea of J-Bo on the Oilers, but I LOVE the idea of Horcoff on the Flames.

[moahunter]

Originally Posted by MrOilers

Lol, I don't like the idea of J-Bo on the Oilers, but I LOVE the idea of Horcoff on the Flames.

I don't know, I mean, was fine with Staios, but wouldn't it hurt if Horcoff found his form from just before he signed, sort of a Glencross version 2?

My hypothetical deal might make some sense though if you think it through. Calgary save cash (they don't have billionare owner I think?), and cap space, and pick up the type of dull player they like. Edmonton gets a D-man who would upgrade the top 4, and removes an overpaid forward, basically gets Jbo for about $4m on net basis.

[ScottieA]

Excellent news on the Taylor Hall extension front: Report: Edmonton Oilers close to an extension with Taylor Hall, talking to Jordan Eberle

[Gord Lacey]

GM Steve Tambellini announces the #Oilers have agreed to terms with forward Taylor Hall on a new seven-year contract extension

Taylor Hall's agent Paul Krepelka has concluded negotiations with EDM on a 7-year extension that will pay Hall $6M per year.

Nice, very nice

[moahunter]

^awesome, 7 years (esp. if contracts are limited to 5 on new CBA)! Now lock up Eberle the same please.

PS. Make Hall the captain of the team, more heart and energy than any other player on the roster.

[Chmilz]

Killer signing. I'm sure Eberle will have something similar inked in the near future.

[Hilman]

That is great news, too bad I heard that he dislocated his shoulder signing the contract

[IanO]

7 years is a good thing, 42mil.... is quite a lot I have to say. Obviously they paid more for term, but I am not sold on the amount.

[ScottieA]

^ Read Willis' article regarding the signing. He compares it to similar extensions given to Tavares, Kane, Toews, and Skinner and explains why the Oilers got a good deal on it. I wasn't completely sold on the amount until I read it.

http://blogs.edmontonjournal.com/201...monton-oilers/

[moahunter]

Originally Posted by IanO

7 years is a good thing, 42mil.... is quite a lot I have to say. Obviously they paid more for term, but I am not sold on the amount.

In seven years time, I don't think it will seem so much. A shorter deal, IMO would have resulted in a much bigger pay rise further down the track. I like the certainty of this, I think Hall is easily worth this.

[Alex.L]

Agreed. If he signed a 3yr he'd have the team over a barrel at the next contract negotiation. Better to secure him for a longer term, even if it means paying him a bit more to start. He'll be a bargain at the end of it.

Also, this sets the precedent that Eberle, RNH, Yakupov, etc will likely be forced to follow.

[moahunter]

^the four of them should take up about $30m. For an elite top 6 forward core, I think that is worth it, roughly half the cap space will end up on the top 6 (adding in Hemsky and Gagner, or similar). It does mean the team has to start being very careful on third and fourth line contracts, in the future populating those spots with journeyman and prospect contracts around the $1-2m mark.

[Alex.L]

Exactly. Their pro scouting needs to really step up their game in the next couple years.

[Gord Lacey]

Now we just need to lock up Khabibulin for another 4 years...

Joke, it was just a joke!

[envaneo]

Doesn't look like there's going to be a next year Gord

[Gord Lacey]

I wonder if a lost season would benefit the Oilers at all in terms of player development. We know everyone will play somewhere, so the young guys will have an extra year of experience, though without their linemates. It'll mean our defense prospects will also be another year closer to being NHL-worthy, and we'll likely draft first overall again. The downside would be that our older players will be one year closer to the retirement home.

Is that crazy-talk, or does any of it make sense to others?

[The_Cat]

Originally Posted by Gord Lacey

Now we just need to lock up Khabibulin for another 4 years...

Joke, it was just a joke!

Don't forget the no-trade clause!

[The_Cat]

^^ I think up-and-comers like Paajarvi, Bunz or Marincin would benefit, without the pressure of trying to perform at call-up time.

[Marcel Petrin]

Originally Posted by Gord Lacey

Is that crazy-talk, or does any of it make sense to others?

It would stunt their development, if you're talking about Hall, Eberle and so on. A couple years ago it may have been a "good" thing, prior to them having played in the NHL, but at this point they need to be playing against the best in the world.

The lesser prospects, perhaps.

Regardless, we won't lose the whole season. No one has an appetite for that this time around. The NHL and NHLPA are much closer than they were last time, appearances aside. I'm thinking we might lose the first month or two, but I don't see it going past late November if that far.

[ScottieA]

Hall's comments regarding the move to form a CHLPA: http://www.edmontonjournal.com/sport...544/story.html

[moahunter]

Some concerns about Tambos lack of energy in this blog (which I agree with):

It’s something the Oilers could have done this summer, to some extent even something they could still do. An ambitious general manager, one reaching out to grab hold of a playoff spot rather than idly sitting back and waiting for his team to rise to the challenge, would have had a busy off-season.


In net, Nikolai Khabibulin would be gone. He’s been hurt or playing poorly for the majority of his three years in Oilers silks. A particularly crafty general manager might possibly have dealt the veteran, but failing that a buyout and replacement via trade or free agency would have made good sense. The Oilers could have somebody on the team to push Dubnyk, somebody to lean on if Dubnyk falters early. They don’t, and that’s on management.

Another defenceman would have been added – even if it meant trading or waiving a Corey Potter or Theo Peckham. The Oilers have strength in numbers but they lack top-end ability on the blue line and the depth guys – the Potters, Peckhams and Suttons – aren’t the kind of players anybody wants to see in the top-four. The addition could have been made via trade or free agency – for that matter, given that Carlo Colaiacovo and Michal Rozsival and Milan Jurcina are all still unsigned the team could still shore up the position. They haven’t, and if injuries hit early they will regret it.


Up front, bringing back the same fourth line from last year is hard to defend. While the individuals involved – Lennart Petrell, Darcy Hordichuk, Ben Eager and Eric Belanger – all have good points, the unit got hammered last year. How hard would it have been to make an upgrade there – or higher up the lineup, bumping a guy like Ryan Jones down a slot to start the season? Would it have been that difficult to let Petrell walk, demote Ryan Jones to the fourth line (until injuries hit) and bring in a veteran to play with Smyth and Horcoff?


These are things an aggressive general manager might have done. The fact that the Oilers didn’t isn’t the end of the world – they still added good players, and with the heart of the team being quite young they ought to be better in 2012-13. All the same, an opportunity was missed.

http://oilersnation.com/2012/8/21/pr...-the-advantage

[Chmilz]

^No kidding. Totally a "wtf?" summer of do-nothing. We've got a few turds in the toilet, hit the flusher.

[North Guy66]

It's always easy to be an armchair GM.

Tambo has tried to trade Omark but there are no takers. And no team is willing to trade for Khabby or any of the other dead weight on the Oilers roster.

[Sonic Death Monkey]

Maybe these trade rumors are leaked by the GMs themselves to give the impression they're not sitting idle!

[moahunter]

^u might be right lol.

^^the article of Jonathan Willis didn't talk about Omark, and suggests if Khabi couldn't be traded, he should be waived (error, meant "bought out"). The fourth line issue is quite interesting, Tambo created this fourth line, and its a mess. The point I think is that some actions could have been taken even on the open market to give us some insurance for the Defence, and upgrade the quality of our fourth line. Now when one of the D-men get injured or if Whitney dud not stud turns up for the season, I guess we will hear "oh, we didn't anticipate all these injuries/issues" (sort of a broken record we hear each year).

Still time I guess, but not much left (assuming season does start).

[ScottieA]

He didn't just say waive Khabibulin, he said buy out.

[moahunter]

^my bad.

[ScottieA]

No big deal. One way would definitely see him gone, the other would probably end up with them sending him to Oklahoma City or even Stockton.

[Sonic Death Monkey]

If the entire season is lost by the lockout, at least we won't have to watch Khabby play another season!

[Chmilz]

Originally Posted by Sonic Death Monkey

If the entire season is lost by the lockout, at least we won't have to watch Khabby play another season!

He could spend his winter playing race-car driver in Arizona again

[MrOilers]

Apparently Yakupov has been battling some kind of infection in his legs the last two days after getting some road rash from a treadmill accident.

Hopefully they are taking all precautions to ensure this doesn't advance into some kind of flesh-eating disease.

[moahunter]

Lol, seems no big deal:

http://www.edmontonsun.com/2012/08/2...g-not-infected

How do u fall off a treadmill? I mean seriously Yak?

[MrOilers]

God, I hate the news.

[Gord Lacey]

Originally Posted by Sonic Death Monkey

If the entire season is lost by the lockout, at least we won't have to watch Khabby play another season!

We would, and he'd be a year older. The lost year wouldn't count towards his contract.

[MrOilers]

There was a big-discount buyout period after the last lockout. I'm sure they'd do the same.

[Hilman]

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/Malco...472/story.html

[ScottieA]

Originally Posted by MrOilers

There was a big-discount buyout period after the last lockout. I'm sure they'd do the same.

I suspect that would only happen if there was a salary cap reduction and a salary roll-back as part of the new CBA.

[The_Cat]

I think the arrangement could work something like this:

(1) Teams with revenues above the salary cap would be subject to a revenue tax (say 20%).

(2) These revenues would be redistributed to teams with revenues lower than the salary floor. These respective teams would only be eligible if:

(3) A minimum of 13,000 tickets are sold each year.

(4) They do not subsidize tickets to undercut the season ticket base.

(5) The amount of equalization would be to the level of the salary floor.

[The_Cat]

Another consideration for player salaries. Could contract lengths would be five years maximum, with the option of renewal for five more years. Cap hit would be that of the first five year term.

[moahunter]

^I think that would be bad for fans unless its limited. i.e. I would hate a situation like soccer in the UK where how good the team is, depends on how wealthy the owner is.

[ScottieA]

Yakupov's leg isn't infected: http://oilers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?...id=DL|EDM|home

[Sonic Death Monkey]

Read Ryan Jones' random road trip thoughts - hilarious
https://twitter.com/jonesry28

[moahunter]

^lol.

Interesting observation, how he cracks a joke about North Dakota and chainsaw masacars. Remember what happened when a certain actor made a comment about Winnipeg?

[Sonic Death Monkey]

[Sonic Death Monkey]

Omark has signed a one-year deal in Switzerland

[Hilman]

Good, hit the road.

[Chmilz]

Originally Posted by Sonic Death Monkey

Read Ryan Jones' random road trip thoughts - hilarious
https://twitter.com/jonesry28

Awesome. I like the good attitude.

[Hilman]

Great news from the Oil, Eberle is locked up, $36 million over 6 years. That is a great contract imho but am surprised he got the same as Taylor Fall.

Edit: Thanks Ander

[Alex.L]

^same money, Hall's is just one year longer.

[Sonic Death Monkey]

Yes...because Eberle played an extra year of junior. They want Eberle and Hall contracts to expire at the same time.

[ScottieA]

^They won't. Hall and Eberle's ELCs kicked in at the same time and were set to expire at the same time. They probably want to stagger the years that they have to resign their stars, hence the one less year on Eberle's contract.

[Sonic Death Monkey]

Hah, yes you're right. For some reason I thought Eberle had an ELC a year before Hall.

[Sonic Death Monkey]

NHL Oilers sent to Oklahoma City, Nail goes back to junior:
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=405343

Notable names going to OKC: Nuge, Eberle, Paajarvi and J. Schultz

[The_Cat]

Unfortunately, it looks like Eberle, Nuge and the OKC might be there a while. But it will also be a chance for players like Paajarvi to shine. Yakupov will be headed back to junior, so he can sharpen his skills as well.

[Gord Lacey]

Yakupov tweeted that he's off to Russia. Not sure if that's to visit, or to play.

[Marcel Petrin]

Play. He's always stated that he won't be going back to Sarnia.

[Gord Lacey]

That's what I figured. Likely a good move on his part, since he'll be playing against men, not boys, over in the KHL.

[Alex.L]

Is there a reason why he wasn't assigned to OKC? I'd think they would want him to build chemistry with Eberle and Nuge, no?

[JamesL]

^Because he's not AHL-eligible. For him, his choices were another year of junior or Europe. I think he made the right choice.