So I took last week off and naturally things started to happen, just my luck! In all seriousness, however, it’s been quite an interesting little stretch in Oil Country. The news is flowing and we are only three games away from seeing Connor McDavid in an Oiler uniform once again.
Trading Nuge:
One of the most compelling things to watch for between now and training camp in September will be roster movement. This team’s core has shifted, the group is now McDavid, Draisaitl, Hall, Klefbom and Nurse to my eye. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is no longer in this group it would appear, and it’s understandable. Here’s the thing, McDavid and Draisaitl are going to be the top two centers moving forward, that makes the Nuge expendable.
I’m not saying Edmonton should dump RNH, that’s foolish and Peter Chiarelli will not do that. However, if Edmonton is going to make a move for defensive help then this makes sense. Nugent-Hopkins can bring the most in return and Edmonton, long-term, can get by without him.
Peter Chiarelli took about a year to redo his Boston team into what he wanted, I believe that transformation will happen with this group too. Yes, injuries have been a factor but overall this team is once again not good enough. Chiarelli will do what the previous management teams did not, change his core to bring more balance to this roster and to improve this team.
Mark Spector confirmed last week that the Oilers offered Nugent-Hopkins to Nashville in exchange for Seth Jones. To me, this proves there is fire behind the smoke and it tells me that we should prepare ourselves for a rather large Oilers move sometime in the next few months. The next most logical target? Probably Travis Hamonic.
If RNH gets you a legit top-pairing defender, I believe that you have to make the deal. That said, with his injury, this is now a conversation for the summer.
Kassian Debut:
I wasn’t overly surprised that the Oilers decided to recall Zack Kassian prior to their game in San Jose. It was a little earlier than I figured it would be, but it wasn’t crazy early. I had Kassian getting recalled on the 19th, today, but it made sense for the Oilers to bring him up earlier as he was apparently ready.
I thought he was engaged in his first two tilts and I saw some things that I really liked. He’s a little quicker than I thought and he still has that physical edge to his game. It’s good to see him bringing something different while he settles back into NHL game shape.
We should really see Kassian at full strength after the All-Star break when he has a few games under his belt. He could be a real factor for Edmonton in the top-nine as a power forward option.
So far, so good in my books.
Yak’s Return:
It hasn’t been all fun watching Edmonton this season, but Nail Yakupov’s performance in San Jose was really enjoyable to watch. He scored a goal and was all over the ice making things happen that night. I thought he took a slight step back against Calgary but he still looked good in the victory.
A healthy Yakupov gives Edmonton options. He’s got the ability to play in the top-six and he’s certainly a weapon for the team on the powerplay unit. If Yakupov can keep up his energized and strong play, then he’s primed for a very strong second half.
I wonder if he gets reunited with Connor McDavid for a stretch once 97 returns on February 2nd.
Cam Talbot’s Extension:
Most of my thoughts are here, but I just wanted to touch on a few things now that time has settled. I’ve noticed a lot of people are unhappy with this deal, and I get that. All things considered, there was no option on the market this summer that is clearly better than Talbot.
Yes, he struggled to get going and it cost this team in October/November, but he’s been really strong in December and January. We have to remember that he struggled early with the Rangers too before settling in and really playing good hockey.
If Edmonton can upgrade the defense this summer, and I suspect they will, then we will see Talbot tested even less. This point from TSN’s Frank Seravelli is also something to ponder, I’ll leave you with it.
Convo about Talbot’s extension would be a lot different w/o 7 “own goals” #Oilers had on him this year. SV% would be .920 if only 4 went in.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) January 17, 2016
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