Yes, actually it can be much, much worse. Trading Phillip Danault to Montreal for two guys who contributed zero to the playoff run or the playoffs, and the team then spent the next five years trying to find a depth center. Oh, and I forgot, the Hawks threw in a second round draft pick because, well, it was Stan Bowman.
- jrsamu

The premise is the same; overvaluing contributions of veterans for what they did in the past rather than valuing what they will contribute in the future. Holland has been terrible at that for years dating back to many horrid contracts he gave out in Detroit. Yet Katz inexplicably thought he was somehow capable.

Is Edmonton interested in Stan Bowman?

Im on the fence with this. This isnt a salary dump from Chicago's perspective, Keith requested to be traded, otherwise Chicago would have most likely kept him for his 2 remaining years. Remember, he's only owed like 2.5 then 1.6 in real money. His cap hit of 5.5 per year is what burns here, who cares about Jones or the 3rd. Ok, so he's 37/38, but by all accounts his fitness levels are elite and players like Keith dont come along too often, especially ones that want to go to Edm even if they are on the tail end of their careers. Looking at his analytics in recent years, it's obvious he isnt what he used to be. Chicago though was deploying him like he was in his prime when in actual fact he is better suited in a second pairing role, hence his analytics were caved on a poor Chicago team. He still has enough gas in the tank. Edmonton will deploy him as a second pairing. I think he will be fine there. An important element that Edm is missing are the intangables.....leadership and such. He'll bring that and hopefully teach something that nobody else on the roster can. But that cap hit....well, its early in the offseason and more things will need to happen.

By getting rid of Neal and Koskinen either through trades or buyouts will essentially cancel Keith's cap hit all out (mostly if bought out). I think getting these 2 guys off the roster will soften the blow to a greater degree and we can move on and be better for it. Us armchair generals can say what what we want, fact is that by all accounts, McDavid, Drai, RNH, and Nurse approved. They wanted this. Also, keep in mind Klefbom being in the IR, frees up his salary too. Sounds like he's not close to returning, if at all. Cap is fine, we still have enough $$$ for the changes we need. I might not like the full 5.5m cap hit, but the Oilers are better today than what they were yesterday. I dont think it's a great trade by any means, but if this is what it cost to bring the guy here for 2 years.....fine.
- TartanArmy74

Wow, rational thinking. I was starting to think that wasn’t allowed in this thread.

How Ken Holland still has employment on an NHL organization is beyond me... good luck Edmonton, Holland decimated the Wings with one bad decision after another......and to compare this deal to acquiring Chris Chelios back in the day is laughable and insane....

By getting rid of Neal and Koskinen either through trades or buyouts will essentially cancel Keith's cap hit all out (mostly if bought out). I think getting these 2 guys off the roster will soften the blow to a greater degree and we can move on and be better for it. Us armchair generals can say what what we want, fact is that by all accounts, McDavid, Drai, RNH, and Nurse approved. They wanted this. Also, keep in mind Klefbom being in the IR, frees up his salary too. Sounds like he's not close to returning, if at all. Cap is fine, we still have enough $$$ for the changes we need. I might not like the full 5.5m cap hit, but the Oilers are better today than what they were yesterday. I dont think it's a great trade by any means, but if this is what it cost to bring the guy here for 2 years.....fine.
- TartanArmy74

The point this neglects is Holland committed 5.5mil to a LD that isn't a guarantee to be a 2LD without clearing any cap. Whatever cap room will be created by buying out Neal or Koskinen and putting Klefbom on LTIR would still be there even without having acquired Keith.

By getting rid of Neal and Koskinen either through trades or buyouts will essentially cancel Keith's cap hit all out (mostly if bought out). I think getting these 2 guys off the roster will soften the blow to a greater degree
- TartanArmy74

So you are either going to have to give up more assets to get trade them, or extend how long they are on the payroll by buying them out.

That sounds like a lose lose situation.

What is Holland thinking?

my god
- BINGO!

I told you that Kieth had value.... And that's no bovine scatology.

I get people being pissed that salary wasn’t retained , and I think Holland could of waited till the 16th to make the deal and played his hand better. But maybe there was another team willing like Seattle. Who could take the cap hit to their advantage and pay 1/4 of the salary. At any rate it’s a player that’s a beast and will continue to be so. Hope you all remember this when Keith kills it
- bigape

Seattle would have been asking for a better asset than Jones and a 3rd to take on this bloated contract. But obviously, the asking price was richer than simply Keith and a middling prospect. Or Seattle simply wasn't interested. Oilers are fine. Still have $11m to re-sign Larsson, Yamamoto and Khaira, plus overpay for a UFA. That assumes Neal is bought out.

Some perspective on brilliance of Kenny H:

The Oilers have traded:

2 second rounders, 2 third rounders, 1 fourth rounder, 1 fifth rounder

in deals to acquire

Andreas Athanasiou, James Neal, Tyler Ennis, Duncan Keith, Dmitry Kulikov (and Tim Soderland).

They recouped 1 sixth round pick by trading John Marino to Pittsburgh

Some perspective on brilliance of Kenny H:

The Oilers have traded:

2 second rounders, 2 third rounders, 1 fourth rounder, 1 fifth rounder

in deals to acquire

Andreas Athanasiou, James Neal, Tyler Ennis, Duncan Keith, Dmitry Kulikov (and Tim Soderland).

They recouped 1 sixth round pick by trading John Marino to Pittsburgh
- Traveldude

AA deal was destroyed by Covid so can't get a true judgement on this
James Neal trade is still a win
Marino was gonna walk for nothing so this was a win (wanted nothing to do with a Canadian team)
Ennis was a win
Kulikov was a wash, picked up a journeyman for playoff run
Keith deal was very very bad hwy robbery by Bowman

I get it. I know I don't see eye to eye with many in Chicago on Keith lol
- BINGO!

How do you see at all through the eyes of Marty Feldman?