https://www.prohockeyrumors.com/2020/10/edmonton-oilers-not-expected-to-qualify-andreas-athanasiou.html

Athanasiou not being qualified
- Jeremy Laura

This looks bad on Kenny. Gave up 2 second round picks for him. Terrible asset management.

https://www.prohockeyrumors.com/2020/10/edmonton-oilers-not-expected-to-qualify-andreas-athanasiou.html

Athanasiou not being qualified
- Jeremy Laura

Does he take a lesser deal or go to FA????

I learned a little more about “qualifying”. If player goes to arbitration at 3m qualifier, Edmonton can’t walk away if the decision is 4.5 mil or lower. That’s a chunk and AA would have no reason not to try and get it

Does he take a lesser deal or go to FA????

- HenryHockey

His agent Darren Ferris is always threatening to send his players to Europe come contract time. AA will likely go play in Switzerland.

His agent Darren Ferris is always threatening to send his players to Europe come contract time. AA will likely go play in Switzerland.
- gergeswillems

I’ll say this for Kenny, he waited out Puljuljarvi and let the kid sit. Now he wants a new deal with Edmonton.

Stars take Bourque.

Stars take Bourque.
- gergeswillems

The Swedish Chef’s fave player. “Bourque, Bourque, Bourque!”

Trade for another RS D-Man!!! Way to go Doug!

Sharks take Wiesblatt.

Sharks take Wiesblatt.
- gergeswillems

Ok guys, I’m out for tonight. See you tomorrow!

Ok guys, I’m out for tonight. See you tomorrow!
- Jeremy Laura

Bye!

Ok guys, I’m out for tonight. See you tomorrow!
- Jeremy Laura

Goodnight. Catch ya on the flip.

Yzerman’s post draft presser is on the front page

Gunler, JJP, BORDELEAU!!!!, Andrae, Poirier, Mysak and Colangelo all still available at 32.... I'm not goving away who I want, am I? Hahahahahahaha!

I will say that I was a bit surprised by the Raymond pick, despite having him in my list of possibilities at #4. My gut said it would be Rossi (a Brayden Point type of player), or Perfetti. Even though my preference was Rossi, I think Raymond has a skill set that puts him above most other players in the draft. I have seen some mock drafts that had him in the top 3, so certainly not the reach that it might appear to be on the surface. He was originally projected to go higher in the initial rankings, but dropped over the course of the season. If there's one person I trust, it's Stevie Y (and his scouting staff). Welcome to the Wings Marcus!

As for round two, I think Mysak is a good pick to start things off. After that, there are a couple of strong D prospects that they should be able to select from at 45 or 55, perhaps most notably Grans, O'Rourke, Wallinder, Andrae and Jurmo to name a few. With the third 2nd rounder, I'm hoping for Daws or Bednar. I also like Torgersson, Evangelista and Savoie, but not sure where they go.

I didn’t think Raymond was going to be the pick more due to yzerman’s history of keeping us guessing but he looks like a pretty solid player that will mesh well with your forward corps.

Today I my guess is the wings go with 2 D in the second round. There aren’t too many C’s high up and the ones that are I don’t have better than veleno for a 2C. So Detroit could go wingers but with not much in the cupboards for left shot D that’s where I would go.

2 names I like are wallinder and Cormier. Wallinder is complete shut down defence while Cormier offsets that with all offence (2 goals, 6 points in 2 games to start the year).

Teams are built from the back end out and adding those 2 to McIsaac, Seider, hronek and toumisto would be a good foundation to work with

Bad skating stride!!!

- HenryHockey

At least his head's up....no one's gonna blind-side him!!!

Lookong at the way it all fell, I think Gunler makes alot of sense, then come back with Bordaleau/Smilanic (even though I would LOVE to have both) then a Dman possibly?

I think Evangelista is gonna be HUGE for whoever takes him. London as an org routinely plays their 19 and 20 year olds on the PP, sothe younger kids dont ever get time. Evangelista I thinknisngonna explode here in a year or two because He'll finally start getting some Special Teams play. It's amazing to think that his numbers are essentially all 5v5.

So.... if we went that way....

32. Gunler
45. Smilanic
55. Evangelista
63. Blomqvist/Commesso

I just feel like while you can't ignore Defenseman in this draft entirely, the real problem has been putting the puck in the net. So much so that even while winning is out of the question most nights, so has even COMPETING on the scoreboard. I mean they were a minus 122 in 71 games...

Plus I think its gonna be ALL about the Dmen next draft which is loaded and deeeeeeeep with them. Play to the Drafts strengths, this year, that's forwards.

I didn’t think Raymond was going to be the pick more due to yzerman’s history of keeping us guessing but he looks like a pretty solid player that will mesh well with your forward corps.

Today I my guess is the wings go with 2 D in the second round. There aren’t too many C’s high up and the ones that are I don’t have better than veleno for a 2C. So Detroit could go wingers but with not much in the cupboards for left shot D that’s where I would go.

2 names I like are wallinder and Cormier. Wallinder is complete shut down defence while Cormier offsets that with all offence (2 goals, 6 points in 2 games to start the year).

Teams are built from the back end out and adding those 2 to McIsaac, Seider, hronek and toumisto would be a good foundation to work with
- RedC21

Good analysis. Raymond, after searching video of the kid, looks like he can be an impact player in a relatively short period of time. Will require a few years to grow/groom, but DET fans trust The Captain...… Not sure how today will go, but agree with your assertion that teams are built from the back end, so expect a couple of D selections. Heard some chatter about Cormier being a bit of a sleeper, but little found on him from a quick video search at work (sshhhhhhhhh). The Wallinder kid looks strong as a shut-down defender as you said. Saw some scouting reports on this kid; high praise for his IQ and ability to anticipate the puck.

My 2 cents: LD and G for the 1st 2 selections, then it'll be Katie-bar-the-door after that!!! The back end seems to be stacking up well, some maturation time is required, but we're not fighting for the Cup this year....Still think we'll have some salary dump moves this week to shore us up for a couple of years and let the picks germinate. I feel good overall with what's been done.

I know from 29 years in the Army that culture does not change overnight, nor because someone said so. It takes time, shock, buy-in, grooming, setting the example, rewarding those who buy-in and give their hearts to the plan. The very best example of giving one's self top the cause sits in the GM seat at LCA.

New blog for today's festivities?

Lotsa wheeling/dealing today!!!! Tampa, NYR, NYI, Vegas and Vancouver will be unloading cap for a BIG PRICE!!!
Detroit, NJ, Buffalo, LA and CO and even FLA are going to benefit!
I am sure Stevie will get his share! I am hoping for prospects that will play sooner and a couple more future picks, 2021 1st's and 2nd's! Go Stevie! Go Wings!

Lotsa wheeling/dealing today!!!! Tampa, NYR, NYI, Vegas and Vancouver will be unloading cap for a BIG PRICE!!!
Detroit, NJ, Buffalo, LA and CO and even FLA are going to benefit!
I am sure Stevie will get his share! I am hoping for prospects that will play sooner and a couple more future picks, 2021 1st's and 2nd's! Go Stevie! Go Wings!
- HenryHockey

I'm excited to see how today plays out. We have weaponized cap space, and I expect to reap the rewards. Some deals may seem not be palatable on the surface, but am excited nonetheless. TAM is in the hurt locker along with VGK & VAN....I feel like something's brewing based upon Abbey being bought out.

I'm excited to see how today plays out. We have weaponized cap space, and I expect to reap the rewards. Some deals may seem not be palatable on the surface, but am excited nonetheless. TAM is in the hurt locker along with VGK & VAN....I feel like something's brewing based upon Abbey being bought out.
- mcmastermike1968

I could see Stevie acquiring Steen from the Blues or Stastny from Vegas with a couple 2nd round picks attached to them. Tyler Johnson from Tampa could still be possible. Or we could be the third team in a MAF trade? Perhaps we take Loui Eriksson with Demko to "help" the Canucks? So many possibilities...

Does he take a lesser deal or go to FA????

- HenryHockey

I think he takes a lesser deal, but he risks being marginalized. When he played as a C, he was pretty exciting. This dude has rockets for skates, amazing to see his break-away speed. He may fare well in an environment that exploits his talent......because he didn't have that in DET?!?!?! He needs to adjust his 'tude…...or perish.