There are quite a few signings that I would have liked the Oil to make but unless those players were real possibilities for the Oil (i.e., the player had as much interest in Edm as their final destination), then this is just fantasy land judgement based on options that probably never really existed. Maybe information will leak about some of Holland's potential deals that never turned out later but as of now that kinda speculation is just silly.
- RonPielep

I would have done that Donskoi deal 100%. Filipula, Nyquist, Pickard, Pirri too. On top of all the guys that got traded for dirt cheap. We’re worse today than last week!

The Canadiens have announced that they have tendered an offer sheet to restricted free agent Sebastian Aho of the Carolina Hurricanes. The proposed contract is for five years, with an average annual value of $8.454 million.

Your move Carolina
- RatedR80

That’s not even a good offer sheet. Of course they match it.

I would have done that Donskoi deal 100%. Filipula, Nyquist, Pickard, Pirri too. On top of all the guys that got traded for dirt cheap. We’re worse today than last week!
- Ihatebrianburke

He makes a point that maybe they just didn’t want to come to Edmonton....that could be possible

That’s not even a good offer sheet. Of course they match it.
- Ihatebrianburke

Maybe it ends up being a trade in the end

Anaheim, Arizona, Minnesota, Montreal, New Jersey, New York Rangers, Ottawa, Vegas. So 1/4 of the league.
- Ihatebrianburke

I don't think Nuge is 1C over Getzlaf, Zibanejad, Stastny and Hischier/Hughes.

Montreal front loaded that Aho deal with 21 mil over the first 12 months

The Canadiens have announced that they have tendered an offer sheet to restricted free agent Sebastian Aho of the Carolina Hurricanes. The proposed contract is for five years, with an average annual value of $8.454 million.

Your move Carolina
- RatedR80

Nice.

Montreal front loaded that Aho deal with 21 mil over the first 12 months
- RatedR80

Lol damn 😅

Lol damn 😅
- MaximumBone

Not quite the “easy match” as it once was when those numbers came out

I don't think Nuge is 1C over Getzlaf, Zibanejad, Stastny and Hischier/Hughes.
- MaximumBone

Zero chance getzlaf. Even now.
The others maybe debatable. Ziban is hella good too

The road to a top 6 forward is through a trade now and I’m not so sure he can pull that off....I think we still have over 5.5 in cap space so we could make it work money wise
- RatedR80

Yeah I think trade is basically the only option to become somewhat competitive for next season.

Honestly, I think it is time for the Oil to move some young assets/picks for immediate help. Similar to the Nucks trade for JT Miller (except I would not give up a first) or how the Sabres traded a 3rd round pick for Vesey (although Vesey is a poophead).

Players like Pulju (due to his recent BS), Yammers, Bear, Benning and Cave along with future 2nd and 3rd round picks should all be in play to bring in immediate help and upgrade this roster.

Not quite the “easy match” as it once was when those numbers came out
- RatedR80

Yup. Big Balls Bergevin just throwing money around.

I would have done that Donskoi deal 100%. Filipula, Nyquist, Pickard, Pirri too. On top of all the guys that got traded for dirt cheap. We’re worse today than last week!
- Ihatebrianburke

It's more fair to burn Holland for potential trades that could have been made but less fair to roast him for players signing desirable contracts with other teams.

It's at least nonsense speculation until we find out whether or not those players were willing to sign said contracts with the Oil and Holland just turned it down.

He makes a point that maybe they just didn’t want to come to Edmonton....that could be possible
- RatedR80

Or they wanted more $ and/or term while negotiating with Edm and were willing to take less with the teams they signed to. Apart from rumors that the Oil met with Connolly we really have no (frank)ing clue which is why placing judgement on such blind speculation is really just useless for evaluating management.

Yeah I think trade is basically the only option to become somewhat competitive for next season.

Honestly, I think it is time for the Oil to move some young assets/picks for immediate help. Similar to the Nucks trade for JT Miller (except I would not give up a first) or how the Sabres traded a 3rd round pick for Vesey (although Vesey is a poophead).

Players like Pulju (due to his recent BS), Yammers, Bear, Benning and Cave along with future 2nd and 3rd round picks should all be in play to bring in immediate help and upgrade this roster.
- RonPielep

If a deal makes sense and makes us better then it’s worth exploring minus a few guys or assets we aren’t willing to part with....the good news is there is time between now and training camp but I have to wonder what Holland is currently thinking.....he did say his shopping list was a vet back up (done) bottom 6 depth (in progress) and a top 6 guy (nothing yet obviously)

Yup. Big Balls Bergevin just throwing money around.
- Wildschwein

I would do the same....Aho is a great young talent and worth it in the end.....I bet other teams with high profile RFAs woke up and took notice.....if the Habs strike out on Aho they could easily target another player

Maybe it ends up being a trade in the end
- RatedR80

You can’t trade the player right away if you match it. There is no sign and trade deals like the NBA

Or they wanted more $ and/or term while negotiating with Edm and were willing to take less with the teams they signed to. Apart from rumors that the Oil met with Connolly we really have no (frank)ing clue which is why placing judgement on such blind speculation is really just useless for evaluating management.
- RonPielep

I have to assume Holland met with Nyquist based on the history there but like you said who knows what really happened

Zero chance getzlaf. Even now.
The others maybe debatable. Ziban is hella good too
- HB77

I think Nuge was better than Getz last season and he will be better going forward. I think Getz is seeing the start of what will be a steady continual decline.

Definitely premature to call Hischier/Hughes better than Nuge.

Considering Nuges defensive acumen, ability to carry inferior wingers and the fact he doesn't require sheltered minutes is a huge factor imo when comparing to other top C.

You can’t trade the player right away if you match it. There is no sign and trade deals like the NBA
- Ihatebrianburke

Right and you can’t trade that player for a year if you do match it....either way it’s a smart move on the Habs part

I don't think Nuge is 1C over Getzlaf, Zibanejad, Stastny and Hischier/Hughes.
- MaximumBone

I would put him right up there with those guys. I put him in the same ballpark with Coutourier. Hughes should be a winger. Too small.

I would do the same....Aho is a great young talent and worth it in the end.....I bet other teams with high profile RFAs woke up and took notice.....if the Habs strike out on Aho they could easily target another player
- RatedR80

I’d offer the same to Kyle Connor if the space was there.

If a deal makes sense and makes us better then it’s worth exploring minus a few guys or assets we aren’t willing to part with....the good news is there is time between now and training camp but I have to wonder what Holland is currently thinking.....he did say his shopping list was a vet back up (done) bottom 6 depth (in progress) and a top 6 guy (nothing yet obviously)
- RatedR80

I could see a trade for a top 6 guy being the end of the story. Unless Jurco is that top 6 guy.

Yeah I think trade is basically the only option to become somewhat competitive for next season.

Honestly, I think it is time for the Oil to move some young assets/picks for immediate help. Similar to the Nucks trade for JT Miller (except I would not give up a first) or how the Sabres traded a 3rd round pick for Vesey (although Vesey is a poophead).

Players like Pulju (due to his recent BS), Yammers, Bear, Benning and Cave along with future 2nd and 3rd round picks should all be in play to bring in immediate help and upgrade this roster.
- RonPielep

No 1st better be in play. Those are future 1st overalls

I have to assume Holland met with Nyquist based on the history there but like you said who knows what really happened
- RatedR80

Maybe Gus had no interest in the Canadian tundra.