Pass Or Fail?

It’s been a busy 48 hours in Edmonton. The Oilers made four trades that impact the team, and a re-signing with major implications on the NHL roster for 2014-15. Following his first trade deadline in Edmonton, does Craig MacTavish get a passing grade? How do his moves look as we head forward?

Scrivens Extended:

This was a major item for MacT, and he got it out of the way on Monday afternoon. The Oilers and the goalie agreed to a two-year extension that will have a $2.3 M cap hit for each season. Term is short, and money is fair, so from that stand-point it looks like MacT did quite well here.

Scrivens has improved every season in his pro career, and has risen from the ECHL to the NHL. He leads to league in SV% this season in split time between LA and Edmonton, and has given the Oilers a chance to win all eight of his starts, in which he has won four. Scrivens has given Edmonton, in the words of MacT, their best goaltending since Dwayne Roloson did from 2006-2009.

We can’t say for sure if Scrivens will be an NHL starter, but he has been making a very good case this year. In two years, we should know, so the term is good. It’s not too long, and it is a solid sample size number. IF he keeps up these numbers, or close to it, then the money is a total steal.

Overall, MacT did very well with this move, and we can expect Scrivens to be a big part of next year’s team. Remember, the Oilers only gave up a 3rd for him.

Bryzgalov to Minnesota:

Interesting move, but not surprising. The Wild have shut-down Nik Backstrom for the season with an injury, and Josh Harding’s MS has sadly flared up again. Darcy Kuemper has played well for the Wild, but is only a rookie. For the Wild, it was a smart move to get a veteran with some playoff experience.

As for Edmonton, the Oilers needed a roster and contract spot, and got that here. They got a fourth round pick in return as well for a guy that cost nothing but money on the open market back in November. Overall, a good move for MacT that helps both sides.

Fasth to Edmonton:

The Oilers followed the Bryzgalov deal with what could be a very good deal for the team, nabbing goalie Viktor Fasth from Anaheim for a 3rd round pick in 2015 and a 5th in 2014. Fasth, due to an injury and the emergence of Frederick Anderson, fell to third on the Ducks goalie depth chart, and needed a new start.

Edmonton comes in and scoops up the 31 year old second year man, who has lots of talent and was called a “Bonafide number one” by Ducks goalie coach and old friend Dwayne Roloson. Fasth put up very good numbers last year for the Ducks, splitting time with star Jonas Hiller.

He only played five NHL games this year, but that injury really hampered him. He’s fresh off an AHL conditioning stint, and looked pretty good down there. He’s ready to go, and still has a year on his contract at just under three million a year.

Fasth will likely compete in a time share, similar to Bernier/Reimer in Toronto, for the rest of the season and into next year. The move also sets next year’s goalie tandem and allows Edmonton to focus elsewhere during draft weekend and free agent frenzy.

Overall, another good move by the Oilers. A goalie with a little NHL success and a lot of talent for just picks. Good work by MacT.

Hemsky to Ottawa:

This one hurts, like badly hurts. Ales Hemsky was my favorite Oiler of all time, and a guy that provided us with some awesome moments over the last decade. Sadly, it was time. Hemsky was ready to move on, and the Oilers were ready to move on. Hemsky certainly deserved better, and I hope Ottawa helps climb him into the playoff this year.

Edmonton gets a 5th rounder in 2014 and a 3rd rounder in 2015 in return, which is exactly what they gave up to get Fasth. It’s a return that I view as disappointing, but considering Vanek got a second and a prospect, this seems to be market value. I just can’t score this a win for Edmonton, and hope they have a replacement on line three in mind to go grab in the off-season. This one is tough to take.

N. Schultz to Columbus:

Simple, the Oilers deal veteran Nick Schultz to the Jackets for a 5th rounder in 2014. Schultz is at best a third-pairing defender, and the Oilers have far too many of those to begin with. Schultz is a pending UFA, and simply did not fit into Edmonton’s plans moving forward. He’s not good enough to help these guys in the role they need, so shipping him out is a good move.

The return, a 5th round pick, is honestly fine by me. Columbus gets a guy they can plug in as a number seven or eight, and he’ll handle that well. This isn’t a win for MacT, but it certainly is not a loss. Will be interesting to see who takes that spot in July.

Potter to Boston, Larsen Recalled:

Corey Potter fell way out of favor in Edmonton, and clearly wasn’t going to be re-signed in the off-season. He was not getting used in Edmonton, and a trip to OKC was in the cards. Boston will likely use him as a number eight or nine guy, and he’s a perfect depth defender. Decent pickup for the B’s on waivers, and not really a big loss for the Oilers.

Philip Larsen was recalled to give Edmonton six NHL defenders, and I suspect we see Oscar Klefbom and Taylor Fedun sometime soon on the NHL roster. Just a guess.

Overall, MacT, by eye, won the Bryzgalov and Fasth deals, lost the Hemsky trade, did well re-signing Scrivens and had a wash with the Schultz trade. Not a terrible day for the silver fox.