|
In No Particular Order: NHLPA Awards, Tippett Snub, DeBrusk |
|
|
|
|
|
Welcome to another episode of In No Particular Order. There are plenty of little tidbits of information that have dropped over the past few days so let's get to them.
PLAYERS DON'T WATCH MCDAVID APPARENTLY
Every year the NHLPA asked 500 or so NHL players a variety of questions; from skills related questions, to the sillier things like personality and best dressed. A couple stood out for me this season. McDavid received top votes for the question "If you need to win one game, who is the one player (any position) you would want on your team?" Obviously that makes sense as the generational talent is the best player in the NHL. The one that stood out was the question "Who is the best passer?"
McDavid finished fourth in voting with 9.73% of the vote. The winner was Nicklas Backstrom with 20.72% of the vote. Leon Draisaitl finished third...ahead of McDavid with 18.39% of the vote. McDavid, who has 35 assists more than the next highest player (Draisaitl) over the past three years, isn't considered the at least one of the top three passers in the league. Draisaitl has a wicked backhand pass and that clearly gets noticed around the league but Backstrom?! Really?!
WAS TIPPETT SNUBBED? NO HE WASN'T
The Jack Adams Award was announced with Rod Brind'Amour well deservingly winning. All of the votes are made public and Oilers coach Dave Tippett finished 13th in voting with 3 third place votes. Some questioned whether or not Tippett didn't receive enough votes as the Oilers did make strides in the standings this season. In my opinion I really don't see how you could give him any more recognition than 13th. Tippett consistently failed to play the best roster available, opting to play his "savvy vets" over the younger players who actually moved the puck in the right direction. This year the Oilers won off the backs of McDavid, Draisaitl, and Mike Smith having what could be considered the opposite of a mid life crisis.
JAKE DEBRUSK TO EDMONTON?
DeBrusk to Edmonton rumours have been alive for a couple of seasons now. Maybe it's the Louie connection or the fact that Jake was born here. Regardless once more the rumours have popped up. DeBrusk had a career worst season with a mere 5 goals in 41 games. The left winger has had one great season with 27 goals in 68 games but otherwise has been a 16-19 goal scorer. Reportedly things are heated between DeBrusk and coach Cassidy, especially after DeBrusk was scratched in Game 3.
Now, DeBrusk is a pending RFA after next season and with the Bruins likely wanting to sign Hall and Marchand clearly not going anywhere, there doesn't seem to be an appetite to overpay Jake to play in the bottom six. The Oilers are in desperate need for depth on the left side so there is a match in that way.
My concern would be the players inconsistencies. Edmonton needs well established top six forwards who can score and DeBrusk fits that bill... sometimes. At a cap hit of 3.675 million for 21/22 DeBrusk could be either a cheap option that improves the team... or an expensive bottom six option.
Here is my trade proposal for DeBrusk. The Bruins kept moving DeBrusk to his off wing because their right wing depth in the bottom six is weaker. The Oilers trade Zack Kassian and Tyler Benson to the Bruins for DeBrusk. Cap wise the deal is close with the Bruins shedding some cap and acquiring a player who finished top 5 in scoring last season in the AHL. The Oilers get a potential long term top six option and get out of the Kassian contract. What say you Bruins and Oilers fans on that deal?
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»